This is the Hangover. This is where I get drunk on the NBA as I recap last night’s action as well as a few things going on around the league. Here’s your word vomit.
11/19/2016
THE GAMES
UTA 102 (7-7) @ HOU 111 (8-5)
CHA 116 (8-4) @ NO 121 (4-10) [OT]
MIA 114 (4-8) @ WAS 111 (3-9)
DAL 87 (2-10) @ ORL 95 (6-7)
BOS 94 (7-6) @ DET 92 (6-8)
PHX 105 (4-10) @ PHI 120 (3-10)
MIN 71 (4-8) @ MEM 93 (8-5)
GS 124 (11-2) @ MIL 121 (5-7)
CHI 95 (8-5) @ LAC 102 (12-2)
(PHOTO CREDIT: Bob Levey/AP.)
DO WE LOVE JAMES HARDEN NOW?
James Harden has been, in a word, surgical.
Mike D’Antoni put the ball in his hands full-time by making him the point guard and he’s playing the best ball of his career. On the surface, he doesn’t seem like he’s doing anything different. But like D’Antoni said in the past, the “ball finds energy.” Last year, Harden seemed to be going through the motions despite the big statline but that energy of his didn’t really help him get to any of the three all-NBA teams.
Now? He is getting a lot of his teammates involved and is relishing his new role as the one. Harden gets made fun of for his effort on defense but even he’s had his moments where he’s played some good D (and we all know D’Antoni doesn’t really emphasize D; they’re 19th in defensive rating). However, we all know that it’s offense on where they shine and they are 3rd in offensive rating.
The narrative is that Harden is a ballhog but he is far and away the league leader in assists. He doesn’t get enough credit for his passing and here he is, averaging 12.5 per game. Harden has also had three triple-doubles this season so he’s just getting everything done. The Rockets are 8-5 so Harden’s statline doesn’t feel so empty.
His game hasn’t changed much except for the fact that he’s being given the green light to handle the ball and offense. But it’s just funny how a different coach and system can change the perception of a player.
THE REST OF THE LEAGUE
So there was a “bandwagon fan cam” in Milwaukee, when the Warriors were in town last night.
Bucks jumbotron does a bandwagon fan cam, makes 3-1 joke pic.twitter.com/ruBK4Kg2gm
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 20, 2016
Hey, look! It’s the tired 3-1 joke! Unfortunately, the Warriors didn’t forget that the Bucks stopped their undefeated streak last season. They got their revenge in a very close game. I like that the Bucks and Warriors play their games close.
Last night, the Clippers got bailed out by a foul call on Jimmy Butler. The Clips were up by two with 20.8 seconds left and the Bulls played excellent defense until the whistle was blown. Check the video out.
@Bulls_Jay pic.twitter.com/iseScddQ2q
— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) November 20, 2016
That’s a foul. But there was social media outrage because Clippers. Butler bodied up Griffin and didn’t give him room to land. It’s an easy call, really. But since it’s the Clippers, we all have to get angry, I guess.
Jrue Holiday followed up his 21-point, 7-assist performance with 22 points and 9 assists against the Hornets. Oh, did they miss him.
Joel Embiid is still on a minutes restriction. But he definitely made the most out of it by scoring 26 points and grabbing seven rebounds. All in 20 minutes of duty. That’s a good way to bounce back from that loss against Minnesota.
Speaking of Minnesota, that high-octane offense only scored 71 points against the grit-and-grind-and-gross Grizzlies. And I say gross in an affectionate manner. Before the Wolves, the Mavericks only scored 64 points against them. Ewwww. See? Gross.
LINE CROSSER
(PHOTO CREDIT: Chuck Cook/USA Today Sports.)
Anthony Davis is doing things as he led the Pelicans to the second straight win. Here’s what he did against the Hornets:
38 points, 16 rebounds, 3 blocks.
He still continues to have incredible individual performances and now the team is winning. Hope they keep it rolling.
WATCH THIS PLAY
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
Blake Griffin got revenge for all the mascots out there. Look at him slam this over one of the Lopez twins. I think his name is George. (Just kidding. I KNOW it’s Robin.)
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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