Rundown v12.23.19 – The One Change, Weekend Wrap, and Guess Who’s Back?

The ONLY change that should be made … is re-seeding the playoffs so that the 16 best records compete for the NBA championship.

Do you truly think that an in season tournament will yield anything?

If you think load management is bad now, teams will hold their marquee players out. 

Then, the format that was adopted from the G League will – in effect – become about as paid attention to and attended – as a G League Showcase game.

Just change the playoffs to the 16 best records.

Playoffs would look like this if we adopted this format today (based on the current standings):

(16) Orlando Magic – (1) Milwaukee Bucks … Milwaukee wins 4-0
(15) Portland Trailblazers – (2) Los Angeles Lakers … L.A. wins 4-2
(14) Oklahoma City Thunder – (3) Boston Celtics … Boston wins 4-1
(13) Brooklyn Nets – (4) Miami Heat … Miami wins 4-1
(12) Utah Jazz – (5) Toronto Raptors … Utah wins 4-3
(11) Dallas Mavericks – (6) Denver Nuggets … Dallas wins 4-3
(10) Indiana Pacers – (7) Houston Rockets … Houston wins 4-2
(9) Philadelphia 76ers – (8) Los Angeles Clippers … L.A. wins 4-3

(8) Los Angeles Clippers – (1) Milwaukee Bucks … Milwaukee wins series 4-3
(7) Houston Rockets – (2) Los Angeles Lakers … Los Angeles wins series 4-2
(6) Dallas Mavericks – (3) Boston Celtics … Dallas wins series 4-2
(12) Utah Jazz – (4) Miami Heat … Miami wins series 4-2

(4) Miami Heat – (1) Milwaukee Bucks … Milwaukee wins series 4-3
(6) Dallas Mavericks – (2) Los Angeles Lakers … Dallas wins series 4-3

NBA CHAMPIONSHIP
(6) Dallas Mavericks – Milwaukee Bucks … Dallas wins NBA Championship 4-3

WESTERN CONFERENCE	EASTERN CONFERENCE
Los Angeles Lakers   (24-6) .800	Milwaukee Bucks   (27-4) .871
Denver Nuggets   (20-8) .714	Boston Celtics   (20-7) .741
Houston Rockets   (20-9) .690	Miami Heat   (21-8) .724
Los Angeles Clippers   (22-10) .688	Toronto Raptors   (21-8) .724
Dallas Mavericks   (19-10) .655	Philadelphia 76ers   (21-10) .671
Utah Jazz   (18-11) .621	Indiana Pacers   (20-10) .667
Oklahoma City Thunder   (15-14) .517	Brooklyn Nets   (16-13) .552
Portland Trailblazers   (14-16) .467	Orlando Magic   (12-17) .454

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FRIDAY’S GAMES

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Memphis Grizzlies  107
Cleveland Cavaliers  114

Nothing but potential trade bait auditions for the Cleveland Cavaliers as they defeat the Memphis Grizzlies.

MEMPHIS	CLEVELAND
Jaren Jackson, Jr. 24 points – three rebounds – one assist – two blocks	Jordan Clarkson 33 points – six rebounds – one assist – one block
Dillon Brooks 16 points – seven rebounds – four assists – two steals – one block	Kevin Love 21 points – 13 rebounds – one assist
Jonas Valanciunas 14 points – 14 rebounds – two assists – four blocks	Darius Garland14 points – five rebounds – two assists

NEXT GAMES
Kings at Grizzlies – Monday
Hawks at Cavaliers – Monday

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Sacramento Kings  105
Indiana Pacers  119

The Indiana Pacers win their fifth in a row over the Sacramento Kings.

SACRAMENTO	INDIANA
Richaun Holmes 20 points – nine rebounds – one block	T.J. Warren 23 points – four rebounds – one assist – one block
Marvin Bagley III 17 points – five rebounds – one assist – three blocks	Myles Turner 17 points – three rebounds – two assists – one steal – two blocks
Justin James 14 points – three rebounds – two assists – one block	Domantas Sabonis 15 points – nine rebounds – six assists – two blocks

NEXT GAMES
Kings at Grizzlies – Saturday
Pacers at Bucks – Sunday

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Detroit Pistons  93
Boston Celtics  114

When you have six players in double digits, your center has no blocked shots, and nearly no one can complete the first three columns in that stat sheet, it’s should be no surprise you’re going to get beat by two young guns with the same stat line(s) and a hungry kid from the University of Tennessee.

