James Harden (Houston SG)- Recorded his third triple-double with 38 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists in a 103-93 win over the Detroit Pistons. Harden knocked down 10 of 21 field goal attempts and 16 of 18 free throw attempts in the win. His passing has been exceptional of late, as he has dished out double digit assists in five of his past seven games.
Victor Oladipo (Orlando SG)- Tallied 32 points, 10 assists and five steals in a 119-114 win over the Sacramento Kings. Oladipo is blossoming into a talented two-way guard, as he has scored 30+ points in two of his last three games, and has recorded 10 steals in those contests. He is averaging 17.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists a game.
Rudy Gay (Sacramento SF)- Scored 39 points in the Kings' 119-114 loss to the Magic on Friday night. It was his second-highest scoring game of the year, and came on an efficient 16 of 26 shooting from the field. Gay is averaging almost 21 points and six rebounds on the year, while dishing out just under four assists a game.
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento PF/C)- Recorded 27 points and 17 rebounds in a 114-109 loss to the Miami Heat. Cousins once again had an efficient night, as he shot 10 of 17 from the field, and 7 of 8 from the foul line. He is one of the best big men in the game hands down, and has three double-doubles in his last four games.
Khris Middleton (Milwaukee SG/SF)- Exploded for a season-high 30 points, while also grabbing nine rebounds in a 91-85 win against the Washington Wizards. Middleton knocked down six 3-points in the win, showcasing his accurate long range abilities. He has scored in double-digits in his last 15 games, and is a talented defender as well, nabbing 1.6 steals a game for the season.
Damian Lillard (Portland PG)- Tallied 32 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in a 121-113 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Lillard hit 11 shots in the game, including four 3-pointers, as the 32 points were more than he had scored in his previous two games combined.
Sunday, March 8
Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)- Another day, another triple-double for Westbrook. The Thunder point guard posted a line of 30 points, 17 assists and 11 rebounds in a 108-104 victory versus the Oklahoma City Thunder. Westbrook continued his surge towards a possible MVP award, hitting 9 of 21 field goal attempts and tallying his fifth triple-double in six games.
Brandon Bass (Boston PF)- Notched a double-double of 19 points and 17 rebounds in a 103-98 loss to the Orlando Magic. Bass hit 9 of his 14 field goal attempts, and has now scored 15 or more points in four of his last five contests.
Pau Gasol (Chicago PF/C)- Tallied 23 points and 15 rebounds in a 116-105 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Gasol once again put up a double-double (His 4th in a row), and also blocked two shots in the loss to the defending champs. Gasol's play and numbers should have him in the hunt for a possible All-NBA selection come the end of the season.
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento PF/C)- Dropped 22 points and 10 rebounds in a 124-86 win over the New York Knicks. Cousins put together his 31st game with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, which leads the NBA. He only took 10 shots (5-10 FG), but knocked down all 11 free throw attempts in the blowout win. It was a great performance for the all-star after he missed two games with an ankle injury.
Jeremy Lin (Los Angeles PG)- Tallied 23 points, eight assists and six rebounds in a 104-103 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. It was perhaps Lin's finest game in a Laker uniform, as he connected on 9 of 16 field goal attempts, including three 3-pointers. He is averaging 18 points and 5.5 assists per game since the all-star break ended, and is giving the Lakers a huge spark off of the bench heading into the final stretch of the season.
Rudy Gobert (Utah C)- Scored 17 points and pulled down a career-high 24 rebounds in a 93-82 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Gobert set a record for most rebounds grabbed against Memphis in a single game, and it was his third double-double in his last four games. With Enes Kanter out of the picture, Gobert figures to be the centerpiece that the Jazz will build around for the next few years.
Danilo Gallinari (Denver SF/PF)- Recorded a season-high 26 points and seven rebounds in a 106-95 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Gallinari has been dealing with injuries for most of the season, but finally appears to be healthy and contributing the way the Nuggets thought he would back in October. He is a threat from anywhere on the court, and can slash through the lane almost anytime he wants to with effectiveness.
Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)- Dropped 25 points and 11 assists in a 110-99 win over the San Antonio Spurs. Curry picked up his first double-double in over a month, shooting 8 of 17 from the field in the win. The Warriors continue to play great basketball, and are in cruise control for the top seed in the Western Conference.
