The city of Chicago has long been looking for a hero since Michael Jordan last wore a Bulls jersey in 1998. For most Bulls fans of that era, their iconic image of Jordan is of #23 hitting the game-winning shot over Byron Russell in game six of the 1998 finals to earn his sixth and final championship.
The Hall-of-Famer and arguably greatest player ever was also known for breaking the hearts of the Cleveland Cavaliers and their fans over and over again throughout his career, hitting several game-winning shots against them in the playoffs, most notably his double-clutch shot, aka "The Shot" over Craig Ehlo in game five of the 1989 Easter Conference first round (Don't look below if you are a Cavs fan).
However, in recent years, LeBron James (Current Cavalier) has been a Chicago Bulls killer, winning 4-1 in two separate playoff series during his four-year stint with the Miami Heat (2011 Eastern Conference Finals, 2013 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals). James and his teammates have always been able to rebound after losing the first game to Chicago, and appeared to be on their way to winning game three last night, until Derrick Rose fought back.
Rose, the prodigal son of Chicago (He went high school at Simeon Career Academy in Chicago), scored 30 points, with none bigger than his 3-pointer off of the backboard as time expired to give the Bulls a 99-96 win over Cleveland. The shot 2.0 didn't just give Chicago a 2-1 series lead, restoring home-court advantage, but it also gave the fans and city hope that this just might be their year to add a seventh championship to the collection.
Between James being a thorn in their side over the past five years, and Rose's injury problems (Almost two full seasons missed combined due to knee injuries), Bulls fans haven't always had a lot of confidence in its superstar and former MVP. They have however, always had his back, as proven by the crowd explosion at the United Center when Rose knocked down the game-winner last night.
The Chicago Bulls still have a long way to go in order to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2011. They need to defeat one of the league's best duos in LeBron James and Kyrie Irving two more times, a difficult task to say the least. But they may finally have the personnel and the right Derrick Rose to do the job. We'll find out if they can take a 3-1 series lead, or James and Co. can tie it up tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.
Showing posts with label LeBron James. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LeBron James. Show all posts
Saturday, May 9, 2015
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Making the Case for each MVP Candidate
It's almost the home stretch for the NBA's regular season, and the Most Valuable Player race is as hot as it has been in recent memory. Five players are in true contention for the NBA's top individual award, and as we head into the final five weeks of the season, each game will be crucial towards their respective campaigns.
Here is a breakdown of the potential NBA MVP candidates.
Anthony Davis (New Orleans PF/C)
2015 Season Stats- 24.7 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2.9 bpg, 55% FG, 83% FT
Davis continues to find ways to dominate more and more each night. In Sunday's 118-110 double overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets, the 22-year-old flirted with a quadruple-double, posting a stat line of 36 points, 14 rebounds, nine blocks and seven assists. Over his past five games, Davis is averaging 29.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4.4 blocks and 4.2 assists per game (NOLA is 3-2 in those games). His 2.9 blocks per contests leads the league by a solidly wide margin (Serge Ibaka #2 at 2.4), and his field goal percentage is good for seventh overall.
Why He Wins- Getting the Pelicans past OKC and into the playoffs is crucial for Davis' chances. His numbers fit the eye test, and continued monster outings will significantly improve his chances. It will be tough though, as he is competing against four other big candidates who will take away some votes.
LeBron James (Cleveland SF)
2015 Season Stats- 26.0 ppg, 7.4 apg, 5.7 rpg, 49% FG, 35% 3PT
The Cleveland small forward took some time making his MVP run, but like death and taxes, you knew it was coming at some point during the season. His Cavaliers are quickly climbing the playoff ladder in a weakening Eastern Conference, and his scoring, rebounding and assist numbers are pretty much on par with his career stats. His 4.2 turnovers per game are slightly concerning, but James makes up for his mistakes in so many other areas that it isn't something that would cost him the award. One possible roadblock to his fifth MVP award is the strong play of teammate Kyrie Irving, who is scoring 28 points a game (Career-high 57 against Spurs last week) over his last five games on 55% shooting from the field.
Why He Wins- James' strong overall numbers across the board, combined with his resume of four previous MVP awards could push the voters into giving him his fifth. It's a double-edged sword however, as voter fatigue could cost him the award. The Cavs will need to continue to play well down the stretch, and 14-point losses to the Heat will not help his cause.
James Harden (Houston SG)
2015 Season Stats- 26.8 ppg, 7.1 apg, 5.8 rpg, 44% FG, 37% 3PT
The Beard has been phenomenal leading the Rockets while Dwight Howard remain out due to injury. His 26.8 ppg trails only Russell Westbrook, and he leads the NBA in free throws made (8.5), and attempted (9.8), while knocking them down at an 86.6% rate. Harden can get hot from anywhere on the court at anytime, and his play has Houston only two and a half games from the second seed in a jam-packed Western Conference.
Why He Wins- When Harden's perimeter shot is falling, he is impossible to stop, as he can truly beat you from anywhere. He can take home the hardware if he can push the Rockets to a top-three seed, while maintain efficient strong play.
Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)-
2015 Season Stats- 23.6 ppg, 7.8 apg, 4.4 rpg, 48% FG, 42% 3PT
The dribbling and shooting wizard recently celebrated his 27th birthday in typical Curry fashion, going off for 27 points and 11 assists in a 125-94 victory over the New York Knicks. Curry's play has been consistently strong all season long, and his 2.17 steals per game put him just behind Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard for tops in the league. He leads all players in three-pointer made (216), and attempted (513), and his 42% conversion rate from behind the arc is good for seventh among qualified shooters. Curry is absolutely electrifying to watch on a nightly basis, and is always putting on a show for the fans, whether at home or on the road.
Why He Wins- The Warriors record (Currently 53-13) is not only leading the Western Conference, but also the NBA. His play is great against good and poor competition, and Curry's overall consistency on both ends of the floor will give the voters good reason to give the 27-year-old his first MVP award.
Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)
2015 Season Stats- 27.5 ppg, 8.4 apg, 7.3 rpg, 43% FG, 84% FT
The triple-double machine continues to roll along, as Westbrook recorded his eighth of the season four days ago in a 113-99 win versus the Minnesota Timberwolves (29 pts, 12 ast, 10 reb). Efficiency and turnovers have been an issue, as his field goal percentage and turnovers per game are the worst of any other candidate listed in this breakdown. In addition, the Thunder are the eight seed by only a half a game over Davis' Pelicans, and are 5-5 in their last 10 games. However, without Westbrook, OKC would most likely not be in the playoff hunt (Kevin Durant has missed 40 games this year).
Why He Wins- The positives (Pts, Reb, Ast, Stls) outweigh the negatives (FG %, TO's) by enough of a margin that voters will see Westbrook's true value to the Thunder. Pulling away from the Pelicans will also strengthen his case, as he looks to become the first pair of teammates (Along with Durant) to win back-to-back MVP awards since the Boston Celtics from 1956-1958 (Bob Cousy and Bill Russell respectively.
Who do you think is the NBA's Most Valuable Player? Comment below and state your case.
Otherwise...
2014-15 NBA Standings
Here is a breakdown of the potential NBA MVP candidates.
