Jokic and Doncic Duel In OT; T-Wolves Lose Again! 1.7.21
It’s a Thursday of NBA hoops as we have just 5 games on the schedule today.
Game Of The Day Prediction: Dallas Mavericks vs Denver Nuggets
Philadelphia 76ers vs Brooklyn Nets
Pre-Game Thoughts: The 76ers are the best team in basketball right now. They have jumped out to a 7-1 record thanks to stellar play on both ends. Joel Embiid has been the catalyst for this team thus far, but they have gotten solid contributions from throughout this roster. They are without Seth Curry, but they still have 3 guys who are playing at an All-Star level right now. They did allow 136 points to Washington, so look for that defense to be better against the short-handed Nets. The Nets looked very good against the Jazz, even without KD. But now they face the hottest team in basketball without KD or Kyrie, who is due to personal reasons. This Nets team isn’t the same without either of their superstars on the floor, and they now face the best team in the East. This should be an easy win for Philly.
Philadelphia 76ers
This is a game that the 76ers didn’t play very well, and they wished that they played better. The 76ers energy was off from the start, and they fell behind early to the hot Nets offense. Philly trailed by 14 at halftime, as their defense against guys like Joe Harris and Caris Levert was poor and the 76ers just didn’t look right. Philly tried multiple attempts at getting back into the game in the 2nd half, but they just couldn’t stop the Nets. Philly’s 5 game win streak is snapped, as they are 7-2 on the year.
Shake Milton had 24 points and 7 assists on 8/13 shooting.
Joel Embiid had 20 points and 12 rebounds on 7/14 shooting.
Tobias Harris had 17 points and 8 rebounds on 7/16 shooting.
Without Seth Curry, the 76ers scoring was impacted a lot. Shake Milton was good, but it left the 76ers bench without a real play-maker. Tyrese Maxey had 16 points off the bench, the only guy who really did anything. Joel Embiid was double for most of this game, and struggled shooting the ball. Ben Simmons looked sloppy. The 76ers defense hasn’t been as good as of late, but they were on the 2nd night of a back-to-back. I get that they were tired, but I definitely expected more from the hottest team in the league, especially against a very short-handed Nets team.
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets don’t need their superstars to win. The Nets beat the Jazz soundly without KD, and they beat a very good 76ers team without KD and Kyrie. The Nets offense made a mockery of this very good 76ers team, as Joe Harris and Caris Levert powered Brooklyn to 65 first half points. And then Brooklyn didn’t let Philly back in the game, as they cruised to another win, improving to 5-4 on the year.
Joe Harris had 28 points and 6 rebounds on 11/19 shooting, 6/9 3-PT off the bench.
Caris Levert had 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 assists on 9/25 shooting.
Jarrett Allen had 15 points and 11 rebounds on 5/6 shooting.
This Nets team knows how to play well, even without their two superstars. Joe Harris was excellent off the bench, as he continues to shoot the ball very well. Levert needs to take better shots, but he was good. Jarrett Allen made his mark defensively, down a great job vs Embiid. The Nets play hard, and if they can incorporate KD and Kyrie, they will be very good. Brooklyn takes on the Memphis Grizzlies next time out.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Memphis Grizzlies
Pre-Game Thoughts: The Cavs have been ravaged by injuries as of late, and they have lost 2 in a row because of it. The Cavs are without Garland, Sexton, Love, and Dante Exum. So there will be more playing time for guys like Isaac Okoro, somebody I really like. The Cavs are very short-handed, but the Grizzlies are also short-handed. The Grizzlies are without their two best players, and they have lost their last two games. The Grizzlies roster honestly matchups well with this Cavs team, but I just don’t know where the scoring is going to be coming from. Both of these teams are mediocre, but I have the Cavs winning this battle of mediocrity.
Cleveland Cavaliers
This was a very good game for the Cavs. Offensively they still played pretty well without Sexton and Garland. The Grizzlies weren’t anything special on offense either, and the Cavs gutted out this win. Cleveland led by 2 at halftime, shooting just 36% from the field. The 3rd quarter was also close, but the Cavs trailed by 1 entering the 4th. The Cavs fell behind in the 4th, but then they worked their way back. With 1:30 left, the Cavs led by 1. On the fastbreak with 30 seconds left, Isaac Okoro made an excellent block, saving an easy layup. And then on the next possession, Isaac Okoro cut back door, and scored, giving the Cavs a 3-point lead. The Cavs held on to win, improving to 5-4 on the year.
