Last Night In The NBA: Despite Not Taking 7 Hours, It Was Still A Great Night Of Basketball
Happy Saturday everybody and welcome back to another edition of Last Night In The NBA where we catch you up on everything that went down from the night before in the Association. While the normal people were probably out at the bar and watching World Series, it is my job to remind you that there were also 7 NBA games last night, and per usual they did not disappoint. Now I know it’s college football time, but you’re going to need something to entertain yourself when you’re on the toilet today/during halftimes or maybe to distract you from the realization you lost all your bets and your money. That’s what this blog is here for, so we may as well get started. We have a lot to get to, so if you didn’t watch last night here’s what you missed
Chicago Bulls (1-4) 106 vs Charlotte Hornets (3-3) 135
I’m still not sure if the Hornets are good or not, but what I DO know is they are fun as hell to watch. Especially with Contract Year Kemba playing out of his goddamn mind. He’s certainly not the first NBA player to take his game to another level in the last year of his deal with a big free agency summer on deck, but man is he doing it with style this season
What a tough spot for CHA. Do they value Kemba enough to commit to him long term? If they feel like he’s leaving, don’t they have to trade him? What’s his market though, is there a team out there, maybe a contender, that needs PG help? Either way his start to the year (30.8/3.8.5.7 on 49/45% splits) has been insane.
Speaking of insane, let’s talk about this offensive performance. This CHA team shot 57% from the field which is utterly ridiculous, had 8 players in double figures, and their bench outside of Malik Monk pretty much didn’t miss
Again, no clue what to make of this team so far, but it wouldn’t shock me if the Hornets ended their playoff drought this year.
For CHI, listen, more often than not you’ll take 43.5/44% splits and 16 3PM. Yeah that 45 points second quarter was a little problematic, but whatever it’s not about wins anyways right now
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Golden State Warriors (5-1) 128 vs New York Knicks (1-5) 100
As always, Clem has you covered from a Knicks perspective, and while I don’t think anyone is shocked by this result, don’t let the final score fool you. The Knicks kept this close and actually led at certain points, but as we’ve seen almost no team alive can withstand the inevitable Warriors bukkake.
What I love about this year’s Warriors team is they are fully embracing their troll game. Remember that shit from when before they got KD and they were just disrespectful and trolled everyone? People hated it because they were mostly just mad their favorite team couldn’t beat them, and I could not be happier it’s back. Embracing being the villain is always fun, and as I’m sure you know the Warriors were right back at it last night
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For NYK, like I said go read Clem’s take, but here are the rest of the highlights
I’ll say this about the Knicks. They may not win many games, but this is not a team you can just sleepwalk through. Yeah the Warriors ended up blowing them out, but you have to admit they actually had to try in order to do it, which is a step in the right direction.
Dallas Mavericks (2-3) 107 vs Toronto Raptors (6-0) 116
OK, it’s time to be truthful and admit the Raptors are a fucking wagon. I mean they are just so goddamn deep as of right now they are the best team in the East. Don’t be insecure and just admit it. They started off by dropping 39 points in the first quarter, ended up with 69 (nice) at the half, and never really looked back. A total of 7 players in double figures, this was actually one of these games where they didn’t even really need their bench as their starters were fantastic
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I’ll tell you what, if Kyle Lowry was upset with his best friend being traded, you wouldn’t know it by watching him play. I’d go so far as to say outside maybe Kemba, no other guard in the East has gotten off to a better start. He’s playing at a ridiculous level right now, and while it all comes down to his playoff performance, let’s just not throw to the side the start he’s had.
Now there’s also this fact that should be considered. The Raptors have played 5 of their 6 games at home. That feels a little unfair. Go one the road and prove you can win there before I jump in with two feet. We knew this team was a force at home, they need to show it on the road this year and maybe they will, but we haven’t seen it yet.
For DAL, it’s hard to shoot 41/40% in this building and win, but at least Luka was awesome
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Also didn’t help they were without Dennis Smith Jr, but credit to them for making this somewhat competitive.
Los Angeles Clippers (3-2) 133 vs Houston Rockets (1-4) 113
Ummmm, something isn’t right in HOU. They got Chris Paul back which was nice, and yes they were without James Harden, but what the hell is going on with this defense? The Rockets were a force on that end last year, and they were at home, so why are they giving up 133 points to a Clippers team that doesn’t exactly identify themselves as an offensive juggernaut? On what planet are you going to let Montrezl Harrell look unstoppable?
