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.
12/25/2016
THE GAMES
BOS 119 (18-13) @ NY 114 (16-14)
GS 108 (27-5) @ CLE 109 (23-6)
CHI 100 (14-16) @ SA 119 (25-6)
MIN 100 (9-21) @ OKC 112 (19-12)
LAC 102 (22-10) @ LAL 111 (12-22)
(PHOTO CREDIT: John Kuntz/Cleveland.Com.)
GAME OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE
For a lot of casual fans, the NBA season doesn’t start until its Christmas showcase. For many, the 2016 NBA Finals rematch between the Golden State Warriors and the reigning, defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers was the first game they watched this season. Man, this did NOT disappoint.
This HAD the aura of an NBA Finals game. This match-up felt one-sided before the Cavs reeled off three wins against them to upset the Dubs and win the championship. The Cavs seemingly peaked in last season’s playoffs and now they seem better than ever. The Warriors on paper look better, too. After all, a salary cap fluke got them Kevin Durant, a player many still consider second best behind LeBron James.
And it had that emotion, especially in the fourth quarter. Durant had his usual numbers, going for 36 and 15. The Warriors were up by 14 during that same stanza. But LeBron, Kevin Love, Richard Jefferson (!!!), and especially Kyrie Irving led a surge to bring that back. Jefferson had two wicked dunks in that rally. Later, LeBron threw down a powerful jam that would make Luke Cage blush (the refs missed out on calling a technical there as LeBron hung on the rim for what seemed like ages).
A struggling Stephen Curry would make a three-pointer to give the lead back to the Warriors. After an Irving lay-up, the Dubs couldn’t get a shot off as the shot clock expired (another error for the officials was letting the Cavs, who were out of timeouts, get a free huddle as they reviewed how much clock the game should have left). Irving would make the go-ahead turnaround J with 3.4 seconds left. In the final possession, the wily Jefferson had his foot out which made Durant trip. Durant fell and put up a shot (while sitting down) that didn’t come close and the Cavs celebrated like they won another Finals game. It was too bad that Durant didn’t think to call for a timeout, as the Warriors had one left.
Even with J.R. Smith missing, the Cavs still managed to win this one. Right now, the Cavs certainly have the mental edge over the Warriors. Will this game mean something should they meet in the postseason? Probably not but it sure is fun to watch some regular season action between the two best teams in the league.
I’m ready for their rematch on January 16th. And maybe, JUST maybe, we’ll get seven more of these beauties by June. After all, the NBA and all of us fans deserve to have a trilogy of what is easily the hottest rivalry in the league right now.
THE REST OF THE LEAGUE
Kristaps Porzingis got to show off a little bit as the Knicks got a showcase for Christmas but it’s also not fun to get shown up by Al Horford. My pride would be shattered if I got plastered by Horford like this.
LaMarcus Aldridge made his first 11 shots on his way to 33 points. The Bulls have regressed to what they thought they were going to be. San Antonio continues to truck along; can they play spoiler in the future? Can they beat the Warriors?
Russell Westbrook was having fun as he ended the night throwing lobs at his teammates. But what about those Lakers beating the undermanned Clippers after they got off to a slow start? The Lakers were actually able to hold on to the lead this time! As for the Clippers? Yet another rough stretch with Blake Griffin and, on the short-term, Chris Paul out.
LINE CROSSER
(PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images.)
Irving not only had the game-winner against the Warriors but he also had the most sparkling line of Christmas:
25 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, 7 steals.
Oh, and…
WATCH THIS PLAY
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
Back to that game-winner again. Irving just seems to have the Warriors’ number. That and the somewhat-controversial final play capped off a wild and emotional contest that’s an early candidate for the NBA’s best game of the season.
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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