Andre Drummond had 22 points and 15 rebounds on 9/20 shooting.
Larry Nance Jr. had 18 points on 7/7 shooting, 4/4 3-PT.
Cedi Osman had 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists on 6/19 shooting.
Before I go over anything, shoutout Isaac Okoro. He didn’t play great, 3/9 from the field. But he played so well. His defense was excellent, as he had some great deflections, and did a great job sticking with guys. He had a big block at the end of the game, and sealed the game with an excellent back-door cut. I really like how he played in this game. The Cavs fought back in this game, and looked good even without some of their best players. Andre Drummond was good, and Larry Nance was on fire, shooting 7/7 from the field. Cleveland is back over 0.500, and they face the Milwaukee Bucks next.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies definitely had a chance to win this game, as their short-handed roster was actually better on paper vs the Cavs. But they were engaged in a very close game. Memphis trailed by 2 at halftime, shooting 49% from the field. The Grizzlies led by one in the 4th, and they started it off strong. Memphis led by 6 with under 7 minutes left, but then their lead started to evaporate. The Grizzlies lost the lead with about 2:30 left, and they struggled to score. Tyus Jones nearly had an easy layup, but Isaac Okoro came out of nowhere to block the shot. And then Memphis let Isaac Okoro get an easy dunk off a cut. Memphis didn’t get a good shot, and they fell again, falling to 2-6 on the year,
Jonas Valanciunas had 17 points and 10 rebounds on 6/11 shooting.
Brandon Clarke had 14 points and 9 rebounds on 7/11 shooting.
This Grizzlies team just hasn’t been able to score without Ja Morant, who does so much offensively for this Memphis team. They need to find better ways to score, as Morant and Jackson Jr. remain out. And when they needed to get stops down the stretch, they couldn’t get them. This Memphis team desperately needs to get healthy to try and win games, as they are definitely in trouble right now. Memphis faces a very good Brooklyn team on Friday.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Portland Trail Blazers
Pre-Game Thoughts: The Timberwolves have bee awful without Karl Anthony Towns, as they have lost 5 in a row without their All-Star center. The Timberwolves have some decent players like D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards, but they have almost no interior. They will continue to struggle with Towns out. The Blazers have been wildly inconsistent, and as a fan, they’ve been hard to watch at times. They blew a game vs the Bulls, but have a chance to rebound. The Timberwolves don’t boast a great defense, a chance for Dame and CJ to continue to dominate. This Blazers defense can be good, they just need Jusuf Nurkic to lock-in and start playing like he did pre-leg injury. The Blazers bench needs to be better, and these are all things I’ve seen them do. They just have to do it more consistently. Portland has the advantage in this game, and they should be winning this game.
Minnesota Timberwolves
6th straight loss for Minnesota, all losses without Karl Anthony Towns. This Minnesota defense was roasted by Damian Lillard and company, as they allowed 47 points in the 2nd quarter. Minnesota’s offense was good, shooting 42% from the field and scoring 56 points. But their defense was atrocious. And the Timberwolves hardly made a dent in that large Portland lead, as they lost their 6th straight game.
D’Angelo Russell had 26 points on 9/16 shooting.
Anthony Edwards had 26 points on 9/21 shooting off the bench.
This Minnesota team has yet to recalibrate their offense without Karl Anthony Towns, who looks like the MVP of the league because of how bad this Minnesota team has been without him. Anthony Edwards was decent, as they look for him to be more consistent. The Timberwolves desperately need Towns back on the floor and healthy, as he does so much for this team.
Portland Trail Blazers
This win was one Portland needed, after two ugly losses. Portland’s offense was red hot in the first half, scoring 75 points on 60% shooting. Their defense wasn’t great, but when you score 75 points, the defense doesn’t have to be great. Damian Lillard got back on track, and Jusuf Nurkic looked very sharp. If Portland can be more consistent on the defensive end, and get Jusuf Nurkic looking sharp again, they will be tough to stop.
Damian Lillard had 39 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists on 13/21 shooting.
CJ McCollum had 20 points on 6/14 shooting.
Jusuf Nurkic had 17 points and 7 rebounds on 8/10 shooting.
