Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily, even when COVID has ravaged the league.
The Orlando Magic upset the Los Angeles Clippers and stopped their 6-game win streak.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Orlando Magic.)
The Magic stunned the Clippers on Tuesday. It’s easy to say that the Clippers choked it all away as they were leading, 91-82, in under four minutes of play. But the Clippers were also playing their fifth game in 7 days and it looked like L.A. ran out of gas at the end.
What does this mean for the Magic, though? Well, not much. After all, this is a team that traded three of their guys from their main core. Right now, they’re taking a look at what Wendell Carter, Jr. can do. Otto Porter, Jr. is a threat from deep so we know what he can do. And they’re also seeing extended action from last summer’s pick Chuma Okeke as well as Mo Bamba.
As I’ve said all along in the last few years, the Magic were probably never going to be more than an average team with Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, and Evan Fournier as the top three options. They’re going to try to build around Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac and it’s a risky proposition because they’re hurt so often. Obviously, if they stay healthy, they could still be something but they’re probably also going to depend on who they can choose in the draft.
Currently, Orlando has the 4th pick should the order stay by worst records and they have a 12.5 percent chance of getting the first overall choice. They also have Chicago’s first round pick by way of the Vucevic trade. So they do have a chance to build something from there.
But for now? Orlando is resetting yet again. The days of Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, and Jameer Nelson seem like a century ago.
Bullet Passes
The Suns continue to shine as they dispatched the Atlanta Hawks, who have suddenly lost 4 of 5 after winning their first 8 games under Nate McMillan.
Denver scored 44 in the first quarter and held off the Sixers. They now have a three-game win streak since the trading deadline.
Even without LaMelo Ball, the Charlotte Hornets continue winning some games. I’m still baffled that they’re 4th in the East.
I will say that I like Russell and Nina Westbrook‘s response towards a certain network talking head. I’ll leave it at that.
NBA Scoreboard
Mar. 30, 2021
Watch This Play
Meanwhile, Russ doesn’t care about talking heads as long as he continues to dunk on heads like this.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Bleacher Report.)
Poor poor Bismack Biyombo.
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.
R.I.P. Nala.