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Everything you need to know about Wednesday’s games around the NBA.
The Way of Westbrook
Sure, offensive synergy is nice, and yes, ball movement is efficient. But sometimes, you just want to kick back and indulge in some one-man hero ball. It’s like that guilty-pleasure chocolate bar or TV show you try to avoid and just can’t, but hey, it’s the holidays, you can treat yourself to some patented Russell Westbrook basketball.
Against the Raptors Wednesday night, Russ did all of the things that make him, well, Russ.
He was a lightning bolt in the fastbreak:
Defense to offense on @NBATV for the streaking @okcthunder! pic.twitter.com/OihtiIExLz
— NBA (@NBA) December 28, 2017
He dunked with vigor:
Russ throws down the put-back dunk!pic.twitter.com/J5wWdF3bY3
— MyNBAUpdate (@MyNBAUpdate) December 28, 2017
He stubbornly held onto the ball and made a scene when Jonas Valanciunas tried to take it away (they were both given double technicals):
"On the court, I don’t have no friends. Only friend I have is a basketball."
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 28, 2017
—Russell Westbrook pic.twitter.com/W7aIPtfYQC
And he took a team-high 22 shots on his way to 30 points, 13 assists, and eight rebounds. The Thunder trounced the Raptors 124-107, and OKC has now won six in a row.
Jimmy’s Buckets Don’t Stop in Regulation
It almost looked like the Wolves would finally be able to get some rest. After all, they were up 19 on the Nuggets in the third quarter. Almost. Denver rallied back and tied the game in regulation, sending it to overtime where a Minnesota team sans Karl-Anthony Towns (who fouled out) had to call on Jimmy Butler to take over.
And of course, he did.
Jimmy Butler hits a tough shot to give the Wolves the lead with a minute left to go in OT! - FSN pic.twitter.com/x7qhP1FFA7
— The Render (@TheRenderNBA) December 28, 2017
Butler scored 11 points in overtime, and assisted the only other made shot in the period. The Wolves survived, 128-125, and Butler got to talk the talk:
.@JimmyButler tells the Nuggets "He can't f*** with me" (full sequence because your favorite can't) pic.twitter.com/7bvKGktT0a
— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) December 28, 2017
Future Ball Boy
You know the kiss cam. You’ve seen (and winced) at arena proposals. You’ve gawked at half-court shots from fans. But this is a level of entertainment you (and the Pacers’ Damien Wilkins) were not ready for.
Pacers' Damien Wilkins finds out he's having a boy during tonight's game pic.twitter.com/LgAgaD7i7E
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 28, 2017
The Pacers lost 98-94 to the Mavs, but Wilkins won. Mazel tov, Damien.
The Old King Beat the King
The Cavaliers ran into some West Coast trouble Wednesday when they traveled to Sacramento to face the Kings, whose old (and young) heads were ready to put up a fight. The clock was Vince Carter’s to turn and he wound it up to the level of his opposition, going for 24 points in 29 minutes in the Kings’ 109-95 victory. Carter, who I must remind you is 40 years old, was willfully ignorant of his limitations on this particular night; he was simply going for it, pulling up both from deep ...
VINSANITY pic.twitter.com/Uu7gNI7B7R
— Yahoo Sports NBA (@YahooSportsNBA) December 28, 2017
… and stepping back for fadeaway jumpers like it was his heyday.
Half-man, forever amazing pic.twitter.com/hDnBP3I3xj
— Yahoo Sports NBA (@YahooSportsNBA) December 28, 2017
Carter’s performance—which was brought to you by the Fountain of Youth #sponcon—allowed him to join elite company, becoming the second-oldest player in NBA history to have a 20-point game. Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did it at an older age.
The rest of the Kings’ bench scored a total of 68 points to ensure the upset victory, including 17 from Willie Cauley-Stein and 16 from Bogdan Bogdanovic, who wears the no. 8 jersey, thus making it easy for Kings Twitter to aptly nickname him “BB-8.”
Teenage Dream
In the Celtics’ 102-91 win over the Hornets Wednesday night, Jayson Tatum wasn’t the leading scorer, or even the next-top scorer on his own team. But what he exhibited in terms of output and highlight material was enough to make him the most notable figure from this contest.
