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 

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*All stats/facts courtesy of ESPN/Basketball Reference 

*All stats accurate as of March 17

Who is the Best Point Guard in the NBA?

One of the hottest debates in the National Basketball Association right now revolves around who is the best point guard. With it currently being a point guard dominant league, having a top-tier floor general is key to success, especially come playoff time. Five point guards have really stood out this year, so let's take a look at where they fall in terms of being the best in the league.

Almost made the cut:

Damian Lillard (Season stats- 21.1 ppg, 6.1 apg, 4.8 rpg)- Lillard is one of the most explosive point guards in the league, and will someday soon be in this conversation. However, his assist totals, as well as his defensive numbers aren't quite at the level of the names that are soon to be mentioned. I will give him his due though, as he is one of the go-to guys in crunch time, and is does not shy away from big moments/games.

John Wall (Season stats- 16.9 ppg, 10.0 apg, 4.5 rpg)- During the first month of the season, it would have been hard to keep Wall out of the top-tier group. His Wizards were 22-9 through December, and double-doubles were a routine thing for the 24-year-old guard from Kentucky. Now, they sit at 36-28 (14-19 since Jan. began), and Wall's scoring has been up and down. However, he is still an athletic freak who will be a force in this league for many years to come.

The Big Three

Stephen Curry (Season stats- 23.8 ppg, 7.7 apg, 4.4 rpg)- Move over LeBron James and Kevin Durant, there is a new man ascending to the throne. Curry has skipped the stairs and taken the elevator straight to the top of almost every list (MVP, Best Player, Etc.). He is electrifying to watch, with his dazzling handles and pure as silk jump shot. But his statistics back up his amazing plays, and then some.

He is chasing a 50/40/90 season (Currently at 48.5% FG, 42.2% 3PT, 90.3% FT), and his Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 27.94 is good for third behind Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis. Curry's defense is also much improved, with his 2.2 steals per game leading NBA. Look for Curry to possibly raise his first MVP award come the end of the year, while his number-one seed Golden State Warriors will try and win championships for the first time since 1975.

Chris Paul (Season stats- 18.2 ppg, 10.2 apg, 4.8 rpg)- When it comes to elite floor generals, CP3 has been at or near the top of the list since the 2007-08 season. This year has been a quiet one in terms of him getting recognition, as his Clippers have struggled at times, and are currently the fifth seed in the West. That should not take away from the great season that Paul is achieving, despite not having teammate and superstar Blake Griffin since Feb. 8 (Elbow injury).

Paul is shooting 47% from the field on the year, and recently has seven double-doubles in his last eight games (51% shooting, 12.6 apg during that span). He has reclaimed the lead in assists per game, and will likely win that honor for the fourth time in his career. Paul's PER of 24.87 ranks third among qualified point guard, behind Curry and Westbrook respectively. His ability to control the pace of a game is matched by no one else in the NBA, and is a model that young point guards coming into the leaguer should follow.

Russell Westbrook (Season stats- 27.4 ppg, 8.3 apg, 7.1 rpg)- What can be said about Russell Westbrook that hasn't been said already? He is the most athletic point guard in the league, and has shown utter dominance with since the beginning of February. He averaged 31.2 points, 10.3 assists and 9.1 rebounds a game, while being named the Western Conference Player of the Month and the all-star game MVP.

In March, Westbrook is putting up staggering 40.7 points, 11.3 assists and 11.3 rebounds a game, while attempting an average of 16 free throws per contests. His PER has soared to a mark of 30.15, which as stated before trails only Anthony Davis, and his usage percentage of 38.1 leads all players by a wide margin. If the Thunder are able to hold on and make the playoffs in a tightly contested conference, Westbrook should and will receive many MVP votes.



Verdict 

The bottom line is this- any general manager in his right mind would love to have any of these five outstanding point guards on their team. Each one can put a team on their respective backs and win many games. With that being said, if I had to pick just one as the best in the league, I am going to lean with Stephen Curry. His balance of scoring and assisting is almost perfect, and his game is still evolving. Curry hasn't just made it to the top floor of the building, he now owns it.

