This is the Hangover. This is where I get drunk on the NBA as I recap last night’s action as well as a few things going on around the league. Here’s your word vomit.
12/23/2016
THE GAMES
CHI 91 (14-15) @ CHA 103 (17-13)
LAL 90 (11-22) @ ORL 109 (14-18)
BRK 99 (7-22) @ CLE 119 (22-6)
OKC 117 (18-12) @ BOS 112 (17-13)
GS 119 (27-4) @ DET 113 (14-18)
WAS 96 (13-16) @ MIL 123 (14-14)
HOU 109 (22-9) @ MEM 115 (20-12)
MIA 87 (10-21) @ NO 91 (11-21)
SAC 109 (13-17) @ MIN 105 (9-20)
ATL 109 (15-15) @ DEN 108 (12-18)
TOR 104 (21-8) @ UTA 98 (18-13)
PHI 116 (7-22) @ PHX 123 (9-21)
SA 110 (24-6) @ POR 90 (13-19)
DAL 90 (9-21) @ LAC 88 (22-9)
(PHOTO CREDIT: Jae C. Hong/AP.)
THE STANDINGS ARE WEIRD
We’re a third into the season. So let’s go look into these standings.
First, the East:
So we know #1 is Cleveland and #2 is Toronto. Down the line, Toronto could catch them because the Cavs just lost J.R. Smith for NEARLY the entire season due to a thumb injury. The Cavs aren’t exactly deep in the guard front at the moment.
As for the rest of the pack, it’s pretty ridiculous that #3-12 are only four games apart. So if #3 Boston goes on a swoon, they can find themselves outside the playoff picture. Even with the Hawks going on a huge losing stretch, the other teams didn’t do good enough to run away (except for Cleveland and Toronto, of course). Same with the Pistons. The Magic, who are technically #12, hasn’t really played all that well this season but, yet, there they are.
I’m not giving Philly and Brooklyn much of a chance. But, hey, Joel Embiid is fun. And the Nets got off to a pretty good start earlier.
Let’s check the West:
It feels like the first seven spots are academic. But we know there are tiers within those seven. There are the Warriors. Then the Spurs. And the Clippers and Rockets are likely going to duke it out for the third spot. I’m amazed how the Grizzlies are doing. The Thunder are keeping pace because of Russell Westbrook. And the Jazz feel like they can be a very good team soon.
And then we have the rest of the West. Look who’s #8. The Sacramento Kings.
We haven’t had a sub-.500 team make the playoffs in the West since 1997 (three of them made it that season; #6 Wolves and #7 Suns were 40-42 and #8 Clippers were 36-46). But even the last place Suns have a shot at the eighth spot at the moment. They are only four games behind the Kings. Rebuilding teams like the Lakers and the Wolves also have a shot. That’s pretty gross.
A lot can change in a month. But this is where we are right now.
THE REST OF THE LEAGUE
As mentioned, Westbrook has just been insane. Christmas is the next time the league plays (everyone is off on Christmas Eve). But the dude has 14 triple-doubles. It’s also the third consecutive game he has scored 40 points as he went for 45-11-11. Also, this is third game he’s had at least 45 points in a trip-dub.
Clippers should win these games. Even though Dirk Nowitzki just returned, a Clipper team without Blake Griffin and Chris Paul is still better than the Mavs. But I guess the Mavs showed us, right? Harrison Barnes, who has embraced his role as the #1 guy on the team, made the game-winner.
The Blazers continue to disappoint. They continue to be last in defensive rating. I wonder if all the expectations caught up to them? We certainly didn’t expect them to do anything last season and they made the second round of the playoffs. Now? Heightened expectations and they got overtaken by the problematic Kings. Yikes.
So Giannis Antetokounmpo was incredible for the deer earlier. He went for 39-8-6 against the Wizards. He’s going to be a problem for the East.
The Pistons probably played their best game all season but they couldn’t replicate what they did last season: beat the Warriors.
Kyle Lowry‘s story is amazing, isn’t it? He was a back-up to Mike Conley in Memphis. And then he became an afterthought in Houston, especially right before Jeremy Lin was acquired. Then he finally got the chance to do his thing in Toronto. Now he and DeMar DeRozan are cornerstones of the franchise and have led them to new heights. Did you watch him take over the fourth quarter against Utah? How come we didn’t see this from him early in his career? Sometimes, all players need is a chance.
Kyle Lowry Over Everything.
LINE CROSSER
(PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images.)
It just feels sacrilege if I ignore what Russell Westbrook is doing. Let’s trot that line out again:
45 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists
That’s just ridiculous.
WATCH THIS PLAY
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
Giannis can just go high and glide with ease.
(For you highlight truthers, it’s not a travel. There’s a gather and then he takes two giant steps before the jam.)
Happy Holidays, everybody. And Merry Christmas to those that celebrate it. Enjoy the games on Christmas Day.
Follow Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass for all tweets about the NBA. Also, check out his podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental.
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