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.
01/16/2017
THE GAMES
ATL 108 (24-17) @ NY 107 (18-24)
POR 101 (18-25) @ WAS 120 (21-19)
PHI 113 (13-26) @ MIL 104 (20-20)
NO 95 (16-26) @ IND 98 (21-19)
ORL 112 (17-26) @ DEN 125 (16-23)
CHA 98 (20-21) @ BOS 108 (26-15)
CLE 91 (29-11) @ GS 126 (35-6)
UTA 106 (27-16) @ PHX 101 (13-28)
OKC 98 (25-18) @ LAC 120 (29-14)
(PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images.)
WARRIORS VS CAVS DOES MATTER BUT NOT REALLY
The reigning, defending champions went against the record-setters and champs from two years ago. It has the aura of an NBA Playoff (well, Finals) game. Everything feels intensified and the players are definitely lying when they say “it’s just another regular season game.” Technically, yes, it’s still only one game in the standings. But when it’s the two teams that matched up in the two previous titles, it feels anything BUT regular.
But in the long-term, it feels like a tease. Because yes, they matched up in two straight NBA Finals in the past. That doesn’t guarantee that we’ll get a third straight from these guys. After all, both teams, while huge favorites, still have to go through three rounds in their respective conferences and a lot can happen in that stretch of time.
The NBA fan in a lot of us want a third straight Warriors/Cavs Finals. First of all, it’s never happened. Second, it has the best collection of players and characters possible. Three of the players have won seven of the last eight MVP awards (Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, LeBron James). We have one of the more volatile players in that defensive monster known as Draymond Green. We have one of the most clutch players in the game in Kyrie Irving. We have the other Splash Brother, Klay Thompson. We have rebounding machine Kevin Love.
Even the supporting cast has familiar names. Sharpshooter Kyle Korver recently got traded to Cleveland so he can get one more shot at a title. J.R. Smith is injured right now but he’s got a forever green light. Andre Iguodala is still one of the smartest players in the league and wants to prove that he’s still got one important play in him. JaVale McGee has joined the Warriors and has resurrected his career a bit but we all know he’s good for a goofy play or two. Iman Shumpert‘s hair is wild. Richard Jefferson, at 36, can still dunk on people. Shaun Livingston is a running miracle after what happened early in his career.
It just feels like any other match-up wouldn’t be as compelling. After all, while we did get a monstrous blowout by the Dubs, we did get this play early in the game. LeBron James downplays any rivalry (in a way, that feels so arrogant and that’s perfectly fine) but this event helps prove it.
Warriors' Draymond Green hard fouls Cavaliers' LeBron James & then mocks his flailing (all angles) pic.twitter.com/rzOTYiXhFt
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) January 17, 2017
Draymond got LeBron with a solid hit but LeBron sold it like he got hit by a car. The selling worked as Green got called for a flagrant foul. Draymond mocked LeBron’s selling.
I felt it looked more like this.
Another look at that flagrant foul by Draymond on LeBron. pic.twitter.com/9F3qcIlSbO
— Rey-Rey (@TheNoLookPass) January 17, 2017
Anyway, I’m all for the rubber match with these two teams.
THE REST OF THE LEAGUE
The Clippers have won seven in a row as they dumped on the Oklahoma City Thunder. And they still don’t have Blake Griffin. They have to be really intriguing but, of course, nothing really matters until they get to May.
The Wizards have won five of six games as they continue to work their way up the East.
Isaiah Thomas has gotten quite a reputation. I’ve seen him being called, King of the Fourth. He scored 17 of his 35 points in the fourth in the Celtics win against the Hornets. The 5’8″ dynamo averages 10.1 points in the fourth quarter, which leads the NBA. In fact, that’s the most in the last 20 years (that’s as far as back as we can go). The record is Kobe Bryant in 2006 with 9.5 points per. But yeah, when it comes to the fourth quarter, Isaiah is the man to go to.
The Sixers are 6-2 in their last eight games. No, I’m not drunk.
LINE CROSSER
(PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images.)
Draymond did get a triple-double but he also added something to the menu.
11 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists, 5 blocks.
He was all over the place.
WATCH THIS PLAY
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
Thaddeus Young lets Terrence Jones have it with this powerful left-handed pound.
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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