*All stats accurate as of March 11

2014-15 NBA Standings 

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*All stats/facts courtesy of ESPN/Basketball Reference 

Weekend Recap- March 6-8

Friday, March 6

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.

Source

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.

Source

Saturday, March 7

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.

Source

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.

Source

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.


2014-15 NBA Standings 

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*All stats/facts courtesy of ESPN/Basketball Reference 

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).


Source

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.

Source

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.

Source

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 

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*All stats/facts courtesy of ESPN/Basketball Reference 

Weekend Recap- Feb.27-March 1

Friday's Top Performances

Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)- Recorded his third consecutive triple-double in a 115-112 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Westbrook's phenomenal stretch of basketball continued, as he poured in 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, while hitting 14 of 32 shot attempts. He has zoomed up the MVP rankings, and is doing any-and everything he can to give his team a chance to win games night in and night out.

Source

Greg Monroe (Detroit PF)- Scored 28 points in a 121-115 double overtime loss to the New York Knicks. Monroe led the Pistons into overtime, doing everything he could to give them the win, but it wasn't enough. The 28 points were most than he had scored in his previous two games combined.

LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland PF)- Recorded 29 points and 16 rebounds in Portland's win over the Thunder on Friday evening. Aldridge hit 10 of 23 shot attempts, and 9 of 10 free throw attempts in the big win for Portland.

Source

Jimmy Butler (Chicago SG)- Tallied 28 points and 12 rebounds in a 96-89 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Butler nailed 11 of his 19 shot attempts, and as usual, filled up the rest of the stat sheet with two steals and two blocks.

Saturday's Top Performances

Deron Williams (Brooklyn PG)- Sparked the Nets to a 104-94 win over the Dallas Mavericks, scoring 25 points and grabbing six rebounds. Williams turned back the clocks, as he missed only five of his 14 shot attempts, and only committed one turnover in the big win.


Source

Hassan Whiteside (Miami C)- Pulled down 24 rebounds, while adding in 14 points in a 93-91 loss to the East-leading Atlanta Hawks. It was the fourth double-double in his last five games, as Whiteside has been one of the biggest surprises of this NBA season.

Marc Gasol (Memphis C)- Gasol scored 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 101-97 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Spaniard was uber-effecient from the floor, knocking down 11 of 14 field goal attempts, while also dishing out four assists for the current number two seed in the Western Conference.
Sunday's Top Performances

Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)- Exploded for 37 points in a 106-101 comeback win over the Boston Celtics Sunday. The Warriors trailed by as many as 26 points in the second quarter, but rallied behind their leader and one of the league's top MVP candidates to come away with a win. Curry knocked down 14 of his 22 shot attempts, including five 3-pointers, while dishing out five assists.

Chris Paul (Los Angeles PG)- Recorded a double-doubled of 28 points and 12 rebounds the Clippers' 96-86 victory on the road against the Chicago Bulls. Paul was in total control throughout the entire game, as this was his fourth consecutive double-double, with three of those being of the 20+ point and 10+ assist variety.

Source

Damian Lillard (Portland PG)- Dropped 31 points in a 110-99 win over the Sacramento Kings. Lillard had his second consecutive game scoring 29 or more points, hitting 11 of 20 field goal attempts. The young stud from Weber State also added in seven assists and four rebounds.

2014-15 NBA Standings 

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*All stats courtesy of ESPN 

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.

Source

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.

Source

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.

Source

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.

Source

2014-15 NBA Standings 

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*All stats courtesy of ESPN 

Nightly Recap- Feb. 22

Top Performances

Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)- Tallied 21 points, 17 assists and eight rebounds in a 119-94 win over the Denver Nuggets. Westbrook once again stepped up with Kevin Durant out, recording those gaudy numbers in just 27 minutes, making him the only player to do so since Magic Johnson. He is climbing the MVP ladder quickly, as the Thunder are now in the drivers' seat for the eighth playoff seed.

Source

Nikola Vucevic (Orlando C)- Posted a double-double of 31 points and 15 rebounds in a 103-98 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. It was just another day at the office for Vucevic, who is having the best season of his career for the Magic.

