2021-2022 NBA Game Thread!

HomeRunBaker

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The current Lebron-Less Cavs would beat the Lebron-Less Lakers by 50 points a game.

Of course, Lebron will keep his Brentwood mansion and his family can still live in LA.

But a Cleveland swan song for 41 nights a year isn't as crazy as it seemed a couple years ago.
Is it even a swan song though? He’s got another 3-4 years as a really really good NBA player and I may be selling him short at really really good too. I can’t think of a better place for him in not having to carry a team while playing for Championships at ages 38-41.
 

radsoxfan

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Is it even a swan song though? He’s got another 3-4 years as a really really good NBA player and I may be selling him short at really really good too. I can’t think of a better place for him in not having to carry a team while playing for Championships at ages 38-41.
Maybe I should have just said “final stop”. Didn’t mean to imply he is toast with “swan song”.

He would still easily be the Cavs best player right now.
 

Kliq

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Bill Simmons was the first person I've heard mention the "LeBron back to Cleveland" idea and it will only gain steam as the teams continue to head down their respective paths.

LeBron's M.O. throughout his career has been that when he doesn't think he can win a title with his team, he leaves to greener pastures. It seems increasingly unlikely that this Lakers team can win a title and they are kind of fucked because they have few tradeable assets. Of course, its the Lakers so the regular rules don't apply to them.

He has one more year left on his current deal.
 

benhogan

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Sexton/Rubio/Markannen for Lebron works in the trade machine. Just saying.
+ALL the CAVs picks

If the Lakers went teardown mode, they could sell AD for a substantial package of picks/expirings.

Do the RWB/NYKnicks deal

Then Bron & 2 of his flavors of the day (Tatum, Luka, Booker, Bam etc) could appear in LaLaLand in 18mths for multiple Laker title runs' to close out his career.

File this under NOT HAPPENING, but the Laker's ability to rewind quickly sets them apart from every other NBA franchise
 

ElUno20

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Bradley Beal played 35 minutes and only scored 9 pts. Is he going through a divorce?
 

Cellar-Door

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My boss who is a huge 'Zards fan says that Beal and Dinwiddie are having trouble trying to figure out how to play with each other. Rumour is that Dinwiddie is available. https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks/news/dallas-mavs-trade-spencer-dinwiddie-washington-wizards
THis Dinwiddie comment was telling:
View: https://twitter.com/ChaseHughesNBCS/status/1487640772329541635


I get the feel that lockerroom is a mess and it starts with Beal, who it seems thinks he's a franchise player, and gets treated like it by WAS, even when he's not that close. His offense has fallen off a cliff this year, I think whatever team gives him his max next year should be worried.
 

Sam Ray Not

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Bradley Beal played 35 minutes and only scored 9 pts. Is he going through a divorce?
Not sure which rumored Beal deal would have been more atrocious, the Cs trading Jaylen + stuff, or the Warriors trading Wiggins + everyone on their team under 23 (including Poole).

I do know I would take Wiggs or Brown straight up over Beal without much hesitation. Beal turns 29 in a few months, is 6-4 and plays very little D, and has not had a positive plus-minus or shot over 35% from 3 in four years.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Sexton/Rubio/Markannen for Lebron works in the trade machine. Just saying.
I would imagine Okoro/Markannen/(Rubio or Sexton for salary) plus future picks work as well…….Okoro would figure to be the centerpiece for LA and the Cavs wouldn’t have much use for a 21-yr old kid who is just learning how to play the game so the fit is there. The Lakers aren’t going to give LeBron away but if AD goes down for the year prior to the deadline this is a real possibility……and let’s be honest, AD could go down for the year at any time.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Or maybe they played good D? Naw, couldn't be that.
Check out the matchup info on NBA.com: Sacramento Kings vs Philadelphia 76ers Jan 29, 2022 Box Scores | NBA.com

TH went 0-0 against Thybulle. The stats appear to be short one shot butif you look at the "Team Pts" category, it looks like TH was pretty successful against Embiid, Korkmax, Curry, and Maxey. He was also 2-5 fro 3P against Niang. Maybe Embiid goes for 40-ish every night in the playoffs but if he doesn't, I don't think PHI's going to go far.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Yeah, it was that defense that made Haliburton miss all those wide-open 3s.
You can go to NBA.com to look at the attempts. He had 1 wide open shot but that was like 5 feet beyond the line. The last one has was open but both Smart and GW were contesting (but late). 2 others were over Horford and the final open was over Smart. I wouldn't call any of those 4 "wide open" and certainly not the 3 that were contested.

