Harden And KD Dominate Late; Morant Is Back! 1.16.21
It’s another day of NBA basketball, and we have 6 games on the schedule.
Game Of The Day Prediction: Rockets vs Spurs or Hawks vs Blazers
Houston Rockets vs San Antonio Spurs
Pre-Game Thoughts: The Rockets were very short-handed after the James Harden trade, and they still beat the Spurs. Their energy and hustle made them a completely different team. They are still without John Wall and Eric Gordon, and Victor Oladipo is still not with the team. DeMarcus Cousins is also out. But they proved they can win while being short-handed, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they did it again. The Spurs definitely should have won their last game against the Rockets, as they were very short-handed. But the Spurs were just outworked, something I don’t expect to happen in this game. I definitely expect the Spurs to be much better in this game on both ends, and not allow the Rockets to win again. This will be a good game, but I’m giving the edge to the Spurs.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets were again short-handed, and this time they couldn’t get things going as well as they did the first times these two teams met. In the first half, the Rockets were playing well. They were shooting 43% from the field, and held the Spurs to below 40% shooting from the field. But the game was tied at halftime. In the 3rd, the Rockets offense started to slow down, and the Spurs led by 6 entering the 4th. And in the 4th, Dejounte Murray got going for the Spurs late, and Houston didn’t respond, as they fall to 4-7 on the year.
Christian Wood had 24 points and 18 rebounds on 9/20 shooting.
Mason Jones had 24 points and 6 rebounds on 8/12 shooting, 6/8 3-PT.
Ben McLemore had 21 points on 7/14 shooting.
Other than those 3 guys for Houston, there wasn’t much scoring to be found. Christian Wood continues to be a beast down low, and Mason Jones was surprisingly good. But in the 2nd half, the Rockets scored just 38 points, and they couldn’t stop the Spurs when they needed to. But this team can be good when they get all of their pieces together. Houston takes on the Chicago Bulls next time out.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs definitely didn’t want to lose to the short-handed Rockets again, and while it wasn’t pretty, they got the win because of their strong 2nd half. In the first half, nobody on the Spurs could really get going except for Jakob Poeltl, who had 11 off the bench. The Spurs shot just 37% from the field, but they game was tied. And in the 2nd half, the Spurs offense started to get going. They got some stops and got out into transition, and they took a 6-point lead entering the 4th. In the 4th, Dejounte Murray had a stretch where he scored 7 straight points, and got the rest of the Spurs going, as they cruised to a win, improving to 7-6 on the year.
DeMar DeRozan had 24 points and 7 rebounds on 9/25 shooting.
Dejounte Murray had 18 points and 10 rebounds on 8/18 shooting.
It wasn’t pretty, but the Spurs got things done in the 2nd half on both ends. They allowed just 38 Houston points, and they scored 53 points themselves. DeMar DeRozan was good, although it took him 25 shots to get 24 points. Murray was excellent in the 4th quarter, and the Spurs really looked sharp in the 2nd half. The Spurs take on the Blazers on Monday next.
Orlando Magic vs Brooklyn Nets
Pre-Game Thoughts: The Magic have been abysmal lately, as their offense just hasn’t been able to produce since Markelle Fultz went down with injury. They’ve lost their last 4 games, all games where they didn’t score over 100 points. Something is wrong with the Magic, and they’ve got to figure things out. The Nets have won their last two games, but all of their success has been thrown out the window with the James Harden trade. Harden is going to play today, and we’ll get to see him and KD for the first time this season. This should be exciting, at the expense of the Magic. Should be a win for the Nets.
Orlando Magic
The Magic put up quite the fight in this game, but they couldn’t stop the two-headed dragon in KD and Harden. The first half was pretty close, as the Magic took advantage of sloppy Nets play. They were shooting 43% from the field, and scored 50 points behind a big half from Nikola Vucevic. The 4th quarter was more scoring, as even with KD getting going, the Magic trailed by 1 entering the 4th. But the Magic just couldn’t overcome the firepower of KD and Harden. Harden and KD combined for 27 points in the 4th, and the Magic just couldn’t stop them, as they lose their 5th straight game.