Paul Millsap (Atlanta PF)- Recorded 23 points and 16 rebounds in a 97-86 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. It was Millsap's first double-double in three weeks, and it helped the Hawks snap their two game losing streak. He is scoring just under 17 points, and grabbing just over eight rebounds per game for the top-seeded Hawks.

Source

Rodney Stuckey (Indiana PG/SG)- Scored 30 points to help the Pacers upend the Golden State Warriors. Stuckey hit 11 of 17 field goal attempts, and dished out five assists in the big win for Indiana. It was the second consecutive game that the role player scored 30 points off of the bench.

Play of the Night

Cleveland shooting guard J.R. Smith finished a reverse alley-oop from teammate Iman Shumpert in the Cavs 101-83 win against the New York Knicks. Smith finished the game with 17 points and four assists.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A85p7tHgtZM 

2014-15 NBA Standings 

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*All stats courtesy of ESPN 

Nightly Recap- Feb. 6

Top Performances

Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)- Tallied 48 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds in a 116-113 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. The 48 points were a career-high, and came on 15-28 shooting from the field. It was the second consecutive 40+ point game for the talented point guard.

Source

Tobias Harris (Orlando SF)- Posted 34 points in a 103-97 overtime win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Harris scored over 20 points for the second consecutive game, hitting 14-18 field goal attempts. He also chipped in seven rebounds, and is playing very well as of late for the Magic.

Anthony Davis (New Orleans PF/C)- Scored 41 points, including the game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer in New Orleans’ win over the Thunder. Davis was a monster, shooting 15-23 from the field, grabbing 10 rebounds and hitting his first 3-pointer of the season over Kevin Durant when it mattered most.

Source

Tyreke Evans (New Orleans SG/SF)- Recorded a triple double of 22 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds in the Pelicans’ won over OKC. Evans hit 8 of 17 field goal attempts, and had more assists than the rest of his team combined (16-10). It was one of his best games of the year, and a huge win for the Pelicans’.

2014-15 NBA Standings 

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*All stats courtesy of ESPN 

Nightly Recap- Feb. 4

Top Performances

Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)- Went off for 51 points in a 128-114 win over the Dallas Mavericks. Curry scored 26 of those points in the third quarter alone, and finished the game shooting 16-26 from the field, including 10 3-pointers. It marked his second career 50 point game, with the other being in 2013, when he dropped 54 points agains the Knicks.

Source

Hassan Whiteside (Miami C)- Hit 12 of 13 field goal attempts, scoring 24 points in a 102-101 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Whiteside also grabbed 20 rebounds, and continues to shine in Miami's starting lineup. He has recorded a double-double in five of his last six games.

Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)- Tallied 45 points, six rebounds and six assists in a 102-91 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. With Kevin Durant out again with a injury, Westbrook shouldered the load offensively, hitting 18 of 31 field goal attempts in the win. He remains one of the most dynamic and talented stat sheet-stuffers in the game, and the Thunder will need him to be on top of his game in order to make the playoffs.

Source

Tobias Harris (Orlando SF)- Recorded 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in a 110-103 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Harris hit 9-13 from the field, including three 3-pointers in the loss. It was the first time since returning from injury that he has scored over 20 points.

Play of the Night

Check out Stephen Curry's incredible 51-point performance versus the Dallas Mavericks, including his 26-point third quarter.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf60wq-tifw

2014-15 NBA Standings 

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*All stats courtesy of ESPN 

Nightly Recap- Feb. 2

Top Performances

Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)- Recorded another triple-double, scoring 25 points, dishing out 14 assists and grabbing 11 rebounds in a 104-97 win over the Orlando Magic. With Kevin Durant out, Westbrook once again took the lead role, and shot 8-15 from the field while recoding four steals in the win. The Thunder need every win possible to get into the playoffs, as they are currently the 10th seed and three games back in the Western Conference.

Source

Anthony Davis (New Orleans PF/C)- Returned from a one-game absence to score 29 points and pull down 13 rebounds in a 115-100 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Davis was spectacular in the Pelicans' streak-snapping win against Atlanta, hitting 12 of 23 field goal attempts and blocking two shots in the win. He has recorded a double-double in each of the last five games he has played in for New Orleans.