DETROIT	BOSTON
Thon Maker 15 points – seven rebounds – one steal	Jaylen Brown 26 points – five rebounds – five assists – three steals – one block
Derrick Rose 14 points – four assists	Jayson Tatum 26 points – five rebounds – three assists – two steals
Andre Drummond 12 points – 11 rebounds – four assists – six steals	#VFL Grant Williams 18 points – three rebounds – one block

NEXT GAMES
Bulls at Piston – Saturday
Hornets at Celtics – Sunday

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Washington Wizards  118
Toronto Raptors  122

Despite being without Pascal Siakam, Norman Powell, and Marc Gasol, the Toronto Raptors welcomed Fred VanVleet back into the starting lineup after a five game absence, and keep finding ways to win as they downed the Washington Wizards on Friday night.

WASHINGTON	TORONTO
Bradley Beal 37 points – seven rebounds – six assists – one steal	Kyle Lowry 26 points – four rebounds – nine assists – one steal
Ish Smith 26 points – one rebound – two assists – one steal – one block	Serge Ibaka 23 points – 10 rebounds – three assists – one block
Isaiah Thomas 13 points – two rebounds – five assists – one steal	Fred VanVleet 18 points – nine rebounds – eight assists – one steal

NEXT GAMES
Wizards at Sixers – Saturday
Mavericks at Toronto – Sunday

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New York Knicks  114
Miami Heat  129

Seven Miami Heat players scoring in double digits outdoes a nice 30 point effort from Bobby Portis as the Knicks fall again.

NEW YORK	MIAMI
Bobby Portis 30 points – eight rebounds – two assists – three steals	Bam Adebayo 20 points – eight rebounds – three assists – one steal
Mitchell Robinson 18 points – four rebounds – one assist – one steal – one block	Goran Dragic 18 points – one rebound – eight assists
Marcus Morris 15 points – three rebounds – one assist – one steal	Duncan Robinson 18 points – three assists

NEXT GAMES
Bucks at Knicks – Saturday
Jazz at Heat – Monday

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Dallas Mavericks  117
Philadelphia 76ers  98

Kristaps Porzingis continues to improve without Luka Doncic in the lineup, and what a dangerous combo this will be come playoffs as the Dallas Mavericks take down the Philadelphia 76ers on the road.

DALLAS	PHILADELPHIA
Tim Hardaway, Jr. 27 points – four rebounds – one assist – one steal	Joel Embiid 33 points – 17 rebounds – two assists – one steal – one block
Kristaps Porzingis 22 points – 18 rebounds – one steal – three blocks	Ben Simmons 12 points – six rebounds – eight assists – three steals
Dorian Finney-Smith 11 points – six rebounds – four assists – two steals	#VFL Josh Richardson 10 points – six rebounds – four assists – two steals

NEXT GAMES
Wizards at Sixers – Saturday
Mavericks at Raptors – Sunday

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Phoenix Suns  108
Oklahoma City Thunder  126

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drops a career high 32 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder continue to defy the oddsmakers and hit the .500 mark for the season one third of the way through. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns continue to set … well below the .500 mark.

PHOENIX	OKLAHOMA CITY
Ricky Rubio 24 points – two rebounds – eight assists – one steal	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 32 points – four rebounds – three assists – one steal
Devin Booker 18 points – four rebounds – three assists – one steal	Dennis Schroder 24 points – nine rebounds – six assists
Dario Saric 17 points – six rebounds – four assists – one steal	Danilo Gallinari 22 points – six rebounds – one assist – one block

NEXT GAMES
Rockets at Suns – Saturday
Clippers at Thunder – Sunday

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Minnesota Timberwolves  100
Denver Nuggets  109

The Denver Nuggets continue their climb into the top of the Rocky Mountain high expectations of the Western Conference by silencing the Minnesota Timberwolves – sans Karl-Anthony Towns – on Friday night to prepare themselves to face the Los Angeles Lakers in L.A. on Sunday night.

MINNESOTA	DENVER
Andrew Wiggins 19 points – three rebounds – six assists – one steal – one block	Jamal Murray 28 points – six rebounds – five assists – three steals
Gorgui Dieng 18 points – six rebounds – one block	Nikola Jokic 22 points – 10 rebounds – 10 assists – two blocks
Jeff Teague 13 points – two rebounds – two assists – one steal – one block	Will Barton 13 points – four rebounds – two assists

NEXT GAMES
Timberwolves at Trailblazers – Saturday
Nuggets at Lakers – Sunday

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Orlando Magic  103
Portland Trailblazers  118

The Portland Trailblazers treated their fans to a 31-13 opening quarter to set the night on cruise control against the visiting Orlando Magic Friday night to easily cross the finish line.

