🏀 This Superstar Just Made History

Has everyone gotten their eyes checked after Friday’s In-Season Tournament games? Good, because we have a bunch of stuff to discuss. Here we go!

Today’s Lineup

In-Season Tourney Action: The stars were bright…and so were the courts.

History For JT: Boston’s superstar became only the 10th player ever to do this.

EB Roundtable: You tell us who’s been exceeding expectations a few weeks in.

Sunday’s Action

KD goes crazy in second half as Suns beat Pistons 120-106

Containing Kevin Durant for a half is hard enough, so Detroit (2-5) shouldn’t hang their heads. But after a slow (for him) first half, Durant went nuclear in the second, scoring 24 after the break on 8/11 shooting to help Phoenix (3-4) get back on track. Rookies Ausar Thompson (14/9/4/4/4) and Marcus Sasser (22 PTS, 4/6 3PT) hooped for Detroit.

OG comes up clutch, Raptors get hot in second half to beat Spurs 123-116

Toronto was down 22. Then they weren’t—thanks in large part to Scottie Barnes (30/11/6/3/3). A chaotic scramble led to an OG Anunoby game-tying shot, and Toronto (3-4) held off San Antonio (3-3) in OT. Wemby did Wemby things and Keldon Johnson scored 26, but it wasn’t quite enough.

Mitchell, Cavs hold off Warriors behind 31 from Mitchell

You don’t often see Steph Curry go 7/11 from deep, Draymond Green score 18 points, and the Warriors (5-2) grab 17 offensive rebounds in one game…but still lose. Unfortunately, all of that wasn’t enough to pull out a win against the Cavs (3-4) on Sunday, in part because of Donovan Mitchell’s 31 points, and in part because Cleveland’s defense held GS to 36.2% from the field.

Mavericks beat Hornets 124-118, survive LaMelo’s monster quarter

This game came down to a battle of superstars; LaMelo Ball for Charlotte (2-4) and Grant Williams for Dallas (5-1). The former shook off a rough three offensive quarters by exploding in the fourth and finishing with a 30-point triple-double. The latter hit three massive threes down the stretch, finishing with 18 PTS on 7-9 shooting.

Grizzlies decide to stop letting Blazers score, win 112-100

Memphis…exhale. The Grizzlies (1-6) are winless no longer, thanks to a stellar defensive performance down the stretch in which Portland (3-4) went scoreless for the last 5:11 of the game. We know Memphis has two DPOYs on the team but…that’s a different level of lockdown. Desmond Bane dropped 30 in the W. Memphis is 1-0 when Bismack Biyombo starts. Portland did get this dunk from Friend Of The Program Skylar Mays, though, so…everybody wins.

Saturday’s Slate

• People keep asking, Naz Reid? We keep trying to tell them: Naz Reid. T’Wolves (3-2) dominated Utah (2-5).

• After a slow start, Houston (2-3) is looking more like the competitive team we thought they’d be. Dillon Brooks scored 29 as Houston beat Sacramento (2-3)…and blew the Kings a kiss. Sure.

• Boston is now 6-0 (the last undefeated NBA team) and dominated Brooklyn on Saturday night. And Jayson Tatum scored his 10,000th career point, becoming just the 10th player in NBA history to do so before turning 26—and the youngest Celtic ever. Good player. Good basketball team.

Friday Notes: In-Season Tourney, Commence

So, is everybody on board yet? Because we are. Bright courts, huge performances, and regular season games having a real feeling of importance. We’re moved. Here’s what went down:

• Shaedon Sharpe is looking awfully similar to an NBA star through two weeks…he’s scored 20+ in four of Portland’s (3-4) seven games.

• CHECK PORTLAND RECORD/STAT AFTER GAME

• Nikola Jokic: very good. Denver Nuggets: 5-1. 

• Steph Curry hit a game-winner…then he didn’t…then he officially did.

EB Roundtable

Basketball is back. That means EB Roundtable is back, too! Oh, yeah. Let’s see how you’re all feeling about your squads a few weeks in.

This week, we wanted to know about which players have exceeded your expectations thus far. And you delivered. Because that’s what you do.

The Jalen Johnson leap is happening right before our eyes. The stage was set for a JJ coming out party this season, and so far, he’s partying hard. 14.5 PTS, 8.3 REB, 2.3 AST, 40% from deep, 86% at the rim, and add in 1.7 stocks per game, too. Atlanta might have something special.

Yeah, so, Scottie Barnes is really, really good. His AST rate is up to a career-best 28.3%, he’s shooting better than he ever has from 3PT, and is finally turning his massive talent level into massive on-court production. Toronto is Scottie’s team now.

Frozen Moments

• Paolo Banchero with the nasty cross on Bron and the finish over AD…have mercy!

• Defensive stopper, LaMelo Ball? With the game on the line, he was.

• Zion Williamson: still very bouncy.

What We’re Enjoying

Reclaimed: The Forgotten Leagues: Hosted by Vanessa Ivy Rose, granddaughter of Negro League legend Turkey Stearnes, Reclaimed will quickly become your new favorite sports history podcast. The research involved is monumentally impressive, the music is great, and Rose is a wonderful storyteller. Go learn about some underappreciated baseball legends.

Signing Off

Off we go! Thanks, as always, for riding with us. It’s getting cold out there, so make sure you moisturize this winter. Try to meditate every once in a while, too. We could all benefit from collecting our thoughts more often. Talk soon!

-Quinn Everts

Trivia Answer: Though he scored over 26,000 career points, Kevin Garnett (surprisingly) wasn’t one of the 10 youngest players to hit 10K.

Before you go…