Eric Bledsoe (Phoenix PG/SG)- Posted 21 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in a 102-101 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Bledsoe hit 9 of 16 shots from the field, and also chipped in four steals and two blocks in the loss. He has scored over 20 points in two out of his last three games, and continues to fill up the stat sheet on a nightly basis.

Source

Khris Middleton (Milwaukee SF)- Tallied 25 points and nine rebounds in an 82-75 win over the Toronto Raptors. Middleton had the hot hand Monday night, shooting 10-17 from the field, and also added in three steals. It marked the fifth time in six games that he has scored in double-digits.

Play of the Night

Brooklyn Nets' point guard Jarrett Jack nailed a game-winner over DeAndre Jordan with 1.3 seconds left in a 102-100 win against the Los Angeles Clippers. Jack finished the game with six points, seven rebounds and seven assists. 

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De-Izb8ENVA

2014-15 NBA Standings 

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*All stats courtesy of ESPN 

Nightly Recap- Jan. 28

Top Performances 

Kyrie Irving (Cleveland PG)- Erupted for 55 points, including 11 3-pointers in a 99-94 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. The 55 points were not only a career-high for Irving, but also the most in the NBA this season, surpassing Klay Thompson's 52 points from last week. For the game, he hit 17-36 field goal attempts, and 10-10 from the foul line. Irving will need to step up in games where LeBron James is out due to rest or injury, and he is proving that he is more than capable of doing so for Cleveland.

Source

LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland PF)- Tallied 38 points and 11 rebounds in a 99-94 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Aldridge scored early and often against Cleveland, and did all he could to give them a chance to win, but it wasn't enough as Irving had a career-night. He has scored 64 points in his  two games since deciding to delay thumb surgery, and is looking like one of the best big men in the NBA.

Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)- Scored 40 points in a 100-92 loss against the New York Knicks. With Kevin Durant sitting out once again, Westbrook took charge of the offense, shooting 13-30 from the field, while grabbing four rebounds and dishing out four assists. For the Thunder to make it into the playoffs, they will have to win games against much weaker teams like the Knicks on a nightly basis.

Source

Paul Millsap (Atlanta PF)- Recorded 28 points and 15 rebounds in a 113-102 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Millsap only took nine field goal attempts (5-9 FG), but hit 15 of 16 from the foul line to give him his third consecutive 20-point game. It also marked his second double-double in three games.

Play of the Night

Check out Kyrie Irving's incredible 55-point night in a win over the Trail Blazers.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF9Uth2ToJk 

2014-15 NBA Standings 

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*All stats courtesy of ESPN 

Nightly Recap- Jan. 20

Top Performances

Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio SF)- Recorded 17 points and a season-high 15 rebounds in a 109-99 win over the Denver Nuggets. It was Leonard's third game back from a hand injury, but he looked to be at full strength, as he hit three 3-pointers and stole the ball twice. His return should spark the Spurs to contend for a top-five seed in a tough Western Conference.

Source

Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)- Posted a line of 19 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and four steals in a 94-86 win against the Miami Heat. Westbrook had another great night for the Thunder, as he hit 8 of 17 field goal attempts in the win. He has recorded two double-doubles and a triple-double over the last week and a half, and is complimenting teammate Kevin Durant nicely.

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Kenneth Faired (Denver PF)- Scored 26 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in a 109-99 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. It was Faried's first double-double in almost a week, as he hit 9 of 17 shot attempts, and 8 of 12 from the foul line. As long as he receives adequate minutes, he can be a double-double machine for the Nuggets.

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Play of the Night

Kevin Durant drove by Miami center Chris Birdman for the slam in a 94-86 win over the Heat on Wednesday night. Durant finished the game with 19 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi80FIVktu4

2014-15 NBA Standings 

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*All stats courtesy of ESPN

Nightly Recap- Jan. 16

Top Performances

Derrick Rose (Chicago PG)- Scored 29 points and dished out 10 assists in a 119-103 win over the Boston Celtics. It was easily one of his best games of the season, and his second consecutive game scoring  over 20 points. In his last two games, Rose has tallied 61 points on 24-42 shooting, as well as 11 3-pointers. Friday night was also his first 20-10 game since March of 2012.