ORLANDO	PORTLAND
Nikola Vucevic 23 points – 12 rebounds – one assist – six steals – two blocks	Damian Lillard 36 points – three rebounds – six assists – one steal
D.J. Augustin 17 points – one rebound – three assists	C.J. McCollum 31 points – eight rebounds – four assists – one steal
Evan Fournier 16 points – two rebounds – three assists – one steal	Kent Bazemore 11 points – four rebounds – one assist – one block

NEXT GAMES
Timberwolves at Trailblazers – Saturday
Bulls at Magic – Monday

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New Orleans Pelicans  102
Golden State Warriors  106

D’Angelo Russell lead the Golden State Warriors to their sixth win of the season on Friday night against a New Orleans Pelicans team that is aching to have Zion Williamson in the lineup, but smart enough to take their time with him.

NEW ORLEANS	GOLDEN STATE
Jrue Holiday 25 points – eight rebounds – four assists	D’Angelo Russell 25 points – three rebounds – seven assists – two steals
Brandon Ingram 25 points – three rebounds – six assists – one steal	Damion Lee 20 points – seven rebounds – one assist
Lonzo Ball 14 points – five rebounds – two assists – five steals	Alec Burks 18 points – eight rebounds – three assists – four steals

NEXT GAMES
Pelicans at Trailblazers – Monday
Timberwolves at Warriors – Monday

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SATURDAY’S GAMES

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Utah Jazz  114
Charlotte Hornets  107

Bojan Bogdanovic continues to prove to be the best off-season acquisition for the Utah Jazz as he and Donovan Mitchell lead the Jazz past the Charlotte Hornets on the road on Saturday night.

UTAH	CHARLOTTE
Bojan Bogdanovic 26 points – three rebounds – three assists	Terry Rozier 29 points – four rebounds – three assists – one steal – one block
Donovan Mitchell 20 points – four rebounds – nine assists – one steal – one block	Devonte’ Graham 22 points – three rebounds – four assists
Rudy Bobert 17 points – nine rebounds – one assist – one steal – three blocks	Cody Zeller 13 points – eight rebounds – one assist – two steals

NEXT GAMES
Jazz at Heat – Sunday
Hornets at Celtics – Sunday

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Atlanta Hawks  112
Brooklyn Nets  122

The Atlanta Hawks’ freefall continued Saturday night against a team that’s in a freefall of its own. One playing with its star and the other playing without its big name off season signee, but a star is being born in Spencer Dinwiddie. The Hawks are making the Golden State Warriors’ record look good.

ATLANTA	BROOKLYN
Trae Young 47 points – eight rebounds – six assists – one steal	Spencer Dinwiddie 39 points – six rebounds – six assists – one steal
Alex Len 23 points – 14 rebounds – two blocks	Garrett Temple 25 points – six rebounds – three assists – one steal – one block
De’Andre Hunter 14 points – five rebounds – two assists – one steal	Joe Harris 18 points – five rebounds – three assists – two steals – one block

NEXT GAMES
Hawks at Cavaliers – Monday
Knicks at Nets – Thursday

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Chicago Bulls  119
Detroit Pistons  107

The Chicago Bulls used a 66-48 second half to choke out the Detroit Pistons Saturday night.

CHICAGO	DETROIT
Zach LaVine 33 points – five rebounds – five assists – one steal	Markieff Morris 23 points – one rebound – six assists
Coby White 19 points – five rebounds – one assist	Andre Drummond 19 points – 14 rebounds – three assists – five steals – two blocks
Tomas Satoransky 16 points – eight rebounds – five assists – two steals	Luke Kennard 16 points – four rebounds – three assists

NEXT GAMES
Bulls at Magic – Monday
Sixers at Pistons – Monday

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Washington Wizards  108
Philadelphia 76ers  125

The Philadelphia 76ers stopped their three game losing streak with a resounding win over the Washington Wizards that features Washington’s Isaiah Thomas heading into the stands to confront heckling fans. (More details forthcoming on that situation).

WASHINGTON	PHILADELPHIA
Bradley Beal 36 points – eight rebounds – six assists – two steals	Joel Embiid 21 points – 13 rebounds – three assists – two blocks
Isaiah Thomas 20 points – three assists	#VFL Josh Richardson 21 points – two rebounds – three assists
Troy Brown 19 points – five rebounds	#VFL Tobias Harris 16 points – six rebounds – four assists – two steals

NEXT GAMES
Wizards at Knicks – Monday
Sixers at Pistons – Monday

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Milwaukee Bucks  123
New York Knicks  102

The Milwaukee Bucks continued their dominance of the NBA at the expense of the New York Knicks. How dominant? Even Thanasis Antetokuonmpo got in on the action – and was the highlight of the night.