Nikola Vucevic had 34 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 steals on 14/22 shooting.
Terrence Ross had 23 points on 9/17 shooting off the bench.
Cole Anthony had 16 points and 8 assists on 6/15 shooting.
The Magic played well, but they lost to some of the best players in the game. No real shame in that. Nikola Vucevic was red hot, and kept the Magic in this game. Terrence Ross was very good off the bench, and the Magic offense seemed to comeback. But they let KD and Harden go wild, especially in the 4th quarter. The Magic have lost 5 straight games, and they are now 6-7 on the year. Orlando takes on the Knicks next time out.
Brooklyn Nets
The duo of Harden and KD willed the Nets to this win, as they were amazing, mainly in the 4th quarter. The first half was sloppy, as Harden and KD were still working things out. The Nets shot 46% from the field, and they led by two at halftime. In the 3rd, the Nets started to give KD a lot of touches, and he was torching Orlando with his entire offensive skillset. But the lead was just one entering the 4th. But then KD and Harden went off. They scored 27 points in the 4th, and really just took over the game. It’s the first win in the new era of the Nets, as they are now 8-6 on the year.
KD had 42 points and 5 assists on 16/26 shooting, 5/8 3-PT.
James Harden had 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 14 assists on 8/18 shooting.
Joe Harris had 17 points and 5 rebounds on 6/11 shooting.
Well, this duo looked pretty good in their first start. They didn’t start off hot in the first half, but they got things going in the 2nd half. KD continues to dominate, as he is looking like he never had that injury. Harden had a triple-double, making him just the 7th player in NBA History to have a triple-double in a players first game with a new team. This Nets defense will be a problem, as they need a defensive center, as just DeAndre Jordan isn’t enough. But an impressive first showing for the Nets, and they will only get better with time. Brooklyn takes on the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday next.
Charlotte Hornets vs Toronto Raptors
Pre-Game Thoughts: The Hornets have been the same team after winning 4 straight games, as they’ve lost their last two. This team is so inconsistent, you just don’t know how they will look on a game-to-game basis. They have some talent, and they get Gordon Hayward back, which is a big boost for their offense. They just need to get things going on both ends early. Despite starting the season the way they did, if the Raptors can lock things down defensively, they can win games. Their offense can be very good with their Big 3 as well as the emergence of Chris Boucher. I think that the Raptors will be winning this game.
Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets had their chances to win this game, but they just couldn’t get things together late. In the first half, the Hornets offense was very good. They were shooting 43% from the field, scoring 64 points. But they were allowing the Raptors to make a lot of 3’s, and they trailed by 2 at halftime. The lead was just one entering the 4th, and these two teams again went down to the wire. The Hornets kept trying to come back, but the Raptors made timely shots. But Terry Rozier tied the game with 55 seconds left. Kyle Lowry answered, and the Hornets needed a score. Instead they got nowhere, and got a shot-clock violation. Now down 4, the Hornets needed a miracle. Devonte Graham hit a 3, and after a pair of Raptors free throws, the Hornets had one last chance with 3 seconds left to tie the game. But Terry Rozier didn’t come close, and the Hornets lose their 3rd straight game.
Gordon Hayward had 25 points and 5 rebounds on 7/13 shooting.
Terry Rozier had 24 points and 9 rebounds on 9/19 shooting.
Devonte Graham had 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists on 7/15 shooting.