Anthony Davis (New Orleans PF/C)
2015 Season Stats- 24.7 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2.9 bpg, 55% FG, 83% FT
Davis continues to find ways to dominate more and more each night. In Sunday's 118-110 double overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets, the 22-year-old flirted with a quadruple-double, posting a stat line of 36 points, 14 rebounds, nine blocks and seven assists. Over his past five games, Davis is averaging 29.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4.4 blocks and 4.2 assists per game (NOLA is 3-2 in those games). His 2.9 blocks per contests leads the league by a solidly wide margin (Serge Ibaka #2 at 2.4), and his field goal percentage is good for seventh overall.
Why He Wins- Getting the Pelicans past OKC and into the playoffs is crucial for Davis' chances. His numbers fit the eye test, and continued monster outings will significantly improve his chances. It will be tough though, as he is competing against four other big candidates who will take away some votes.
LeBron James (Cleveland SF)
2015 Season Stats- 26.0 ppg, 7.4 apg, 5.7 rpg, 49% FG, 35% 3PT
The Cleveland small forward took some time making his MVP run, but like death and taxes, you knew it was coming at some point during the season. His Cavaliers are quickly climbing the playoff ladder in a weakening Eastern Conference, and his scoring, rebounding and assist numbers are pretty much on par with his career stats. His 4.2 turnovers per game are slightly concerning, but James makes up for his mistakes in so many other areas that it isn't something that would cost him the award. One possible roadblock to his fifth MVP award is the strong play of teammate Kyrie Irving, who is scoring 28 points a game (Career-high 57 against Spurs last week) over his last five games on 55% shooting from the field.
Why He Wins- James' strong overall numbers across the board, combined with his resume of four previous MVP awards could push the voters into giving him his fifth. It's a double-edged sword however, as voter fatigue could cost him the award. The Cavs will need to continue to play well down the stretch, and 14-point losses to the Heat will not help his cause.
James Harden (Houston SG)
2015 Season Stats- 26.8 ppg, 7.1 apg, 5.8 rpg, 44% FG, 37% 3PT
The Beard has been phenomenal leading the Rockets while Dwight Howard remain out due to injury. His 26.8 ppg trails only Russell Westbrook, and he leads the NBA in free throws made (8.5), and attempted (9.8), while knocking them down at an 86.6% rate. Harden can get hot from anywhere on the court at anytime, and his play has Houston only two and a half games from the second seed in a jam-packed Western Conference.
Why He Wins- When Harden's perimeter shot is falling, he is impossible to stop, as he can truly beat you from anywhere. He can take home the hardware if he can push the Rockets to a top-three seed, while maintain efficient strong play.
Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)-
2015 Season Stats- 23.6 ppg, 7.8 apg, 4.4 rpg, 48% FG, 42% 3PT
The dribbling and shooting wizard recently celebrated his 27th birthday in typical Curry fashion, going off for 27 points and 11 assists in a 125-94 victory over the New York Knicks. Curry's play has been consistently strong all season long, and his 2.17 steals per game put him just behind Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard for tops in the league. He leads all players in three-pointer made (216), and attempted (513), and his 42% conversion rate from behind the arc is good for seventh among qualified shooters. Curry is absolutely electrifying to watch on a nightly basis, and is always putting on a show for the fans, whether at home or on the road.
Why He Wins- The Warriors record (Currently 53-13) is not only leading the Western Conference, but also the NBA. His play is great against good and poor competition, and Curry's overall consistency on both ends of the floor will give the voters good reason to give the 27-year-old his first MVP award.
Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)
2015 Season Stats- 27.5 ppg, 8.4 apg, 7.3 rpg, 43% FG, 84% FT
The triple-double machine continues to roll along, as Westbrook recorded his eighth of the season four days ago in a 113-99 win versus the Minnesota Timberwolves (29 pts, 12 ast, 10 reb). Efficiency and turnovers have been an issue, as his field goal percentage and turnovers per game are the worst of any other candidate listed in this breakdown. In addition, the Thunder are the eight seed by only a half a game over Davis' Pelicans, and are 5-5 in their last 10 games. However, without Westbrook, OKC would most likely not be in the playoff hunt (Kevin Durant has missed 40 games this year).
Why He Wins- The positives (Pts, Reb, Ast, Stls) outweigh the negatives (FG %, TO's) by enough of a margin that voters will see Westbrook's true value to the Thunder. Pulling away from the Pelicans will also strengthen his case, as he looks to become the first pair of teammates (Along with Durant) to win back-to-back MVP awards since the Boston Celtics from 1956-1958 (Bob Cousy and Bill Russell respectively.
Who do you think is the NBA's Most Valuable Player? Comment below and state your case.
Otherwise...
2014-15 NBA Standings
Check out bunow.com for local and national news stories will by Bloomsburg University students.
Follow me on twitter @Lower_Merion33
*All stats/facts courtesy of ESPN/Basketball Reference
*All stats accurate as of March 17
Friday, March 13, 2015
Kyrie Irving is the Closest Thing to Kobe Bryant in the NBA
Kyrie Irving dropped a career-high 57 points two nights ago to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 128-125 overtime win against the defending champion San Antonio Spurs. Yes you read that correctly. Kyrie Irving, not LeBron James, led the way to a Cavaliers victory with a monster performance.
The 22-year-old point guard who played just 11 games at Duke, and is only in his fourth season in the league torched the world champion Spurs for the most points by a single player in the Greg Popovich era. Whether you hate or love the Cavaliers, you can't help but be in awe of Irving's performance last night. He knocked down 20 of 32 field goal attempts, all seven 3-point shots, and all 10 free throw attempts while being guarded by just about every member of the Spurs roster. He showed no shyness or lack of confidence, expecting the ball on every possession, and was never hesitant or indecisive.
With Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant out for the season due to a torn right rotator cuff, the NBA has been looking for someone to emulate his cold-blooded killer instinct night after night. James Harden and Russell Westbrook come to mind, and even Bryant himself has said that the latter plays angry like he did when he was younger.
But there is something about Irving that just seems comparable to the future Hall-of-Famer. The 22-year-old is even the first player since, you guessed it, Bryant, to have multiple 55-point games in a season. He also credited Bryant with helping him with contested shots, stating that he "Learned from Kobe to just point his elbow at the rim and let the ball go."
Irving's performance mirrors that of one Bryant had back in 2007, when he scored 65 points to lead the Lakers to a 116-111 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. The "Black Mamba" tallied 31 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, hitting ridiculous shot after ridiculous to will his team to a win, much like Irving did last night.
Irving also has the competitiveness and swagger that fans love about Bryant, as evidence by their exchange before the 2012 Olympics. The then reigning Rookie of the Year came up to a man who had won back-to-back titles just two years earlier and challenged him to a game of one-on-one. This wasn't a joke or false challenge. Irving stated that Bryant would have to guard him and continued, saying "You would not lock me up." He refused to back down when the elder statesmen told him it wasn't a good idea, even offering up 50,000 dollars to the winner's charity to sweeten the pot.
One thing is clear- Kyrie Irving is a bad man, and is only getting better. No, I am not saying that he is a top-five player in the league or some amazing God of basketball. Rather, his intangibles and desire to win rival that of a legend like Bryant. Irving will get his first taste of the playoffs come April, and that will be his biggest test. The 36-year-old has five NBA titles, and has had many big games in the postseason.
LeBron James will not be able to carry the team on his own when the Cavs run up against opponents like the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks. It will be on Irving to prove his true value when it matters most. If he can put up 57 points against one of the best defensive teams in the league, anything is possible. It's time to sit back, relax and get your popcorn ready.
