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.
12/16/2016
THE GAMES
DET 108 (14-14) @ WAS 122 (11-14)
BRK 111 (7-18) @ ORL 118 (12-16)
CHA 88 (14-13) @ BOS 96 (14-12)
ATL 125 (13-13) @ TOR 121 (18-8)
MIL 95 (13-12) @ CHI 69 (13-13)
SAC 96 (10-16) @ MEM 92 (18-10)
NO 100 (9-19) @ HOU 122 (20-7)
LAL 100 (11-18) @ PHI 89 (6-20)
LAC 102 (20-7) @ MIA 98 (9-18)
DAL 100 (6-20) @ UTA 103 (17-10)
(PHOTO CREDIT: David J. Phillip/AP.)
TEXAS SHOOTOUT
The Houston Rockets broke the regular season record for most made three-pointers in a game. They made 24 treys against the Pelicans on Friday night. That record was bound to be broken. The OVERALL record was 25 as the Cavaliers made that many in a playoff game last spring.
What’s mindboggling, though, is another record that they set. They actually blew away their own record. The Rockets ATTEMPTED 61 three-pointers on their way to making those 24. Their previous record was 50. And it didn’t even seem like they were forcing those threes. That was just all in the flow of offense.
All the three-point records are getting beat this season. The Rockets are averaging 38.2 three-point field goal attempts this season. That’s going to shatter their own record of 32.7 attempts per game that they set in 2014-15. They are also on pace to beat the record for most three-pointers in a season. The Warriors of last year made 1,077 three-pointers for an average of 13.1. The Rockets are averaging 14.8 made per game (400 total thus far) and are well on their way to beating THAT record. The Cavs are also on pace to exceed the Warriors’ total (13.3 made threes per game this season).
Stephen Curry does lead the league with 101 three-pointers made but he’s not going to come close to beating his record from last season (402). Also, Eric Gordon (newly acquired by the Rockets this season) is right behind him with 100. They are both on pace, though, on getting the second most threes for a season. The previous record before last season was 286, also by Curry.
Go crazy with those threes, boys.
THE REST OF THE LEAGUE
Still trying to figure out the Hawks. You think they don’t have it and then they come out as the only team this season to win games AT Cleveland and AT Toronto.
The Lakers finally won a game in December. They finally beat the lowly Sixers, who can’t seem to figure out how to fit in Nerlens Noel in the rotation. You knew it was finally going to catch up to them. Noel expressed his frustration after only playing 8 minutes last night. We all knew one of the bigs from Philly had to be traded. Which one, though?
By the way, the Rockets have won nine straight. Mike D’Antoni is an early candidate for Coach of the Year.
Mike Conley came back earlier than expected. Remember that he had a fractured spine. Still, the Kings surprised the Grizzlies in Memphis as they went in there and beat them by four. But the Grizzlies, who had been winning without Conley, should be a team we must keep an eye on.
So DeMarcus Cousins wasn’t too happy towards reporter Andy Furillo of the Sacramento Bee. Furillo had been targetting Cousins for a long time now in some scathing columns. He’s called Cousins a cancer and even called for his release. Boogie then went after Furillo because his brother was mentioned by the reporter. Nothing too big but it was about the history of run-ins with the law. Still, this was brewing for a long time now and Cousins has had it with Furillo.
@hoopscritic @MrCraw4D Are you implying that Cousins is treated the same as everyone else by @andyfurillo? pic.twitter.com/00dhBVwSl5
— Andy Dufresne (@theunzippedfly) December 17, 2016
Then the Sacramento Bee responded with this column. I really don’t think this stuff had to be printed.
I think this is an ugly situation. Obviously, Cousins made it harder for himself but I always think there’s a way to cover sports without having to resort to harsh criticism. I’m not saying we should baby the athletes that we cover but I think we can do some constructive criticism instead of seemingly throwing people under the bus. Athletes are humans, too, and words CAN hurt people, no matter their profession.
Not sure where the Sacramento Bee and the Kings go from here but they need a little heart-to-heart talk over some beer and wings.
LINE CROSSER
James Harden got his sixth triple-double of the season:
29 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists.
He also passes the great Hakeem Olajuwon for most triple-doubles in franchise history. This is Harden’s 15th career triple-double.
WATCH THIS PLAY
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
As much as I would like to put another play involving a Lopez twin here, Rodney Hood‘s game-winner with 0.8 seconds left is the play that belongs here.
Also, check out Salah Mejri‘s reaction. Thanks to Whitney Medworth (@its_whitney) for pointing it out.
LOVE the passion!
Follow Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass for all tweets about the NBA. Also, check out his podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental.
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