It has been an exciting start to the week in the NBA. Let’s get right into it.
The Chicago Bulls had an Eastern Conference match up against the Indiana Pacers, and this game was contested all the way through, even going in to over time. Although all the starters for the Pacers were in double digit scoring, the Bulls were able to pull away in OT with Zach Levine hitting a pair of clutch free throws to seal the game 120-112.
Former teammates John Wall of the Houston Rockets and Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards faced off against each other on Monday night. Beal got the best of the matchup scoring 37 points as Wall scored 29 points. The Wizards who have won 5 of there last 10 games after having a rough start to the season - riddled with injury - were able to come away victorious against the Rockets 131-119.
The New York Knicks who have been finding their rhythm as of late, took on the Atlanta Hawks who have been struggling. Although six of the Hawks players had double digit scoring, Julius Randle, who has been having an All-Star season, dropped 44 points to help his team win the game 123-112.
The Utah Jazz have been on a winning streak, and with the best record in the league, they were not about to lose a game, even against a great team like the Philadelphia 76er’s. Ben Simmons had a career high 42 points and Tobias Harris had 36 points, but it was not enough to overcome six of the Jazz Players in double digit scoring, and Jordan Clarkson coming off the bench to score 40 points. The Jazz won the game 134-123.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, who have put Andre Drummond on the trading block, have decided to bench him until he is traded. With his absence, the Cavs had no chance against the Golden State Warriors, as they blew them out 129-98.
Kawhi Leonard, Patrick Beverly, and Paul George all sat out for the Clippers Monday night matchup against the Miami Heat. And even with Jimmy Butler having a triple double with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, they could not defeat the Clips as they lost 125-118.
The Brooklyn Nets - who are missing Kevin Durant - played back to back on Monday and Tuesday and they won both games. First they played the Sacremento Kings and with Kyrie Irving scoring 40 points and going 9-11 from the three point line, accompanied by James Harden’s triple double of 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 14 assists, the Nets won the game 136-125.
The following night the Nets faced the Phoenix Suns who have been playing really well as of late. But even with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant sitting out for the Nets, James Harden scored 38 points and 11 rebounds to help his team win 128-124.
A great game between the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets left Boston victorious. Despite Nikola Jokić dropping 43 points, the consistent all around play of the Celtics led them to the W 112-99.
It seems as if the New Orleans Pelicans are tired of losing because they forced their way back into the W column with a blow out against the Memphis Grizzlies. Although Ja Morant had a great night with 28 points on 75% shooting, it was not enough to stop Zion Williamson - who scored 31 points - from helping his team with the W 144-113.
The Milwaukee Buck just can’t seem to get a win. They took on the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, and with Toronto showing off it’s depth, even Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 34 point night was not enough to stop the Raptors from winning 124-113.
The Los Angeles Lakers, after having their 7 game winning streak snapped by the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, came back against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday. Anthony Davis was absent from the line-up do to straining his leg on Sunday. LeBron James dropped 30 points and 13 rebounds to help his team over the hump and get back into the W column, 112-104.
The Oklahoma City Thunder took on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Blazers won this game by 11 points, 115-104. With Damion Lillard dropping 31 points and 10 assists, and Enes Kanter grabbing 21 rebounds, the Thunder were not able to get back in the game as the Blazers handed them the L.
This has been the Mid Week Edition of Briefly In Depth
Check back in Friday for the Weeks Conclusion
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