Louis Williams (Toronto SG)- Hit seven 3-pointers and tallied 26 points in a 105-80 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Williams hit 9 of 14 field goal attempts and scored over 20 points for the second consecutive game. His hot shooting provides a huge spark off the bench for the Raptors, as they chase the Hawks for the number one seed in the East.
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento PF/C)- Recorded 31 points and 15 rebounds in a 109-101 victory versus the Boston Celtics. In George Karl's first game as head coach of the Kings, Cousins put on a show, hitting 12 of 18 shot attempts. He should prove to be Karl's best asset going forward as the Kings look to make a playoff push.
Nerlens Noel (Philadelphia C)- Almost posted a triple-double, scoring 12 points, grabbing nine rebounds and blocking nine shots in a 106-95 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Noel shot 5 of 9 from the field, and also nabbed four steals. He continues to put up solid defensive numbers, and his offense is progressing for the 76ers.
Plays of the Night
DeMarcus Cousins threw down a monster dunk in transition against the Boston Celtics on Friday night.
Wiggins Soars for the Dunk
Andrew Wiggins flew and slammed home a monster dunk in a 111-109 win over the Phoenix Suns. Wiggins finished the game with 20 points on 9-15 shooting.
Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City SF)- Recorded 26 points and 10 rebounds in a 105-89 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Durant shot 9-14 from the field, blocked three shots and did not commit a turnover in the big win for the Thunder. His play has been strong over the past two weeks, something OKC needs desperately if they are to make the playoffs.
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento PF/C)- Tallied 28 points and 19 rebounds in a 111-103 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Cousins also added in five assists and four blocks in what was another big game in a loss for the young center. He has now recorded seven double-doubles in his last eight games.
Nikola Vucevic (Orlando C)- Scored 28 points and pulled down 18 rebounds in an 89-83 win against the New York Knicks. Vucevic played 41 minutes and hit 12 0f 20 field goal attempts in the win. It was a nice bounce back game after two non double-doubles for the big man in Orlando.
Josh Smith (Houston SF)- Posted a line of 21 points, 13 rebounds and four assists in a 110-95 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. It was his third double-double in the last two week, as Smith hit 8-17 field goals and two 3-pointers. He continues to give the Rockets good games with Dwight Howard out with an injury.
Play of the Night
Celtics' forward Evan Turner hit a game-winning hook shot to beat the Atlanta Hawks 89-88. Turner finished the game with 12 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
Swaggy P with the crossover
Los Angeles Lakers' forward Nick Young dropped Portland point guard Steve Blake with a crossover midway through the second quarter Wednesday night. Young would later leave with an ankle injury.
Kyrie Irving (Cleveland PG)- Tallied 28 points, 10 assists and four rebounds in a 120-105 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Irving had his way with rookie Jordan Clarkson Sunday, shooting 10-14 from the field, and hitting five 3-pointers in the win. It also marked his first double-double in three weeks, a good sign for Cavs fans.
Kevin Love (Cleveland PF/C)- Recorded 32 points and 10 rebounds in the Cavs' win over the Lakers on Sunday afternoon. Love had a dominant game against a weakend Los Angeles frontcourt, and has now scored over 20 points in 3 of his last 6 games. He is starting to find his rythym with teammates LeBron James and Irving.
Al Jefferson (Charlotte C)- Tallied 30 points and 13 rebounds in a 103-102 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Jefferson had his best game in the last two weeks, hitting 13-22 field goal attempts. He continues to be one of the best offensive big men in the game, and is one of the only players keeping the Hornets afloat with all of their injuries.
James Harden (Houston SG)- Scored 45 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a 109-98 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Harden tied his season-high in points, and hit 11 of 25 field goal attempts, while making 19 of his 23 shots at the foul line. He also added in eight assists in the loss.
Play of the Night
Sacramento Kings' center DeMarcus Cousins hit the game-winning jumper at the buzzer to beat the Phoenix Suns 85-83 on Sunday. The shot received a friendly bounce of off the back iron before falling, but broke the Kings' three game losing streak. "Boogie" finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds and two steals in the win. Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5u-fW7iYXc
D.J. Augustin (Detroit PG)- Tallied 25 points and 13 assists in a 108-91 win over the Miami Heat. Augustin hit 8 of 14 shot attempts from the field, including all seven free throws, and didn't commit a single turnover. It marked the second consecutive double-double, and fourth time in five contests that he has scored 19 or more points.
