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Rundown v01.21.20 – Lakers, Pacers Go Down Huge, Lillard Drops 61, Three-Way Tie for Second Out West

Damian Lillard best his own franchise high of 60 with 61 against the Warriors, Jayson Tatum and the Celtics fly high against the Lakers, Chris Paul and the Thunder come back on the Rockets, Utah thumps Indiana, and the Pelicans swoop on the Grizzlies seven game win streak.

What a night for Damian Lillard and the wild, wild finish in the nightcap game of a 14 game slate on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday.

The day also saw a magnanimous comeback by the Oklahoma City Thunder, a 30 point butt whooping by the Utah Jazz, and an even bigger lashing by the Boston Celtics over the vaunted Los Angeles Lakers in a game that saw no Laker scoring more than 18 points … and that was JaVale McGee.

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Detroit Pistons  100
Washington Wizards  106

The Detroit Pistons had their sights set on winning three games in a row for the first time this season when they entered Capital One Arena yesterday afternoon. It didn’t happen. Instead, the Washington Wizards took the win to stop their own three game losing streak, fueled by a seven point margin in the second quarter and a four point advantage in the fourth. To add insult to injury, Andre Drummond lost a tooth and Markieff Morris broke a toenail in action.

PISTONS (16-28) 10th in the EastWIZARDS (14-28) 12th in the East
Derrick Rose
21 points – four rebounds – two assists – two steals
Bradley Beal
29 points – one rebound – six assists – one steal
Andre Drummond
18 points – 16 rebounds – three assists – four steals – two blocks
Ian Mahinmi
21 points – seven rebounds – one assist – two steals – three blocks
Tony Snell16 points – one reboundThomas Bryant
13 points – six rebounds – one assist – one block

NEXT GAMES
Kings at Pistons – Wednesday
Wizards at Heat – Wednesday

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Philadelphia 76ers  117
Brooklyn Nets  111

Tell me again how the Philadelphia 76ers are looking to trade Ben Simmons. Thirty four points to tie his career high, and a triple double that likely has both Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook with their jaws on the floor. It was Simmons’ fifth consecutive game with 20+ points, and his fourth triple double this season. In the face of competition like that, Kyrie Irving chose to sit this one out, complaining of a tight hamstring.

SIXERS (29-16) 6th in the EastNETS (18-24) 8th in the East
Ben Simmons
34 points – 12 rebounds – 12 assists – five steals – two blocks
Spencer Dinwiddie
22 points – five rebounds – seven assists – one steal
Al Horford
19 points – six rebounds – two assists – two blocks
Caris LeVert
16 points – six rebounds – six assists
#VFL Tobias Harris
15 points – six rebounds – one steal – one block
Nicolas Claxton
15 points – four rebounds – two assists

NEXT GAMES
Sixers at Raptors – Wednesday
Lakers at Nets – Thursday

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Toronto Raptors  122
Atlanta Hawks  117

You have to feel bad for Trae Young, who is putting together some beautiful performances in scoring and assists, all for naught. Same for the recent emergence of rookie Cam Reddish, which is just polishing for his sophomore season in 2020-21. On the other side of the coin, this is the third game of the last four that Norman Powell has stepped up and led the Toronto Raptors, experience that could be quite a benefit come playoffs, when the Raptors will seek to defend their championship. 

RAPTORS (29-14) 3rd in the EastHAWKS (10-34) 15th in the East
Norman Powell
27 points – one rebound – one assist – two steals
Trae Young
42 points – six rebounds – 15 assists – one steal
Fred VanVleet
20 points – four rebounds – two assists – three steals
John Collins
17 points – 11 rebounds – three blocks
Pascal Siakam
18 points – six rebounds – one assist – one steal – one block
Cam Reddish
13 points – eight rebounds – one assist – two steals

NEXT GAMES
Sixers at Raptors – Wednesday
Clippers at Hawks – Wednesday

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New York Knicks  106
Cleveland Cavaliers  86

The New York Knicks saw the opportunity to move up in the Eastern Conference standings past the Cleveland Cavaliers, and turned up the gas in the second half to outscore Cleveland, 57-36, to push themselves into a tie at 12-32, but a place above the Cavaliers. Julius Randle and Marcus Morris each notched 19 points while Collin Sexton only had 17 for Cleveland, and Tristan Thompson had a nice game go for naught. 

