Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily, even when COVID has ravaged the league.
Pistons rookie Saddiq Bey had a big night against Boston.
(PHOTO CREDIT: David Butler II/USA Today.)
A few silver linings out of this Pistons team? Well, they seem to beat the good teams. For the second time this season, they defeated the Boston Celtics. If anything, they really compete against this team; their loss to Boston was only by two points.
Another good thing about this Detroit team? Saddiq Bey has his chance to get a more prominent role for this team. In his first 10 games, he scored double digits in 7 of those contests. He kind of hit the proverbial rookie wall afterwards but with the Derrick Rose deal, it seems to open more opportunities for Bey. In their win over Brooklyn, he scored 15 points (all in the 4th quarter). While the lost against the Pacers the following game, he still provided 10 points.
Against Boston on Friday? He scored a career-best 30 points and grabbed a career-high 12 boards. In their previous win against the Celtics, he went for then-career-bests of 17 points and 7 rebounds. He seems to do well against the leprechauns.
But also, he set a record for most threes without a miss for a rookie; he made all 7 of his attempts behind the arc. He also had a franchise-best for rookies in made threes. Also, Saddiq is the first Piston rookie to get a 30-point double-double since Grant Hill in the olden days (man, now I’m used to saying that because of my nephew and niece).
The Pistons are in a transition period. Maybe Blake Griffin is next to be dealt with but the team has clearly given the keys to Jerami Grant. See what you have in guys like Saddiq Bey and Killian Hayes when he returns.
Like I said, they seem to do well against good teams. Now if they can only have this intensity when they go against everyone else.
Bullet Passes
Memphis jumped on the Lakers early, 22-2. But they’re the world champions for a reason. If you don’t kick them while they’re down, they’ll come back and hit that switch. 41 points in the third quarter.
Still waiting for the Nuggets to get back into the top half of the playoff picture. They are only 1 1/2 games behind the #4 Suns. Most teams are being hit by COVID and, sometimes, you forget how deep the Nuggets are. Will Barton hit a big three for them in their win against OKC.
The Cavs, darlings early in the season, have lost 6 straight. Sadface.
The Mavericks have won four straight games. While this was not a defensive struggle, it’s kind of hard to beat Dallas when Luka Doncic goes for a career-high 46 points and Kristaps Porzingis (yeah, I know) goes for 36.
Zion Williamson did his best. He scored 36 himself and only missed one of 15 shots. His only miss was his lone three-point attempt.
By the way, most field goals without a miss? Wilt Chamberlain made 18 for 18 in 1967. That is a lot of scoring.
Nikola Vucevic went for 42 points in a win against Sacramento.
Oh, those sneaky San Antonio Spurs…
Utah has swept the season series with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Jazz have won 17 of 18 and 6 straight.
Julius Randle continues to have an amazing season. He stopped the former Bullets team with 24 points and 18 boards.
Terry Rozier scored 41 points in the Hornets‘ win over the Wolves. That is his second 40-point game this season. He went for 42 in their season opener against Cleveland.
NBA Scoreboard
Feb. 12, 2021
Watch This Play
Rudy Gobert gets one on Defensive Player of the Year Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Rudy Gobert yams on Giannis 😱 pic.twitter.com/lXtlO8Xx3N
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 13, 2021
Giannis is admirable for going after these dunks but when you get got, you’re the talk of the town. And not in a good way.
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.