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.
01/17/2017
THE GAMES
TOR 119 (28-13) @ BRK 109 (8-33)
HOU 103 (32-12) @ MIA 109 (12-30)
DAL 99 (14-27) @ CHI 98 (21-22)
MIN 114 (14-28) @ SA 122 (32-9)
DEN 127 (17-23) @ LAL 121 (15-31)
(PHOTO CREDIT: Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images.)
NUGGETS ARE RIGHT THERE
They are the 8th seed. Not a lot of people notice it because the team doesn’t exactly exude any sort of appeal. But their win against the Lakers put them a half-game ahead of the Blazers.
The only one that seems to be on the radar of NBA fans is Nikola Jokic. He was a second-round pick in the 2015 NBA Draft but he’s showed that he’s more than capable of playing this game. He might end up becoming the cornerstone of this franchise as his skills have shone brightly as a starter. He is an excellent playmaker, can rebound, and can score anywhere on the court. Like most of the team, he’s not great at defense but his feel for the game is very good.
We know guys like Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, and Kenneth Faried are still there. Gallinari leads the team in scoring while we forget that Chandler can be really good at both ends of the court. Faried still gets by with his usual hustle.
Then there is Emmanuel Mudiay, who can’t shoot, but has had stretches where he can score all over the place. Jamal Murray hit the wall after November and they’re hoping he can bounce back soon. Will Barton is much better as an offensive force off the bench and I forgot Jameer Nelson is on the team. It’s too bad Gary Harris can’t stay healthy. That’s a decent backcourt crop by Denver, all-in-all.
Denver is in the top 10 in offensive rating but horrible defensively (29th). They seem to have the firepower to stay in games but in the long run, it’s not going to do them any good.
But, hey, playoffs does wonders for the morale of the team and the city! I mean, whoever from the city is watching. Denver is currently last in attendance. Whoops.
THE REST OF THE LEAGUE
Just as we thought the Clippers were finally going to be in full strength, Chris Paul is lost until near the end of the season. His thumb injury is going to keep him out 6-8 weeks. Yikes.
Dwyane Wade turned 35! And he’s still doing well. I’m actually amazed he’s still in the league but I also noticed that players these days have lasted longer and longer. This is Wade’s 14th year and a lot of stars back then would be done after a dozen seasons. It’s also because guys are getting younger and younger when they enter the league but then again, Tim Duncan came out after four years in college and he still played 19 seasons.
Houston is in a bit of a swoon as they have lost three of four. I probably jinxed them.
Toronto is on pace to match their 56 wins from last season. I still think it’s amazing that DeMar DeRozan‘s old-school game has held up but, hey, I am all for doing what you do best instead of trying something out of your comfort zone because everyone is doing it. Kyle Lowry sat out his first game of the season but they are playing again on Wednesday. The minutes are definitely catching up to him; he’s tied for the league in minutes per game at just over 37. And he’s also turning 31 in March so he’s no spring chicken.
Finally, the Spurs continue to be silent. They’re on pace for 64 wins. But shhhhhhh.
LINE CROSSER
(PHOTO CREDIT: Wilfredo Lee/AP.)
His team got upset by the Heat. Still, James Harden went wild for the Rockets. He did get a cheap triple-double with a last-second assist but he’d still be here without that.
40 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists.
That’s his 13th trip-dub of the season.
WATCH THIS PLAY
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
Jimmy Butler got the go-ahead long J but Wesley Matthews proceeded to make the 3 that beat the Bulls and spoiled Wade’s big day.
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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