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Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)- Recorded his ninth career triple-double in a 127-115 win against the Golden State Warriors. Westbrook finished with a stat line of 17 points, 17 assists and 15 rebounds in the win, and was simply all over the court during the game.

Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City SF)- Dropped 36 points on 14-18 shooting in the Thunder's win over the Warriors. The reigning MVP also chipped in nine rebounds and four assists in the big win, as OKC looked like the team that won 59 games in 2013-14. He, along with Westbrook will have to continue having big games like this if the Thunder wish to not only get into the playoffs, but avoid being an eight seed.

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Brandon Jennings (Detroit PG)- Finished with 37 points, including eight 3-pointers in a 98-96 win over the Indiana Pacers. Jennings remains in a zone from 3-point range, as he has now hit 19 of them over his last five games. His strong play has the Pistons competing for a playoff spot early in 2015, and will be worth watching come March.

Marc Gasol (Memphis C)- Flirted with a triple-double, tallying 12 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists in a 105-95 victory agains the Orlando Magic. Gasol's impressive season continues, as he fills up the stat sheet and leads the Grizzlies to wins almost every night. He is an under-the-rarer MVP candidate, and is playing the best basketball of his career.

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2014-15 NBA Standings 

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*All stats courtesy of ESPN

Nightly Recap- Jan. 9

Top Performances

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.

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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.

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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.

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Play of the Night

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.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCIAgDLRDgY 

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

Christmas Day Recap

Top Performances

John Wall (Washington PG)- Recorded 24 points, 11 assists and six rebounds in a 102-91 win over the New York Knicks. Wall was able to get into the lane at will during the contest, and is continuing to have a phenomenal season. His assists and points are consistent, and he continues to provide numbers in defensive areas as well. The Wizards are now 10-1 when wall scores 20+ points this year.

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Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)- Dropped 34 points, 11 assists and five steals in a 114-106 in over the San Antonio Spurs. Westbrook carried the team once again, as he torched the Spurs throughout the contest. He started out just 1 of 8 from the field, but hit 13 of his next 20 shots to score over 30 points for the fifth time in six games. Westrook is asserting himself appropriately for the Thunder during Durant's absence, and is playing some of the best basketball of his career.

Dwyane Wade (Miami SG)- Scored 31 points in a 102-91 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Wade looked like a much younger version of his self in this game, as he played former teammate LeBron James for the first time this year. The duo won two consecutive titles, made the NBA finals in all four seasons together.

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Manu Ginobili (San Antonio SG)- Flirted with a triple-double, scoring seven points, dishing out 13 assists and grabbing seven rebounds in a 114-106 loss to the Thunder. It was quiet scoring game for Ginobili, but he stuffed the rest of the stat sheet for the Spurs. He has now dished out 10+ assists in his last two games.

Pau Gasol (Chicago PF/C)- Dominated the Lakers to the tune of 23 points and 13 rebounds in a 113-93 Christmas Day win. Gasol played with a little something extra last night, as he was facing his former team in the Lakers, where he helped them win two championships in six seasons. He continues to post strong numbers and is showing no signs of slowing down.

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Luol Deng (Miami SF)- Tallied 25 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in the Heat's win over Cleveland. Deng hit 11 of 16 shots from the field, and also added in eight assists and eight rebounds in the win. The talented two-way forward had one of his best games of the season, and has scored over 20 points in two out of his last three games.

Play of the Night

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade threw down a thunderous put-back dunk of Cavs forward Kevin Love during Thursdays' contest. It was a vintage Wade play, as he kept track of the ball and slashed into the lane, elevating for the finish that brought the crowd to their feet.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ei4Z3HW314

2014-15 NBA Standings

Check out bunow.com for local and national stories written by Bloomsburg University students.

Follow me on Twitter @Lower_Merion33