The Raptors definitely could have won this game, but they had that 24-second shot clock turnover possession, which really put them in a tough spot. Gordon Hayward scored 21 of his 25 points in the first half. He has to score in the 2nd half more, not just 4 points. These are the games that the Hornets have to win, but their execution just hasn’t been great late-game. The Hornets have lost 3 straight games, and they are now 6-8 on the year. They take on the Washington Wizards next.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors did it. They’ve won back-to-back games. Congratulations. This game again went down to the wire, and the Raptors late-game execution was much better than the Hornets, and it’s the reason they won this game. In the first half, the Raptors were lighting it up from deep in the first half, as they shot 52% from 3, and they led by 2 at halftime. The 3rd quarter was again close, and the Raptors lead was just one entering the 4th. And in the 4th, the Raptors held onto their lead for a long time. But the game was tied with under a minute left. Kyle Lowry scored, and then Toronto clamped up the Hornets and forced a turnover. But after some free throws, Devonte Graham hit a 3, and the lead was one. With 3.4 seconds left, the lead was 3 and the Hornets had a chance to tie. But the Raptors again played great defense, and they won their 2nd straight game, improving to 4-8 on the year.
Normal Powell had 24 points on 6/9 3-PT off the bench.
Chris Boucher had 20 points and 9 rebounds on 5/7 shooting off the bench.
Kyle Lowry had 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists on 6/13 shooting.
The Raptors have lost close games, but in these last two vs the Hornets, they’ve dominated the late game. Their defense was great late-game, as they just smothered Charlotte. The Raptors bench was excellent in this game. Chris Boucher continues to be excellent, and Norman Powell was very good shooting the ball. I’m telling you, if the Raptors can lock in, they’re not terrible. They’ve been getting more consistent on both ends, and they might have found their rhythm. Toronto takes on the Dallas Mavericks next.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Memphis Grizzlies
Pre-Game Thoughts: The 76ers have been dealing with Covid as of late, but they’ve won their last two games and have been getting healthier. But Joel Embiid won’t be coming with them on this two-game road trip, so it’ll have to be a lot of Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons for the 76ers. They are still without Seth Curry, but even short-handed, the 76ers are still competitive. The Grizzlies have been finding their way without Ja Morant, as they’ve won their last 3 games, their offense getting a lot better. But they got Morant back after a 3 week absence, which is such a big plus for their offense. This game will be close, but I’m giving the edge to the 76ers.
Philadelphia 76ers
This was a very disappointing game from Philadelphia, as they just looked flat from the beginning. The 76ers defense in the first half was awful, allowing 60 points on 44% shooting. The 76ers just couldn’t play defense, against not a stacked Memphis team. And in the 3rd quarter, the 76ers defense against struggled, and they trailed by 12 entering the 4th. But the 76ers made an attempt to comeback. They kept chipping away at the lead, until it was one with 1:25 left. With 29 seconds left, Ben Simmons turned it over, but then Morant turned it over 11 seconds later. So with 18 seconds left, the 76ers had a chance to win the game. But Tobias Harris stepped out of bounds, and Ja Morant hit a free throw, and the 76ers came just short, falling to 9-5 on the year.
Shake Milton had 28 points on 10/18 shooting.
Tobias Harris had 21 points on 7/17 shooting.
James Harden is looking really good in Brooklyn right now. Ben Simmons isn’t. His stat sheet looks cool, 16 rebounds and 9 assists, but he just can’t score. He can’t score anywhere else but the paint, and he just clogs things up. Was Tyrese Maxey really worth that much? I know Joel Embiid wasn’t on the floor, but this game was one where Ben Simmons needed to be really good, and he wasn’t. The 76ers are now 9-5 on the year, and they take on the OKC Thunder next.
Memphis Grizzlies
With Ja Morant back, the Grizzlies looked really good on both ends, as they were in control for most of this game, and although things got interesting at the end, they held on to win again. In the first half, the Grizzlies scored 60 points led by Ja Morant. The Grizzlies again dominated the 3rd, and they led by 12 entering the 4th. But then Philadelphia started to get going, and the Grizzlies couldn’t hold their lead for long. The lead was just one with 1:25 left. After a series of turnovers, the 76ers had the ball with 18 seconds left, a chance to win. But Tobias Harris turned it over, and Ja Morant made 1/2 free throws, and the 76ers didn’t have a timeout, so the Grizzlies won their 4th straight game.
