Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily, even when COVID has ravaged the league.
Collin Sexton dropped 42 against the Nets in a double-OT marathon.
(PHOTO CREDIT: David Liam Kyle/Getty Images.)
Wednesday, January 20th was something a day people looked forward to. Well, outside of the presidential inauguration, that is. It was going to be the first time the new Nets superteam would be teaming up. A team that has Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. It’s Irving’s first game back since his self-imposed hiatus and it would also be his first game back in Cleveland since the season opener in 2017-18 when he got dealt in the offseason to Boston.
It also happened to be Collin Sexton‘s first game back from an ankle injury after missing 5 games.
And sure, the Nets trio looked great. Kevin Durant finished with 38 points. Kyrie had 37 in his return, who looked like he never missed any time at all. Harden had a 21-point triple-double.
Sexton, however, stole the show.
The game went into OT and the Cavs had to play the foul game perfectly. Sexton’s lay-up cut the deficit to one with 10 seconds left before they fouled Durant. After Durant’s free throws, Sexton made a difficult three with 1.2 seconds left to send the game to another overtime.
From there, it was his show. Sexton made the first 15 points for the Cavs in the second overtime. No one could stop his three-point shooting. Overall, Sexton scored 20 in a row for Cleveland at one point. He would end with a career-best 42 points in what could be looked at as a star-making performance.
Sexton has been a prolific scorer for Cleveland this season; Dwyane Wade even gave him props earlier in the year. Actually, Sexton has been excellent since the end of last season; he averaged 30 points in the last five games, including a 41-point outburst against Boston. Collin would be 7th in scoring at 27.0 points but he currently doesn’t qualify due to not having played enough games (he will soon, though).
Still, he’s been a big reason on why Cleveland is now at .500. I don’t think he’ll maintain his .500 shooting behind the arc (OR WILL HE) but teams have a hard time stopping him from getting to the paint. That’s where he makes his living.
He doesn’t play in a big market and the roster isn’t admittedly great. But with the way he stole Wednesday, maybe some people have noticed the Young Bull. Sex sells, after all, and a lot are beginning to buy into his game.
Bullet Passes
Joel Embiid also scored 42 points in a win against Boston. This was after only putting up 9 against Miami but he did pour in 45 in the game before that against the same Heat team. We have seen more of the Embiid from two seasons ago in the first 15 games and that could be a terrifying thought for the rest of the league.
Kristaps Porzingis (yeah, I know) went off for 27 points against the Pacers, who look to be struggling as of late (they have no Myles Turner). Porzingis needs to be that guy for the Mavs when Luka Doncic (who had another triple-double at 13-12-12) is struggling to make shots.
Detroit and Minnesota just seem to find their way into losing. The Pistons had a 14-point lead against the Hawks but lost in OT. The Wolves? Well, you’ll see later.
By the way, the Hawks are 7-7. Good to see them competing.
The Heat are getting a bit of traction now as they beat the Raptors. They snapped Toronto’s 3-game win streak. Jimmy Butler is still due back at some point so the Heat should be okay. As for the Raptors, that hole they dug themselves early was pretty deep and they’ll need every win they can get.
The Warriors are now 8-6 and are 5th in the West after given up for dead in the first three days of the regular season.
Overreactions are KIND OF funny.
NBA Scoreboard
Jan. 20, 2021
Watch This Play
First of all, YGTMYFT. Because if you don’t, something like this might happen. Cole Anthony gets the ball, goes down the court, and gets the wacky game-winner.
🚨 COLE ANTHONY grabs the board, goes the length of the court and RISES from DEEP for the WIN! 🚨#TissotBuzzerBeater #ThisIsYourTime #MagicTogether pic.twitter.com/xKO79IBXyf
— NBA (@NBA) January 21, 2021
What a shot by Greg Anthony‘s son.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.