Is Kyrie Irving the player most like Kobe Bryant in the NBA today?
If not, who do you think is? Comment below.
2014-15 NBA Standings
The 22-year-old point guard who played just 11 games at Duke, and is only in his fourth season in the league torched the world champion Spurs for the most points by a single player in the Greg Popovich era. Whether you hate or love the Cavaliers, you can't help but be in awe of Irving's performance last night. He knocked down 20 of 32 field goal attempts, all seven 3-point shots, and all 10 free throw attempts while being guarded by just about every member of the Spurs roster. He showed no shyness or lack of confidence, expecting the ball on every possession, and was never hesitant or indecisive.
With Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant out for the season due to a torn right rotator cuff, the NBA has been looking for someone to emulate his cold-blooded killer instinct night after night. James Harden and Russell Westbrook come to mind, and even Bryant himself has said that the latter plays angry like he did when he was younger.
But there is something about Irving that just seems comparable to the future Hall-of-Famer. The 22-year-old is even the first player since, you guessed it, Bryant, to have multiple 55-point games in a season. He also credited Bryant with helping him with contested shots, stating that he "Learned from Kobe to just point his elbow at the rim and let the ball go."
Irving's performance mirrors that of one Bryant had back in 2007, when he scored 65 points to lead the Lakers to a 116-111 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. The "Black Mamba" tallied 31 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, hitting ridiculous shot after ridiculous to will his team to a win, much like Irving did last night.
Irving also has the competitiveness and swagger that fans love about Bryant, as evidence by their exchange before the 2012 Olympics. The then reigning Rookie of the Year came up to a man who had won back-to-back titles just two years earlier and challenged him to a game of one-on-one. This wasn't a joke or false challenge. Irving stated that Bryant would have to guard him and continued, saying "You would not lock me up." He refused to back down when the elder statesmen told him it wasn't a good idea, even offering up 50,000 dollars to the winner's charity to sweeten the pot.
One thing is clear- Kyrie Irving is a bad man, and is only getting better. No, I am not saying that he is a top-five player in the league or some amazing God of basketball. Rather, his intangibles and desire to win rival that of a legend like Bryant. Irving will get his first taste of the playoffs come April, and that will be his biggest test. The 36-year-old has five NBA titles, and has had many big games in the postseason.
LeBron James will not be able to carry the team on his own when the Cavs run up against opponents like the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks. It will be on Irving to prove his true value when it matters most. If he can put up 57 points against one of the best defensive teams in the league, anything is possible. It's time to sit back, relax and get your popcorn ready.
Is Kyrie Irving the player most like Kobe Bryant in the NBA today?
If not, who do you think is? Comment below.
2014-15 NBA Standings
Check out bunow.com for local and national news stories will by Bloomsburg University students.
Follow me on twitter @Lower_Merion33
*All stats/facts courtesy of ESPN/Basketball Reference
*Quotes courtesy of: https://twitter.com/EthanJSkolnick
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Nightly Recap- March 4
Top Performances
Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)- Posted his fourth straight triple-double in a 123-118 overtime victory versus the Philadelphia 76ers. Westbrook's amazing stretch of basketball continued, as he tallied a career-high 49 points, career-high 16 rebounds and 10 assists on 16-33 shooting from the field (16-20 FT).
Isaiah Canaan (Philadelphia PG)- Scored 31 points and nocked down eight 3-pointers in the 76ers' loss to the Thunder. Canaan's 31 points were more than he had recorded in his previous three games combined, and he also contributed seven rebounds and six assists,. He should receive the bulk of the minutes going forward as the starting point guard for Philly.
Anthony Davis (New Orleans PF/C)- Came back from injury to dominate with 39 points, 13 rebounds and eight blocks in an 88-85 win over the Detroit Pistons. Davis showed no rust after missing five games, hitting 17 of 30 field goal attempts, while only turning the ball over once. He is now primed to get back in the MVP race, and propelling the Pelicans back into the playoffs will surely help his case.
Hassan Whiteside (Miami C)- Grabbed 25 rebounds in Miami's 100-94 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Whiteside also pitched in 18 points and four blocks, and is one of the best big men in the league over the past two months.
LeBron James (Cleveland SF)- Recorded 29 points, 14 assists and six rebounds in a 120-112 win against the Toronto Raptors. James hit 9 of 16 shot attempts, and 8 of his 13 free throws, while committing only three turnovers in the win. He now has four straight games of 27 or more points for the Cavaliers.
Play of the Night
Russell Westbrook went coast-to-coast for a thunderous slam in OKC's win over the 76ers, proving that the mask he was wearing had no impact on his play.
On This Date in History- March 5
2008- LeBron James scored 50 points in the Cavs' 119-105 win over the New York Knicks. James also added in 10 assists and eight rebounds in one of his best games of that season.
2014-15 NBA Standings
Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)- Posted his fourth straight triple-double in a 123-118 overtime victory versus the Philadelphia 76ers. Westbrook's amazing stretch of basketball continued, as he tallied a career-high 49 points, career-high 16 rebounds and 10 assists on 16-33 shooting from the field (16-20 FT).
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Isaiah Canaan (Philadelphia PG)- Scored 31 points and nocked down eight 3-pointers in the 76ers' loss to the Thunder. Canaan's 31 points were more than he had recorded in his previous three games combined, and he also contributed seven rebounds and six assists,. He should receive the bulk of the minutes going forward as the starting point guard for Philly.
Anthony Davis (New Orleans PF/C)- Came back from injury to dominate with 39 points, 13 rebounds and eight blocks in an 88-85 win over the Detroit Pistons. Davis showed no rust after missing five games, hitting 17 of 30 field goal attempts, while only turning the ball over once. He is now primed to get back in the MVP race, and propelling the Pelicans back into the playoffs will surely help his case.
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Hassan Whiteside (Miami C)- Grabbed 25 rebounds in Miami's 100-94 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Whiteside also pitched in 18 points and four blocks, and is one of the best big men in the league over the past two months.
LeBron James (Cleveland SF)- Recorded 29 points, 14 assists and six rebounds in a 120-112 win against the Toronto Raptors. James hit 9 of 16 shot attempts, and 8 of his 13 free throws, while committing only three turnovers in the win. He now has four straight games of 27 or more points for the Cavaliers.
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Play of the Night
Russell Westbrook went coast-to-coast for a thunderous slam in OKC's win over the 76ers, proving that the mask he was wearing had no impact on his play.
On This Date in History- March 5
2008- LeBron James scored 50 points in the Cavs' 119-105 win over the New York Knicks. James also added in 10 assists and eight rebounds in one of his best games of that season.
2014-15 NBA Standings
Check out bunow.com for local and national stories will by Bloomsburg University students.
Follow me on twitter @Lower_Merion33
*All stats/facts courtesy of ESPN/Basketball Reference
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Nightly Recap- Feb. 24
Top Performances
Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)- Returned from an ankle injury to score 32 points and dish out eight assists in a 114-107 win over the Washington Wizards. Curry hit 11 of 18 field goal attempts, including a circus layup over two Washington players that went almost above the rim and came back down without hitting the rim. He continues to be at the top of MVP discussions, and games like these only bolster his resume.
Kevin Love (Cleveland PF)- Shot 8 of 16 from the field and scored 24 points in a 103-92 win against the Detroit Pistons. All of Love's points came via the 3-point line (8-14 3PM), and the big man from UCLA also pulled down 9 rebounds as the Cavs won their 17th out of their last 19 contests.
Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)- Dominated the Pacers to the tune of 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a 105-92 win. In yet another triple-double for Westbrook, he shot 8 of 19 from the field, and put up the incredible numbers in just 28 minutes of action, as he sat out the fourth quarter. February has been the month of Westbrook, as he is averaging 29.5 points, 10.1 assists and 8.2 rebounds, while the Thunder have won seven straight games.
Serge Ibaka (Oklahoma City PF)-Posted a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds in the Thunder's win over the Pacers on Tuesday night. Ibaka made the most of his 11 shot opportunities during the game, sinking nine of them, while also adding in three blocked shots.
Paul Pierce (Washington SF)- The veteran small forward poured in 25 points during a 114-107 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Pierce hit 7 of 11 field goal attempts, and all nine free throw attempts in the loss, scoring in double figures for only the second time in two weeks.
Play of the Night
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James passed Scottie Pippen for most assists all-time by a forward on Tuesday night. It was a behind-the-back pass from James to Love, who connected on the 3-pointer midway through the second quarter that pushed the 30-year-old to the top of the leaderboard.
Notes- Bulls guard Derrick Rose will have surgery to repair a torn right meniscus, and then a timetable for return will be determined. It is the same injury suffered early last season by Rose, and a crushing blow to Chicago's Finals' aspirations.
2014-15 NBA Standings
Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)- Returned from an ankle injury to score 32 points and dish out eight assists in a 114-107 win over the Washington Wizards. Curry hit 11 of 18 field goal attempts, including a circus layup over two Washington players that went almost above the rim and came back down without hitting the rim. He continues to be at the top of MVP discussions, and games like these only bolster his resume.
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Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)- Dominated the Pacers to the tune of 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a 105-92 win. In yet another triple-double for Westbrook, he shot 8 of 19 from the field, and put up the incredible numbers in just 28 minutes of action, as he sat out the fourth quarter. February has been the month of Westbrook, as he is averaging 29.5 points, 10.1 assists and 8.2 rebounds, while the Thunder have won seven straight games.
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Paul Pierce (Washington SF)- The veteran small forward poured in 25 points during a 114-107 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Pierce hit 7 of 11 field goal attempts, and all nine free throw attempts in the loss, scoring in double figures for only the second time in two weeks.
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Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James passed Scottie Pippen for most assists all-time by a forward on Tuesday night. It was a behind-the-back pass from James to Love, who connected on the 3-pointer midway through the second quarter that pushed the 30-year-old to the top of the leaderboard.
Notes- Bulls guard Derrick Rose will have surgery to repair a torn right meniscus, and then a timetable for return will be determined. It is the same injury suffered early last season by Rose, and a crushing blow to Chicago's Finals' aspirations.
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2014-15 NBA Standings
Check out bunow.com for local and national stories will by Bloomsburg University students.
Follow me on twitter @Lower_Merion33
*All stats courtesy of ESPN
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Nightly Recap- Jan. 23
Top Performances
Klay Thompson (Golden State SG)- Scored a career-high 52 points in a 126-101 win over the Sacramento Kings. Thompson was quiet until the third quarter. where he scored an NBA record 37 points (13-13 FG, 9 3PM). He finished the game with 11 3-pointers, five assists and four steals, and is one of the best shooting guards in the league.
Nikola Vucevic (Orlando C)- Recorded 34 points and 18 rebounds in a 113-106 loss to the New York Knicks. It was another big game for Vucevic, who hit 16 of 22 field goal attempts. It was his eighth double-double in his last ten games, and is a staple of his game this season.
James Harden (Houston SG)- Dropped 33 points, 10 assists and six rebounds in a 113-111 win over the Phoenix Suns. Harden also hit the game-winning shot over P.J. Tucker as time expired, and hit 14 of 17 free throw attempts. He has scored 31 or more points in four of his last five games.
LeBron James (Cleveland SF)- Tallied 29 points, nine assists and six rebounds in a 129-90 win over the Charlotte Hornets. James hit 9 of 15 shot attempts, and also nabbed four steals in the largest win of this season for the Cavs. He has scored over 25 points in every game since returning from his various injuries.
Plays of the Night
Klay Thompson hit all 13 of his shot attempts (9 3PM) in his record-string third quarter, where he scored 37 points, propelling the Warriors to a huge lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc3m3BwfylA
Harden for the win
James Harden hit a step-back jumper at the buzzer to give the Rockets a 113-111 win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfy7qZ0mEd8
Klay Thompson (Golden State SG)- Scored a career-high 52 points in a 126-101 win over the Sacramento Kings. Thompson was quiet until the third quarter. where he scored an NBA record 37 points (13-13 FG, 9 3PM). He finished the game with 11 3-pointers, five assists and four steals, and is one of the best shooting guards in the league.
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James Harden (Houston SG)- Dropped 33 points, 10 assists and six rebounds in a 113-111 win over the Phoenix Suns. Harden also hit the game-winning shot over P.J. Tucker as time expired, and hit 14 of 17 free throw attempts. He has scored 31 or more points in four of his last five games.
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Plays of the Night
Klay Thompson hit all 13 of his shot attempts (9 3PM) in his record-string third quarter, where he scored 37 points, propelling the Warriors to a huge lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc3m3BwfylA
Harden for the win
James Harden hit a step-back jumper at the buzzer to give the Rockets a 113-111 win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfy7qZ0mEd8
2014-15 NBA Standings
Check out bunow.com for local and national stories will by Bloomsburg University students.
Follow me on twitter @Lower_Merion33
*All stats courtesy of ESPN
Friday, January 16, 2015
Nightly Recap- Jan. 15
Top Performances
James Harden (Houston SG)- Recorded 31 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds in a 112-101 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Harden absolutely took over Thursday night, as he hit 9 of 15 shot attempts, including six 3-pointers. He continues to put up all kinds of numbers, and is leading Houston to big wins each and every night.
LeBron James (Cleveland SF)- Scored 36 points and hit four 3-pointers in a 109-102 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. James had his second strong game in a row, as Cleveland snapped their five-game losing streak. With Kevin Love battling back spasms, and Kyrie's inconsistent play, James will be counted on more than ever to carry the load for his hometown team as they push to get back into playoff contention.
Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles SG)- Finished with 19 points, 17 assists and seven rebounds in a 109-102 loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was a career-high in assists for Bryant, who continues to distribute the ball at a high rate, as he has dished out seven or more assists in six of his last seven games.
Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City SF)- Tallied 24 points and 10 rebounds in a 112-101 loss to the Houston Rockets. It was a quiet double-double for Durant, who only took 12 shots (8-12 FG) in the loss. However, he continues to score at an efficient rate for the Thunder, and It is safe to say he is back to 100% heading forward.
Play of the Night
Houston Rockets' guard James Harden showcased his speed and athleticism by splitting the Thunder defense for the slam dunk Thursday night. Harden cut in between Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka before throwing down a left-handed slam in a 112-101 win for the Rockets.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdsrhHA0fV0
James Harden (Houston SG)- Recorded 31 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds in a 112-101 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Harden absolutely took over Thursday night, as he hit 9 of 15 shot attempts, including six 3-pointers. He continues to put up all kinds of numbers, and is leading Houston to big wins each and every night.