Ja Morant had 17 points and 6 assists on 7/14 shooting.
Xavier Tillman had 15 points on 7/13 shooting off the bench.
Ja Morant made such a big impact on the game, as the Grizzlies just looked better. Their offense was getting better looks, and 7 guys were in double figures. The Grizzlies defense held the 76ers down for most of the night, never letting them get going until it was too late. The Grizzlies have won 4 in a row and they are now 6-6 on the year. All they need is Jaren Jackson Jr. to return, and they will be at at full strength. Memphis takes on the Phoenix Suns on Monday.
Detroit Pistons vs Miami Heat
Pre-Game Thoughts: The Pistons have struggled thus far, mainly because they just start slow. Their roster has some solid pieces like Jerami Grant, but they just fall into massive deficits, and they never recover. They need a lot more production from Derrick Rose and Blake Griffin if they want to win, and they would be decent if Griffin and Rose were more consistent. The Heat have been heavily plagued by Covid, as they have been missing so many guys as of late. But they get Bam Adebayo, Goran Dragic, and Kendrick Nunn back. Tyler Herro is out, but the Heat are much more depth in this game. This game will be close, and I think Miami will win.
Detroit Pistons
Well, this was surprising. Even though the Heat were short-handed, I expected the Pistons to lose this game. Such was not the case. The Pistons played a solid first half. They trailed by 3, but they were shooting 47% from the field. The problem was that they were allowing the Heat to shoot 59% from the field. But then the Pistons dominated the reigning Eastern Conference champs in the 2nd half. The Pistons scored 38 points in the 3rd, and allowed just 19, blowing the game open. They cruised to a 20-point win, as they were great on both ends in the 2nd half. Detroit is now 3-9 on the year.
Jerami Grant had 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists on 10/19 shooting.
Derrick Rose had 23 points on 8/12 shooting off the bench.
Blake Griffin had 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists on 6/13 shooting.
I said that if Rose and Griffin play well, something that hasn’t happened often this season. But those two were excellent alongside Jerami Grant, and the Pistons just dominated the 2nd half of this game. This Pistons team has been decent at times, all they have to do is not start slow, something they achieved in this game. Detroit improves to 3-9 on the year, and they take on the Miami Heat again on Monday.
Miami Heat
The Heat got a few players back from Covid, but they were still short-handed, and they were dominated in the 2nd half of this game. In the first half, Bam Adebayo was controlling things for the Heat as they shot 59% from the field and scored 56 points. Things were looking good, until the Heat collapsed in the 2nd half. Miami managed to score just 44 points in the 2nd half, while allowing 68. They couldn’t keep up with the Pistons, and they lose their 3rd straight game, falling to 4-7 on the year,
Bam Adebayo had 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists on 8/11 shooting.
Duncan Robinson had 22 points on 5/8 3-PT.
KZ Okpala had 16 points on 6/9 shooting, 4/5 3-PT.
The Heat have been very short-handed over the past few games, this game they were without Bradley, Butler, and Herro. They did have some pieces back, but they were still short-handed. I still expected them to be better in the 2nd half, as their defense and offense both struggled. The Heat need to get healthy, as they can’t keep losing, otherwise it’ll be tough for them to climb back into the standings. The Heat are now 4-7 on the year, and they take on the Pistons again on Monday.
Atlanta Hawks vs Portland Trail Blazers
Pre-Game Thoughts: The Hawks have just fallen off since their explosive start to the season. Trae Young was excellent, drawing fouls and being very crafty. The Hawks had one of the best offenses in the league. But ever since Steve Nash made comments about Trae Young’s game, things have gone downhill. Trae Young seems to have lost all his confidence, as he isn’t getting to the free throw, nor is he drawing fouls. The Hawks have lost 5 out of their last 6 games, as it’s been a tough stretch for them lately. Portland lost Jusuf Nurkic for 8 weeks with a wrist fracture, as they’ll have to give more minutes to Enes Kanter and Harry Giles. Portland’s offense wasn’t very good against Indiana, but they face a much worse Hawks defense. If Portland’s defense can contain Trae Young, they can win this game. I think that Portland will win this game.