Tatum is a baller. #NBARooks pic.twitter.com/NKXjNV2gV8
— NBA (@NBA) December 28, 2017
Tatum began the game by scoring eight in the first quarter. He finished by closing out the close game for the Celtics with 10 points in the fourth, while tacking on five rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. The rookie’s offensive game is as polished as porcelain, and his footwork looks like a that of a 10-year veteran. Oh, and he can do this too:
ROZIER ⬆️ TATUM ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/I1NJ6t3m4N
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 28, 2017
Any conversation about Tatum’s early rise has to begin with the fact that he is still 19 years old. Nineteen. At that age, I was barely dragging myself to my 8 A.M. poli-sci class. Tatum is out here demanding more playing time and shots only a handful of games into his NBA career.
James Harden Plans to Join the Meek Mill Movement
James Harden visited Meek Mill in jail and plans to wear "Free Meek" shoes against the Celtics
— Yahoo Sports NBA (@YahooSportsNBA) December 27, 2017
( : @kickstradomis)https://t.co/vKuz0fDlRs pic.twitter.com/vfwSMAA4Sk
Kevin Durant: Shot Blocker
Durant for DPOY? pic.twitter.com/gIZGP1PuOM
— KNBR (@KNBR) December 28, 2017
Coming off a five-block performance against the Cavaliers on Christmas Day, Kevin Durant once again became the Warriors’ chief rim protector Wednesday, when they outscored the Utah Jazz by 20 points in the third quarter and beat them with ease, 126-101.
Durant swatted three blocks, making it the 12th game this season where he’s had at least three blocks in a game. Last season, it took him the entire campaign to get 12 of those three-block games.
Jumpin’ John Collins
The Hawks upset the Wizards Wednesday 113-99. It was a bad loss for Washington—who allowed every Atlanta starter to score in double digits—but a good night to remind us all that John Collins has hops on defense:
Collins block leads to a Prince finish on the other end! #TrueToAtlanta pic.twitter.com/sajDOY9kWx
— NBA (@NBA) December 28, 2017
And on offense:
John Collins smash!!! #TrueToAtlanta #AtlHawks pic.twitter.com/CCTbnRiGJp
— Darling Nikki, k Shady's BFF, in my head. (@BILLi3ve) December 28, 2017
Peak Rondo Is Back
In the Pelicans’ 128-113 win over the Nets Wednesday, Rondo totaled a career-high, franchise-record 25 assists in 30 minutes. He added just two points. It’s been a while since we’ve seen this version of Rondo, and man, I didn’t realize how much I missed him.
Rajon Rondo has 18 assists and is feeling himself #Pelicans pic.twitter.com/guZFAA541t
— Justin Jett (@JustinJett_) December 28, 2017
Plot twist: The game was not on national TV!
Lauri Locks It Down
Down by as many as 15 during the third quarter of Wednesday night’s matchup with the Knicks, the suddenly scrappy Bulls rallied back to take the lead in the final minute of their matchup with the Knicks. What got them the edge was this dunk by Lauri Markkanen:
Dunn long pass to Lauri Markkanen who dunks pic.twitter.com/0HwKNyFxi4
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD2_) December 28, 2017
What finished it was the Finnisher turning it up on defense:
Damn Lauri nice defense.. pic.twitter.com/jPcW4jGUg8
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD2_) December 28, 2017
The Bulls, yes these Bulls, have now won nine out of their last 11.
Ian Eagle, the Legend
"Davis DENIED! The Fro gets The Brow!" -Ian Eagle #NETSonYES pic.twitter.com/0gHaxrB3Zx
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) December 28, 2017
From here on out, no other nickname besides “The Fro” is acceptable for Jarrett Allen. Eagle hath decreed.
Fultz Back?
Fultz walked by Brown as he was talking about the rookie's health and status. "Put me in coach!" Fultz called out. "He's engaged and he's got a fantastic personality. He's really got a charisma, personality that I think can grow into being a very respected leader," Brown said.
— Jessica Camerato (@JCameratoNBCS) December 28, 2017
Elastic Nance
This is called the "Spain pick-and-roll" because of the success the Gasol bros. had with it for the Spanish national team.
— Joey Ramirez (@JoeyARamirez) December 28, 2017
Here the Lakers turn it against Marc Gasol, as JC surprises him with a back screen, freeing Larry Nance for the easy the oop. pic.twitter.com/CbtevpiJdI