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.
01/21/2017
THE GAMES
POR 127 (19-27) @ BOS 123 (26-17) [OT]
WAS 112 (23-20) @ DET 113 (21-24)
BRK 105 (9-34) @ CHA 112 (23-21)
PHI 93 (15-27) @ ATL 110 (26-18)
PHX 107 (14-29) @ NY 105 (19-26)
MIL 97 (20-23) @ MIA 109 (14-30)
HOU 119 (34-13) @ MEM 95 (26-20)
SA 118 (34-9) @ CLE 115 (30-12) [OT]
LAC 98 (29-16) @ DEN 123 (18-24)
IND 100 (22-21) @ UTA 109 (29-16)
SAC 99 (16-27) @ CHI 102 (22-23)
(PHOTO CREDIT: David Liam Kyle/Getty Images.)
WE CONTINUE TO SLEEP ON SAN ANTONIO
The Spurs are 34-9 and have the second overall record in the West. We continue to say that it’s going to be a Warriors/Cavs finals. And then the Spurs took care of the Cavs, who haven’t been exactly playing well, in overtime in possibly the NBA’s best game of the season.
What we did notice is that Kawhi Leonard has scored 30 points or more in six straight games. He punctuated that by scoring 41 on the defending champions. If Kawhi continues to do that then the Spurs actually might have another gear in them. The thing was that we’ve seen Kawhi be the #1 guy but he has sometimes disappeared in big situations. No one talks about it as much because we see the Spurs as one strong unit instead of a team that has a collection of superstars. Damn 2013 and 2014 for making us see that.
So, yes, we all know the Spurs are more than Kawhi. They’re fourth in offensive rating. They’re third in defensive rating. Yes, they lost Pau Gasol for the time being but it might be a blessing in disguise as much as I love him because they might do better in the pick-and-roll defensive coverages.
I’m not sure how they’re going to be against the Warriors if they do face each other (they’ve avoided each other in the postseason since 2013); Golden State’s pace is intoxicating to fall into and we know the Spurs would rather be meticulous with their play. If that does happen, can the Spurs keep up like they were in their last title year? The Spurs would face a familiar opponent in Kevin Durant but the difference here is that Durant’s previous team (the Thunder) was rangy and athletic and Golden State isn’t that. But of course, the Warriors offense is out of this world and any team would have fits trying to stop it.
But we’re just sayin’: don’t ignore the Spurs. I thought we learned this lesson in the last 15-20 years.
THE REST OF THE LEAGUE
Dwyane Wade got a 2006 call when he missed a go-ahead breakaway dunk but DeMarcus Cousins was called for a foul. Take a look-see.
Dwyane Wade with great defense, misses the dunk. WOW called a foul on Cousins. pic.twitter.com/juNpSQn3e5
— ⓂarcusD2.0 (@_MarcusD2_) January 22, 2017
Yeah, that’s not even close. The Bulls would go on to win the game.
Yup. No Joel Embiid and the Sixers lost.
The Jazz and the Warriors have the current longest winning streaks at six games. The acquisition of George Hill continues to pay off as he scored 30 points against the team that gave him away.
It’s gotta be extra satisfaction for Marcus Morris to make the game-winning shot (tip) against older twin, Markieff. As a younger brother, I always relished beating my older brothers in anything. The play is below, guysh.
The Knicks find yet another way to lose a game. After Devin Booker made a three to take the lead for the Suns, NYC had a chance to tie or win. Carmelo Anthony went for it and…
Melo misses a game-winner and gets a partial hug from coach Jeff Hornacek pic.twitter.com/XlqAK4qLbC
— The Crossover (@TheCrossover) January 22, 2017
What can you do at this point, right?
With the Nuggets win over the undermanned Clippers, Denver is up three on the loss column over #9 Portland. If the other teams below them are not careful, Nuggets could be all alone in that #8 island for the right to get smashed by either G. State or San Antonio.
Meanwhile, the Clips are still technically #4 but I expect Utah to leap over them soon.
As for the East, the Raptors are losing games but Boston isn’t taking advantage. Watch out for the Hawks, who have been hot lately. Milwaukee’s recent swoon has put them in #10 but, at least, they’re still in the mix. The Knicks are starting to fall out as they are two games behind the Bucks.
I’m glad that, in a way, the season has been more competitive. Look past the Warriors, Cavs, and Spurs, and you’d find the league really intriguing.
LINE CROSSER
(PHOTO CREDIT: AP.)
Boogie lost but, at least, he got…
487 points, 225 rebounds.
I’m sorry. That’s the Sean Spicer statline. It’s really…
42 points, 14 rebounds.
Stupid alt. facts or whatever buzz term the new administration is trying to do.
WATCH THIS PLAY
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
Marcus Morris makes the game-winning tip-in over his twin, Markieff, as the Pistons edge out the hot Wizards in a thrilling finish.
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