Welcome to the NBA Hangover. We jot down NBA stuff mostly from last night that we want to talk about. Check it out.
When the Lakers visit your team, it’s always a dangerous game.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Scott Cunningham/Getty Images.)
Well, this is only fair. I mentioned the Bucks’ winning streak so I have to talk about what the best team in the Western Conference is doing. After losing a *ahem* road game against the Clippers, they have rung off 14 straight games on the road.
So technically, they’re undefeated away from Staples Center.
Nevertheless, 14 straight road wins is extremely impressive. So while I can’t say I’ve traveled as much as these professional athletes, let’s break down on what’s going on.
So travel as it is can be exhausting. Catching the next flight to the next city to play basketball can wear on an athlete. Especially if the games they have to play are on back-to-back nights. But with a day off, at least, they can catch some rest.
Of course, when you’re away from home, you can get homesick. There is nothing like being around familiar surroundings. Sleeping in your own bed and eating home-cooked meals or even eating in your favorite restaurants are just comfortable. Imagine sleeping and then waking up in an unfamiliar city.
And when these incredible athletes finally play the game, they will be greeted by hostile crowds as they cheer for their favorite team. Getting encouragement from your fans can be such a big boost for a home team, which is definitely an advantage for them. Athletes just have to block out the noise and get used to or even relish being an enemy.
So no matter what, going on the road is tough. Winning 14 straight of those games is extremely impressive. In fact, it’s now tied for the third longest streak in NBA history. It matters a bit (I swear that these people who keep crying about strength of schedule is getting on my nerves) but who have they beaten on the road thus far?
11/01 @ DAL: 119-110 (OT)
11/03 @ SA: 103-96
11/05 @ CHI: 118-112
11/12 @ PHX: 123-115
11/22 @ OKC: 130-127
11/23 @ MEM: 109-108
11/25 @ SA: 114-104
11/27 @ NO: 114-110
12/03 @ DEN: 105-96
12/04 @ UTA: 121-96
12/06 @ POR: 136-113
12/11 @ ORL: 96-87
12/13 @ MIA: 113-110
12/15 @ ATL: 101-96
Here are these impressive road… warriors (pun sort of intended) that have the longest road win streaks in league history:
L.A. Lakers (1971-72): 16 (THEM AGAIN?!)
Miami Heat (1994-95): 15
Utah Jazz (1996-97): 14
Golden State Warriors (2017-18): 14
L.A. Lakers (2019-20): 14
As for what’s coming up on the road? They have Indiana on Tuesday; the Pacers are a tough 11-3 at home. And then Thursday, we’ll see one streak come to an end if either run isn’t terminated by then. The Lakers and the Bucks square off in Milwaukee. The Lakers COULD be going for the tie on the longest road win streak… and the Bucks COULD be going for their 20th straight win.
So yes. Both streaks I’ve talked about in the last two days have been splendid. I hope both the Lakers and Bucks get past Tuesday‘s games with wins so we can actually have a regular season game to talk about.
Bullet Passes
The basketball world knew that LeBron James watched his son, Bronny (playing for Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth, CA), get the clutch steal, go-ahead lay-up, and MVP honors against his old alma-mater, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School of Akron, Ohio. It was cool to see Daddy LeBron witness his son’s moment.
So it’s mighty impressive that he went from Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday night to State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia the next night and go for 32-13-7. He’s probably still coming down from the high of seeing his son make game-winning plays.
I mean, look at him feign a block shot against his teammate, Rajon Rondo, after Rondo himself faked an alley-oop pass.
(VIDEO CREDIT: CliveNBAParody.)
(Footage of LeBron’s spin and jam on Alex Len is in that video, too.)
I bet Draymond Green misses his teammates from the last five years. Who is he passing this to?
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA BandWagon Fan.)
Yikes.
(The Warriors went on to lose to the Kings by a large margin.)
Speaking of streaks…
Honestly, I expected much better from the New Orleans Pelicans, even without Zion Williamson. The Pelicans have lost 12 straight. The last time they won a game? November 21st as they had won their third straight game at the time (6-9 record by then).
I thought they had a good mix of veterans (Jrue Holiday, J.J. Redick) to go with youthful exuberance (Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball, Jaxson Hayes, etc.).
They just can’t stop anybody (29th in defensive rating, allowing 114.9 points per 100 possessions).
The Scoreboard
ORL 130 (12-14) @ NO 119 (6-21)
CHA 85 (12-17) @ IND 107 (18-9)
LAL 101 (24-3) @ ATL (6-21)
PHI 89 (20-8) @ BRK 109 (14-12)
NY 105 (6-21) @ DEN 111 (17-8)
SAC 100 (12-14) @ GS 79 (5-23)
Watch This Play
Spencer Dinwiddie surprises Tobias Harris with this jam:
(VIDEO CREDIT: VL.)
Who knew, right?
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
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