Is Jamal Murray Back?; Embiid For MVP? 2.19.21
It’s a Friday night of NBA basketball, and we have a busy day with 9 games on the schedule today.
Golden State Warriors vs Orlando Magic
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors limited size and poor defense hurt them in this game. In the first half the Warriors defense was very poor as Vucevic and Fournier combined for 37 points as those two were dominating Golden State. Curry was again struggling to shoot and Golden State was down by as many as 17. Things weren’t going well until the 3rd, where the Warriors offense exploded for 43 points. Their defense was better, and they took the lead. They built a 13-point lead in the 4th, just to throw it away. The Magic hit a barrage of 3’s in a row, getting them back in the game. The Warriors went from up 13 to down 7 late. Curry hit a few 3’s to try and make a comeback, but his miss with under 5 seconds to go prevented the game from going to OT. Golden State falls to 16-14 on the year.
Steph Curry had 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 11 assists on 11/29 shooting.
Kelly Oubre had 26 points and 7 rebounds on 10/18 shooting.
Andrew Wiggins had 16 points on 7/15 shooting.
This is a game Golden State has to win, no matter the circumstances. Up 13 in the 4th quarter, that has to be a win. But their defense was poor throughout this game and they couldn’t prevent a very bad Magic team from hitting 3’s. Vucevic dominated, but that was to be expected. But to allow Fournier to score an efficient 28 points hurt them. Ross was lethal as well, as Golden State was poor defensively. Curry struggles shooting again, and even with Oubre continuing his hot streak, the Warriors couldn’t win.
Orlando Magic
Vucevic and Fournier set the tone for the Magic offensively, and Terrence Ross was also good off the bench, leading the Magic to a win. In the first half, Fournier and Vucevic were doing everything. They combined for 37 points, and Vucevic did a bit of everything. The Magic led by as many as 17, but they weren’t in the clear. The Warriors dominated the 3rd, and the Magic found themselves down 13 in the 4th. But then 3’s started to fall and the Magic got stops. A Curry miss late gave them the win, as they improve to 12-18 on the year.
Nikola Vucevic had 30 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists on 13/23 shooting.
Evan Fournier had 28 points and 6 assists on 11/18 shooting.
Terrence Ross had 24 points on 9/17 shooting off the bench.
The Magic offense was very good in this game. Nikola Vucevic got his 3rd career triple-double, as he did everything down low against the smaller Warriors. Fournier and Ross were both flamethrowers, as they were both lethal alongside Vucevic down low. The Magic made 18 3’s, as they were able to stretch the floor and make Golden State pay. Orlando takes on the Pistons next.
Denver Nuggets vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Denver Nuggets
Yeah, Jamal Murray kind of had a good game. Murray had been pretty disappointing this season after exploding in the bubble, but he looked like Bubble Murray in this game. Murray was a ridiculous 21/25 from the field (84%), and 8/10 from 3 (80%). Murray finished with 50 points, his 3rd career 50-point game. Yeah, he was kind of good. Michael Porter Jr. had 21 points in the first half, as he looked good. And this is what Denver can be if Porter and Murray can score. Obviously they won’t do this every night, but when Jokic is more of a passer Denver is better. Jokic had just 16 points, but he had a triple-double. I think that if Denver wants to be very good, Murray has to average 22-25 points. And he’s capable of it, we just haven’t seen it consistently this season from either him or Porter Jr. Maybe this game is a step in the right direction for both of them. Denver improves to 16-13 on the year.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs faced the wrath of Jamal Murray in Bubble mode. They did not fair well. It’s clear that this team was more of a fluke to start the year, as they have been very bad lately. It’s still rebuilding time for the Cavs.
Chicago Bulls vs Philadelphia 76ers
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls made this game tough on the 76ers, and they stayed with it. But sometimes Joel Embiid is just too much. In the first half Wendell Carter Jr. was aggressive and very good, and the Bulls bench dominated the 76ers bench. Both teams weren’t shooting well, and the Bulls were hanging in there. The Bulls kept staying within striking distance in the 2nd half, and Zach Lavine was hitting big shots in the 4th. But Embiid kept hitting jumpers and getting to the line, and his step-back jumper with under a minute to go ended the game as the Bulls fall to 12-16 on the year.
Zach Lavine had 30 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists on 9/28 shooting.
Wendell Carter Jr. had 15 points on 7/13 shooting.
Zach Lavine hit some shots, but he was inefficient with Thybulle on him. He struggled in this game, mainly scoring from the line. Carter only shot the ball 4 times in the 2nd half, and he didn’t score in the 2nd half, as I would have liked to see him continue to be aggressive and try and get Embiid in foul trouble. 3 Bulls bench players were in double figures, as they were very good. The Bulls fought hard in this game, but Philly was the better team. Chicago takes on the Kings tomorrow.
Philadelphia 76ers
My god, Joel Embiid is a monster. With no Ben Simmons, the 76ers offense was basically Embiid on his own. This game was a little too close for comfort, but thanks to Embiid the 76ers won this game. In the first half, it was all Embiid. He had 20 points, leading the way for the 76ers. But the 76ers bench was still bad, and the lead was only 5 at the half. In the 3rd, the 76ers still couldn’t pull away despite Tobias Harris getting things going. Zach Lavine kept putting the Bulls back in it, but Joel Embiid hit some big shots, including the dagger to give Philly the win as they improve to 20-10 on the year.