Vs. PHI: 1st was contested by Curry. Second he was left alone in transition and threw up an air ball. 3rd he was wide open. 4th Niang tried to recover and close out. 5th was good defense (i think by Korkmaz). 6th was tough side-step contested 3P over Niang. 7th and 8th, he was wide open. 9th was a super tough 3P from corner over Niang (I think) with 11 seconds left in the game. sO OF HIS MAKES (3, 6, 7, 8, and 9), 3 were wide open, one was contested, and one was kind of a prayer. So yeah, maybe it was the defense.
 

128

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You can go to NBA.com to look at the attempts. He had 1 wide open shot but that was like 5 feet beyond the line. The last one has was open but both Smart and GW were contesting (but late). 2 others were over Horford and the final open was over Smart. I wouldn't call any of those 4 "wide open" and certainly not the 3 that were contested.

Vs. PHI: 1st was contested by Curry. Second he was left alone in transition and threw up an air ball. 3rd he was wide open. 4th Niang tried to recover and close out. 5th was good defense (i think by Korkmaz). 6th was tough side-step contested 3P over Niang. 7th and 8th, he was wide open. 9th was a super tough 3P from corner over Niang (I think) with 11 seconds left in the game. sO OF HIS MAKES (3, 6, 7, 8, and 9), 3 were wide open, one was contested, and one was kind of a prayer. So yeah, maybe it was the defense.
I think it's fair to say it was a combination of good defense by Boston and a poor shooting night by Haliburton. He doesn't often go 2 for 9 (0 for 5) from the floor, even against good defenses.

He's shooting 47 percent from the floor and 43 percent from 3-point range this season.

To be fair, I probably should be more impressed with the C's defense than I am. I know it rates well statistically, but I've seen a lot of fourth quarters, most recently Friday nite in the loss to Atlanta, in which the C's fail time and again to get key stops. Couple that with what often has been awful late-game execution on offense, and you have a team that struggles mightily in a lot of fourth quarters.
 
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chilidawg

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To be fair, I probably should be more impressed with the C's defense than I am. I know it rates well statistically, but I've seen a lot of fourth quarters, most recently Friday nite in the loss to Atlanta, in which the C's fail time and again to get key stops. Couple that with what often has been awful late-game execution on offense, and you have a team that struggles mightily in a lot of fourth quarters.
They remind me a lot of the Patriots defense this year. Great overall numbers but can't come up with stops in key situations.
 

128

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Hawks' winning streak up to seven games. Only a matter of time before ATL passes Boston in the standings.
 

chilidawg

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Hawks' winning streak up to seven games. Only a matter of time before ATL passes Boston in the standings.
Atlanta's been streaky all year, they've had runs where they've lost 8 of 9 and 11 of 14. They've won 7 in a row before and now 7 again. More likely they're due for another losing streak. Certainly not a matter of time.
 

Cellar-Door

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Joe Ingles had what looked like a very bad non-contact knee injury (couldn't walk off unaided) tonight.
Have to think they'll be looking to trade his expiring for help now.
 

128

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Joe Ingles had what looked like a very bad non-contact knee injury (couldn't walk off unaided) tonight.
Have to think they'll be looking to trade his expiring for help now.
What is Utah's record since Danny joined the organization?
 

Sam Ray Not

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What is Utah's record since Danny joined the organization?
20-7 when Ainge signed on (Dec 15), 10-13 since.

i don’t think that has anything to do with Ainge, tho.

