Ballin': Blake Griffin Dunked, Kevin Garnett Threw an Elbow, & Kobe Got a Triple Double
By Jason McIntyre
LA Clippers 107, Oklahoma City 92: A second-straight poor offensive showing from the Thunder – KD was 6-for-24, 0-10 from three – resulted in another blowout loss. The Clippers were virtually flawless – well, outside of 55 percent from the line – in recording their first win of the season. Rookie Eric Bledsoe, starting for Baron Davis, had 17 points and eight assists, Eric Gordon added 27 points, and Shawn Kemp Blake Griffin added 18-9.
Utah 125, Toronto 108: If Al Jefferson finally shoots above 50 percent from the field in a game, but it happens against the woeful Raptors, does it matter? Jefferson had his best game of the young season with the Jazz (12-20 shooting, 27 points).
Boston 105, Milwaukee 102: Above, you’ll see Kevin Garnett throwing an elbow – one that didn’t connect. He’s so dirty. Below, can someone please tell me what Carlos Delfino of the Bucks is doing to the leg of Semih Erden of the Celtics? Caress is the only word that comes to mind. But why?
New Orleans 107, Houston 99: The Rockets have yet to win a game. Yes, there are 78 left, but where are all the Houston fans who got on our case last month when we picked them to miss the playoffs? Rick Adelman is so desperate for defense, he released Jordan Hill from the doghouse and gave him 26 minutes (three blocks). The Rockets are giving up a league-high 114 ppg. The Hornets are a mildly surprising 4-0 after pulling away in the final 90 seconds, but that’ll end Friday when they play the Heat. CP3 had a ho-hum 25-8-7. Nice to see Marco Belinelli (18 points) still scoring. Always liked his game in Golden State.
LA Lakers 112, Sacramento 100: Kobe showed up stylin’ and profilin’ and then messed around and got a triple double (30 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds). We thought the Kings had some value at +5, but they were never really a threat in the 2nd half. Boogie Cousins (3-13 shooting, five fouls in 20 minutes) won’t be in the ROY discussion if he can’t stay on the floor.
Philadelphia 101, Indiana 75: Pacers starters not-named Josh McRoberts shot 12-for-53, and the 76ers, who aren’t known for stingy defense, won their first game of the season. Philly’s impressive bench trio of Young, Sweet Lou & Evan Turner scored 39 points. They’ll get more burn as soon as the 76ers find someone willing to take Iggy’s contract.
Golden State 115, Memphis 109: Monta Ellis has arguably had the best week of anyone in the NBA (Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo are candidates as well), and he capped it with 39 points (17 in the 4th) to lead the Steph Curry-less Warriors to victory. Ellis leads the league in scoring at 30 per contest. Also, do not underestimate the David Lee effect for the Warriors (3-1!) on the glass.
[GIFs and Garnett dunk video via @Jose3030]