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento C)- Posted a monster line of 26 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in a 121-96 loss against the Golden State Warriors. For Cousins, it was just another day at the office for the all-star, as he also blocked four shots and recorded three steals. He now has 10 double-doubles in his last 11 games.
Hollis Thompson (Philadelphia SF)- Scored a career-high 23 points in a 105-98 win over the Denver Nuggets. Thompson hit an efficient 8-12 field goal attempts, including four 3-pointers in the 76ers' 11th win of the season. He has now scored in double-digits in his last three games. Chris Bosh (Miami PF/C)- Recorded 34 points on 14-23 shooting in a 108-91 loss to the Detroit Pistos. Bosh had another big scoring game, but was unable to get much help from his teammates with Dwyane Wade out due to injury. His production remains impressive though, as he is averaging 21.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game this year.
Portland Trail Blazers' guard Damian Lillard threw down a dunk over 7'1'' center Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night. Lillard finished with 25 points, six assists and four rebounds in Portland's 103-102 win over Utah.
James Harden (Houston SG)- Dropped 45 points, seven assists and four steals in a 110-98 win against the Indiana Pacers. Harden had a fantastic overall game once again, hitting 12 of his 18 shot attempts, including seven 3-pointers. It was a nice bounce-back game after he scored only 12 points against Golden State on Saturday.
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento PF/C)- Tallied 22 points and 19 rebounds in a 98-94 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Cousins only shot 7 of 17 from the field, but blocked four shots in the loss. He continues to put up stellar numbers in wins or losses, and is one of the most talented centers in the league.
DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles C)- Scored 19 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked six shots in a 102-93 win over the Boston Celtics. Jordan scored 17 or more points for the third time in four games, and continues to be one of the best rebounders in the league, averaging 13.4 a game. His 2.36 blocked shots per game is good for second best in the NBA.
Isaiah Thomas (Phoenix PG)- Recorded 24 points and five steals in a 115-100 win against the Los Angeles Lakers. Thomas had a super-effecient game, shooting 9 of 12 from the field, and hitting four 3-pointers in the big win. It was the seventh time in the last nine games that he has scored in double-digits.
Play of the Night
Portland Trail Blazers' point guard Damian Lillard put the game on ice with a slam dunk in a 98-94 win over the Sacramento Kings. He finished the game with 22 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Al Horford (Atlanta PF/C)- Recorded the first triple-double of his career, scoring 21 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists in a 105-87 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Horford was uber-effecient in his 29 minutes of action, hitting 8 of 10 field goal attempts, as well as 5 of 6 free throw attempts. He took initiative with three other starts resting Tuesday night, and played a phenomenal game.
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento PF/C)- Almost recorded a triple-double, tallying 32 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists in a 108-104 overtime loss to the Dallas Mavericks. The nine turnovers Cousins committed were way too high, but his other numbers (11-21 FG, 10-10 FT) more than made up for it, as he continues to dominate any and all opponents.
Mo Williams (Minnesota PG)- Scored a career-high 52 points in a 110-101 win over the Indiana Pacers. It was also a franchise record for most points scored by a Minnesota player, as Williams seemingly hit any and every shot over the Pacers' defense on Tuesday. He finished the game 19 of 33 from the field, including six made 3-pointers, and also dished out seven assists.
J.R. Smith (Cleveland SG)- Tallied 29 points, while hitting eight 3-pointers in a 107-100 loss to the Phoenix Suns. Smith clearly benefitted from LeBron James making his return last night, as he saw a lot of open looks from all over the court. He also recorded four steals and did not commit a single turnover in the loss, which is a good sign for the Cavs coaching staff moving forward.
Markieff Morris (Phoenix PF/C)- Recorded a career-high 35 points in a 107-100 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The slightly taller Morris twin had himself a night against Cleveland, hitting 15 of his 21 shot attempts, while grabbing seven rebounds in the win.
Philadelphia 76ers' shooting guard K.J. McDaniels threw down a double-clutch dunk in the third quarter of a 105-87 loss to the Atlanta Hawks Tuesday night. The rookie from Clemson showcased his hops and athleticism once again, and continues to be a bright spot for an otherwise dull season for 76ers' fans.
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento PF/C)- Had a monster game of 26 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, four steals and three blocks in a 103-84 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was another phenomenal game for Cousins, who recorded three or more blocks and steals for the second consecutive game. He continues to build a strong MVP case, and is asserting himself at the top of the NBA's elite.