Jusuf Nurkic looked very good against a lackluster Timberwolves interior defense. Maybe that can get him going, as he is so important to what they do. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum continue to look very sharp, combining for 59 points. The Blazers bench was solid, as Gary Trent, Carmelo, Rodney Hood, and Enes Kanter were all solid off the bench. Maybe this can start to get Portland going, as they have been shaky to start this season. Portland is now 4-4 on the year, and they face the Sacramento Kings next.
Dallas Mavericks vs Denver Nuggets
Pre-Game Thoughts: The Mavs have been hot and cold this season, as they have struggled at times without Kristaps Porzingis. But Luka Doncic has been getting better in terms of scoring, and we know what he can do in terms of passing. The Mavs supporting cast of Hardaway, Richardson, and Brunson just have to score, and the Mavs put themselves in a place to win in every single game. The Nuggets looked very bad to start this season, but they’ve won their last two games against the T-Wolves. Nikola Jokic has been the MVP of the NBA thus far, as he has been absolutely incredible. Jamal Murray has been getting better, as they need to see some more bubble Jamal Murray. MPJ is still out, so they need more scoring from Morris, Barton, Millsap, and Green. This game features some of the best play-makers in the game, and this should be a very good game. Both these teams aren’t the best defensively, but the Nuggets have Murray and Jokic, who can tear anybody up. I’m giving the slight edge to the Nuggets in this game.
Dallas Mavericks
This game went from boring to exciting real quick, as the Mavs really dug deep for this win. The Mavs offense struggled in the first half, as they shot just 33% from the field and 16% from 3, scoring 43 points. Luka Doncic was giving his teammates good looks, they just weren’t hitting their shots as the Nuggets looked very good in the first half. But things changed drastically in the 2nd half. The Mavs scored 33 points in the 3rd, and trailed by 2 entering the 4th. In the 4th, the Mavs were battling hard. But the Mavs made a small run, and took a 101-97 lead with under 4 minutes left. But Denver recovered the game was tied with under 2 minutes to go. The Mavs trailed by 1 with 7.7 seconds left, and they had the chance to win. Doncic got the ball and was doubled, and found a wide-open Maxi Kleber for 3. Kleber already had two 3-pointers in the 4th, and knocked down his 3rd one and gave Dallas a two-point lead. But Nikola Jokic answered with a tough jumper from the left corner, and he tied the game at the buzzer. So, we were headed to OT. And Luka Doncic went to work, as he scored 9 of Dallas’s 15 points in the OT, and Dallas played excellent defense on Jokic and Murray down the stretch to win the game.
Luka Doncic had 38 points, 9 rebounds, and 13 assists on 13/22 shooting.
Josh Richardson had 14 points on 5/15 shooting.
Dorian Finney-Smith had 14 points on 5/12 shooting.
Luka Doncic absolutely dominated this game. He looked like bubble Luka again, as he was making tough shots, and creating shots for teammates. But my MVP goes to Maxi Kleber. Kleber had 3 3-pointers in the 4th, including the one with 3.3 seconds left that almost gave Dallas the win in regulation. He had some big rebounds in OT, and he was excellent. Luka carried this team down the stretch, but the Mavs defense was excellent in OT. They didn’t give Jokic or Murray much daylight, and the Mavs definitely earned this win. Dallas started slow, but they are now 4-4 on the year, and they face the Orlando Magic next.
Denver Nuggets
This game was one that Denver should have one, especially with the way that they were playing in the first half. The Nuggets defense was locking down the Mavs, as Dallas scored just 43 points in the first half on 36% shooting. Jokic and Murray combined for 25 points in the first half, and the Nuggets led by 9. But then the Nuggets started to have a lapse in their defense, allowing 33 Dallas points in the 3rd, and now it was a close game entering the 4th. Dallas battled with the Nuggets, but Denver found themselves down 4 with under 4 minutes left. But the Nuggets responded nicely, and the game was tied with 1:59 left. Denver led by one, but Dallas had the ball with 7.7 seconds left. And then Gary Harris played bad defense, and left a red hot Maxi Kleber wide open for 3. Kleber drilled it with 3.3 seconds left, and the Nuggets trails by 2. But Nikola Jokic came back and did one better than Kleber. He got the ball on the left corner and hit a tough step-back jumper, tying the game and sending it to OT. In OT, the Nuggets defense was again a problem, as they fell behind by 5 with 1:25 left. They didn’t give the ball to Jokic or Murray on a couple possessions and Denver was blanketed. Gary Harris got own by Luka Doncic, and Denver lost, dropping them to 3-5 on the year.
