Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily, even when COVID has ravaged the league.
Enes Kanter was a monster on the boards on Saturday.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Troy Wayrynen/USA Today.)
Enes Kanter of the Portland TrailBlazers did something only three other players have done in the 21st century: grab 30 rebounds in a single game. Kevin Love went for 31 boards in Nov. 12, 2010. Andrew Bynum snared 30 in April 11, 2012 (exactly 9 years ago). And Dwight Howard got 30 rebounds on Mar. 21, 2018. And this was only the 16th game since 1983 that a 30-rebound game occurred.
So we know 30 boards don’t happen enough. And we marvel about 20 rebounds. I know fans say all the time that 7-footers should always be able to grab 20 boards easily. But I mean, you’re always going against multiple players for the board. It’s not like the ball accidentally falls onto a tall dude. Players have to have the desire, the determination, and the hustle to go after the rock. You see guys like Dennis Rodman dive after the ball. You need to have a lot of energy to get rebounds.
In an NBA game this season, teams average 44.3 rebounds per contest. So getting 20 is pretty much nearly half the boards for a team. Getting 30 is EXTREMELY impressive. Props to Kanter for getting that many. And props to all guys in the past for getting that number.
And, yes, the Blazers defeated the Pistons. However, the Pistons outrebounded Enes Kanter by 8.
Bullet Passes
All the games were blowouts on Saturday. The smallest margin of victory was that Pistons/Blazers contest. Portland won by 15.
The Raptors led the Cavs by 38 late in the first half. In fact, Toronto scored 87 in the first two periods. Crazy.
Russell Westbrook just got his 22nd triple-double of the season. In his other triple-double seasons, he had 42 in 2016-17, 25 in 2017-18, and 34 in 2018-19. Remember that we’re also in a shortened season this year.
Kyrie Irving and Dennis Schröder were both ejected in the third quarter. The Lakers took advantage and went on a run afterwards. It was a pretty big win for L.A. considering their two all-stars are STILL not back.
Stephen Curry is averaging 36.0 PPG in his last 6. Not bad, eh?
The Jazz are the first to 40 wins after Donovan Mitchell‘s 42 points helped dispatch the Sacramento Kings.
NBA Scoreboard
Apr. 10, 2021
Watch This Play
De’Aaron Fox does this once in a while and he challenged Rudy Gobert and won.
(VIDEO CREDIT: House of Highlights.)
Jazz got the win but, hey, Fox is all over the highlight reels this weekend.
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.