Cavaliers, Rockets Emerge With Wins in Matchups of Conference Leaders | HOOPS Daily, 12/2/2024
In the West #1 OKC took on #2 Houston while #1 Cleveland battled #2 Boston out East, No Win November for the Wizards, and more.
The Tip-Off: Everything You Need to Know
- Hornets’ G LaMelo Ball out at least two weeks with ankle sprain
- Larry Bird is not a fan of the current All-Star Game product
- Free agent F Robert Covington looking to make NBA return
- Brandon Ingram signing with Klutch Sports
- Ben Simmons reportedly reached out to Joel Embiid over the summer to try and reconcile past issues
Battle of the Top Two Seeds
For the first time in 12 years, NBA fans were treated to not one but two battles of the top teams in the league. The West’s top two faced off while Boston and the Cavaliers met for the second time this season.
Cavaliers Avenge Earlier Celtics’ Loss
While it may not make up for Boston ending the Cavs’ undefeated start to their season, they were able to get a measure of revenge Sunday in another high-profile matchup that saw both teams go toe-to-toe. Boston was without Jaylen Brown (illness) or Derrick White (foot) for this matchup and Jrue Holiday struggled with his shot all night (4pts, 2-9 FG) and still, Cleveland was only able to leave with a 4pt win thanks to Donovan Mitchell’s incredible fourth-quarter that saw Spida go for 20 of his 35pts.
Rockets Beat Thunder, Even Season Series
I can’t express just how much I want this to be a seven-game playoff series this June. I love watching these teams face off. Even without Chet this was such a fun back and forth game. Jalen Green struggled with his shot but still found ways to stay involved and active, Tari Eason and Amen Thompson continue to look like the NBA Bash Brothers out on the court when it comes to their rugged defense, and SGA may be the most must-see player in the league right now on a nightly basis.1
Around The League
News & Notes From the Weekend
Jaylen on Jalen Crime
Jaylen Brown absolutely hammered this dunk on Jalen Smith. Listen to how hyped the Celtics broadcast was.
This Reporter Loved SGA’s Fit
Shoutout Zach LaVine on an Incredible Accomplishment But This Was Too Good
This Announcer Burying Russ for No Reason
What Was Jazz Coach Will Hardy Thinking Here?
Team Canada Teammates SGA and Dillon Brooks Have a Moment
The 76ers’ Struggles Can’t Bring Jared McCain Down
James Harden Made History Sunday and the Clippers Have Won 8 Straight at Intuit Dome
If I missed anything please leave a comment & let me know
what your favorite moment was from over the weekend.
November Was a Bad Month for the Washington Wizards
Washington became the second team in two years to go winless for the entire month of November.2
This includes 20pt losses to the: Heat, Pistons, Knicks, Grizzlies, Magic, Bulls, and Clippers.
Washington will look to turn it around in December though they’ll start the month with a tough stretch of opponents.3
Standings Check-In
It’s hard to believe most teams have already played around 20 games and that a quarter of the season is already in the books. With that in mind, these are the things that stand out to me most:
- There have been rumors floating around that the NBA may look to make the playoffs the top 16 teams regardless of conference whenever the league adds its’ next expansion teams. If it did that, that would mean the Wolves, Kings, Heat, Hawks, Pacers, Nets, and Pistons would all be left out.
- Chicago (8-13) and Brooklyn (9-12) are going to have some tough decisions to make regarding the trade deadline and moving forward. Brooklyn’s been a bit more open about their willingness to trade just about anyone on their roster but for Chicago, they’ve shown previously that they’re perfectly content to make the play-in/first round of the playoffs and call it a successful season and that’s certainly been holding back the team’s ceiling. It feels like both teams are going to have to make a decision and pick a lane though this year.
- CP3 is so good man. He’s nowhere near as good as he’s been before obviously but the impact he has on these young teams shouldn’t go unnoticed or under-appreciated.
Watching Tonight
We only got four games on deck tonight so really watch as much as you can but if you can only watch a few, these are what I’ll be watching a bit closer:
Heat at Celtics
I always love when these teams matchup because it feels like Jimmy Butler takes it to another level when it’s time to go against the top tier talent. Boston will likely be without Derrick White once again with a foot injury while no word yet on Jaylen Brown who missed Sunday’s game with an illness.
Lakers at Timberwolves
The Lakers barely escaped with a win vs the Jazz Sunday night thanks in part to an insane decision from Utah HC Will Hardy. Now they’ll go against a Minnesota team desperately working to find solutions to their multiple issues they’ve had to start the season. This is the type of game the Lakers will typically lose where somehow everything looks great for the Wolves and they hit 25 3s and look like the best team in the West for a night before falling apart again a day later or something.
Man it feels good to be back for another week talking basketball. I hope everyone reading this that celebrates had a great Thanksgiving with family and loved ones and is entering this last month of the year in the best ways possible. I appreciate you all taking some time to check this out, I hope you enjoyed it and will sub and hang out all season long but either way, thank you so much for spending a few minutes here today. Take care.
This is impossible to think of because there’s so much talent in the league. SGA, Luka, Giannis, Jokic, Wemby, Lebron/AD, Steph, I’d listen to arguments for watching any of them honestly.
The 2023 Detroit Pistons also had a winless month. Maybe this means a turnaround is on the horizon for the Wizards.*
They play the Cavs, Mavericks, Nuggets, Grizzlies all in the next week.
*probably not