MILWAUKEE	NEW YORK
Khris Middleton 23 points – six rebounds – five assists – three steals – one block	Julius Randle 20 points – eight rebounds – two assists
Giannis Antetokuonmpo 22 points – 11 rebounds – 10 assists – two steals	Kevin Knox 19 points – four rebounds – two steals – three blocks
Kyle Korver 17 points – one rebound – one assist – two steals	R.J. Barrett 17 points – five rebounds – three assists – one block

NEXT GAMES
Pacers at Bucks – Sunday
Wizards at Knicks – Monday

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Sacramento Kings  115
Memphis Grizzlies  119

Despite a 37-28 fourth quarter attempted comeback, the Sacramento Kings didn’t have enough ammunition to take down the Memphis Grizzlies Saturday night. Memphis had seven in double figures for the win.

SACRAMENTO	MEMPHIS
Harrison Barnes 25 points – four rebounds – five assists	Jaren Jackson, Jr. 18 points – five rebounds – two assists – three steals – four blocks
De’Aaron Fox 22 points – three rebounds – four assists – three steals	Jae Crowder 17 points – 10 rebounds – five assists
Richaun Holmes 18 points – 12 rebounds – two assists – one steal – one block	Dillon Brooks 16 points – six rebounds – three assists

NEXT GAMES
Rockets at Kings – Monday
Spurs at Grizzlies – Monday

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Los Angeles Clippers  134
San Antonio Spurs  109

It was DunkFest ‘19 in Kawhi Leonard’s return to San Antonio, as the Los Angeles Clippers dunked on the Spurs 20 times to take the easy 25 points win. Paul George shot 36.4 percent for 11 points. It was Leonard’s first win back in San Antonio.

LOS ANGELES	SAN ANTONIO
Kawhi Leonard 26 points – seven rebounds – nine assists – four steals	DeMar DeRozan 24 points – three rebounds – three assists
Lou Williams 20 points – four assists – two steals	Marco Belinelli 17 points – two rebounds – one steal
Ivica Zubac 15 points – five rebounds – two assists – one steal	LaMarcus Aldridge 12 points – four rebounds – two assists – one steal – one block

NEXT GAMES
Clippers at Thunder – Sunday
Spurs at Grizzlies – Monday

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Houston Rockets  139
Phoenix Suns  125

The Houston Rockets outscored the Phoenix Suns 103-90 in the final three quarters to break away into the next stratosphere and put themselves in third place in the Western Conference. James Harden and Russell Westbrook are looking like an abominable duo in the league after combining for 77 points, 10 rebounds, 17 assists, two steals and two blocks on Saturday night.

HOUSTON	PHOENIX
James Harden 47 points – six rebounds – seven assists – one block	Kelly Oubre, Jr. 26 points – five rebounds – four assists – one block
Russell Westbrook 30 points – four rebounds – 10 assists – two steals – one block	Devin Booker 19 points – six rebounds – nine assists
Clint Capela 14 points – 17 rebounds – three assists – one block	Elie Okobo 17 points – four rebounds – three assists – one steal

NEXT GAMES
Rockets at Kings – Monday
Nuggets at Suns – Monday

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Minnesota Timberwolves  106
Portland Trailblazers  113

If you’re Neil Olshey and you’re thinking of trading Hassan Whiteside, you’re not paying attention to the numbers the kid is putting up. Head case or not, I’ll take the 16 and 23 nights. Or the 16 points, 22 rebounds and seven blocks he had against Minnesota on Saturday night.

MINNESOTA	PORTLAND
Andrew Wiggins 33 points – six rebounds – one assist – three blocks	Damian Lillard 29 points – three rebounds – seven assists – one steal – one block
Jeff Teague 18 points – six rebounds – eight assists – one block	C.J. McCollum 26 points – two rebounds – three assists – three steals – one block
Shabazz Napier 18 points – four rebounds – four assists – three steals	Kent Bazemore 19 points – two rebounds – two assists – three steals – two blocks

NEXT GAMES
Timberwolves at Warriors – Monday
Pelicans at Trailblazers – Monday

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SUNDAY’S GAMES

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Indiana Pacers  89
Milwaukee Bucks  117

A 28 point win should be impressive enough, but the 34-16 insult to injury fourth quarter the Milwaukee Bucks had at home last night versus the Indiana Pacers demonstrates that hunting season has turned the hunted into the hunters. Milwaukee is on a mission. League best. Don’t @ me.