Hassan Whiteside (Miami PF/C)- Posted career-highs of 23 points and 16 rebounds in a 104-90 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Whiteside hit 10 of his 13 shot attempts from the field in 29 minutes of action. It was his second double-double in his last three games, and a sign of things to come from the third year player from Marshall.
Zach Randolph (Memphis PF)- Scored 27 points and pulled down 178 rebounds in a 122-110 double overtime win against the Phoenix Suns. Zebo recorded his second double-double in as many games, and looks to be healthy after missing two weeks due to injury.
Chris Bosh (Miami PF/C)- Put up 34 points on 13 of 20 shooting in a 104-90 win over the Clippers. Bosh hit two 3-pointers and grabbed seven rebounds. It was the most points Bosh had scored since returning form injury six games ago, and he has hit seven 3-pointers in his last three games, showcasing his range from any area on the court.
Play of the Night
Portland Trail Blazers' point guard Damian Lillard threw down a ferocious dunk while getting fouled in a 106-94 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Lillard closed out the game with authority, and finished with 34 points and seven assists in the win.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLuvmIGpl6o
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento PF/C)- Dominated the Nuggets to the tune of 32 points and 13 rebounds in a 118-108 loss Friday night. Cousins did all he could to give the Kings a chance to win the game, as he also chipped in three steals and four blocks. It was his sixth double-double in his last seven games for the young center continues to put up MVP-caliber numbers for Sacramento.
Russell Westbrook/Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City PG/SF)- Combined for 57 points and 18 assists in a 99-93 win over the Utah Jazz. Durant and Westbrook were both on their games Friday, as KD recorded 32 points and six assists, while Westbrook dropped 25 points and 12 assists. The dynamic duo proved to be too much for the young Jazz roster, as the Thunder snapped their two game losing streak.
Robert Covington (Philadelphia SF/PF)- Posted a line of 20 points, seven rebounds and six steals in a 90-88 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Covington was all over the place Friday night, as he led the 76ers in points, rebounds and field goal percentage (8-12, 75%). It was his highest scoring game since Jan. 3 against the Clippers, and he could prove a valuable piece moving forward for Philadelphia.
Eric Bledsoe (Phoenix PG/SG)- Put up 19 points, 10 assists and five rebounds in a 111-105 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Bledsoe did it all Friday night, as he hit 7 of 11 field goal attempts, and had 10 assists for the second time in three games for the Suns.
Jrue Holiday (New Orleans PG)- Scored 23 points and dished out eight assists in a 105-96 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Holiday hit 7 of 13 shot attempts, including three 3-pointers in the big win for the Pelicans.
Utah Jazz Trevor Booker hit what is most likely the wackiest shot you'll see this NBA season against the Oklahoma City Thunder. With 0.2 seconds left on the shot clock, Booker received the inbounds pass and tipped it over his head, sinking the shot as the buzzer rang. He finished the game with eight points and nine rebounds.
As we head into the new year, let's take a look at my current MVP rankings in the NBA. The rankings are based off of team success, individual performances/numbers, as well as any other intangibles that have been seen this season. Be sure to click the links and/or the photos for video highlights of the players. Outside Looking In
Jimmy Butler (Chicago SG)- 21.9 ppg, 6.2 rbp, 3.3 apg (48% FG, 34% 3PT, 83% FT)
Chris Paul (Los Angeles PG)- 17.9 ppg, 9.5 apg, 4.6 rpg (47% FG, 40% 3PT, 89% FT)
Marc Gasol (Memphis C)- 20.0 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 3.8 apg (50% FG, 81% FT, 1.7 BPG)
Top 5
5. James Harden (Houston SG)- The Houston shooting guard has taken over the last few weeks, and was named the Western Conference Player of the Month for his efforts in December. Harden is scoring 27.0 points, and dishing out 6.5 assists, to go along with 1.9 steals per game this season. His biggest game recently came in a 110-95 win over the portland Trail Blazers on Dec. 22. Harden scored 44 points (14-26 FG), dished out seven assists and recorded five steals in the big win. Expect Harden to continue receiving attention as long as his production stays the same, and Houston continues to win games.
4. DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento PF/C)- Cousins missed some time due to illness, but has returned to form over the last two weeks, and is averaging 23.5 points and 12.1 rebounds per game for the season. His offense and improving defense make him one of the better two-way players in the league, but in order to climb higher in the rankings, he will need to lead the Kings to more victories. However, his PER of 26.60 (Fifth in the NBA), along with his numbers/skill set. does help provide a solid case for Cousins.
