Welcome to the NBA Hangover. We jot down NBA stuff mostly from last night that we want to talk about. Check it out.
The Cavs swept the season series against the Nuggets.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Tony Dejak/AP.)
People love to dismiss some regular season games but even in the supposed doldrums of the NBA season, the games that are being played still count. It could be a random Saturday night game in March. It could be a not-so-marquee match-up in the middle of the week. They all count.
We also understand that in the long 82-game season, things happen. It’s why the games are played. The inexplicable can happen. Any team can win in every given night.
Good for the Cavaliers for sweeping the Nuggets this season. The Cavs have had a lost season early, which included the resignation of their coach, John Beilein and outbursts from Kevin Love on the court. But the team also hopes they can take away something from beating a really good team in Denver. End the season on a high and maybe it translates to next season.
And like I said earlier, every game counts. Denver would be #2 in the West had they swept the Cavs. To some teams, home court may not matter. But Denver probably wants the comforts of their base more often than not since this particular team hasn’t gotten that deep in the postseason.
Someone mentioned to me that Houston losing to Charlotte “wasn’t a real loss” because Russell Westbrook didn’t play. Well, it’s not like Charlotte had Malik Monk, who is out indefinitely for an anti-drug violation. Anyway, the Rockets lost. A loss is a loss. If this happened in the playoffs, do the Rockets get that excuse? Of course not. It’s like saying the Celtics losing to the Lakers in the 2010 NBA Finals wasn’t a “real loss” because Kendrick Perkins wasn’t there.
My point is that every game counts in the regular season, no matter how you slice it. If the Rockets won, they would have a bit more cushion against the Thunder and the Mavericks, who are hot on their trail. And remember that the Rockets blew a double-digit lead against the Spurs after that missed Harden dunk debacle. They would be 4th if they won both those games.
Hell, look at the Sixers. They went against the Warriors, who scratched off Stephen Curry hours before the game. But they couldn’t beat this crop of Dubs and now they’re 6th in the East. For a team that BADLY needs to be at home, that is a blow to Philadelphia.
Winning in the NBA is hard. The season is super long. So that’s why teams have to take advantage when they can. Beat the teams they’re supposed to beat. Stay healthy. There are no “this wasn’t a real loss” losses.
Good for the Cavs on sweeping the Nuggets, though.
Bullet Passes
So of course, with Kenny Atkinson gone from the Nets, the juice comes out. Supposedly Kyrie Irving soured on Atkinson. And Atkinson didn’t want to coach Kevin Durant, apparently.
There was talk about the culture that Atkinson built and that was why the two stars went to Brooklyn. But I suppose hearing about the culture and experiencing the culture are just two different things. It’s really too bad that they didn’t give it a try.
Irving supposedly wants old head coach Tyronn Lue to be the head guy. That’s great news for interim head coach Jacque Vaughn.
Utah is so streaky. Just take a look at their season schedule. Starting from January 18, here’s how it went for the Jazz. Won 4, lost 5, won 4, lost 4, won 5. Geez.
We’re so caught up with Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and even Dillon Brooks. But Jonas Valanciunas is averaging 14.7 points and 11.1 boards. AND he’s shooting .581 from the field and .367 from three. He is having a HELL of a season.
The Scoreboard
HOU 99 (39-23) @ CHA 108 (22-41)
UTA 111 (41-22) @ DET 105 (20-44)
DEN 102 (42-21) @ CLE 104 (18-45)
ATL 101 (19-46) @ MEM 118 (32-32)
PHI 114 (38-26) @ GS 118 (15-49)
SAC 123 (28-35) @ POR 111 (28-37)
Watch This Play
Terry Rozier had ideas on making a highlight play. Robert Covington said no.
駆け戻った @Holla_At_Rob33 によるパワフルなチェイスダウンブロック！🙅♂ #OneMission
🏀 初月無料！NBA Rakutenをダウンロード
➡ https://t.co/NFsFWQQ49c pic.twitter.com/nYEP2nLbkG— NBA Japan (@NBAJPN) March 8, 2020
THAT was a hell of a rejection.
GG.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
TNLP on FaceBook.
I sign off “GG” which means “good game” but also to honor Gianna “Gigi” Bryant.