Atlanta Hawks
Another disappointing loss for the Hawks, and this one has different levels. The Hawks offense was rolling in the first quarter, as they shot 71% from the field. They built a 16-point lead in the 2nd quarter, as they were rolling. CJ McCollum went down with injury, and it looked like the Hawks would win. But they allowed Damian Lillard to get going, and the lead was only 7 at halftime. And then the Hawks collapsed in the 2nd half. The Blazers didn’t have CJ for the entire 2nd half, but it didn’t matter. The Hawks shot below 30% from the field in the 3rd, scoring 20 points. The game was tied entering the 4th. And the 4th was more of the same. The Hawks offense struggled, unable to keep up with Portland. With 3:54 left, the Hawks trailed by 8. The Hawks cut it to two with under a minute to go. But Damian Lillard drew a charge on Trae Young, and the Hawks turned it over twice late, and they lost again, falling to 5-7 on the year.
Trae Young had 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 11 assists on 7/23 shooting.
Clint Capela had 25 points and 15 rebounds on 11/16 shooting.
De’Andre Hunter had 15 points and 6 rebounds on 3/9 shooting.
The Hawks lost to a Blazers team without two of their best players. Their offense was horrendous in the 2nd half, as they allowed Portland to get going, and eventually pull away. Trae Young had a good stat-sheet game, but shot terribly from the field. And he drove down the lane blindly, allowing Damian Lillard to draw a charge. John Collins was talking a lot to Carmelo Anthony, just to score 8 points. The Hawks have been horrible in the clutch this season, and the same trend was shown in this game. Atlanta has to figure out how to win, and they’ve lost 6 of their last 7 games. Atlanta takes on Minnesota on Monday.
Portland Trail Blazers
On the flip side, what a win for Portland. They didn’t have the bruising Jusuf Nurkic down low, leaving them a little vulnerable. Their defense was terrible for the first quarter, allowing the Hawks to shoot 70%+ from the field. The lead went up to 16 in the 2nd quarter, and then CJ injured his foot. He would play the rest of the first half, but wouldn’t return in the 2nd half. But Damian Lillard scored 19 points in the first half, and the lead was just 7 at halftime. And then Portland clamped down the Hawks. They held the Hawks below 30% shooting in the 3rd, and Dame pulled the Blazers to a tie game entering the 4th. And in the 4th, it was the Portland role players who saved the game. Carmelo Anthony was hitting shots and drawing fouls. Gary Trent was hounding Trae Young. Enes Kanter was a rebounding machine. Derrick Jones Jr. was in the passing lanes. And Portland held their lead throughout the 4th, never really letting the Hawks get back into the game. With 19 seconds left, the Hawks had the ball down two. Trae Young drove on the baseline, but Damian Lillard drew a charge, giving it back to Portland. Portland forced two more turnovers and hit some free throws, sealing another comeback win. Portland is now 8-5 on the year.
Damian Lillard had 36 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists on 10/23 shooting.
Gary Trent Jr. had 18 points on 7/14 shooting.
CJ McCollum had 16 points on 6/11 shooting (first half)
What an impressive win for the Blazers, even without two of their best players. Their defense in the 2nd half was excellent, the best it had looked all season. Gary Trent locked down Trae Young, and Enes Kanter made some big plays on both ends. Damian Lillard had a heavy work-load, but he worked through it. No word yet on how serious the CJ foot injury is yet, as Portland hopes for the best. Portland takes on the Spurs next on Monday.
What Are Your Thoughts From The 6 Games Today? Leave A Thought Down Below!
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