Joel Embiid had a career-high 50 points, 17 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 blocks on 17/26 shooting.
Tobias Harris had 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists on 9/16 shooting.
Yeah, Embiid is that dude. The MVP candidate continues to show his dominance, as he was doing everything on both ends for this team. Harris was solid, but other than that there wasn’t much to speak of offensively. Curry was 2/11, Green was 4/10. Thybulle did almost everything on defense, and the 76ers bench continues to struggle without Shake Milton. They have to be better off the bench to win, and I think another passer other than Ben Simmons would help them a lot. The 76ers take on the Raptors next on Sunday.
Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics
Atlanta Hawks
Don’t get fooled, the Hawks were not good in this game. Their offense was very poor until the 4th, where they made the game closer than it actually was. In the first half the Hawks shot 32% from the field, and scored just 41 points despite Young and Capela playing well. The Hawks bench and role players were awful. The offense got going in the 3rd, but it was still the Young and Capela show. Both of those guys were good, but everybody else was bad. Collins and Reddish were both 3/13, Huerter was 2/7. Gallinari was 2/14. This was not a good game by the Hawks, as they can’t keep offensive consistency. Atlanta falls to 12-17 on the year.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics defense was good throughout this game, as they played off of that to easily win this game. They did a great job making sure that Young and Capela’s scoring was isolated. The Celtics were in control throughout this game, as their offense got going. Kemba Walker was very good with 28 points and 6 assists on 10/16 shooting. Tatum did a bit of everything, and Brown was solid as well. Theis and Thompson combined for 31 points, and Robert Williams had 12 points off the bench as well. Good win for Boston, but can they sustain this? They are now 15-14 on the year, but they haven’t been able to sustain their good play for long stretches this season.
Detroit Pistons vs Memphis Grizzlies
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons didn’t play that well in this game, as their offense was shut down for most of the night. In the first half, the Pistons scored just 43 points on just 39% shooting. After trailing big early, the Pistons cut the lead to just two in the 3rd. But the Grizzlies pushed the lead back to double digits, and Delon Wright left the game in the 4th, which essentially ended a comeback chances. 6 Pistons were in double figures including all 5 starters. Grant struggled shooting, as did the Pistons from 3. The Pistons are still growing, so I don’t take much from this game. They’d also hope that Delon Wright’s injury isn’t serious, as they need him bad.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies defense was very good again, and they won easily. Their defense to start this game was great, as they got out to a big lead they never gave up. Morant was very good as a scorer, as he had a game-high 29 points. 3 other Grizzlies starters were in double figures, as it was a good all-around game. I said that if Memphis plays defense they are very good, and what do you know? This team has to play defense in order to win games.
OKC Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks
OKC Thunder
Well, you tried. This game was not offensive oriented, and you tried. You held the Bucks below 100 points which is impressive, but shooting below 40% from the field won’t get you far in the NBA. OKC is now 11-18 on the year.
Milwaukee Bucks
Well, a win is a win. This team needs to fire Mike Budenholzer to be truly great, but a win over OKC sounds good too. Giannis and Middleton were good in a all-around effort. Not a great game for the Bucks, but a win they desperately needed as they are now 17-13 on the year.
Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans
Phoenix Suns
Yeah, Chris Paul owns this place, in his own words. The Suns weren’t playing great in this game, but CP-3 turned back the clock, and a dominating 4th quarter gave the Suns the win. In the first half, the Suns were having no problem scoring against a poor Pels defense. The Suns shot 56% from 3 in the first half, as they were hitting everything from deep. But even with that they trailed by 7 at the half as their defense was dominated by Zion and Ingram. And things weren’t getting better in the 3rd as the Suns defense continued to struggle. And then came the 4th quarter. The Suns hit some 3’s, and CP-3 gave them the lead. A 12-0 run put them ahead comfortably, leading to 41 points in the 4th. They allowed just 12 points in the 4th, absolutely dominating the Pelicans.
Devin Booker had 23 points on 9/18 shooting.
Jae Crowder had 20 points on 7/9 shooting, 6/8 3-PT.
CP-3 had 15 points and 19 assists on 6/11 shooting.
Yeah, Chris Paul was kind of good. He was constantly drawing two defenders, which led to open shots. Crowder was on fire, Kaminsky hit 5 3-pointers. The Suns were not playing well in this game, but their 4th quarter was a work of art on both ends. The Suns have to be more consistent on defense, but yeah that was some 4th quarter. The Suns improve to 18-10 on the year.
New Orleans Pelicans
I know it’s been 29 games, but I don’t like the Stan Van Gundy hiring. Yes I liked it before the season, but it’s clear I was wrong. That 4th quarter was horrible. After scoring the whole game, the offense just stopped and the Pels made no changes. I feel like the Pelicans are misusing some guys in their rotation. Why is Alexander-Walker playing just 2 minutes? When Kira Lewis Jr. is 0/8, why isn’t he getting more minutes? He’s a scorer, something the Pels missed in the 4th. Ball and Bledsoe were good, and Zion and Ingram did their usual things. But this team needs a personnel change, and Stan Van Gundy needs to change some things so that collapses like these don’t happen often.