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LeBron James (Cleveland SF)- Scored 36 points and hit four 3-pointers in a 109-102 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. James had his second strong game in a row, as Cleveland snapped their five-game losing streak. With Kevin Love battling back spasms, and Kyrie's inconsistent play, James will be counted on more than ever to carry the load for his hometown team as they push to get back into playoff contention.
Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles SG)- Finished with 19 points, 17 assists and seven rebounds in a 109-102 loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was a career-high in assists for Bryant, who continues to distribute the ball at a high rate, as he has dished out seven or more assists in six of his last seven games.
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Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City SF)- Tallied 24 points and 10 rebounds in a 112-101 loss to the Houston Rockets. It was a quiet double-double for Durant, who only took 12 shots (8-12 FG) in the loss. However, he continues to score at an efficient rate for the Thunder, and It is safe to say he is back to 100% heading forward.
Play of the Night
Houston Rockets' guard James Harden showcased his speed and athleticism by splitting the Thunder defense for the slam dunk Thursday night. Harden cut in between Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka before throwing down a left-handed slam in a 112-101 win for the Rockets.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdsrhHA0fV0
2014-15 NBA Standings
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*All stats courtesy of ESPN
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Who Will Step up for the Cavs with LeBron Out?
The Cleveland Cavaliers are struggling, plain and simple. They currently sit at 19-14, good for the fifth seed in a once-again weak Eastern Conference. The Cavs, losers of four out of their last six, have begun to hear rumors of head coach David Blatt being on the hot seat, as well as various trade scenarios. In fairness, Cleveland has encountered some poor luck, with center Anderson Varejao out for the season after a ruptured achilles, combined with guys like Kevin Love and Mike Miller, who are battling nagging injuries.
No matter how bad it's gotten however, there's always been hope, for they had the city's savior in LeBron James. The two-time NBA champion was having another James-esque season, averaging 25.2 points, 7.2 assists and 5.3 rebounds a game on 49% shooting from the field. But with the news that he will be out for about two weeks while he recovers from strains in his left knee and lower back, Cleveland is now on its' heels and scrambling to find answers.
The playoffs are still a realistic option, but the likeliest scenarios will be as a six, seven or eight seed, meaning a date with teams like the Bulls, Raptors and Wizards in the first round. In order to avoid that scenario, and in order to get through a brutal west coast trip that begins Jan. 9 in Golden State and ends four games later in Los Angeles (Against the Clippers), the following are the players on the Cavaliers' roster that need to step up.
Dion Waiters
The third-year shooting guard from Syracuse has been the subject of many trade rumors since the beginning of the season, but the Cavs need him now more than ever with their best scorer sidelined. His 41% shooting from the field is going to have to increase if he wants to make the most of his extra playing time, but his slashing and finishing abilities give him a positive upside for Cleveland. Waiters is currently averaging a little over 10 points a game, but has show that he can be the top threat next to Kyrie Irving at times this season.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiGCBlYg9nY
Matthew Dellavedova
The second-year shooting guard has shown flashes of talent this season, and is averaging over 36 minutes a game over his last five contests for the Cavs. His season averages are around 4.1 points, 2.8 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game, but has hit almost 43% of his 3-point attempts over his last five games. His playmaking and consistency will need to improve, but Dellavedova has some of the tools required to make a sizable impact on the court.
Tristan Thompson
Thompson has already stepped his game up, as he has recorded four consecutive double-doubles for Cleveland. Coming off of back-to-back seasons where he averaged over 11 points and nine rebounds a game, Thompson is no stranger to playing starters' minutes, which is what he will do for the forceable future, as he is taking Varejao's spot in the starting lineup. His length and athleticism will greatly help the Cavs' backcourt over the next two weeks. Thompson is currently averaging 9.5 points and 8.0 rebounds a game this year.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBjwny7E710
Time will tell if the various role players on Cleveland's roster, along with stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love can mesh together and thrive in James' absence. It also remains to be seen if the Cleveland front office will make any type of deals in the near future, but for now, all they can do is wait for their star to return, and hope for the best.
*All stats and info courtesy of ESPN
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| When Cleveland acquired Kevin Love to play alongside James and Irving, the city had renewed hopes of a first NBA title. Now they will have make a hard push just to get into the playoffs. Source |
The playoffs are still a realistic option, but the likeliest scenarios will be as a six, seven or eight seed, meaning a date with teams like the Bulls, Raptors and Wizards in the first round. In order to avoid that scenario, and in order to get through a brutal west coast trip that begins Jan. 9 in Golden State and ends four games later in Los Angeles (Against the Clippers), the following are the players on the Cavaliers' roster that need to step up.
Dion Waiters
The third-year shooting guard from Syracuse has been the subject of many trade rumors since the beginning of the season, but the Cavs need him now more than ever with their best scorer sidelined. His 41% shooting from the field is going to have to increase if he wants to make the most of his extra playing time, but his slashing and finishing abilities give him a positive upside for Cleveland. Waiters is currently averaging a little over 10 points a game, but has show that he can be the top threat next to Kyrie Irving at times this season.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiGCBlYg9nY
Matthew Dellavedova
The second-year shooting guard has shown flashes of talent this season, and is averaging over 36 minutes a game over his last five contests for the Cavs. His season averages are around 4.1 points, 2.8 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game, but has hit almost 43% of his 3-point attempts over his last five games. His playmaking and consistency will need to improve, but Dellavedova has some of the tools required to make a sizable impact on the court.
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Thompson has already stepped his game up, as he has recorded four consecutive double-doubles for Cleveland. Coming off of back-to-back seasons where he averaged over 11 points and nine rebounds a game, Thompson is no stranger to playing starters' minutes, which is what he will do for the forceable future, as he is taking Varejao's spot in the starting lineup. His length and athleticism will greatly help the Cavs' backcourt over the next two weeks. Thompson is currently averaging 9.5 points and 8.0 rebounds a game this year.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBjwny7E710
Time will tell if the various role players on Cleveland's roster, along with stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love can mesh together and thrive in James' absence. It also remains to be seen if the Cleveland front office will make any type of deals in the near future, but for now, all they can do is wait for their star to return, and hope for the best.
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2014-15 NBA Standings
Check out bunow.com for local and national stories will by Bloomsburg University students.
Follow me on twitter @Lower_Merion33
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Daily Recap- Dec. 15
Who Was Hot
Nerlens Noel (Philadelphia C)- Scored 19 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out four assists in a loss to the Boston Celtics. Noel hit 9 of his 12 shot attempts, and played one of is best games of the season. His talent and overall growth is hard to judge, as he is playing with generally subpar players on a nightly basis, but Noel has a high upside in rebounding and defense that the 76ers will look to build upon as the season progresses.
LeBron James/Kevin Love (Cleveland SF/C)- The Cleveland duo combined for 49 points (18-33 FG), 25 rebounds and 18 assists in a 97-88 win over the Charlotte Hornets. James went off for 27 points and 13 rebounds, while Love tallied 22 points and 18 rebounds as the Cavs raced out to a 19-0 lead and never looked back. Cleveland is starting to hit their stride, and are climbing up in the standings rapidly. James and Love are settling into nice seasons statistically.
Al Horford (Atlanta PF/C)- Recorded 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in a 93-86 win over the Chicago Bulls. Horford's scoring and rebounding numbers have been low this season (13.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg), so this game was a welcome sight for Hawks' fans. Horford remains one of the better big men that you never hear about in the NBA, but his play has helped Atlanta jump out to a 17-7 record (good for 3rd in the East) in the 2014-15 season.
