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.
12/21/2016
THE GAMES
MIL 102 (13-14) @ CLE 113 (21-6)
MIN 92 (9-19) @ ATL 84 (14-15)
MEM 98 (19-12) @ DET 86 (14-17)
WAS 107 (13-15) @ CHI 97 (14-14)
OKC 121 (17-12) @ NO 110 (10-21)
SAC 94 (12-17) @ UTA 93 (18-12)
HOU 125 (22-8) @ PHX 111 (8-21)
DAL 96 (8-21) @ POR 95 (13-18)
(PHOTO CREDIT: Matt York/AP.)
ERIC GORDON IS REJUVENATED IN A NEW ENVIRONMENT
Before the season started, I had Eric Gordon winning Sixth Man of the Year:
NBA Season Award Predictions: pic.twitter.com/Be2Ev4w1YA
— Rey-Rey (@TheNoLookPass) October 25, 2016
Gordon signed with the Houston Rockets as part of an offensive makeover with Mike D’Antoni. In his five seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans, he was often injured and wasn’t the defensive player that he was with the Clippers. With the Rockets, he became a designated shooter off the bench (though he did start eight games when Patrick Beverley was hurt).
And he has flourished. He is tied for 11th in three-point shooting at .436 and leads the league in three-point field goals made (112). He’s also averaging the most points since 2011-12 (which probably shouldn’t count since he only played nine games) at 17.6 per game (second on the team behind James Harden). And he’s only playing under 31 minutes. It feels like he’s been around forever, especially with the injuries, but he’s only turning 28 on Christmas Day.
I’m sure he would want to start but he has done so well in this role. He’s still getting the minutes. He’s not doing as much work on the offensive end as Harden is doing all the playmaking. He can probably extend his career this way, anyway.
It’s too bad New Orleans never got this version of Gordon. As in healthy and motivated. Then again, it didn’t seem like he wanted to be there, anyway. But I’m happy that he got a fresh start in Houston.
THE REST OF THE LEAGUE
Coach David Fizdale questioned the leadership of the team. Marc Gasol responded back by tying a career-best 38 points against a team who is also having trouble with leadership and basically everything else in basketball, the Pistons. The talks worked with the Grizzlies while nothing has worked thus far with the Pistons in the last week or so.
The Cavs have won both home-and-home games against the Bucks. As of late, I’ve noticed Kyrie Irving‘s uptick on the sharing of the ball. He’s averaging 6.8 dimes in December. It would be great if he can keep that up to lessen LeBron James‘ workload.
The Blazers came back from 25 down but fell short against the Mavs when Damian Lillard missed the potential game-winning three. Former Blazer Wesley Matthews did an excellent job defending him. I wish Lillard passed it out for a better shot yet he somehow nearly made that three after getting away from Wesley for a split-second. I’m iffy on that shot. Obviously, you want your best player taking the shot but, at the same time, you could’ve gotten something better. And we also know Lillard can make that shot.
Kings continue their weird week as they came back from 20 down against Utah to win. Before the game, DeMarcus Cousins greeted a kid who had a sign that mentioned it was his birthday. It also said “Please Notice Me.” Boogie noticed and he gave a kid a moment he will remember forever.
I felt I had to mention that because I’m sure there are a lot of people that think Boogie Cousins is a jerk. He’s not. He has issues just like all of us do. Some are just more pronounced than others.
And lastly, is this really the first time the Wolves have won consecutive games this season? Yikes.
LINE CROSSER
(PHOTO CREDIT: Layne Murdoch/Getty Images.)
Okay, so Russell Westbrook didn’t get a triple-double but you have to admit that…
42 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists
…is really, really impressive.
WATCH THIS PLAY
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
The Suns were pretty much done in by the Rockets but a defiant Devin Booker decided to throw one more blow with this dunk over Kyle Wiltjer.
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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