Toronto Raptors vs Minnesota T-Wolves
Toronto Raptors
It sure wasn’t pretty, but the Raptors clawed their way back to win this game. The Raptors started this game off very well, thanks to their great defense. They held the T-Wolves to just 35 points in the first half, as their defense was dominating things. But then the Raptors offense went ice cold, and the T-Wolves roared back to take the lead. In the 4th, the Raptors kept fighting and fighting, and they got some stops. They tied the game with 1:22 left, and a Terrence Davis 3 with 31 seconds left gave them the lead. The got a stop, and they held on to win as they improve to 15-15 on the year.
Norman Powell had 31 points and 6 rebounds on 10/19 shooting.
It was Norman Powell and everybody else. Powell continues to play really well in the absence of Lowry, as he has been finding his stride. Siakam and VanVleet struggled, and the Raptors bench didn’t give them much. But a win is a win, no matter how ugly is it. It’s been a long road back to 0.500 for Toronto, but now they sit at 15-15. The Raptors face a big test against the 76ers next on Sunday.
Minnesota T-Wolves
Well, at least Anthony Edwards had a cool dunk. This was a roller-coaster game for the T-Wolves, an ugly game that was there’s for the taking. That wasn’t the case in the first half, where the T-Wolves scored just 35 points on 30% shooting. Things weren’t looking good, but then Minnesota turned things up. Their defense held the Raptors to just 13 points in the 3rd, and they took the lead entering the 4th. But in the 4th scoring became scarce as Toronto mounted a comeback. The Raptors took the lead with under 30 seconds left, and the T-Wolves just never responded. Minnesota is now 7-23 on the year.
KAT had 19 points and 13 assists on 8/13 shooting.
Malik Beasley had 13 points and 5 rebounds on 5/16 shooting.
Well, Anthony Edwards had a cool dunk. That’s good, right?
Utah Jazz vs LA Clippers
Utah Jazz
The Jazz just got bodied, as LA’s physical, aggressive defense locked them up for most of the night. In the first half, the Jazz couldn’t make 3’s as they were shooting just 26% from 3. The Clippers were playing tough physical defense, and they had Utah in a box. The lead was as many as 15 in the first half, but Utah remained in striking distance. Then the Jazz turned things up in the 3rd. Donovan Mitchell got going, and the 3’s started to fall. The Jazz got right back into the game, setting up a crucial 4th quarter. But the Jazz slowed down for just a bit, and LA hit some 3’s to put them back up double-digits. The Jazz kept fighting, but it was too little too late as the Jazz 9 game win-streak is snapped and they fall to 24-6 on the year.
Donovan Mitchell had 35 points and 5 assists on 12/27 shooting.
Bojan Bogdanovic had 23 points on 8/11 shooting, 4/5 3-PT.
Jordan Clarkson had 19 points on 9/17 shooting off the bench.
I worry about the Jazz because of games like this. Getting Conley back will make them better, but they play team basketball. Donovan Mitchell is good, but he’s not “the guy,” yet. Gobert is good, but he’s not an iso scorer. The Jazz struggled against a physical LA defense, something that they will see in the postseason. And not having “the guy,” will hurt them. Teams like the Lakers and Clippers have two of those guys each, but the Jazz really don’t have one in all honesty. And relying on team basketball and shooting is something that won’t happen in every game. But they are still one of the best teams in the league, as they are 20-2 in their last 22 games. Utah takes on Charlotte next.
LA Clippers
With Kawhi and PG back in the lineup, the Clippers once again became very dangerous, but their stout defense was the story in this game. In the first half, LA was dominating. Offensively they were getting whatever they wanted, and their bench was scoring at ease led by Lou Williams. On defense, they were doing a great job containing Utah and they were playing very physical which was bothering the Jazz. The Clippers were dominating, but they slowed down in the 3rd on both ends. The Jazz got going, and the Clippers would need to play a good 4th quarter to win. And they did just that. They again were able to get stops, and some big 3’s from Patrick Beverley put them up double digits. The Jazz fought back late, but the Clippers deserved the win and they got it. LA is now 22-9 on the year.
Kawhi had 29 points and 5 rebounds on 10/24 shooting.
Lou Williams had 19 points on 8/14 shooting off the bench.
Marcus Morris had 17 points and 7 rebounds on 7/11 shooting off the bench.
The Clippers offense is still lethal. PG and Kawhi are great, but they have a lot of other options. Morris, Williams, and Kennard (who didn’t play in this game), are all good. Morris and Williams pose a threat to any bench. Patrick Beverley caught fire and had 17 points. PG was quiet in his return to action, although we know how good he is. But the LA defense was so good, especially in that first half. They were playing physical and tough, as they played with their identity. If their defense plays like that in the postseason, it’s very hard to beat them. Great win for LA, as they have a showdown with the Nets next on Sunday.
What Are Your Thoughts From The 9 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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