Kelly Olynyk (Boston C)- Had one of his best games of the season, scoring 30 points and grabbing nine rebounds in a 105-87 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Even though it was a blowout win against one of the worst teams in the league, Olynyk's numbers are worthy of mentioning, as he hit 12 of 17 field goals, and also added in three steals. His play has been erratic thus far, but maybe this game will spark something in the former Gonzaga Bulldog.
Play of the Night
Kyle Lowry showcased his outstanding ball handling abilities Monday night by putting Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo on skates during Toronto's 95-82 win. Lowry finished with 17 points and eight assists, as the Raptors keep rolling along in 2014.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5LU-0noswY
Nerlens Noel showcased his athleticism and defensive prowess Monday night by blocking Celtics' forward Jared Sullinger midway through the 4th quarter. Even though the game was out of hand by this point, Noel's block got the fans excited and buzzing about one of their core rebuilding pieces.
Video courtesy of Bleacher Report.
2014-15 NBA Standings
Nerlens Noel (Philadelphia C)- Scored 19 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out four assists in a loss to the Boston Celtics. Noel hit 9 of his 12 shot attempts, and played one of is best games of the season. His talent and overall growth is hard to judge, as he is playing with generally subpar players on a nightly basis, but Noel has a high upside in rebounding and defense that the 76ers will look to build upon as the season progresses.
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Al Horford (Atlanta PF/C)- Recorded 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in a 93-86 win over the Chicago Bulls. Horford's scoring and rebounding numbers have been low this season (13.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg), so this game was a welcome sight for Hawks' fans. Horford remains one of the better big men that you never hear about in the NBA, but his play has helped Atlanta jump out to a 17-7 record (good for 3rd in the East) in the 2014-15 season.
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Play of the Night
Kyle Lowry showcased his outstanding ball handling abilities Monday night by putting Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo on skates during Toronto's 95-82 win. Lowry finished with 17 points and eight assists, as the Raptors keep rolling along in 2014.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5LU-0noswY
Video courtesy of Bleacher Report.
2014-15 NBA Standings
Check out bunow.com for local and national stories written by Bloomsburg University students.
Follow me on Twitter @Lower_Merion33
Follow me on Twitter @Lower_Merion33
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Daily Recap- Dec. 12
Who Was Hot
Damian Lillard (Portland PG)- Had a monster gamer of 35 points, six assists and five rebounds in a 116-105 loss to the Chicago Bulls. Lillard was motivated paling against his childhood idol Derrick Rose, and it showed, as he hit 13 of 21 field goals (7 3-pointers) in the tough loss. The young scoring point guard continues to make significant strides in the NBA, and is quickly moving up in the player rankings.
LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland PF)- Tallied 35 points on 15-24 shooting, and grabbed nine rebounds in a loss to the Bulls Friday night. Aldridge was on fire much like his teammate Lillard, as the duo combined for 70 points on 28-45 shooting in the loss. It was his highest point total since Dec. 2 agains the Nuggets (39 points).
Ryan Anderson (New Orleans PF)- Was on fire from deep, hitting eight 3's and scoring 30 points in a 119-114 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. When Anthony Davis left in the first quarter with a chest bruise, Andeson stepped into a bigger offensive role and got hot from long range. He has the potential to score in bunches on a daily basis, and is even more lethal when given extra shot attempts.
LeBron James (Cleveland SF)- Recorded a team-high 41 points in the Cavs' loss to the Pelicans Friday night. James hit 17 of 24 shots from the field, and carried Cleveland for most of the game, but it wasn't quite enough as they fell short.
Tyreke Evans (New Orleans SG/SF)- Posted a double-double of 31 pouts and 10 rebounds in the Pelican's win over Cleveland. It was Evans' first double-double of his career, and it came in a big win over LeBron James and Co. The sixth-year guard from Memphis finally seems to be comfortable in a Pelicans uniform, as he is averaging a little over 15 points, five rebounds and five assists so far this season.
Play of the Night
Los Angeles Lakers' guard/forward Nick Young hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 7.4 seconds left in overtime to beat the San Antonio Spurs. Young threw up a prayer in front of Spurs' guard Manu Ginobili, and it found its' way into the net. Swaggy P finished with 29 points and hit six 3-pointers in the Lakers' win
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQxO-jUtWZE
Damian Lillard (Portland PG)- Had a monster gamer of 35 points, six assists and five rebounds in a 116-105 loss to the Chicago Bulls. Lillard was motivated paling against his childhood idol Derrick Rose, and it showed, as he hit 13 of 21 field goals (7 3-pointers) in the tough loss. The young scoring point guard continues to make significant strides in the NBA, and is quickly moving up in the player rankings.
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Ryan Anderson (New Orleans PF)- Was on fire from deep, hitting eight 3's and scoring 30 points in a 119-114 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. When Anthony Davis left in the first quarter with a chest bruise, Andeson stepped into a bigger offensive role and got hot from long range. He has the potential to score in bunches on a daily basis, and is even more lethal when given extra shot attempts.
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Tyreke Evans (New Orleans SG/SF)- Posted a double-double of 31 pouts and 10 rebounds in the Pelican's win over Cleveland. It was Evans' first double-double of his career, and it came in a big win over LeBron James and Co. The sixth-year guard from Memphis finally seems to be comfortable in a Pelicans uniform, as he is averaging a little over 15 points, five rebounds and five assists so far this season.
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Los Angeles Lakers' guard/forward Nick Young hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 7.4 seconds left in overtime to beat the San Antonio Spurs. Young threw up a prayer in front of Spurs' guard Manu Ginobili, and it found its' way into the net. Swaggy P finished with 29 points and hit six 3-pointers in the Lakers' win
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQxO-jUtWZE
2014-15 NBA Standings
Check out bunow.com for local and national stories written by Bloomsburg University students.
Follow me on Twitter @Lower_Merion33
Follow me on Twitter @Lower_Merion33
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Top MVP Candidates at the Quarter Mark of the Season
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.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nms-O8GCtP0
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.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQQZTNAkmq4
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.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdqbEOSBu_Y
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.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWHnXtkX_pU
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.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmmDsZzBnds
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.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nms-O8GCtP0
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.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQQZTNAkmq4
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.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdqbEOSBu_Y
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.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWHnXtkX_pU
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.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmmDsZzBnds
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Saturday, December 6, 2014
Daily Recap- Dec. 5
Who Was Hot
Goran Dragic (Phoenix PG)- Tallied 28 points and 13 assists in a 118-106 win over the Dallas Mavericks. Dragic has now scored 20 ore more points in four of his last five games, and looks to be getting back into form after getting off to a slow start.
Tim Duncan (San Antonio PF/C)- Became the second oldest player in NBA history to record a triple double, positing a stat line of 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a 107-101 win against the Memphis Grizzlies. Duncan is having another consistently brilliant season, averaging 14 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.
Tyler Zeller (Boston C)- Exploded for 24 points and 14 rebounds in a 113-96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Zeller had his way the whole night, hitting 10 of 11 shots, and all four foul shots.
LeBron James (Cleveland SF)- Had another strong performance, scoring 24 points and dishing out 13 assists in a 105-91 win over the Toronto Raptors. James appears to be the top facilitator on this Cavs team, while point guard Kyrie Irving has played more of a scoring role, especially late in games.