Nikola Jokic had 38 points and 11 rebounds on 14/31 shooting.
Jamal Murray had 21 points and 9 assists on 8/19 shooting.
Gary Harris had 15 points on 6/9 shooting.
Jokic struggled shooting from the field, as he was inefficient. Both Jokic and Murray didn’t get the ball a lot in OT, and I blame that on Mike Malone. He had PJ Dozier in, a move I kind of get because he’s big and can play defense, but he made a bad turnover in OT, and I saw no point to him being on the floor. I know Monte Morris is small, but he’s another reliable shooter who can space the floor. And the Nuggets defense, which has been bad all year, got cooked by Luka Doncic. Luka was making tough shots, as they couldn’t get the ball out of his hands. The Nuggets are now 3-5 on the year, as their 2-game win streak is snapped. Denver plays the Philadelphia 76ers next.
San Antonio Spurs vs LA Lakers
Pre-Game Thoughts: The Spurs haven’t been great vs great teams this year, but they thoroughly outplayed the Clippers last time out. But this Spurs roster can’t compete with the Lakers. DeRozan, Keldon Johnson, and Dejounte Murray just isn’t enough to contend in the West. LaMarcus Aldridge isn’t the same player anymore, and I don’t think the Spurs can beat great teams consistently. The Lakers have started to get things going, winning 4 straight games. But they didn’t play great vs Memphis, although they won both times. The Lakers have the obvious talent advantage, but I have yet to see the Lakers be dominant consistently. I need AD and Lebron to be dominant and not coast for 3 quarters. Kuzma and Harrell need to be better off the bench, especially without KCP for a 3rd straight game. The Lakers have the steep talent advantage in this game, and they should be winning this game.
San Antonio Spurs
Maybe I was wrong about the Spurs. The Spurs cooked the Clippers in Staples Center, and they did it again to the Lakers. The Spurs shot 56% from the field and 58% from 3, as LaMarcus Aldridge turned back the clock, having a vintage first half. But the Lakers rallied in the 3rd, and this became a game again. But then the Spurs shut the door on the defending champs. The Spurs just couldn’t be stopped late, and a late surge pushed them to a win, their 2nd in a row.
LaMarcus Aldridge had 28 points and 5 rebounds on 11/18 shooting.
DeMar DeRozan had 19 points and 8 assists on 5/13 shooting.
Dejounte Murray had 18 points and 8 rebounds on 7/14 shooting.
The Spurs outplayed another very good Western Conference team. LaMarcus Aldridge looked like prime LA with the Blazers in this game, as he had it going from 3 and the mid-range. DeRozan and Murray were solid as well. But the Spurs defense was very good against one of the most talented teams in the league. They didn’t allow Kuzma or Schroder to get going, as they just outclassed the Lakers. The Spurs are now 4-4 on the year, and they face the Minnesota Timberwolves next.
LA Lakers
The Lakers just looked bad in this game. They kind of looked out of energy, which was very surprising. Their defense was awful, as they allowed the Spurs to shoot above 55% from both the field and 3 in the first half. They were getting cooked by LaMarcus Aldridge, and trailed by 9 at halftime. But LA scored 33 points in the 3rd quarter, and they were right back in this game. But instead of carrying that momentum into the 4th, the Lakers went back to their first half ways. Their offense shut down, as they scored just 20 points. And when they needed stops, they couldn’t get them as their 4-game win streak was snapped.
Lebron James had 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 12 assists on 8/15 shooting.
Anthony Davis had 23 points and 10 rebounds on 11/17 shooting.
The Lakers haven’t looked the same on offense without KCP. Kyle Kuzma has struggled on offense as a starter, and this Lakers bench hasn’t been good. Montrezl Harrell scored 10 points, but he’s just a defensive liability down low. Marc Gasol dealt with foul trouble, as he hasn’t been as advertised this season with LA. Schroder struggled, as KCP really seemed to be that glue guy for the starters. The Lakers defense was lackluster, as they need to start to lock-in. I understand that the bubble wasn’t to long ago, but this season is shorter, and the West is as competitive as ever. Got to be able to get wins like these, against teams that are far inferior to you. LA is now 6-3 on the year, and they take on the Chicago Bulls next.
What Are Your Thoughts From The 5-Game Slate Of Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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