This is the Hangover. We get basketball-wasted all the time. Yes, we recap the NBA every night in our own way.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images.)
While someone was out there trying to be a billionaire, a bunch of tall millionaires played with an orange ball all over the country. 10 games on the menu for the Association!
01/13/2016
THE GAMES
ATLANTA HAWKS 84 (23-16) @ CHARLOTTE HORNETS 107 (18-20)
It must’ve been really good for the Hornets to be back home because they absolutely thrashed the birds from the second quarter on. The bees pounded the boards (54-37) and held the Hawks to 37 percent shooting.
And I thought, once upon a time, that a Hawk and a Hornet loved each other very much.
BEHIND THE LINES
Kemba Walker (CHA): 23 pts, 5 assts, 3 stls.
Cody Zeller (CHA): 19 pts, 10 rebs, 3 blks.
Paul Millsap (ATL): 20 pts, 5 rebs.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS 101 (16-25) @ WASHINGTON WIZARDS 106 (18-19)
After the Wizards lost a double-digit lead, they built it back up in the fourth quarter with a 12-0 run. The Bucks tried to make another comeback but it was halted by two big three-pointers from Jared Dudley. Suddenly, the Wizards have won three in a row and are looking to break into that crowded East playoff picture.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Patrick Smith/Getty Images.)
BEHIND THE LINES
Garrett Temple (WAS): 11 pts, 5 assts, 5 stls.
John Wall (WAS): 19 pts, 5 rebs, 8 assts.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL): 19 pts, 11 rebs, 6 assts.
Greg Monroe (MIL): 21 pts, 12 rebs.
Khris Middleton (MIL): 25 pts, 5 rebs, 5 assts.
Jabari Parker (MIL): 22 pts, 6 rebs.
NEW YORK KNICKS 104 (20-21) @ BROOKLYN NETS 110 (11-28)
There was no Carmelo Anthony because of an ankle sprain but Derrick Williams showed a flash of brilliance. The former #2 overall pick tied a career-high of 31 points.
But a late 10-2 run by the Nets overwhelmed their crosstown rivals. Brook Lopez and Shane Larkin made some huge shots to help offset Arron Afflalo‘s late run. The Nets pushed the Knicks below .500.
BEHIND THE LINES
Brook Lopez (BRK): 20 pts, 8 rebs, 5 assts.
Thaddeus Young (BRK): 19 pts, 11 rebs, 3 stls.
Kristaps Porzingis (NY): 12 pts, 10 rebs, 3 stls.
Derrick Williams (NY): 31 pts, 7 rebs.
INDIANA PACERS 94 (22-17) @ BOSTON CELTICS 103 (20-19)
The Pacers led, 94-91, late and looked poised to win. But the Celtics got annoying on the defensive end, forcing the Pacers to three late turnovers. Boton finished with a flourish, scoring 12 points in the last two minutes. The East is confusing.
BEHIND THE LINES
Jae Crowder (BOS): 25 pts.
Amir Johnson (BOS): 14 pts, 18 rebs, 6 assts.
Isaiah Thomas (BOS): 28 pts.
Ian Mahinmi (IND): 10 pts, 10 rebs, 3 stls.
Paul George (IND): 23 pts, 8 rebs.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES 104 (12-28) @ HOUSTON ROCKETS 107 (21-19)
(PHOTO CREDIT: David J. Phillips/AP.)
James Harden and Jason Terry made some big shots down the stretch but the puppies still managed to close in for a three-point margin. Both Harden and Terry both missed perimeter jumper that could’ve essentially put the game away. In the final possession, Kevin Martin missed a three that could’ve sent the game to OT. The Rockets held on for their fifth straight win, which is strange in the 2015-16 season.
BEHIND THE LINES
James Harden (HOU): 27 pts, 11 assts.
Dwight Howard (HOU): 15 pts, 10 rebs.
Kevin Martin (MIN): 22 pts.
Andrew Wiggins (MIN): 28 pts.
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN): 12 pts, 16 reb.
Ricky Rubio (MIN): 9 pts, 5 rebs, 12 assts, 4 stls.
DALLAS MAVERICKS 89 (22-18) @ OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER 108 (28-12)
The Mavs rested his regular starters and the Thunder basically dominated the entire contest. J.J. Barea got in a couple scuffles with Russell Westbrook and it ended with Russell getting ejected after two technical fouls. Later on, Westbrook gave a few piledrivers to people in the arena. I may or may not be making up that last sentence.
BEHIND THE LINES
Kevin Durant (OKC): 29 pts, 10 rebs.
Serge Ibaka (OKC): 20 pts, 11 rebs, 3 blks.