KNICKS (12-32) 13th in the EastCAVALIERS (12-32) 14th in the East
Julius Randle
19 points – nine rebounds – one assist – one steal
Collin Sexton
17 points – five rebounds – four assists – one steal – one block
Marcus Morris
19 points – three rebounds – one steal
Cedi Osman
14 points – three assists
Bobby Portis
12 points – five rebounds – four assists
Tristan Thompson
13 points – 22 rebounds – one assist – one steal – one block

NEXT GAMES
Lakers at Knicks – Wednesday
Wizards at Cavaliers – Thursday

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Oklahoma City Thunder  112
Houston Rockets  107

For the second time this month, in this calendar year, the Oklahoma City Thunder have defeated the Houston Rockets, who have fallen out of orbit with their fourth consecutive loss, three of them at the Toyota Center, including last night’s. The Thunder used a 41-20 fourth quarter to ground the Rockets, who have to start looking in the mirror to answer questions. Another impressive Russell Westbrook triple double was wasted in the loss. The Rockets’ only win against Oklahoma City this season was back on October 28th, when they beat OKC at the Toyota Center, 116-112. Westbrook joins LeBron James as the only two players in the NBA with triple doubles against every team in the league.

THUNDER (25-19) 7th in the WestROCKETS (26-16) 6th in the West
Chris Paul
28 points – seven rebounds – three assists – three steals – one block
Russell Westbrook
32 points – 11 rebounds – 12 assists – two steals
Danilo Gallinari
25 points – 13 rebounds – one steal
James Harden
29 points – nine rebounds – six assists – one steal – one block
Dennis Schroder
23 points – five rebounds – four assists
Danuel House, Jr.
13 points – six rebounds – one assist – two steals – three blocks

NEXT GAMES
Thunder at Magic – Wednesday
Nuggets at Rockets – Wednesday

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Sacramento Kings  113
Miami Heat  118 (OT)

Make that three of the last four games that Kendrick Nunn has led the Miami Heat in scoring. All three have been wins, as the Heat bounced back from a loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night. Bam Adebayo, who led the Heat in scoring and rebounding in the loss to the Spurs, finished with 16, 11, five, one and one last night against Sacramento, including the first four points of the 13-8 overtime period.. The Heat are an NBA best 19-1 at home.

KINGS (15-27) 14th in the WestHEAT (29-13) 2nd in the East
Nemanja Bjelica
22 point – six rebounds – three assists – one steal
Kendrick Nunn
25 points – seven rebounds – six assists
Buddy Hield
20 points – seven rebounds – seven assists – three steals – two blocks
James Johnson
22 points – six rebounds – three assists – one block
Marvin Bagley III
15 points – 15 rebounds – two assists – one steal
Goran Dragic
18 points – two rebounds – four assists – one steal

NEXT GAMES
Kings at Pistons – Wednesday
Wizards at Heat – Wednesday

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Chicago Bulls  98
Milwaukee Bucks  111

When the Milwaukee Bucks are shooting 57 percent on their home hardwood, they’re going to be very tough to beat. Such was the case last night when the Chicago Bulls visited FiServ Forum. Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokuonmpo led all scorers with an impressive triple double, and Khris Middleton continues to do his part to make him and Antetokuonmpo one of the best 1-2 punches in the NBA. Kyle Korver added 12 points on five for five shooting, including two for two from downtown.

BULLS (16-29) 10th in the EastBUCKS (39-6) 1st in the East, NBA
Zach LaVine
24 points – five rebounds – one assist – three steals
Giannis Antetokuonmpo
28 points – 14 rebounds – 10 assists – one steal – one block
Kris Dunn
15 points – five rebounds – two assists – three steals
Khris Middleton
24 points – six rebounds – six assists
Thaddeus Young
14 points – six rebounds – three assists – two steals – two blocks
Wesley Matthews
13 points – two rebounds – two assists – one steal

NEXT GAMES
Timberwolves at Bulls – Wednesday
Bucks at Hornets – Friday

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New Orleans Pelicans  126
Memphis Grizzlies  116

The seven game win streak has come to an end for the Memphis Grizzlies. Out of the last eight teams they played – Clippers, Suns, Timberwolves, Spurs, Warriors, Rockets, Cavaliers, and Pelicans – you would have expected maybe Los Angeles, Houston or San Antonio to have dropped the Grizz. It wasn’t like Dillon Brooks didn’t gave his best effort – a 31 point performance went to the wayside in favor of Jrue Holiday and Brandon Ingram’s leadership for the Pelicans. Zion Williamson will be making his NBA debut the next time the Pelicans hit the floor, Wednesday night against the Spurs at the Smoothie King Center.