The Clippers shot 54/52%, got to the line a ridiculous 38 times, and I’ll inform you that this was only a 13 point game entering the fourth. Then the Clips dropped 37 points and it was a wrap.
For HOU, it was a weird night. The positives are they made 15 3PM, Melo looked sort of like the Melo of old
Gerald Green was solid off the bench with 19 points on 7-14 shooting
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and as a team they did have at least 30 points in three of the four quarters. That’s where it stops though. The bad news was Paul was 3-13 in his return, Eric Gordon who was spot starting for Harden went 3-14, and that’s not going to cut it. Then you factor in their inability to defend and that’s how you get run out of your own gym.
No need to panic though, things seem great!
This team needs Jimmy Butler immediately.
Milwaukee Bucks (5-0) 125 vs Minnesota Timberwolves (2-4) 95
As good as TOR has been, the Bucks have sneaky been right there with them. Last night was no different, and this game was a blowout from the opening tip. Some people are saying this was the straw that broke the camels back for MIN, because to have this sort of outing at home, given everything happening with that franchise, it’s a wrap.
The Bucks came in, shot 53%, made 19 3PM, and what’s insane is no player had more than 16 points! Giannis was quiet, and look what still happened!
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The Bucks played their whole roster in this one, and essentially if you stepped onto the court you played great. Impressive for a team that had it’s own road struggles last year.
For MIN, I mean at what point is it enough. It’s clear the drama has poisoned this team and there is no coming back. Jimmy Butler/Jeff Teague/Okogie combined to go 6-31, only two starters finished in double figures and one of them was KAT who went 7-16 and was a -23. Yeah they were without Andrew Wiggins but when has that mattered?
You know things are bad when Derrick Rose is the only one showing life
Brooklyn Nets (2-3) 115 vs New Orleans Pelicans (4-0) 117
The only undefeated team in the West? That would be New Orleans. A great game that probably no one was watching since it was in the thick of the World Series, you missed a doozy.
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A great game winner from Jrue Holiday, who has started the season “slow” by comparison to every other Pelican, there was no doubt on that final possession. You knew once BKN had that brutal TO at the end that it would come back to bite them and it for sure did. These are the games BKN will start to win in the future, but it’s for sure frustrating given how well they played.
Speaking on playing well, how about Julius Randle? What a steal he was huh?
For BKN, there is reason to be optimistic. Their guard play was great with D’Angelo Russell and Caris LaVert combining for nearly 50 points
For the gamblers out there, this game wasn’t without controversy given this tech that was called late
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so things were a bit of a mess for both sides, but AD & Co came out on top and look great to start the year.
Washington Wizards (1-4) 112 vs Sacramento Kings (3-3) 116
Take a deep breath. Guys, I think this may be the Kings year. This may be the year they are not the worst team in the league. I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but my eyes can’t stop my heart from believing. See for yourself
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Not to mention Bagley’s 11/8 off the bench. They erupted for 37 points in the fourth to seal it, and this has to be their best start in years. The Baby Kings are one of those teams you stay up late to watch even if they normally lose because of how intriguing their young talent is, and last night was a great example of that.
For WSH……uh oh. I mean a 1-4 start is not exactly how they drew it up. As usual, Wall/Beal looked good and didn’t really run out of gas late
then they even got a great night from Kelly Oubre Jr off the bench
But this team that’s fairly consistent in their ability to underachieve, once again looks like they are headed down that path. Dwight Howard isn’t even playing yet and he seems to have brought over some bad juju. I mean this game was close until the fourth quarter, and then look what happened. Couldn’t get a stop to save their lives. I’m sure this group of guys will totally handle this well and not be dramatic. Somehow they’ll spin it and talk about how they are actually really good despite their record and nobody wants to play them. You know, typical Wizards stuff.
And that’s it! You are now all caught up with everything that happened last night in the NBA. We’re back tonight with another near full slate, but I get it you probably want to watch football/baseball. Whatever, be sheep. Just make sure you check back here tomorrow and I’ll bring you up to speed on what you missed.