J.J. Barea (DAL): 18 pts, 6 assts.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS 110 (36-3) @ DENVER NUGGETS 112 (15-24)
The Warriors rested Draymond Green. But it didn’t turn out the way the Dubs hoped.
The Dubs went on unexpected scoring droughts late in the third and early in the fourth. Denver led by double digits halfway through the fourth before the reigning, defending champions woke up. But the Nuggets couldn’t put away the Warriors outright; Klay Thompson made a three that cut the deficit to one and Danilo Gallinari split his foul shots afterwards. The Dubs had a chance to tie or win with two seconds left but Klay missed a three that would’ve completed a near-impossible comeback. Warriors lose their third game of the season.
BEHIND THE LINES
Darrell Arthur (DEN): 18 pts, 11 rebs.
Danilo Gallinari (DEN): 28 pts, 5 rebs.
Will Barton (DEN): 21 pts, 6 rebs.
Stephen Curry (GS): 38 pts, 5 rebs, 9 assts, 3 stls.
UTAH JAZZ 85 (17-21) @ PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS 99 (17-24)
(PHOTO CREDIT: Pete Christopher/The Oregonian.)
It was all Portland in the second half. Damian Lillard finished with a 20-10 the assist way while his team outrebounded the Jazz by 16. The Jazz were STILL without Derrick Favors.
BEHIND THE LINES
Damian Lillard (POR): 21 pts, 7 rebs, 10 assts.
Rodney Hood (UTA): 19 pts.
Gordon Haywar (UTA): 19 pts, 6 rebs, 9 assts.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS 109 (12-26) @ SACRAMENTO KINGS 97 (15-23)
Other than losing Tyreke Evans to injury, the Anthony Davis-led Pelicans pretty much played an almost perfect game. They led by as many as 28 points against Sacramento royalty. Pelicans get their 12th win in what has been a disappointing season.
BEHIND THE LINES
Eric Gordon (NO): 24 pts, 5 rebs, 6 assts, 3 stls.
Anthony Davis (NO): 24 pts, 10 rebs.
Rajon Rondo (SAC): 17 pts, 5 rebs, 10 assts.
DeMarcus Cousins (SAC): 32 pts, 12 rebs.
MIAMI HEAT 90 (22-17) @ LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS 104 (26-13)
The Clippers were without DeAndre Jordan in addition to already missing Blake Griffin. But Cole Aldrich and a barrage of three-pointers helped the Clippers run away in the third quarter. L.A. has now won 10 straight.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Rick Loomis/L.A. Times.)
BEHIND THE LINES
Cole Aldrich (LAC): 19 pts, 7 rebs.
Chris Paul (LAC): 15 pts, 6 rebs, 12 assts, 4 stls.
Chris Bosh (MIA): 11 pts, 12 rebs, 7 assts.
Gerald Green (MIA): 19 pts.
Hassan Whiteside (MIA): 10 pts, 11 rebs, 3 blks.
GETTING SOCIAL
Do you believe!?
FINISH. #Nuggets
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 14, 2016
Congrats to the beard on 10k points.
— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) January 14, 2016
Close road loss. Credit to Nuggets they played well. Another one tomo night @ home. #needit
— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) January 14, 2016
Great win tonight Dj Blake get better fellas we need y'all
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) January 14, 2016
Clippers have won 10 in a row and no one cares. Choker stigma.
— Jordan Ramirez (@JRAM_91) January 14, 2016
Celtics 103, Pacers 94: Boston desperately needed one of these close games to break its way. A reminder of what its defense is capable of.
— Chris Forsberg (@ESPNForsberg) January 14, 2016
WATCH THIS PLAY
The first dunk was the business. But, really, you can just watch Derrick Williams’ dunk reel. Enjoy!
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
THE TAKEAWAY
I don’t have much time for a takeaway but good grief. The earlier tweet was correct; there is that stigma with the Clippers that UNTIL they make the FInals (or maybe even the Conference Finals), they’ll have that choker stigma. 10-game win streaks won’t matter; they have to get it done in the playoffs. No matter how impressive that streak is (9 games without Griffin).
I did pick Denver to beat the Warriors. It was just 24 games too late.
As far as the Warriors’ start? They’re even now with the Bulls at 36-3. The Bulls had a record of 41-3 at one time before they lost two straight (no team has ever gone through a season without losing two straight games). If they’re going to keep resting guys like that, I’m not sure about 72. I don’t think they can get it if they lose again within the next five games or so.
Happy Thursday!
Follow Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass for all tweets about the NBA and terrible pop music. Also, check out his podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental.
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