PELICANS (17-27) 12th in the NBAGRIZZLIES (20-23) 8th in the West
Jrue Holiday
36 points – six rebounds – one assist – two steals – one block
Dillon Brooks
31 points – nine rebounds – four assists – two steals
Brandon Ingram
25 points – four rebounds – six assists – two blocks
Jaren Jackson, Jr.
19 points – six rebounds – one assist – two blocks
Nicolo Melli
15 points – five rebounds – three assists – two blocks
Ja Morant
16 points – three rebounds – nine assists – one steal

NEXT GAMES
Grizzlies at Celtics – Wednesday
Spurs at Pelicans – Wednesday

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Orlando Magic  106
Charlotte Hornets  83

The Orlando Magic used big surges in the second (32-18) and fourth (34-18) quarters to hang a 23 point loss on the Charlotte Hornets, who have spent the first half of the season buzzing up and around the eighth seed of the Eastern Conference, being swatted away repeatedly. The Hornets are four full games back of the Brooklyn Nets, the East’s current eighth seed. The Magic need more games like this if they are ever to get above .500 and make a move in the East.

MAGIC (21-23) 7th in the EastHORNETS (15-30) 12th in the East
Evan Fournier
26 points – two rebounds – four assists – one steal – one block
Malik Monk
20 points – one rebound – two assists – one block
Nikola Vucevic
24 points – 10 rebounds – four assists – one steal
P.J. Washington
19 points – seven rebounds – one assist
Terrence Ross
19 points – two rebounds – one assist – two steals
Devonte’ Graham
15 points – two rebounds – six assists

NEXT GAMES
Thunder at Magic – Wednesday
Bucks at Hornets – Friday

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Los Angeles Lakers  107
Boston Celtics  139

I’m not sure anyone was expecting the butt whipping the Los Angeles Lakers got last night in Boston. After all, the Celtics were coming off a quizzical three game losing streak to teams like Detroit, Milwaukee, and Phoenix. But when you have a trio like Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown that averages over 20 points per game working to answer the question marks that come about with not one, but two three game losing streaks in the last two weeks, you have to be happy that the Celtics have self accountability like that and respond to the challenge of a team like L.A. Problem is, L.A. didn’t respond to the same type of challenge. After ripping off an 8-0 start, L.A. never scored more than 30 in any given quarter last night. Boston scored 33, 36, 35, and 35 to take the 32 point win. Kemba Walker was 0-28 versus LeBron James before last night’s win. Goose egg is gone. Note: I feel sorry for the New York Knicks, L.A.’s next opponent.

LAKERS (34-9) 1st in the WestCELTICS (28-14) 4th in the East
JaVale McGee
18 points – five rebounds – three blocks
Jayson Tatum
27 points – five rebounds – three assists – one steal
LeBron James
15 points – seven rebounds – 13 assists
Kemba Walker
20 points – four rebounds – seven assists – one steal
Kyle Kuzma
13 points – three rebounds – one steal
Jaylen Brown
20 points – four rebounds – six assists – three steals

NEXT GAMES
Grizzlies at Celtics – Wednesday
Lakers at Knicks – Wednesday

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Denver Nuggets  107
Minnesota Timberwolves  100

The Minnesota Timberwolves nipped at the heels of the Denver Nuggets for most of the game last night, to a statistical dead heat for all intents and purposes. But the Nuggets found a way to pull away when it counted, outscoring the Timberwolves 26-21 to keep themselves in second place in the Western Conference, four games behind the Los Angeles Lakers, and in a three way tie with the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers, all at 30-13. The Clippers play tonight, and have a chance to impact Denver and Utah with a win.