INDIANA	MILWAUKEE
Domantas Sabonis 19 points – 18 rebounds – five assists – two steals – two blocks	Wesley Matthews 19 points – one rebound – one assist – two steals – one block
Doug McDermott 15 points – three rebounds	Giannis Antetokuonmpo 18 points – 19 rebounds – nine assists – two steals – two blocks
Myles Turner 11 points – five rebounds – one assist – one steal – one block	George Hill 17 points – nine rebounds – four assists – one steal

NEXT GAMES
Raptors at Pacers – Monday
Bucks at Sixers – Christmas Day

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Los Angeles Clippers  112
Oklahoma City Thunder  118

A 32-23 fourth quarter by the Oklahoma City Thunder spoiled Paul George’s return to Oklahoma City. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – acquired in the summer’s move – matched his career best 32 (set two nights before against Phoenix) to show who got the best of that trade … at least last night. OKC is now a game above .500 and in seventh in the Western Conference.

LOS ANGELES	OKLAHOMA CITY
Lou Williams 22 points – three rebounds – seven assists	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 32 points – three rebounds – five assists – two steals
Montrezl Harrell 18 points – eight rebounds – one assist	Dennis Schroder 28 points – five rebounds – six assists – one steal
Paul George 18 points – two rebounds – three assists – two steals	Steven Adams 20 points – 17 rebounds – two assists – three steals

NEXT GAMES
Clippers at Lakers – Christmas Day
Grizzlies at Thunder – Thursday

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Denver Nuggets  128
Los Angeles Lakers  104

After a five point deficit in the first quarter, the Denver Nuggets spanked the Los Angeles Lakers, 105-76, over the final three quarters to gain ground on the first place Lakers in the Western Conference, while LeBron James sat (as I predicted last week). No load management, huh LeBron? It was Denver’s sixth consecutive win.

DENVER	LOS ANGELES
Paul Millsap 21 points – one rebound	Anthony Davis 32 points – 11 rebounds – one assist – four blocks
Gary Harris 19 points –  one rebound – five assists – four steals	Kyle Kuzma 16 points – four rebounds – one steal – two blocks
Nikola Jokic 18 points – six rebounds – five assists – one steal – one block	Dwight Howard Eight points – seven rebounds – one assist

NEXT GAMES
Nuggets at Suns – Tonight
Clippers at Lakers – Christmas Day

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Dallas Mavericks  107
Toronto Raptors  110

The Toronto Raptors scored 47 points in the fourth quarter to put away the Dallas Mavericks last night in Toronto. Dallas scored 21 in the final period. The 47 was a franchise record.

DALLAS	TORONTO
Jalen Brunson 21 points – four rebounds – nine assists – one steal	Kyle Lowry 32 points – eight rebounds – 10 assists
Kristaps Porzingis 19 points – 12 rebounds – one steal – two blocks	Chris Boucher 21 points – seven rebounds – two steals – four blocks
Dwight Powell 17 points – nine rebounds – three assists – one steal – one block	Rondae Hollis-Jefferson 18 points – nine rebounds – two assists – one steal

NEXT GAMES
Raptors at Pacers – Tonight
Spurs at Mavericks – Thursday

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Charlotte Hornets  93
Boston Celtics  119

The Boston Celtics got their 20th win of the season last night with a 26 point smokeout of the Charlotte Hornets. It was also Charlotte’s 20th loss of the season. Jayson Tatum scored a career high 39 points in the win.

CHARLOTTE	BOSTON
Devonte’ Graham 23 points – four rebounds – 10 assists	Jayson Tatum 39 points – 12 rebounds – two assists – one steal – three blocks
Bismack Biyombo 18 points – three rebounds – two assists – two blocks	Kemba Walker 23 points – one rebound – four assists
Miles Bridges 15 points – six rebounds – three assists – one steal – one block	Jaylen Brown 16 points – nine rebounds – five assists

NEXT GAMES
Celtics at Raptors – Christmas Day
Thunder at Hornets – Thursday

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Tracy Graven is a Senior NBA Analyst for BackSportsPage.com.
He has written the NBA, and done NBA radio, for the last two decades for HoopsWorld, Swish Magazine, and HoopsHype, the Coach Scott Fields Show and NBARadioShow.com, and is also tackling the NFL, NCAA, and will be pinch-hitting on some Major League Baseball coverage for BackSportsPage.
He’s spent 20 years in locker rooms in Orlando, Boise (G League), San Antonio, Phoenix, and Oklahoma City.
A corporate trainer by day, he currently resides in Tennessee.
Reach him on Twitter at @RealTMoneyMedia