01-25-21 NBA Blog Train Monday
Tonight is the first Monday night since the season commenced four weeks ago that we haven’t been in on any action. Why would that be? Well, we are pleased to announce that the tides have turned around here, and instead of the boogie man coming a callin’ on settle up day, we were actually in line for a pay day.
So we treated ourselves, taking the night off and enjoying a pleasant stress-free night of hoops.
Hornets at Magic -1 Over 213.5
We might not have been in on any direct action, but Coach asked if we had any Locks. It might surprise you to know that we actually recommended the Magic -1 tonight, saying that we could see a Magic Revenge Game after they blew a 12-point lead in the 4th quarter to the Hornets last night and because they were getting Aaron Gordon back in the lineup tonight.
The Hornets jumped out to a quick 15-point lead, and we thought about reminding Coach: “Lots of game left,” while at the same time hoping that our beloved Hornets could carry this momentum into another winning streak.
The first half ended up being a teeter totter. Not only did the Magic erase the 15-point first quarter deficit, but they led by 9 points in the second quarter for a 24-point swing. The Hornets made a push before the half, and the Magic took a 1-point lead into the break.
The third quarter saw Orlando go on a 12-0 run that turned into a 21-2 run. The Magic made eight 3’s in the third quarter: three from Fournier, three from Cole Anthony and two from Vooch. That was ultimately the difference.
Magic 117, Hornets 108.
Tonight’s game in Orlando featured some NBA history: The first time a game has been officiated by two female referees. You love to see it!
Last night, we learned from the fabulous Eric Collins that Gary Clark is the only North Carolina high school basketball player to ever record a quadruple double in a game. Clark was doing WORK. His categories were points, rebounds, assists and blocks — he had 15 blocks!
_____________________________________
76ers at Pistons +5 Over 216
We told Coach that we would have suggested the Sixers tonight but not without Embiid who was out with back tightness after some recent dominant performances that solidified him in the early season MVP talks.
It was the Wayne Ellington and Delon Wright Show in Detroit. Delon Wright scored a career-high and game-high 28 points. Ellington and Wright combined to make ten 3’s!
Pistons 119, 76ers 104.
Over his last six games, Wayne Ellington is shooting 60 percent from 3. Talk about a resurgence. The buyout market is already licking its chops.
Embiid better just be resting up for Wednesday night against the Lakers on ESPN!
_____________________________________
Raptors at Pacers -2.5 OVER 218.5
The Pacers got their revenge on the Raptors from yesterday’s Sunday matinee loss to the Lowry-less and Siakam-less Raptors, but the big story here is unfortunately that Sabonis left the game and did not return after a left knee contusion in the first quarter. Thankfully, it has been reported that X-Rays show no structural damage.
Pacers 129, Raptors 114.
Brogdon (36), Turner (21) and Jeremy Lamb (22) each scored 20+ points, just like on Friday night.
The 36 points for Brogdon were a career-high.
Even in the loss, it’s gotta be encouraging for Nick Nurse and Raptors fans that Norm Powell is playing some better ball of late, scoring over 20 points in three consecutive games. There are more scoring opportunities with Siakam out, sure, but these types of games can lead to much needed confidence for players.
_____________________________________
Heat at Nets -7.5 UNDER 236.5
Yeahhh, so we did tell Coach: Heat-Nets Over 236.5 seems likely after they totaled 252 points on Saturday night but the Heat are def shorthanded. This Over would have been one of the biggest Anti Locks. They went UNDER by over 50 points!
Nets 98, Heat 85.
This final score is not an indicator of how close this game was throughout despite the Heat still being without Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Meyers Leonard, Mo Harkless or Avery Bradley.
The Heat actually led by 1-point going into the 4th quarter, but the Nets 3’s starting falling late, capped off by a 15-0 Nets sprint to the finish.
Brooklyn definitely spread the ball around tonight: KD (20), Harden (20), Kyrie (16), Harris (12), DeAndre (11) and Uncle Jeff (10).
_____________________________________
Lakers at Cavaliers +12 Over 214.5
The King made his first return home to The Land since 2018 and it was a King’s return indeed.
Iconic.
The King’s dagger gets sharper with age.
