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- 🏀 Why you should Fear the Deer
It’s Friday!!! If you’ve had a long week, this is the light at the end of your tunnel. It goes to show that through bad times, you’ll always find success in the end. You hear that Detroit Pistons fans? It’s gonna be okay 😅
Today’s Lineup
🦌 Fear the Deer
Giannis and company outmatched one of the East’s best.
💪 Beast of the East
Joel Embiid cannot be stopped. Plain and simple.
5️⃣ Top Five Friday
These five (or six) guys put their body on the line for their teams.
Last Night’s Action
Bucks beat Magic 118-114
Milwaukee fended off a late Magic run to secure the W behind 37 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo, which he scored in typical Giannis fashion. Orlando has lost a bit of their early-season magic (ba-dum-tss 🥁) as they dropped their fourth straight game, but things are hardly bleak; they’re still sitting pretty at 4th in the East!
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Depleted Jazz extend Pistons losing streak to 25
If there’s a Pistons fan in your life, give them a hug. Last night, Detroit was a 2.5 point favorite versus a Utah Jazz squad missing Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, and Keyonte George, but the Pistons still came up short, losing 119-111. Their 25-game losing streak is one shy of tying the all-time record, and this Jazz TikTok post stays trolling 😭
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Timberwolves fend off Lakers 118-111
Peak Enjoyment™️ is watching two good teams hoop, and we experienced just that yesterday. Anthony Edwards (27 points) and Co. ran a beautiful offense against the Lakers, and although Anthony Davis (31 points) played great against the stifling Wolves defense, Minnesota’s depth ultimately shined through in the W.☀️
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Wizards outlast Trail Blazers thanks to Kuzma’s shot-making
The Blazers and Wizards may not be the best teams in the league, but they gave us a heck of a game last night! Kyle Kuzma (32 points) drained some tough 4th quarter buckets and held off a late Portland rally in a chaotic final 4 minutes to secure the 118-117 W ✅
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Pelicans cruise past short-handed Cavs, 123-104
Last night was a prime example of why Trey Murphy III may be the most underrated player in the league. In his first start of the year, Murphy scored an efficient 28 points— including some deep-range triples and impressive off-the-bounce attacks— to lead the Pelicans to a smooth win over an extremely short-handed Cavs team.
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Grizzlies get win over Pacers 116-103
Memphis is officially 2-0 with Ja Morant back in the lineup! If only they weren’t 6-19 without him… anyway, Desmond Bane stole the show in this one by pouring in 31 points while the Grizzlies grinded down the fast-paced Pacers offense.
Wednesday Night Notes
Somehow, reigning MVP Joel Embiid looks even better this year. With a flurry of jabs, midranges and slams, The Process dropped 51 POINTS against the #1 defense in the league (which also has the DPOY favorite) as the Sixers beat the T-Wolves, 127-113. 💪
If you didn’t know the name Sam Merrill, now you do. The 60th pick in the 2020 draft sank a career-high 27 points on eight made threes off the bench in the Cavaliers 124-116 victory over Utah.🔥
On a nightly basis, Derrick White does everything a basketball nerd loves, but his 28-point performance Wednesday night was flat-out incredible for everyone. He rained in six threes, created good looks for his teammates, pestered opponents on D, and spurred the Celtics to a runaway 144-119 victory over the Kings in Jayson Tatum’s absence. Tell ‘em how it is, J.J. ⬇️
I may have understated Derrick White’s place in the “NBA Top 100”. I’m sorry that I only called him a “top 50” player.
— JJ Redick (@jj_redick)
4:08 AM • Dec 21, 2023
The Hawks flew past the Rockets 134-127 thanks to Trae Young’s 30 points and 14 assists—the dude is truly a one-man offense when he gets rolling. Shoutout to Jabari Smith Jr with a career-high 34 points… let’s give the kid some time before we judge him! 👏
The Clippers handled the Mavericks 120-111 as Kawhi Leonard was surgical down the stretch, including this nasty euro step. Before a loss Sunday, the Clips had rattled off nine straight Ws. 😅
🧠 Daily Trivia 🧠
Trae Young is the first player to post 30 points and 10 assists in 5 straight games since... |
Knicks Lose Robinson for Season🤕
Heartbreak in the Big Apple. It looks like Knicks big man Mitchell Robinson will be out for the season after undergoing ankle surgery last week. This really sucks— Mitch was having a career year, and the city of New York (especially Ben Stiller) was completely behind him.
The Knicks are applying for a $7.8 million Disabled Player Exception in the wake of Robinson’s injury, and Isaiah Hartenstein—one of the best backup bigs in basketball—will slot into the starting lineup in a contract year. Plus, never fear, Knicks fans! You still have the GOAT Taj Gibson on the roster!
Top Five Friday: Charges
Charges aren’t fun to take, but they’re the ultimate “unselfish play.” But in the NBA, where it’s adult millionaires running around instead of your JV squad, who still takes ‘em?
Isaiah Joe & Draymond Green (10): In addition to spraying four threes in 20 minutes, Joe will also draw a charge or two. And say what you will about Draymond, but he’s not afraid to get physical in the name of a win. 💀
Brandin Podziemski (11): Quickest path to playing time? Taking charges. Hats off to the Warriors rook for playing his way onto the court with hustle and skill. 👍
Mo Wagner (13): Let’s go, Mo! He’s the starting center for the #4 defense in the league. Though Wagner isn’t jumping out of the gym to meet high-flyers at the rim, he still helps get stops. 💪
Jalen Brunson (15): Villanova produces good pros—guys who pivot, pump fake, and make the right plays. Combine that with New York grit, and we’re not surprised to see Jalen here. 🫡
Tim Hardaway Jr (17): If you read Wednesday’s newsletter, this will come as no surprise… THJ tops the list! Hats off to Hardaway. 👏
Three In the Key
🤯 Is this the Dunk of the Year??
Chet Holmgren threw an alley-oop TO HIMSELF!
👀 Dorian Finney-Smith got UP there!
He put Isaiah Hartenstein on a poster.
💨 This dime threaded the needle…
A pass that would make Rajon Rondo proud.
What We’re Enjoying
🔱 Percy Jackson: Did you also read the Percy Jackson and the Olympians books as a kid? The movies kinda flopped, but a TV reboot just dropped out on Disney Plus and it’s pretty good! Here’s a trailer to gauge your interest ⬇️
Signing Off
We’re sneaking off early on Friday to start our weekend and we suggest you do the same 😉 Just kidding, these newsletters are already a long weekend, snow day, and winter break rolled up into one 😁 Take care, y’all!
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In your best Mike Breen impression, what did you think of today's newsletter? |
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