Rapid Fire is my recap of last night’s game,
via What happened, Why it happened, and what comes Next.
Heat def. Raptors 104-95
What: King James joined Kareem (with streaks of 787 and 508 games), Air Jordan (866), The Mailman (575) and Moses (526) as the only players to score at least ten point in 500 consecutive games. Side Note: LBJ dropped 35-8-8 and overwhelmed the Raptors all night long.
Why: DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors with 21 points while Jonas Valanciunas had 18, including a thunderous dunk over LeBron. Rudy Gay (who apparently still plays in the NBA) had 13 points and 10 rebounds, recording his second straight double-double (wahoo!) Miami put the Raptors to sleep via a 12-0 run to open the fourth. I would give the Raptors love for competing early, but I think anyone in the league can compete early with the chronically bored Heat.
Next: The Heat better take notice that the Pacers aren’t messing around. Home court will matter come playoff time and these early regular season games count.
Nets def. Jazz 104-88
What: The Nets snapped their four game losing streak to the Jazz. Deron Williams admitted it felt good to beat his former team, but it isn’t much to brag about.
Why: After devoting a practice to scoring in the paint (according to Kidd), the Nets scored 58 points in the paint and shot 20 for 32 from the free throw line, compared to 13 for 33 shooting in the paint, resulting in 26 points for the Jazz. If you can dominate inside, you will win in this league.
Next: Marc Stein reported that Jerry Sloan might eventually step back in as coach of the Utah Jazz. It will be interesting if Deron Williams can get him to quit again, despite playing for another franchise– it would make about as much sense as the first time it happened. If the Nets can commit to this style of ball, they will maximize their potential.
Pacers def. Pistons 99-91
What: The Pacers are 4-0 for the first time since the 2004-05 season (which effectively ended on November 19, when the Brawl at the Palace went down). These Pacers are the only undefeated team in the league, with a focus equally as impressive as their loaded roster.
Why: Paul George is blowing the ceiling off of his potential, turning 30-10-5-4 into a shoulder-shrug type of stat line. We also can’t overstate the impact of Roy Hibbert, with 8 points, 10 rebounds and 7 blocks…turning the paint into his territory.
Next: Detroit could be a playoff team, but the team to watch here are the Pacers. There is a long way to go, but you couldn’t imagine a much better start for Indiana. Let me say this again, Lance Stephenson is being slept on.
Bobcats def. Knicks 102-97
What: Madison Square Garden is going to be renamed Kemba Walker Arena. The kid doesn’t know how to avoid lighting the place up. In unrelated news, the Knicks are entering panic mode early, as fans prepare for a long winter.
Why: Porous defense, mediocre rebounding, and a lack of ball movement is a fantastic three-pronged approach to losing basketball. With Tyson Chandler hurt, Amar’e Stoudemire washed up, and James Dolan losing his mind…it looks like the Knicks are ready for a nuclear winter.
Next: Can the Bobcats compete for a playoff spot? How bad can it get for the Knicks?
Suns def. Hornets 104-98
What: Everyone who said Eric Bledsoe wasn’t up to the task of carrying a team, might need to eat their words. Anthony Davis’ fast start hit a minor speed bump, which is acceptable and expected.
Why: The Hornets seemed to be in control for more than a half, until the Suns got hot. Down by 10, the Suns scored 28 points in the last 6:23 of the third quarter to go ahead 78-69. The Suns ironically made it rain, splashing 12 of 13 shots and six 3-pointers in a row, including three from Green.
Next: Bledsoe is going to get heavily game-planned for, if he keeps putting up these types of performances. With little help around him, it will be interesting to see if this youngster is ready.
Mavericks def. Lakers 123-104
What: Everyone on both teams touched the floor, like a middle school basketball game; the difference is the Mavs showed no mercy. They never trailed, led by 20 in the 2nd quarter and ran the lead up to 26 early in the 3rd. The Lakers stink and this Mavs team is sneaky good.
Why: The most notoriously inefficient man in the world (according to stat geeks), Monta Ellis, was 11-of-14 from the field, made all eight of his free throws and had just one turnover compared to 9 dishes. Ellis is flourishing with Dirk.
Next: The Lakers await 1225. The Mavericks aren’t worried about making the playoffs anymore…they are thinking seeding. None of the western powers look particularly good on defense and this team can score the rock. Nine players had at least 8 points last night…can these guys contend in April/May?
Spurs def. Nuggets 102-94
What: The Spurs are the Spurs and the Nuggets are in trouble.
Why: The balanced attacked of San Antonio was too much for the Nuggets. Losing to the Spurs is never a cause for concern, but losing the first three games (two at home) should be. These Nuggets need to gain an identity, quickly.
Next: The Spurs will keep being the Spurs. The Nuggets are going to enter panic mode, with a couple more loses.
Rockets def. Trailblazers 116-101
What: Harden scored 33 points, Howard contributed 29 points and 13 rebounds, and the Rockets rebounded nicely from the Clippers shellacking.
Why: Howard and Harden are essentially a better version of Lillard and LaMarcus, with a slightly better supporting cast. I could see these two teams matching up in the playoffs and the Rockets taking it in five games.
Next: Howard looked dominant in the paint. Best big man in the league, dominant. If he can keep this up, the Rockets are a legit contender…especially with Harden handling the ball down the stretch of close games. The inevitable playoff crisis I can’t ignore is Lin trying to guard Parker, Paul, Westbrook, Curry, or Ellis in the playoffs. Those guys will get to the rim at will and likely get Howard in foul trouble.
Hawks def. Kings 105-100
What: A bad team beat a worse team.
Why: Horford had 27 points and 10 rebounds, Paul Millsap recorded 25 points and 11 rebounds, and the Hawks big men bullied DeMarcus Cousins around. The Kings made a late run, but the Hawks held them off to clinch this irrelevant victory of mediocrity.
Next: Will Cousins ever become the superstar we all want him to be? It looks less likely every single night. That isn’t a shot Boogie, we are rooting for you!
jenksijargon 