Raptors 91 (9-6), Clippers 80 (6-7)
One game after blowing a 23-point lead to the Warriors, the Clippers fell behind by 29 to the Raptors at home on Sunday afternoon. In the first half, the Clips scored a grand total of 34 points—meanwhile DeMarre Carroll scored all of his 21 before halftime. The Raps actually looked pretty bad in the second half (8 points in the third quarter) but even when Lob City cut the deficit to six, it was too little too late. This was an ugly game. “Hangover,” anyone?
Nets 111 (3-11), Celtics 101 (7-6)
BK nearly blew a 22-point lead, but Brook Lopez had 23 and 10 and Jarrett Jack scored 13 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter to help the Nets earn a weekend home-and-home split with the Celts.
Pelicans 122 (2-11), Suns 116 (7-5)
Anthony Davis, have a day: 32 points, 19 rebounds, 4 blocks, a couple of steals and a back-breaking three-pointer with about a minute left that lifted the Pels to just their second win of the 2015-16 season. Ryan Anderson chipped in 29 for NOLA, as the Pelicans doubled the Suns on points in the paint, 44 to 22.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG6y2hG2P9w
Thunder 117 (8-6), Mavericks 114 (9-5)
OKC snapped the Mavs’ 6-game win streak. How about Russell Westbrook’s line? 31 points, 11 dimes, 5 boards, 5 steals (+ 7 turnovers) to lead the Thunder over Dallas. Actually, the Mavs had a couple chances to tie the game in the waning moments, but all they could muster was a feeble Deron Williams drive that was swatted by Serge Ibaka and a wild 360-three-pointer attempt by Wes Matthews.
Warriors 118 (15-0), Nuggets 105 (6-8)
The Dubs made history, moving to 15-0 on the year, tied for the best-ever start in NBA history. It’s the best start in the game’s history for a defending champ. And perhaps strangest, they got No. 15 on a night when Stephen Curry scored just 19 points—his first game this year under 20 points. This was pretty much just another case of the Warriors cruising to an easy dub. That said, Emmanuel Mudiay continues to show flashes (17 points, 8 dimes, 3 TOs), and Steph seemed to give him some words of encouragement. Love that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj16e62EJq0
Blazers 107 (6-9), Lakers 93 (2-11)
Not saying we want him to shut it down, but gah damn it’s depressing watching Kobe (6-22 shooting, 18 points) these days, man. He’s shooting 20 percent from 3-point range, just to point out one stat (there are many others). More importantly, can the Lakers stop rolling D’Angelo Russell out there with Kobe, LouWill, Metta and Swaggy P all the time? Hard to see the kid developing with that kind of “supporting cast.” Meanwhile Damian Lillard went for 30 points and a career-high 13 dimes. DAB.
