The NBA is back after the All-Star break and since the action kicked off last Thursday, we haven’t been short of storylines to begin the final push to the playoffs. We’ve seen two games so far with Joel Embiid and James Harden, a statement performance by Ja Morant, and more of the same for the Los Angeles Lakers. As we exit February and enter March let’s recap what has happened around the association this past weekend.
The Joel Embiid and James Harden Fit Looks Good So Far:
Many fans wondered if James Harden could be the only thing to slow down Joel Embiid’s MVP push, but so far the two seem to fit very well. The Embiid/Harden pick-and-roll has been a problem to defend. In Sunday’s game against the Knicks the combo of Harden and Embiid combined to shoot 37 free throws. Harden also recorded a triple double versus the Knicks, scoring 29 points, 10 rebounds and dishing 16 assists. In their first game together against a good Timberwolves team, the Sixers blew them off the floor in a 133-102 victory. Joel Embiid has scored 34 and 37 points since Harden has returned and looks as happy as he’s ever been. Harden brings a shot creator and a playmaker who will lessen the number of double teams Embiid will see. Another beneficiary of this trade so far has been Tyrese Maxey. In the two games since Harden has arrived Maxey has scored 28 and 21 points. Maxey may be the key to the Sixers making a deep run in the playoffs. If he can be a consistent 3rd scoring option, Philly may reach its goal of getting to the finals.
Ja Morant Makes a Statement in Chicago:
DeMar DeRozan has gotten a lot of love lately, and rightfully so, as he had been on a tear that few in the history of the league has ever been able to do, but don’t think that Ja Morant hasn’t heard the noise. Morant went into the house that Michael Jordan built and made a loud statement. Ja scored a career-high 46 points and outplayed DeRozan – leading the Grizzlies to a 116-110 win over the Bulls Saturday night. Ja should be getting more love in the MVP race, not saying he’ll win it, but he deserves to be in the conversation. Morant has led the Grizzlies to a 42-20 record while averaging 27 points, nearly seven assists and six rebounds.
The Suns are 0-2 since Chris Paul’s Injury:
The Suns were clearly going to miss Chris Paul. So far, it’s been an adjustment. The Suns fell apart in the 3rd quarter versus the Pelicans and fell 117-102 to a New Orleans team that has struggled most of this season. Phoenix played well against Utah, but with a chance to tie the game late Jae Crowder threw the ball away and the Suns ultimately fell 118-114 to the Jazz. Phoenix is only missing Chris Paul, but backup point guard Cameron Payne has also been sidelined with a wrist injury. This leaves Devin Booker as the initiator of the offense. Booker has played well in the two games since the All-Star break, but it’s very clear that the Suns miss Chris Paul and will need him to be 100% if they’re going to get back to the Finals and win a championship.
No Porzingis No Problem for Luka:
Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis games didn’t mesh and the Mavericks decided to trade Porzingis to Washington. Since that move was made Luka Doncic has been different. In the month of February Luka has averaged 34.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 8.8 assists while shooting 46% from the floor and 41% from three. Dallas has won 8 of its last 11 games, including a shocking comeback victory against the Golden State Warriors Sunday night. Dallas was down 21 points in the 3rd quarter and came back and beat the Warriors. The Mavs outscored Golden State 33-13 in the 4th quarter which included a 26-1 run to put Dallas up 100-94 after being down 93-74. Dallas would never relinquish the lead. Dallas is only 2.5 games behind Utah for the 4th seed in the Western Conference. If Luka wants to get out of the first round of the playoffs getting home court advantage will be very important for him and the Mavs.
Lakers Get Booed Off the Floor:
The Lakers’ struggles continue after the All-Star break. The LA lost their sixth straight game to the Clippers Friday night and then got absolutely blown off the floor by a Pelicans team that has had their own issues this season. New Orleans was beating the Lakers so badly that Jeanie Buss, the Lakers’ owner, was seen walking out of her seat and to the back. Videos of LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Trevor Ariza talking trash back to disgruntled fans have become viral. Fans at the Crypto.com Arena were so fed up that boos started flying in the 3rd quarter of what ended up to being a 123-95 curb stomping win by the Pelicans. The Lakers have looked like they checked out for the season. Even if they made the play-in tournament they would be lucky to not get bounced in the 9 versus 10 game. Currently, the West play in game standings would be Minnesota, the Clippers, the Lakers, and Pelicans. The Lakers aren’t better than the Timberwolves or the Clippers right now, and the Pelicans have looked better since getting CJ McCollum. Would you even favor the Lakers over the Pelicans right now with the way they are playing? Even if the Lakers beat New Orleans, they probably would get bounced by either Minnesota or the Clippers. The end of the season doesn’t get easier for the Lakers. LA still has to play the Warriors, Suns, Nuggets, Mavs, Pelicans – twice, with games against Minnesota, Philly, and Cleveland also in there. This is a tough stretch of games for a dysfunctional team.