3. Kyle Lowry (Toronto PG)- The recently announced Eastern Conference Player of the Month has been continuing to play at a high level for the 24-10 Toronto Raptors. In the month of December, Lowry averaged 22.3 points, 8.9 assists and 4.2 rebounds, all while shooting 46% from the field and 40% from 3-point range. His grit and tenacity fuels the Raptors night in and night out, and makes him a legitimate MVP candidate at this point in the season.
2. Anthony Davis (New Orleans PF/C)- The 21-year-old power forward/center continues to shine on both ends of the court, and is averaging 23.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game this season. His PER of 31.26 continues to lead the league, and Davis has shown he can compete against the best teams in the league, as evidence by his 29 points, 11 rebound and six block performance against the Chicago Bulls on Dec. 27. Barring an injury or for some bizarre reason, a slump, expect Davis to maintain his spot in the MVP conversation for the rest of the season.
1. Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)- Curry continues to shoot lights out from all areas of the court, and the Warriors are looking like top title contenders which each game. His defense has remained consistent and his passing, scoring and rebounding have helped the Warriors to an NBA-best 27-5. His PER of 26.9 is good for fourth in the league, and his 23.0 points and 7.8 assists per game are good for ninth and sixth respectively.
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento PF/C)- Finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds in a 107-99 loss to the Nets. Cousins had yet another strong performance, hitting 9 of his 12 field goal attempts, and 6 of 9 free throw attempts in the loss. It was his fourth double-double in his last five games, and is becoming the norm for the Kentucky product.
Bradley Beal (Washington SG)- Dropped 33 points, including five 3-pointers in a 104-103 win over the Houston Rockets. Beal went toe-to-toe with James Harden, and outplayed him for a decent chunk of the game. He hit all 10 free throws and grabbed five rebounds in the statement win, and when healthy, give Washington one of the best backcourts in the league.
Danny Granger (Miami SG/SF)- Hit six 3-pointers and scored 20 points in a 102-102 loss to the Orlando Magic. His 20 points was a season-high, and he continues to play more minutes as a result of various injuries to the Heat lineup. His outside shooting and overall scoring ability could prove valuable for the Heat moving forward.
Chris Paul (Los Angeles PG)- Posted a stat line of 20 points, eight assists, five rebounds and four steals in a 101-97 win over the Utah Jazz. Even though his assists were a little lower than usual, Paul contributed an all-around game in the win. He continues to produce in many categories, and is limiting his turnovers better than most point guards in the league.
Play of the Night
Kings' center DeMarcus Cousins showcased his pure strength and desire to score, powering through two Nets' defenders for the slam on Monday night. It was a throwback to the Shaquille O'Neal days, and a welcomed sight for Kings' fans.
Kemba Walker (Charlotte PG)- Dropped a career-high 42 points in a 102-94 loss to the Orlando Magic. Walker did everything he could to give the Hornets a chance to win the game, as he hit 15 of 31 shot attempts and dished out seven assists in the game. The young point guard has been hot as of late, scoring 20+ points in six of his last eight games.
Anthony Davis (New Orleans PF/C)- Had a great all-around game in his hometown debut, scoring 29 points in a 107-100 loss to the Chicago Bulls. Davis also chipped in 11 rebounds and six blocked shots against a stingy Bulls' frontcourt of Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol, and continues to perform against any and all competition. Derrick Favors (Utah PF)- Scored 17 points and pulled down 15 rebounds in an 88-71 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Favors was an animal Saturday night, as he also blocked five shots, and recorded three steals and three assists. His five blocks were the most he has had in a contest since Dec. 5 against the Orlando Magic.
Darren Collison (Sacramento PG)- Had a fantastic shooting night, hitting 9 of 10 shot attempts for 27 points in a 135-129 overtime win overt the New York Knicks. Collison was uber-effecient Saturday, hitting a late 3-pointer in overtime to put the game out of reach, and also dished out 10 assists.
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento PF/C)- Tallied a season-high 39 points in an overtime win over the New York Knicks. Cousins played after missing one game with an illness, but showed no ill-effects, as he hit 14 of 27 shot attempts and grabbed 11 rebounds in the victory. He has both 30 point/10 rebound performances in 30 minutes or less in the NBA this season, and is simply one of the best big men in the game right now.