Marc Gasol (Memphis C)- Scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a 107-101 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Gasol is having another fantastic season, and will continue to anchor the Grizzlies defense as they make a push for a top seed in the Western Conference.
Plays of the Night
Hornets' point guard Kemba Walker drove past the Knicks' defense and put up an acrobatic layup at the buzzer to beat New York.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlSbIGKEnLE
Goran Dragic (Phoenix PG)- Tallied 28 points and 13 assists in a 118-106 win over the Dallas Mavericks. Dragic has now scored 20 ore more points in four of his last five games, and looks to be getting back into form after getting off to a slow start.
Tim Duncan (San Antonio PF/C)- Became the second oldest player in NBA history to record a triple double, positing a stat line of 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a 107-101 win against the Memphis Grizzlies. Duncan is having another consistently brilliant season, averaging 14 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.
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LeBron James (Cleveland SF)- Had another strong performance, scoring 24 points and dishing out 13 assists in a 105-91 win over the Toronto Raptors. James appears to be the top facilitator on this Cavs team, while point guard Kyrie Irving has played more of a scoring role, especially late in games.
Marc Gasol (Memphis C)- Scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a 107-101 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Gasol is having another fantastic season, and will continue to anchor the Grizzlies defense as they make a push for a top seed in the Western Conference.
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Hornets' point guard Kemba Walker drove past the Knicks' defense and put up an acrobatic layup at the buzzer to beat New York.
Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlSbIGKEnLE
Giannis Antetokounmpo threw down a poster dunk on Heat center Chris Bosh Friday night. The 6'11'' "Greek Freak" continues to showcase his athletic ability every night, and his skill set progressing under head coach Jason Kidd's guidance
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Daily Recap- Nov. 26.
Who Was Hot
Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)- Followed up his 40-point game with a 28-point, eight assist performance (Six 3-pointers) in a 111-96 win over the Orlando Magic. Curry did most of his scoring (25 points, five 3-pointers) in the first half, and is in quite a zone over his last few games.
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento PF/C)- Put together another monster game, tallying 29 points (9-18 FG), 17 rebounds and six assists in a 102-89 loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. Cousins also added three blocks, and dominated the game down low without Dwight Howard to guard him.
Lebron James (Cleveland SF)- Came out strong and scored 29 points on 7-14 FG (14-17 FT) in a 113-87 win over the Washington Wizards. James also dished out 10 assists and grabbed eight rebounds in the revenge win over Washington.
Jose Calderon (New York PG)- Calderon got hot Wednesday night, hitting seven 3-pointers en route to a 21 point performance in a 109-102 overtime loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Calderon also grabbed 10 rebounds in only his third game of the year (due to injuries). This won't happen on a nightly basis, but Calderon certainly enjoyed more shot attempts with Carmelo Anthony out of the lineup.
Tyson Chandler (Dallas C)- Scored 17 points and pulled down 25 (YES- 25) rebounds in a 109-102 overtime win over the New York Knicks. Chandler continues to be one of the best rebounders in the NBA, and is averaging a double-double 10.3 ppg, 10.3 rpg) for the season.
Isaiah Canaan (Houston PG)- Started in place of Patrick Beverley, and scored 24 points on 9-16 shooting (six 3-pointers) in a 102-89 win over the Sacramento Kings. Canaan played a strong game for Houston, adding six rebounds, four assists, four steals and only one turnover in the win.
Who Was Not
Carlos Boozer (Los Angeles PF)- Scored only four points on 2-6 shooting in a 99-93 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. It marked the second time in 10 games the Boozer failed to score in double-digits.
J.R. Smith (New York SG/SF)- Shot 7-20 from the field, tallying only 15 points in a loss to Dallas on Wednesday night. Smith started in place of Carmelo Anthony, and even though he hit the game-tying shot with less than two seconds in regulation, was not efficient for New York.
Play of the Night
Rookies Andrew Wiggins (No. 1 overall pick) and Jabari Parker (No. 2 overall) met for the first time in the regular season on Wednesday. Wiggins sent Parker's shot driving shot into the stands late in the third quarter, providing some excitement in what was a matchup between top bottom-10 teams in the NBA.
Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)- Followed up his 40-point game with a 28-point, eight assist performance (Six 3-pointers) in a 111-96 win over the Orlando Magic. Curry did most of his scoring (25 points, five 3-pointers) in the first half, and is in quite a zone over his last few games.
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento PF/C)- Put together another monster game, tallying 29 points (9-18 FG), 17 rebounds and six assists in a 102-89 loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. Cousins also added three blocks, and dominated the game down low without Dwight Howard to guard him.
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| Source- http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/nba/players/full/4258.png&w=350&h=254 |
Jose Calderon (New York PG)- Calderon got hot Wednesday night, hitting seven 3-pointers en route to a 21 point performance in a 109-102 overtime loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Calderon also grabbed 10 rebounds in only his third game of the year (due to injuries). This won't happen on a nightly basis, but Calderon certainly enjoyed more shot attempts with Carmelo Anthony out of the lineup.
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| Source- http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2014/1021/ny_a_calderon01jr_D_576x324.jpg |
Isaiah Canaan (Houston PG)- Started in place of Patrick Beverley, and scored 24 points on 9-16 shooting (six 3-pointers) in a 102-89 win over the Sacramento Kings. Canaan played a strong game for Houston, adding six rebounds, four assists, four steals and only one turnover in the win.
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| Source- http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/nba/players/full/2490589.png&w=350&h=254 |
Carlos Boozer (Los Angeles PF)- Scored only four points on 2-6 shooting in a 99-93 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. It marked the second time in 10 games the Boozer failed to score in double-digits.
J.R. Smith (New York SG/SF)- Shot 7-20 from the field, tallying only 15 points in a loss to Dallas on Wednesday night. Smith started in place of Carmelo Anthony, and even though he hit the game-tying shot with less than two seconds in regulation, was not efficient for New York.
Play of the Night
Rookies Andrew Wiggins (No. 1 overall pick) and Jabari Parker (No. 2 overall) met for the first time in the regular season on Wednesday. Wiggins sent Parker's shot driving shot into the stands late in the third quarter, providing some excitement in what was a matchup between top bottom-10 teams in the NBA.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Daily Recap- Nov. 24
Who Was Hot
James Harden (Houston SG)- Scored 36 points, and hit seven 3-pointers in a 91-86 win over the New York Knicks. Harden was firing on all cylinders, shooting 11-22 from the floor, and also added six rebounds and six assists.
LeBron James (Cleveland SF)- Recorded a double-double of 29 points and 11 assists in a 106-74 win over the Orlando Magic. Cleveland managed to halt its losing streak at four, as James hit 9 of 17 shots from the floor, and added in three steals in the win.
Chris Paul (Los Angeles PG)- Had a monster game of 22 points, 15 assists and five rebounds in a 113-92 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Aside from getting crossed up be Kemba Walker late in the second quarter, CP3 had another fantastic all-around game and continues to perform as one of the best point guards in the league.
Eric Bledsoe (Phoenix PG/SG)- Tallied 25 points on 8-16 shooting in a 104-100 loss to the Toronto Raptors. Bledsoe scored 25 points for the first time this season, and filled up the rest of the stat sheet, grabbing seven boards and dishing out six assists.
Who Was Not
Lance Stephenson (Charlotte SG)- Scored only three points on 1-8 shooting in Charlotte's loss to the Clippers on Monday. Stephenson only played a few minutes in the second half, and might be moved to a sixth man role if Charlotte keeps struggling.
