Celtics Get Their Finals Revenge

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How we doing today, Enjoyers? It might be cold outside (or not for all our Southern Hemisphere legends), but at least we have some quality hoops to warm the soul. And make sure to stick around for a history lesson on some of the nastiest posters the NBA has ever seen. Let’s dive in. 👇

Newsletter Preview

A Finals Rematch 🏆 Boston vs Golden State lives up to the hype with OT thriller

Hooping Abroad 🌍 The Bulls and Pistons squared off in Paris

On His Head 🗣️🏀 Discussing three of the greatest posters in NBA history

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Yesterday's Games

Bulls Blow by Pistons 126-108 in Battle of Paris

With Victor Wembanyama (along with a few F1 legends) sitting courtside, the Bulls (21-24) decided to show him just why the Pistons (12-36) need the #1 pick so bad. DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine chipped in with a combined 56 to lead the way for Chi-Town. And don’t forget about Derrick Jones Jr.! The former dunk contest champ was feeling bouncy after getting engaged to his longtime girlfriend earlier this week, finishing with 12 points, two blocks, and a few emphatic jams.

Detroit had a great team performance on the offensive boards, notably from Isaiah Stewart, but struggled to get much going scoring-wise. And you really gotta feel for Killian Hayes. Outside of a few nice dimes, the young Frenchman struggled to get anything going in front of his home fans, finishing 2-13 from the field.

Box Score

Celtics Grind Out OT Victory over Warriors 121-118

Despite poor shooting nights from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics (34-12) managed to win this one by getting the little things right and hitting shots when it counts. Boston grabbed 10 more offensive boards than Golden State, got back-to-back clutch threes in OT from Tatum and Al Horford, and, most importantly, they kept the splash trio in check outside of one ridiculous Steph Curry buzzer-beater.

Curry, Klay Thompson, and Jordan Poole combined to score 77 points for the Warriors (22-23), but it took them a whopping 66 shots to get there, thanks to a stingy Boston defense.

Box Score

Timberwolves Come Back in the 4th to Beat Raptors 128-126

A dynamic fourth quarter from D’Angelo Russell brought the Timberwolves (23-24) back into this one. Down 12 with eight minutes left, D-Lo scored or assisted on 20 of Minnesota's 27 points down the stretch, including a pair of savvy free throws in the closing second. And shouts out to Slo Mo! Kyle Anderson has his fingerprints on all phases of the game, including a game-sealing effort play to ice it.

But let’s not let the L for the Raptors (20-26) detract from the massive turnaround Scottie Barnes has had lately. The star sophomore set a new season high with 29 to continue what has been a scorching hot streak.

Box Score

Strong Start Enough from the Sixers to Hold Off Blazers 115-105

The Sixers (29-16) had a monster first half, and that's what ended up getting them the win in this one. Tyrese Maxey chipped in with 15, James Harden dished out 14 assists, but it was Joel Embiid who brought the W home with 32 and 12, including perhaps the most ridiculous clutch shot we’ve seen all year.

For the Blazers (21-24) it was an ugly start, but you should take a bit of solace in knowing that it would have been a neck-and-neck game on even an average shooting night from Damian Lillard. Quick moment of appreciation to Nassir Little, who had his best game since returning from a hip injury with an efficient 10 points.

Box Score

Suns Get Much-Needed 117-112 Win Over the Nets

The Suns (22-24) have had their fair share of struggles with Devin Booker out of the lineup, but you certainly couldn't tell from last night. Whether it was Mikal Bridges running the offense with 28 and 9, Deandre Ayton filling the stat sheet with a 24-14-4, or Cam Johnson and Saben Lee pouring in a combined 34 off the bench, Phoenix got strong performances up and down the roster.

They also did a great job working against Kyrie Irving … for three quarters. Irving dropped 21 points in the fourth to nearly lead the Nets (27-17) all the way back from down 24.

Box Score

Wednesday Night Notes

On a packed night of Wednesday hoops, Lauri Markkanen continued his most-improved form by pouring in 34 during a win over the Clippers, two of which came by stuffing the rock down Ivica Zubac’s throat. The Thunder keep rolling thanks to some great team basketball, getting a 20-point W over the Pacers to get within a game of .500. And red alert 🚨, the Kings are officially the third seed out West after taking down the Lakers. They even got a few “Light the Beam” chants in Stapl— *sigh* Crypto.com Arena.