Jimmy Butler (Chicago SG)- Scored 33 points on 12 of 18 shooting in a 107-100 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Butler grabbed five rebounds and hit 9 of his 10 foul shot attempts in the contest. It marked the third time in the last week and a half that Butler has scored over 30 points, and his efficiency is showing no signs of decreasing.
Carmelo Anthony (New York SF)- Poured in 36 points to go along with 11 rebounds and six assists in a 135-129 overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings. Melo did all he could to give the Knicks a fighting chance, and has scored over 30 points in three of his last six games.
Washington Wizards' point guard John Wall wowed the crowd once again Saturday night, converting on a 360 layup late in the first quarter agains the Boston Celtics. Wall showcased his supreme athleticism once again, and finished with 12 points and seven assists in a 101-88 win over the Celtics.
Anthony Davis (New Orleans PF/C)- Tallied 38 points and 12 rebounds in a 101-99 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Davis has dominated the Thunder in two matchups this season, scoring 63 points combined in the contests, and was able to rebound after a poor showing (7 pts, 6 rebs) against the Portland Trail Blazers.
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento PF/C)- Scored 29 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in a 108-101 win versus the Los Angeles Lakers. Cousins has looked great in his two games since returning from illness. His combination of size, speed and athleticism gives defenders problems on a nightly basis. Cousins' play will dictate how much of a playoff push the Kings can make this year.
Mason Plumlee (Brooklyn C)- Recorded 21 points and 12 rebounds in a 110-105 win over the Detroit Pistons. Plumlee hit 9 of 10 shots from the field and has scored 20+ points and blocked two or more shots in three of his last four games.
Nikola Vucevic (Orlando C)- Posted a stat line of 19 points and 17 rebounds in a 96-88 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Vucevic played well in the loss, and is one of the most consistent double-double threats in the league this season.
Play of the Night
Miami Heat forward James Ennis got the crowd on its' feet with a big putback dunk midway in the fourth quarter. He came flying in from the far corner to slam home a Chris Anderson miss, giving the Heat an 86-74 lead with five minutes to play in the game. Ennis would finish the game with 16 points and eight rebounds in what was a 100-84 win over the Boston Celtics.
Jimmy Butler (Chicago SG)- Scored a career-high 35 points on 11-21 shooting in a 103-97 win over the New York Knicks. Butler was on fire against New York, and also added in seven assists in the victory. The Bulls' young shooting guard has played phenomenal this year, and is leading the race for "Most Improved Player" this season. Butler's defense and hustle had always been on display, but his offensive game is vastly improved and fits right in with Chicago's system.
Anthony Davis (New Orleans PF/C)- Dominated with 30 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks in a 99-90 win over the Houston Rockets. Davis brought his "A" game against Houston center Dwight Howard, as the young phenom hit 10 of 17 shots, and got to the line 12 times (10-12 FT). Davis is showing no ill effects from his minor chest injury, and is back to his usual dominating self.
Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City SF)- Tallied 30 points in a 114-109 loss against the Golden State Warriors. Although Durant didn't play in the second half due to a sprained right ankle, he was simply unguardable in the first half. He hit 10 of the 13 shots he took, and looks to be almost back at full strength on offense. Time will tell if this ankle injury will cause him to miss any games.
Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)- Scored 34 points, dished out nine assists and grabbed seven rebounds in the Warriors' win over the Thunder on Thursday night. Curry was firing on all cylinders against the Thunder, and continues to play at an MVP level in 2014. His passing, rebounding and defensive numbers have been consistent all year, and it is reflected in the Warriors' win total.
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento PF/C)- Recorded a double-double of 27 points and 11 rebounds in a 108-107 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Cousins missed the potential game-winning shot at the buzzer, but played an otherwise outstanding game. Boogie appears to be back at full health, and will look to keep the Kings in playoff contention.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka rejected a dunk attempt from Warriors' forward Harrison Barnes Thursday night. Barnes drove down on the fast break looking for a highlight play, but was instead stopped by one of the league's best shot blockers.
As we reach the quarter mark of the 2014-15 NBA season, most team and players' talent level has been established. We've gotten a chance to see who has played well, who hasn't and who has taken their talents to another level this year. Let's take a look at the top MVP candidates up to this point. The rankings are based off of team success, individual performances/numbers, as well as any other intangibles that have been seen this season.
