11-07-19 NBA Blog Train Lite Thursday: 4 Games
Celtics (5-1) -7 at Hornets (4-3) UNDER 215
We should have known that the Celtics would stomp the Hornets in Kemba’s return to Charlotte.
Blinded by our newfound love for the Hornets.
Celtics 108, Hornets 87.
As Charlotte’s franchise leader in minutes, points, three-pointers, free throws, and field goals — the pregame video tribute to Kemba was well deserved and brought tears to Kemba’s eyes. Kemba only had 14 points, but this one was never really in doubt.
The huge standing ovation and warm welcome back to Buzz City is the lasting takeaway.
But there was a Cody Martin power dunk!
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Thunder (3-4) at Spurs (4-3) -5 OVER 211.5
In the two Spurs’ losses prior to this game, LaMarcus Aldridge had a combined 21 points. Tonight was a different story with LMA popping off for a season-high 39 points on 19 of 23 shooting.
Spurs 121, Thunder 112.
Difficulty level: extremely high. Execution: flawless.
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Heat (5-2) +1.5 at Suns (5-2) OVER 220
We took the Over at 218.5 which was the no doubt Lock of the night!
Heat 124, Suns 108.
Jimmy Butler scored 30 points in the 1st half but finished with just 34 on the night.
Whether it was Tyler Johnson or Goran Dragic, this was going to be a revenge game. The Dragon took this one with 25 points off the bench, 5 of 7 from three which included a very nice buzzer-beating step-back 3 to end the 3rd quarter.
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Trail Blazers (3-4) at Clippers (5-3) -5.5 UNDER 231
The O/U on this game opened at 224.5 and skyrocketed all the way up to 231. The last time we saw that happen, the Pelicans and the Nets went WAY Over on Monday night. Tonight, the Blazers and Clippers went WAY Under thanks to a combined 22.8 percent shooting on 62 total three-point attempts and 31 combined turnovers. Not the most pleasant viewing experience if you took the Over. Gambling is the worst.
But right before tip-ff, we also took the Clippers -5.5 and that bet was NOT looking good either when the Clippers were DOWN by 6 with 6 minutes left. We needed a 12-point swing. And a 12-point swing is EXACTLY what we got!
Kawhi made two free throws with 3.9 seconds left and Anfernee Simons air balled a fadeaway falling out of bounds corner 3 at the very end, sealing a miraculous back door cover. Gambling is the best!!!
Clippers 107, Blazers 101.
Terminator Kawhi finally got turned ON in the 4th quarter. After just 9 points in the first three frames, Kawhi poured in 18 in the 4th. Kawhi and Sweet Lou scored the last 19 points of the game for the Clips.
Doc Rivers is now the 13th NBA Coach with 900 career wins. Rivers and the Clippers were fined $50K by the NBA for Doc’s comments about how Kawhi has “never felt better” despite the Clippers official injury report stating Kawhi is dealing with a sore left knee… The truth will set you free. (And cost you $50 grand.)
The Blazers have dropped 3 in a row now and a trade for a big man seems imminent. Anthony Tolliver and Skal Labissiere played a combined 41 minutes.
The TNT crew called out Hassan Whiteside during halftime, roasting him for a lack of effort. Whiteside did get worked by Zubac in the 1st half, but he showed solid effort in the 2nd half and Kenny Smith rightfully demanded an apology from Shaq and Chuck.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that this was a Moe Harkless Revenge Game. Portland sure could use a guy like Harkless right now.
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Next up: 11 games on Friday night. TGIF!!! We love this game!