Welcome to Happy Hour AM! We’re here to recap the night that was in the NBA. Let’s get started in Staples Center, where LeBron and the Lakers… might be in trouble?
Wizards 127, Lakers 124 – Final/OT
So should we be worried about the Lakers? Ever since it was announced that Anthony Davis would miss up to a month with a left leg injury, the champs have looked pedestrian.
Last night, they dropped their 3rd straight game to the lowly Washington Wizards. We’ve seen Washington be able to get up for big games over the season, but this was by far their best performance from start to finish.
Russell Westbrook has looked fantastic after returning from injury. Last night he totaled 32 PTS, 14 REB, and 9 ASTS in 44 minutes. Bradley Beal poured in 33 points of his own while tallying 7 REB and 6 ASTS.
When the Wizards two stars are playing like that, it’s going to be hard to stop them from getting going. The problem with the Wizards hasn’t been their offense over the last two years though. It’s been their defense.
It’s difficult to completely tell if last night was the Wizards playing a good defensive game, or the Lakers failing to find a productive offense without Davis and starting PG Dennis Schroeder.
Without his two running mates for the past three games, Lebron has had to carry the load offensively. Of course, this is something he’s been accustomed to in his career. But at age 36, and a lack of offensive talent on the roster, it’s been a challenge.
LeBron was excellent as always, but the volume of his offense is something to take note of. He scored 31 PTS on 14-29 from the field. 29 SHOTS. Even Russ thinks that’s a big usage rate.
LeBron also tallied 9 REBS and 13 ASTS in the game. But he also had 8 turnovers. And he took a poor three-pointer at the end of OT that would’ve tied the game.
The Lakers have lost three straight and it doesn’t get easier for them. The next three games? They face the Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers and his old buddy Steph Curry and the Warriors.
Buckle up Laker nation.
Bulls 120, Rockets 100
Coby White is a balllllllller.
When John Wall was on the court last night against the Bulls, he had to be thinking he was looking across at a young John Wall.
He put up a double-double with 24 PTS and 10 REBS. For a point guard!
That’s the level Coby White can get to with this Bulls team. The Bulls are GOOD man. Like legit good. This is what happens when you build a team the right way. They have kept their young stars and let them build together.
Zach Lavine is about to be an All-Star for the first time. Wendell Carter has looked better this year. And Coby White has superstar potential.
They could make the playoffs. It’s been a long road for the Bulls since the Derrick Rose days, but this roster looks like it’s here for the long haul.
Suns 132, Trail Blazers 100
Yikes.
I started watching this game in the second half. (Unfortunately, I watched the Sabres game like many of you.)
I picked the wrooooong time to start. The Suns outscored the Blazers by 20 in the third quarter and never looked back.
I wanted to keep my eye on this matchup as a potential 4-5 matchup in the West playoffs. Also to see which one of these teams could best challenge the top 3 teams out west.
It’s been the Suns all year and it remains to the Suns. With Chris Paul leading the way, Devin Booker balling out every night (34 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST) and the rest of the roster built nicely around those two stars, no one is going to want to play them come playoff time.
Jazz 132, Hornets 110
Going into the 4th quarter, this was a one-point game.
Then the Jazz remembered who they were.
The Jazz outscored the Hornets by 21 points in the 4th quarter led by their bench mob of Joe Ingles (+32) and Georges Niang (+27) who both put up 21 points. Jordan Clarkson (+15) also put up 20 from the bench.
Look at those plus-minus numbers. Rudy Gobert was also a +24 and Mike Conley JR. was a +22.
Not a single Hornet player was a plus for the evening.
The Jazz is on a special level right now. They are deep and can score from any part of their bench on any given night.
They have a fun matchup with the Davis-less Lakers on Wednesday night. The Lakers are desperate for a win after losing three straight. Should be a fun one.
OTHER RESULTS:
Happy Hour Highlight of the Night
Guarding Devin Booker is not fair.
The Game of the Night Ahead:
The Raptors are on a tear. They have won 9 of their last 12 and it seems like their early-season struggles and adjusting to living in Tampa are behind them. Trust the infrastructure. This is getting to be Spurs level of development for the Raptors.
They are deadly from everywhere and it is mostly homegrown talent. No team at the top of the East wants to play them in the playoffs.
The Sixers are rolling. They have been the best team in the East all year long. But to prove it to the rest of the league, they’re going to have to win these types of big games on the road. Now AND in the playoffs.
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