All the need-to-know info from Wednesday’s slate.
Giannis Celebrated His 23rd Birthday As We All Do ...
… taking flight for as many feet as years that he’s been alive.
Quinn Cook Fills in for Chef Curry
Maybe there’s something in the Bay Area water [looks up Splash Brothers in Latin]? Or something Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants–y about putting on a Warriors jersey? Quinn Cook finished with a dub in his first career start—which came on the day he was called up from the G League—as the Warriors ousted the Hornets, 101-87.
Curry’s substitute (the former MVP is out for at least two weeks with a sprained ankle) shot from deep like a true Baby Faced Assassin apprentice, hitting two of four from the 3-point line. Quinn, last season’s D-League (RIP) MVP, ended with eight points and three assists in 22 minutes as he shared time with Shaun Livingston.
Jordan Bell started in place of Draymond Green (who sat with a sore shoulder) and gave us this to smile at:
Big night for the young’uns! And just an OK one for Kevin Durant, who finished with 35 points on 48 percent shooting to go with 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and two blocks in 36 minutes.
Kristaps Is Back and More of a New Yorker Than Ever
Cleveland’s Win Streak Up to 13
Thirteen straight, achieved Wednesday with a 101-95 win over the Kings, ties a franchise record. This guy was around the last time the Cavs pulled it off, too:
In case you’re ready to put all $76 of your savings on these streaking Cavs becoming 2018 champs, consider this: Three of Wednesday’s starters combined for all of 10 points, Kyle Korver and Jeff Green added 32 off the bench, and then there’s J.R.:
These are your Cleveland Cavaliers.
Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a 97-90 Loss to the Celtics
Dennis Smith Jr. Emulates Local Fifth-Grade Science Teacher Meeting Kyrie
Celtics announcer Tommy Heinsohn did this clip more service than I could ever dream to: “Well, I tell ya, he keeps that stuff up, he’ll never be a senior.”
Victor the Victor
Dipo notched a game-high 27 points to go with eight rebounds, three steals, two assists, and 10 push-ups.