Lakers 115, Cavs 108.
LeBron finished with 46 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks on a very efficient 19-of-26 shooting and 7-of-11 from 3. Apparently a member of the Cavs front office was “a little bit too excited” about seeing LeBron miss a shot at the end of the 3rd quarter, so LeBron outscored the Cavs in the 4th quarter by himself. That’s some King shit, for real.
What LeBron is doing here in the 18th year of his historic career is absolutely remarkable. He is showing zero signs of slowing down. If anything, it feels like LeBron really is getting better and from top to bottom, this Lakers team might be the best team he has played on. Tonight was the type of scintillating performance that vaulted the King to the top of the early season MVP discussion with Jokic and Embiid. Tonight was the type of LeBron game where we are reminded once again to never take The King for granted. It’s hard to imagine that we’ll get to see another career like this one, and we urge you to cherish it for all it’s worth.
Also, hats off to the Cavs who were in this game! Drummond continued his tear after going on Babs List. Big Penguin got his 15 points and 15 boards by way of 25 points and 17 rebounds.
Tonight was not a JaVale Revenge Game.
_____________________________________
Nuggets -2 at Mavericks Over 223
Jamal Murray received a Flagrant 2 and was ejected after hitting THJ “where the sun don’t shine” in the third quarter.
The Nuggets led by 7 at the time and we couldn’t resist at least taking a peak at the Mavs Live MoneyLine. It was Mavs +195 and right on cue, the Mavs went on a 9-0 run to grab a 2-point lead.
But down the stretch, the Mavs were their own worst enemy with some costly turnovers that ultimately did them in.
Nuggets 117, Mavericks 113.
Luka had yet another 30-point triple double: 35 points, 16 assists and 11 rebounds.
Michael Porter Jr. was the guy who stepped up in Jamal Murray’s absence. MPJ scored 30 points off the bench which included 6-of-10 from 3. The Nuggets are sure glad to have MPJ back. They are a different and much better team with him in the lineup.
_____________________________________
Celtics -4 at Bulls Under 227.5
Tatum’s grand return after missing 5 games while recovering from the coco.
The J-Team combined for 50 points. Fiddy.
Celtics 119, Bulls 103.
LaVine dropped 30 points in the loss. If it seems like we say that a lot, it’s because we do. The Bulls are 2-5 in games this season in which LaVine scored 30+ points.
_____________________________________
Thunder +5 at Blazers OVER 226.5
Anfernee Simons lefty power dunk! (Although we wholeheartedly disagree with this caption. The Ant-Man is the #1 pick!) Simons, however, did also have six made 3’s in this one.
Dawg, this should result in a fine and #1 on Shaqtin’.
Thunder 125, Blazers 122.
Mike Muscala was the… Player of the Game! Moose racked up 23 points off the bench with a career-high six made 3’s of his own.
The Blazers are currently without McCollum, Nurkic, Collins and now Covington who is the latest victim and in concussion protocol. Oh, and Rodney Hood is dealing with a thigh injury. OH, and Derrick Jones Jr. suffered a quad contusion during this game. Good golly.
_____________________________________
Timberwolves at Warriors -8.5 OVER 226
#1 overall pick Ant-Man power dunk right passed #2 pick Wiseman! (This THIS is the real Ant-Man, Blazers.)
Steph was feeling it, especially after Malik Beasley went on an 8-0 run and was yelling loudly despite still trailing by 8. Steph took it personal. Steph’s final line: 36 points and 7-of-12 from 3.
Warriors 130, T-Wolves 108.
Andrew Wiggins Revenge Game!
We have to agree with Kelenna: Anthony Edwards should focus on driving to the hoop! Ant-Man is currently shooting 27 percent from 3… This shouldn’t be too hard to figure out.
_____________________________________
Tuesday night features a lite 3-game slate:
Clippers at Hawks — Kawhi, PG and Pat Bev have already been ruled out.
Wizards at Rockets — John Wall Revenge Game!
Knicks at Jazz — It was after losing to the Knicks at MSG on 01/06 that the Jazz started their current 8-game winning streak.
The Blog Train will be back up and running on Wednesday night, so we’ll catch you then.
We love this game!