Outside looking in John Wall (Washington PG)- 17.6 ppg, 10.0 apg, 4.7 rpg (42% FG/31% 3PT/78% FT) Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers PF)- 24.0 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 3.9 apg (51% FG/60% 3PT/74% FT)
5. LeBron James (Cleveland SF)- After getting off to a slow start in his second go-around in Cleveland, James appears to be rounding into form and building chemistry with teammates Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. The Cavaliers now sit at 13-7, good for the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, and appear to be finding their grove as a team.
James is averaging 24.8 points, 7.7 assists and 5.5 rebounds so far this season, and has played a big role in the Cavs current eight game winning streak. James will always remain in the MVP debate because of all the things he does for his team, and it should be interesting to see where he ranks later in the season.
4. Kyle Lowry (Toronto PG)- Kyle Lowry is a bad man, and he is finally starting to get some recognition for it on the Raptors. After re-signing with Toronto for 4 years/48 million dollars in the offseason, Lowry is proving that 2013-14 was no fluke. The Villanova product is averaging a career-high 20.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, as well as a steady 7.2 assists per game.
Lowry has constantly put the team on his back (Career-high 39 points in win at Utah on Dec. 3), and has led the Raptors to a 16-5 record, good for first in the Eastern Conference. Look for 28-year-old to receive an all-star nod, and should continue to be in the MVP conversation throughout the season as long as his production and the Raptors' winning ways stay the course.
3. DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento PF/C)- Cousins' game has been trending upward over the past two seasons, and appears to be in full flux in 2014. He is averaging 23.5 points and 12.6 rebounds per game on 51.2% shooting, all three of which would be career-highs if they hold up for the rest of the season. Cousins has bullied defender on the block all season long, and is developing a sweet outside jump shot out to around 18-20 feet.
He has played his best basketball against some of the best defenders in the NBA, as evidence by his 34 point, 17 rebounds performance against DeAndre Jordan, who finished third in the Defensive Player of the Year voting last season. Cousins is agile, crafty and is learning to play smart basketball, as his goal for this season is no more than five technical fouls (Currently has 2). If the Kings can continue to win games and make a run at the playoffs, "Boogie" will gain more attention later in the season.
2. Anthony Davis (New Orleans PF/C)- The 'Brow is one of the most dominant forces in the NBA, and many people forget, he is only 21-years-old. Davis came out of nowhere last year to average 20.8/10 a game, and has only progressed.
Currently, he is tied for third in the NBA in scoring at 24.8 points a game, and is eighth in rebounds at 10.6 per game, which will surely rise as the season progresses. Davis leads the league in blocks with 2.9 per game, and is tied for fourth in steals with 2.5 a game, proving he can make an impact just about anywhere, anytime on the court. His Pelicans are 10-10 in a jam-packed Western Conference, but haven't quite been able to beat the upper tier of teams so far this year. If the Pelicans can crawl into the playoffs as a 7 or 8 seed, Davis could possibly be the youngest MVP in league history.
Davis had one of his best overall games of the season in a 112-104 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Kevin Durant's return on Dec. 2. Davis scored 25 points (8-15 FG), grabbed 10 rebounds, blocked six shots, dished out four assists and recorded four steals in the win. He showcased any and every part of his game against two of the best players in the league (Durant and Russell Westbrook), and should continue to dominant night in and night out for the rest of the year.
1. Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)- Curry has taken his game to a superstar level this year, plain and simple. Whether it is his natural progression, or it is due to the guidance of head coach Steve Kerr, remains to be seen. One thing is for certain, and that is Curry has cemented his place among the top 10 players in the league, and could crack the top five if his game continues to grow.
The 26-year-old point guard is scoring 23.1 points, dishing out 7.7 assists, and grabbing a career-high 5.5 rebounds per game through the Warriors' first 20 games (18-2 record overall, 13 game win streak). His 49% field goal, 40% 3-point and 92% free throw percentages are all right around or slightly above his career averages, and he is committing 0.6 less turnovers per game as opposed to last season. Barring an unforeseen regression by either Curry or the Warriors, the Davidson product will remain high up in the MVP conversation throughout the season.
Curry's best game of the season came in a 114-97 road win over the Miami Heat on Nov. 25. He scored 40 points on 12-19 shooting (8-11 3PT) and dished out seven assists in the win, completely taking over the game at points. When Curry gets hot from the field, he is nearly unstoppable, and has shown no signs of slowing down, much like his team.
