Welcome to the NBA Hangover. We jot down NBA stuff mostly from last night that we want to talk about. Check it out.
The Raptors have won 15 straight games.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press.)
It’s really really hard to dislike the Toronto Raptors. There’s the cliche of “they play the right way” but gosh darn it, they really do. The Raptors do whatever it takes to win games. When you see that kind of effort, you can’t help but admire that.
They’ve won 15 straight games. Granted, most of the wins in that streak aren’t playoff contenders but I will always say that a win is a win and it builds confidence. And like I said before, if they went, say, 8-7, people would ask what’s wrong with the Raptors.
Toronto is currently the #2 seed in the East (behind that strong team in Milwaukee). Heck, they have the third best record in the entire league. They’ve been doing this all year and they may be peaking as the season goes on.
Do they have an actual chance as repeating as champions?
Not many pundits are giving them a chance. I think they absolutely have a chance. Are they the favorites? Well, no. Their ace in the hole left for another championship contender out West. He was the main reason why they went up another level and that man was the Finals MVP.
But it would be foolish to count them out. Sure, they’re 5-7 against the other Top 6 teams in the East but at the end, these teams still have flaws that could be fatal in the postseason. That includes Toronto, of course. Pascal Siakam was excellent in the playoffs last season but can he handle the responsibility of being the #1 option this time? Kyle Lowry normally doesn’t do well in the postseason; can that be overcome by the Raptors? And of course, there’s the health issue that’s going to linger.
Let’s check out the other teams, though. Yeah, the Bucks have been dominant. Obviously, Giannis Antetokounmpo will win MVP again this season. And, yeah, Khris Middleton is their consistent second scorer. But can someone step up when both are being held in check?
The Celtics have been to the East Finals two of the last three years. How will Kemba Walker do in an extended playoff run? Are Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown going to feel the pressure in elevated roles?
The Heat are practically a brand new team. Can they get it together in the playoffs? Will the young players like Duncan Robinson, Kendrick Nunn, and Tyler Herro be reliable?
The Sixers have been maligned all season. Can Joel Embiid be dominant again? Will they fix their chemistry issues?
What about the Pacers? Can they get in a rhythm in time? Can Victor Oladipo be back to the player he was this season?
The postseason in the East is going to be so exciting this season. And no matter what anyone says, the championship will still go through Toronto.
Bullet Passes
About a couple of weeks ago, there were still people holding hope that the San Antonio Spurs can still make the postseason. As of now, they have lost 5 games in a row and their latest loss was against Denver, where they blew a 23-point lead. End of an era, indeed.
Dallas really needs Luka Doncic back soon. I don’t think they’ll go below the #7 seed but, man, they fell off a pretty steep hill. They were once the #2 seed.
Ewww. That Hornets/Pistons final score…
D’Angelo Russell had a nice debut with 22 points. But, man, that +/- of -22 REALLY sticks out.
OG Anunoby went for a career-best 25 points and 12 boards. Seriously, that Raptors depth is terrifying. But will that matter in the playoffs?
Andre Iguodala came back to Golden State for the first time since getting traded. Again, I love the timing. He had barely left, really. Ha ha.
The Scoreboard
CHA 87 (17-36) @ DET 76 (19-37)
BRK 106 (24-28) @ IND 105 (31-23)
ATL 126 (15-40) @ ORL 135 (23-31)
MIN 126 (16-36) @ TOR 137 (40-14)
SAC 111 (21-32) @ MIL 123 (46-7)
UTA 123 (35-18) @ DAL 119 (32-22)
SA 120 (22-31) @ DEN 127 (38-16)
MIA 113 (35-18) @ GS 101 (12-42)
PHX 100 (21-33) @ LAL 125 (40-12)
Watch This Play
Give me Cameron Johnson hammering JaVale McGee.
(VIDEO CREDIT: House of Highlights.)
I meant a dunk, not THAT kind of hammer. Geez.
GG.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
TNLP on FaceBook.
For the rest of the season, I will sign off with GG, which usually means “Good Game.” But we also know “Gigi” is Gianna Bryant’s nickname. This will be my tribute to her.