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.
01/03/2017
THE GAMES
MIN 91 (11-24) @ PHI 93 (9-24)
UTA 104 (22-14) @ BOS 115 (21-14)
IND 121 (18-18) @ DET 116 (16-21)
WAS 105 (16-18) @ DAL 113 (11-24)
TOR 82 (23-11) @ SA 110 (28-7)
SAC 120 (15-19) @ DEN 113 (14-21)
MIA 90 (10-26) @ PHX 99 (11-25)
MEM 102 (22-15) @ LAL 116 (13-25)
(PHOTO CREDIT: Eric Gay/AP.)
AND THE SPURS ARE GETTING IGNORED AGAIN
The Spurs are 28-7. They have the second-best record in the league but everyone is still pointing to a Warriors/Cavaliers final. I feel like Toronto has gotten more props in terms of dethroning the conference champion than the Spurs have. And San Antonio just waxed the dinosaurs. What’s up?
Super NBA writer Matt Moore from CBS Sports mentioned a few weeks ago that the numbers say the Spurs are at their worst defensively when Kawhi Leonard is on the floor. Basically, opposing teams put Kawhi in an island and try to play 4-on-4 with the Spurs. Not that the Spurs would take Kawhi out with that little revelation (Spurs announce team dismissed the article from what I read on Twitter) but that makes it seem like the Spurs are beatable when Kawhi’s on the floor.
All the other numbers say that the Spurs are excellent. 5th in offensive rating. 3rd in defensive rating. First in three-point shooting (even though they’re 28th in attempts). Second in overall field goal percentage. And even though they are 18th in overall rebounding, they are 6th in defensive rebounding percentage.
Obviously, all teams have their flaws. They lost twice to the Clippers already (although the Clips have their own problems and can’t seem to stay healthy). And while they might be third in defense, they have a couple of not-so-good defenders teams can exploit like Pau Gasol. Plus can Kawhi Leonard finally fully embrace being the #1 guy? This is going to be their first postseason run without Tim Duncan so this will be a whole new situation for them.
I know everyone is looking forward to a potential Warriors/Cavs trilogy. But I’d be a fool to ignore what the Spurs are doing. They have been doing this to everyone forever.
THE REST OF THE LEAGUE
On the way to a bit of an upset win over the Grizzlies, Nick Young‘s particular three there wasn’t exactly G-Rated.
Never change, @NickSwagyPYoung 😂#SwagThrust https://t.co/OerM5EYltr
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 4, 2017
The Lakers were so happy that it even got Jordan Clarkson to shimmy down.
That shimmy is worth a @JClark5on #NBAVote pic.twitter.com/5jAccRGWis
— Lakers Outsiders (@LakersOutsiders) January 4, 2017
Back in San Antonio, the coyote decided to make fun of a certain New Year’s Eve performance.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Sports Illustrated.)
I’ve been praising fellow average-sized dude Isaiah Thomas. How about 29 more points and a career-best 15 assists? Again, I apologize for doubting this guy.
Lastly, the Kings are STILL #8 in the West? It’s not because it’s the Kings at #8 but it’s because they’re at 15-19 as the #8 seed. That burns.
LINE CROSSER
(PHOTO CREDIT: Ty Nowell.)
Julius Randle had a great night. Third career trip-dub:
19 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists.
Orange Julius!
WATCH THIS PLAY
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
The Wolves were down by three before Ricky Rubio (unexpectedly, really) hit a three to tie with 1.6 seconds left. But an alley-oop play for Robert Covington from out of bounds sealed the Wolves’ fate and gave the Sixers the duke.
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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