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5 NBA video games to recap from Tuesday; 5 semi-wonky outcomes to kind by way of; 5 big-picture items of research following the blowout — which 4 of the 5 video games ended up being. Let’s get to Tuesday’s scores.
Bucks drub dubs, 128-111; Golden State falls to 2-12 on street
So… does this make Milwaukee the NBA’s finest crew by default? I imply, they blew out the Warriors on Tuesday, and it by no means even felt shut. Over the weekend, the Warriors rolled over the crew with the NBA’s finest report, the Boston Celtics, behind classic efforts from Steph Curry (whose efforts ought to not be referred to as classic; that is simply who he’s and can at all times be) and Klay Thompson. However now, listed here are the Bucks, dealing with the Warriors. Giannis Antetokounmpo (30-12-5), Bobby Portis (25 and 11), and Khris Middleton (20) had been environment friendly and wonderful, whereas Curry, Thompson, and Jordan Poole weren’t significantly any of the above.
Is that the place we are actually? How does this components work? Is there a components in any respect? Frankly, I don’t know that any of it issues. Regardless of Boston’s two-game shedding streak — gasp! — and Milwaukee’s comparatively constant success this season, each of these groups ought to, on this author’s opinion, stay in the identical tier. The highest tier, to be clear. As a result of sure, they’re the 2 finest groups within the NBA this season.
Golden State nonetheless looms because the defending champs; New Orleans beckons; Cleveland desires. However these squads stand above the remainder. There is no such thing as a debate.
Celtics eke out ugly extra time win over Lakers, 122-118
Right here’s a sentence not a single soul has heard to this point this season: The Boston Celtics want this win. Don’t roll your eyes; they do! When a crew is acting at as excessive a stage because the Celtics have to this point this season — toeing the road between having the most effective offense this season by a mile and having the most effective offense in NBA historical past by a good margin — any downward development is catnip for doubters. And coming into Tuesday’s tilt with the Lakers, Boston had misplaced two straight.
However as a substitute of rebounding in an enormous manner, the Celtics wanted a late scramble and an extra time interval to sneak out a victory after coughing up a 15-point second-half lead and nearly handing the Lakers a free win. Ultimately, it was solely two-straight losses, however all had been winnable video games on the street in opposition to seemingly lesser Western Convention opponents. Jayson Tatum has remained at an All-NBA stage all season (44 on Tuesday ups his season common to 30.2 factors per recreation, fifth within the league). It was his wonderful fadeaway that despatched Tuesday’s recreation to OT.
Regardless of the win, ought to Celtics followers be panicking? I don’t know. I panic when the Buffalo Payments win however Josh Allen throws for fewer than 300 yards and three touchdowns. I’m a nasty individual to ask. However I’d say it’s simply finest to take a deep breath. The Celtics have been on a blistering sizzling begin; there are certain to be bumps alongside the way in which. And on the finish of the day, a win is a win. Even when it’s ugly.
Jazz snap Pelicans streak in 121-100 drubbing
Regardless of Tuesday’s loss to the Jazz — who had been led by Malik Beasley and his 5 triples — I’m not anxious concerning the Pelicans as a result of, whereas strong, I’m not all that anxious concerning the Jazz. They’ve been a blast, probably the most constant blasts the league has needed to provide this season. However as their shock begin continues, cracks start to emerge.
They’re depending on sizzling capturing, which is nearly by no means sustainable; they appear deep, however past Collin Sexton and (possibly) Talen Horton-Tucker, they lack the true reserve forces that may assist a contending crew win down the stretch. The reality of the matter is that the Jazz, now and maybe then, are a crew that may get you with streaky capturing and power, and even simply on an off night time — considered one of which got here for the otherwise-surging Pelicans on Tuesday. In the event that they put collectively a string of off-night surprises come playoff time, I’ll eat crow. Tuesday’s win was a great one, however I’ll stick to my crow-less weight-reduction plan for now.
Sixers rating 80 in first half, cruise previous Kings, 123-103
Right here they arrive… possibly. With tonight’s fairly seamless win over the Sacramento King, the Philadelphia 76ers have received three straight on their present seven-game stint at house. Domantas Sabonis continued his run of publish dominance with 22 factors and 10 rebounds regardless of the loss. James Harden completed with 21 factors and 15 assists, whereas Tobias Harris went for 21 factors and added 9 assists for Philly.
However it was Joel Embiid, after all, who led the way in which with 31 factors; that marked his fifth consecutive recreation with 30-plus factors. The Sixers nonetheless have their numerous types of kryptonite, whether or not it’s an absence of depth or lack of consistency on the well being entrance. However so long as Embiid is dominating at such a clip and Harden is distributing on this manner — thus serving to Philly’s spacing an incredible deal — this crew ought to work their manner again into the contender dialog.
Once more… it’s a possibly. However a stronger one than it was a month in the past.
Rockets by no means path as they crush sliding Suns, 111-97
Houston led by as many as 23 over Phoenix en path to a blowout win. It was their second straight win over a great crew, their earlier coming over the Bucks on Sunday. Jalen Inexperienced completed with 26 and took each alternative he needed to humiliate the Suns protection.
These are the details. The actual story right here? How Phoenix has gone from real-deal contender within the West to the convention’s resident snowballing squad, careening towards the New Yr in shambles. Phoenix has misplaced 5 in a row, and is simply 1-6 within the month of December (the lone win got here in a blowout over the San Antonio Spurs again on Dec. 4). Certain, they didn’t have Devin Booker, however each Deandre Ayton (ankle) and Cameron Payne (proper foot) exited earlier than halftime. Mikal Bridges had 18 factors, however did his injury primarily from the free-throw line; he was 4-of-24 from the sphere and 2-of-19 from three.
These are important considerations, albeit fixable ones. However variables, which these all are, can flip a season on its head. Phoenix has time. However as that point continues to slide away, so, too, do their possibilities to contend afterward.
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