Evan Fournier (Orlando SG)- Tallied eight points on 2-9 shooting in a loss to the Cavaliers. It was the first time all season that Fournier failed to scored 10 or more points, as the Cleveland defense stepped up and held Orlando to 74 points.
Play of the Night
Kemba Walker came down court, and crossed up Chris Paul late in the second quarter. Walker added the cherry on top by hitting the mid-range jumper, but Paul would get the last laugh, as the Clippers would get the win 113-92.
James Harden (Houston SG)- Scored 36 points, and hit seven 3-pointers in a 91-86 win over the New York Knicks. Harden was firing on all cylinders, shooting 11-22 from the floor, and also added six rebounds and six assists.
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| Source- http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/nba/players/full/3992.png&w=350&h=254 |
Chris Paul (Los Angeles PG)- Had a monster game of 22 points, 15 assists and five rebounds in a 113-92 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Aside from getting crossed up be Kemba Walker late in the second quarter, CP3 had another fantastic all-around game and continues to perform as one of the best point guards in the league.
Eric Bledsoe (Phoenix PG/SG)- Tallied 25 points on 8-16 shooting in a 104-100 loss to the Toronto Raptors. Bledsoe scored 25 points for the first time this season, and filled up the rest of the stat sheet, grabbing seven boards and dishing out six assists.
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| Source- http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/nba/players/full/4238.png&w=350&h=254 |
Lance Stephenson (Charlotte SG)- Scored only three points on 1-8 shooting in Charlotte's loss to the Clippers on Monday. Stephenson only played a few minutes in the second half, and might be moved to a sixth man role if Charlotte keeps struggling.
Evan Fournier (Orlando SG)- Tallied eight points on 2-9 shooting in a loss to the Cavaliers. It was the first time all season that Fournier failed to scored 10 or more points, as the Cleveland defense stepped up and held Orlando to 74 points.
Play of the Night
Kemba Walker came down court, and crossed up Chris Paul late in the second quarter. Walker added the cherry on top by hitting the mid-range jumper, but Paul would get the last laugh, as the Clippers would get the win 113-92.
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Daily Recap- Nov. 15.
Who Was Hot
Damian Lillard (Portland PG)- Scored 28 points and dropped 10 assists in a 97-87 win over the Brooklyn Nets Saturday. Lillard had an efficient night, hitting 8-14 field goals, and four 3-pointers for Portland.
Kyrie Irving/LeBron James (Cleveland PG/SF)- The duo combined for 52 points (Kyrie- 20, James-32) in a 127-94 win over the Atlanta Hawks. James chipped in seven assists and six rebounds, while Irving hit four 3-pointers in the win.
Kevin Martin (Minnesota SG)- Scored 34 points on 12-17 shooting in a 131-117 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. It was arguably one of Martin's best games of the year, unfortunately coming in a loss.
Who Was Not
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Detroit SG)- Scored only two points on 1-11 shooting in a 95-88 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Marcus/Markieff Morris (Phoenix SF/PF)- The Morris twins combined to score eight points on 3-19 shooting in a 120-107 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Kemba Walker (Charlotte PG)- Shot 3-14 from the field, scoring only eight points in a 112-87 loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Damian Lillard (Portland PG)- Scored 28 points and dropped 10 assists in a 97-87 win over the Brooklyn Nets Saturday. Lillard had an efficient night, hitting 8-14 field goals, and four 3-pointers for Portland.
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| Source- http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/nba/players/full/6606.png&w=350&h=254 |
Kevin Martin (Minnesota SG)- Scored 34 points on 12-17 shooting in a 131-117 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. It was arguably one of Martin's best games of the year, unfortunately coming in a loss.
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| Source- http://www.rantsports.com/nba/files/2013/11/KEVIN-MARTIN.jpg |
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Detroit SG)- Scored only two points on 1-11 shooting in a 95-88 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Marcus/Markieff Morris (Phoenix SF/PF)- The Morris twins combined to score eight points on 3-19 shooting in a 120-107 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Kemba Walker (Charlotte PG)- Shot 3-14 from the field, scoring only eight points in a 112-87 loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Daily Recap- Nov. 14.
Who Was Hot
Brandon Jennings (Detroit PG)- Scored 29 points on 10-18 shooting (5 3PM) in a 96-89 OT win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
LeBron James (Cleveland SF)- Scored 41 points (16-27 FG), and had seven assists in a 122-121 win over the Boston Celtics.
Jeremy Lamb (Oklaoma City SG)- Posted a double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds in OKC's loss to the Detroit Pistons Friday. It was the first time all season that Lamb scored over 20 points, and should be a sign of things to come moving forward.
Dwight Howard (Houston C)- Had a monster night, scoring 21 points, grabbing 16 rebounds and blocking seven shots in an 88-87 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. It was one of Howard's best game of the season, and the seven blocked shots were more than his last three games combined.
Gordon Hayward (Utah SG/SF)- Scored a season-high 33 points on 11-18 shooting, and dished out six assists in Utah's 102-100 win over the New York Knicks.
Who Was Not
Gerald Green (Phoenix SF)- Played only eight minutes Friday, scoring zero points on 0-6 shooting from the floor in a 103-95 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. It was Green's worst game of the season, but not something Phoenix fans should be concerned about going forward.
Chris Copeland (Indiana SG/SF)- Scored only three points on 1-10 shooting, and committed four turnovers in a 108-87 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
O.J. Mayo (Milwaukee SG)- Shot 3-11 from the field, scoring six points in a 101-85 loss to the Orlando Magic.
Burke's Buzzer-Beater
Utah point guard Trey Burke hit a step-back jumper at the buzzer to give the Jazz a 102-100 win over the New York Knicks Friday. The University of Michigan product scored 13 points and hit 5-9 shots for the game, but none bigger than his last one.
Brandon Jennings (Detroit PG)- Scored 29 points on 10-18 shooting (5 3PM) in a 96-89 OT win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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| Source- http://images.mstarz.com/data/images/full/24679/brandon-jennings.png |
Jeremy Lamb (Oklaoma City SG)- Posted a double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds in OKC's loss to the Detroit Pistons Friday. It was the first time all season that Lamb scored over 20 points, and should be a sign of things to come moving forward.
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| Source- http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/nba/players/full/6603.png&w=350&h=254 |
Gordon Hayward (Utah SG/SF)- Scored a season-high 33 points on 11-18 shooting, and dished out six assists in Utah's 102-100 win over the New York Knicks.
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| Source- http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/img/2.0/sect/statscube/players/large/gordon_hayward.png |
Gerald Green (Phoenix SF)- Played only eight minutes Friday, scoring zero points on 0-6 shooting from the floor in a 103-95 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. It was Green's worst game of the season, but not something Phoenix fans should be concerned about going forward.
Chris Copeland (Indiana SG/SF)- Scored only three points on 1-10 shooting, and committed four turnovers in a 108-87 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
O.J. Mayo (Milwaukee SG)- Shot 3-11 from the field, scoring six points in a 101-85 loss to the Orlando Magic.
Burke's Buzzer-Beater
Utah point guard Trey Burke hit a step-back jumper at the buzzer to give the Jazz a 102-100 win over the New York Knicks Friday. The University of Michigan product scored 13 points and hit 5-9 shots for the game, but none bigger than his last one.
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