Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily, even when COVID has ravaged the league.
Believe it or not, the Wolves swept the Jazz in their season series.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Jordan Johnson/Getty Images.)
Knowing the mindset of one Karl-Anthony Towns, it was hard to think that the Wolves were going to play excellent basketball. And it’s not like they have all year; their season is full of Ls.
Apparently, except against the Utah Jazz. The Jazz only have four losses at home but two of them were against Minnesota. And on Monday night, the Wolves stunned the Jazz yet again after a clutch lay-up by one D’Angelo Russell.
Granted, Utah didn’t have Donovan Mitchell the last two match-ups but Utah still looked like the superior team the way they had been playing this season. Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley were named all-stars this season. Joe Ingles seems to play better with more minutes. While Jordan Clarkson has struggled as of late, he’s still the leading candidate for 6th man of the year. But this is why they play the games, right?
Gobert gets understandably frustrated playing against KAT. Towns can take Gobert out of the paint as many times as he wants and it takes away the rim protection for the Jazz. Funny enough, being overzealous to guard his man cost the Jazz dearly as Russell was able to break away for the game-winning lay-up. While Utah stayed with the game plan, Mitchell not being on the court can’t be understated. Donovan can shoot on all three levels and can get a bucket when the offense gets stuck.
But while Minnesota has been a putrid 18-44, they’re actually 8-6 when Towns and Russell play together. So there’s a bit of hope (once again) with the Wolves. Get those two to stay healthy both physically and mentally. Then add potential Rookie of the Year winner Anthony Edwards in the mix and this could be some core. Towns’ versatility has given other big men fits over the years. Now they just have to put together a competent team behind him. Their roster gives the best team in the league trouble. They just have to figure out the rest of the league. We’ve been here before and Minnesota has been doing this 16 of the last 17 seasons.
As for Utah, at least, they don’t have to face the Wolves in the postseason?
Bullet Passes
So I was talking about some hot teams recently and wouldn’t you know it, they all lost on Monday. The Hawks, who were beating good teams shorthanded recently, lost to Detroit. The Wizards had an 8-game win streak that was snapped in a competitive OT game against the Spurs. And the Suns stopped the Knicks‘ 9-game win surge.
Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook got his 12th triple-double in April. Ridiculous. It’s his 29th overall this season after going for 22-13-14.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Philadelphia snapped their 4-game skid after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder may never win a game. They have lost 14 games straight. And isn’t it odd that we never questioned OKC’s handling of Al Horford, who was told to sit down the rest of the campaign?
Utah wasn’t the only one upset on Monday. The Clippers, even without Kawhi Leonard, lost to the Pelicans. I’ve said multiple times that New Orleans should be better than their record but this is still a little surprising.
John Wall is out for the rest of the season with his hamstring injury. Man, we thought Houston won the deal. But now, look how the Wiz are doing.
NBA Scoreboard
Apr. 26, 2021
Watch This Play
Willie Cauley-Stein thumps a couple of players from his old team.
(VIDEO CREDIT: House of Highlights.)
Is this where Kenny Smith goes DA DA DAAAA?!
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.