NUGGETS (30-13) 2nd in the WestTIMBERWOLVES (15-28) 13th in the West
Michael Porter, Jr.
20 points – 14 rebounds – four assists – one block
Karl-Anthony Towns
28 points – eight rebounds – five assists – one steal – one block
Jerami Grant
19 points – seven rebounds – two assists – one steal
Josh Okogie
16 points – eight rebounds – one assist – one steal
Will Barton
18 points – two rebounds – four assists – two steals
Andrew Wiggins
15 points – six rebounds – two assists – one block

NEXT GAMES
Timberwolves at Bulls – Wednesday
Nuggets at Rockets – Wednesday

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San Antonio Spurs  120
Phoenix Suns  118

The San Antonio Spurs put the wood to the Phoenix Suns early on, outscoring their hosts, 66-51 in the first half last night in Phoenix. The Suns turned on the heat in the second half, outscoring San Antonio 67-54 in the second half, but came up short when it counted at the end of regulation. Bryn Forbes made seven three pointers in the first half, but capped a San Antonio comeback from 20 down to hit a huge eighth three pointer in the waning moments of the game and the Spurs never trailed again, sneaking out of town with their 19th win of the season.

SPURS (19-23) 9th in the WestSUNS (18-25) 11th in the West
Derrick White
25 points – three rebounds – seven assists
Devin Booker
37 points – seven rebounds – five assists
Bryn Forbes
24 points – one rebound – two assists
Deandre Ayton
25 points – 12 rebounds – two assists – one steal – one block
LaMarcus Aldridge
19 points – three rebounds – two assists – two steals – three blocks
Kelly Oubre, Jr.
15 points – eight rebounds – one assist – one block

NEXT GAMES
Pacers at Suns – Wednesday
Spurs at Pelicans – Wednesday

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Indiana Pacers  88
Utah Jazz  118

Sometimes it takes a 30 point humbling like the Indiana Pacers got last night in Salt Lake City to provide a springboard to a superb second half of the season. Fans of the Indiana Pacers can only hope that’s the result of a game in which it looked like the Pacers only played one half of basketball. The Jazz outscored Indiana 62-44 in the second half to pull away from a Pacers team that only mustered 44 points in the first half, to Utah’s 54. No one on the Pacers’ roster scored more than 12 points, while Donovan Mitchell had 25, Rudy Gobert had 20, Bojan Bogdanovic finished with 16, Georges Niang had 15, and Mike Conley added 14. The Pacers are looking for a late January-early February target date for Victor Oldaipo’s return. He has been sidelined for 11 months now.

PACERS (28-16) 6th in the EastJAZZ (30-13) 3rd in the West
Myles Turner
12 points – five rebounds – six steals
Donovan Mitchell
25 points – two rebounds – three assists – two steals – one block
Aaron Holiday
12 points – one assist
Rudy Gobert
20 points – 14 rebounds – two assists – one block
Jeremy Lamb
11 points – four rebounds – one assist – two steals – one block
Bojan Bogdanovic
16 points – four assists

NEXT GAMES
Pacers at Suns – Wednesday
Jazz at Warriors – Wednesday

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Golden State Warriors  124
Portland Trailblazers  129 (OT)

It’s a shame that the Portland Trailblazers had to go to overtime to down the league worst Golden State Warriors; but it’s a blessing that Blazer fans were treated to a franchise high performance from Damian Lillard to lead them to that win last night in the nightcap of a busy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day slate of games. Lillard dropped 61 points on the Warriors to lead the Blazers to their 19th win of the season, through 43 games. He had dropped 60 earlier this season against the Brooklyn Nets. Hassan Whiteside kept the Blazers’ flow going with 21 rebounds, 15 of those on the defensive side, and also had six blocked shots. C.J. McCollum (sprained left ankle) did not play, and Carmelo Anthony shot 50 percent en route to 14 points and nine rebounds for Portland.

WARRIORS (10-35) 15th in the WestTRAILBLAZERS (19-26) 10th in the West
Alec Burks
33 points – seven rebounds – eight assists – one steal – two blocks
Damian Lillard
61 points – 10 rebounds – seven assists – one steal
D’Angelo Russell
27 points – eight rebounds – nine assists
Hassan Whiteside
17 points – 21 rebounds – two assists – six blocks
Eric Paschall
22 points – 13 rebounds – two assists – one steal
Anfernee Simons
15 points – two rebounds – three assists – two blocks

NEXT GAMES
Jazz at Warriors – Wednesday
Mavericks at Blazers – Thursday

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TUESDAY’S LINEUP
(All Times Eastern)

8:30 p.m.   Los Angeles Clippers at Dallas Mavericks   NBATV

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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 

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