Sucks about Ingles — looked like a near certain serious knee injury. He’s 34 and not under contract for next season. Bleh. Heal up fast, Jingles.
 

terrynever

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76ers, who have rarely played a strong team that is at full strength, get the chance tonight when Memphis visits. Philly is missing just Shake Milton among contributing players. Embiid and Morant are averaging over 30 ppg in recent weeks. Ja goes to the rim often, and Embiid will be there. Thybulle starts out on Morant. Memphis has a stronger supporting cast around its superstar. More depth. Dale Morey could fix that by trading the man who never returned for a key part or two. But he seems willing to sacrifice Year 5 of Embiid’s dominance to prove whatever point he is trying to make.

Regardless, this is a game worth watching because Memphis could win it all this year. As a fan, you can’t ask for more. Forget the off-court stuff. Just enjoy the action.
 

HomeRunBaker

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76ers, who have rarely played a strong team that is at full strength, get the chance tonight when Memphis visits. Philly is missing just Shake Milton among contributing players. Embiid and Morant are averaging over 30 ppg in recent weeks. Ja goes to the rim often, and Embiid will be there. Thybulle starts out on Morant. Memphis has a stronger supporting cast around its superstar. More depth. Dale Morey could fix that by trading the man who never returned for a key part or two. But he seems willing to sacrifice Year 5 of Embiid’s dominance to prove whatever point he is trying to make.

Regardless, this is a game worth watching because Memphis could win it all this year. As a fan, you can’t ask for more. Forget the off-court stuff. Just enjoy the action.
No Embiid tonight.
 

terrynever

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Planned rest day for Embiid, who had played 21 games in a row. Drummond should play 30 minutes or more, unless Ja fouls him out. Andre likes to block shots and clobber drivers to the hoop.
 

terrynever

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76ers running up and down the court without Embiid to slow them down. Up 32-23 late in first quarter. Maxey with 11 points is outplaying Ja. Thybulle doing a job on Morant. Blocked a jumper with his left hand. Tobias has two blocks. Drummond has been their best player, hustling, rebounding, passing the ball. 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 6 points. Everybody who stepped on court is playing well for Philly. Which will not last.
 
Atlanta's been streaky all year, they've had runs where they've lost 8 of 9 and 11 of 14. They've won 7 in a row before and now 7 again. More likely they're due for another losing streak. Certainly not a matter of time.
The Hawks' worst spell came when they were truly devastated by COVID and injuries, and before the addition by subtraction that was the Reddish trade. I feel pretty confident that they are going to be closer to this best version of themselves for the rest of the season.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Memphis beat the Sixers by 40 last month in Memphis when Embiid sat out that game. Tonight is like chess vs checkers early on.
 

terrynever

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76ers up 63-58 at half. Former Celtics first-round pick Desmond Bane has 15 points for the Grizz. 76ers only in it because they are shooting well, 51 pct from floor, 40 pct from 3. Everybody is playing well. Just waiting for Ja to get interested.
 
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HomeRunBaker

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76ers up 63-58 at half. Former Celtics first-round pick Desmond Bane has 15 points for the Grizz. 76ers only in it because they are shooting well, 51 pct from floor, 40 pct from 3. Everybody is playing well. Just waiting for Ja to get interested.
I didn’t watch only followed online. How did the Sixers score their final basket in OT following the missed 3?
 

terrynever

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I didn’t watch only followed online. How did the Sixers score their final basket in OT following the missed 3?
Matisse grabbed the rebound over the end line and just threw the ball over his head past half court because time was running out. Roadrunner Maxey caught it in stride and laid it in as time ran out.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Matisse grabbed the rebound over the end line and just threw the ball over his head past half court because time was runn8ng out. Roadrunner Maxey caught it in stride and laid it in as time ran out.
That’s kinda what I figured. One guess who had Memphis +2? 99.8% or the time the ball gets pulled out there.
 
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terrynever

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Maxey outplayed Morant tonight. 76ers D forced Ja into 9 turnovers. Maxey had 8 assists, 3 TOs. 33 points on 23 shots. Ja had 37 points on 30 shots. Grizz are not as good as their record. Very good but they are not very disciplined. Especially on D.