Elsewhere, John Collins and Trae Young iced the Mavericks with this great one-two combo to get the huge W in Dallas. Nikola Jokic had another average day at the office, notching a 30-point triple-double to send the Nuggets to their eighth straight win, this time over Minnesota. And a late Steven Adams tip-in got the Grizzlies their franchise-record-tying 11th straight win.

Latest Basketball News

Wizards Start Trade Talks Centered on Hachimura

As deadline season nears, we’re starting to get a clearer picture of who might be on the move this February. This week, the new name seems to be Rui Hachimura, who the Wizards are actively shopping in an effort to clear out more playing time for other forwards on the squad. Hachimura is a talented scorer who has flashed starter-level potential over large stretches of his time in Washington but just hasn’t quite been able to put everything together.

Let us know: would you want your team to trade for the young Japanese hooper? And if you’re feeling adventurous, embrace your inner GM and write in a trade for us!

Top Three Friday

Three Classic Poster Dunks

With young hoopers like Zion, Ja, and Anthony Edwards abusing rims on the daily, we’re truly living in the golden age of the poster. But as much as we like to Enjoy™ the high-flying antics of today's players, it's important to remember the classics as well. On today’s Top Three Friday, we’re breaking down some of the most iconic poster dunks in NBA history. Let's get into it.

D-Wade Ends Anderson Varejão’s Life

Like an onion, a great poster dunk has plenty of layers. We can spend all day talking about the dunk, a one-handed nuclear bomb from Dwyane Wade on the head of Anderson Varejão, which sends him flying into the basket support, but the context around it makes it even sweeter. This was Wade's first matchup against LeBron James after being arguably snubbed of the 08-09 MVP award, and you can tell he put all his frustration over it into this one all-time jam. Add in the fact that James ended up joining him in Miami less than a year later, and you have the recipe for a dunk that holds a special place in NBA lore.

Pippen Jams on Ewing

Scottie Pippen isn’t the only famous Bull to send Patrick Ewing to the shadow realm, but his dunk certainly meant more in the context of his career. After Michael Jordan's early retirement following the 92-93 season, many saw the Bulls as a relative afterthought in the Eastern Conference.

But Pippen had other ideas. His near MVP-level season in 93-94 powered the Bulls to 55 wins and a second-round appearance against the loaded 90s Knicks. In Game Six, Scottie threw down one of the most ferocious dunks ever seen on hardwood, rising up over Ewing on the fast break to bring the house down. And you gotta give him bonus points for stepping over Ewing on the ground and talking trash to Spike Lee sitting courtside.

Shawn Kemp Disrespects Alton Lister

If you still haven’t done so, do yourself a favor and watch some highlights of prime Shawn Kemp. A chiseled power forward who was unstoppable around the rim, Reign Man teamed up with Gary Payton in Seattle to lead some of the most iconic squads in Supersonic history. During their coming out party, the 91-92 season, Kemp would deliver the most iconic play of his career.

In Game Four of Seattle's first-round series versus the favored Golden State Warriors, he dominated to the tune of 21 points, 20 rebounds, four blocks, and perhaps the most disrespectful dunk in the history of basketball. Given a massive runway to the rim after breaking the Warriors' press, Kemp cradles the ball beautifully, dunks all over Alton Lister, and follows it up with the heinous double finger point. If you claim you haven’t tried to recreate this one on a mini hoop, we know you’re lying.

Good Reads

Anthony Edwards, and the Great Unknown of What Kind of Star He Will Become - Mike O’Hagan (Canis Hoopus)

Post Play Is a Lost Art in the NBA. What Happens to Those Who Still Believe in It? - Chris Ballard (Sports Illustrated)

What We're Enjoying

Playoff Football: Bengals, Bills, Chiefs, Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Jaguars, and Niners fans, get in here! Whether it was a 27-point comeback in Duuuuvvvalll or a 99-yard fumble return house call in Cincy, we just had an electric week one of the NFL playoffs. With the divisional round this weekend, the stakes are only going to be higher.

Signing Off

Thanks for reading, everyone! To give you a bit of extra motivation this weekend, here’s a quote from the NBA’s resident sage Damian Lillard.

“If you want to look good in front of thousands, you have to out work thousands in front of nobody.”

Until next time,

-Spencer Poole

Trivia Answer: Anyone who guessed Lou Williams you were ... incorrect! Even though he hasn't played in half a decade, Monta Ellis actually has the most 30-point games of anyone from the 2005 draft class.

Trivia Question: Ray Allen lapped the field when it came to hitting three-pointers in the 00s, but tell us: who hit the second most that decade?