Phoenix Suns vs. Detroit Pistons
The on fire 6-2 Phoenix Suns matched up against the troubled 1-7 Detroit Pistons expecting an easy win. What they got was the surprising continued dominance of Jerami Grant. Grant has come out of absolutely nowhere this, presumably playing this well in order to be offered big money when he's given the opportunity. He ended his big night with 31 points and 10 rebounds, while Blake Griffin only recorded 16 points he also threw in 12 rebounds. As for the Suns, they showed they do indeed have defensive holes in the lineup they are running. Devin Booker ended the night with 23 points being helped by five other players who chipped in double-digits points each. In the end this wasn't enough for the Suns to overcome Grant and company, losing the game 105-110 to the Pistons. The Suns are now 6-3 and the the Detroit Jerami Grants are now 2-7.
OKC Thunder vs. New York Knicks
The 3-4 Thunder faced off against the 5-3 Knicks. The Julius Randle experience has been the talk of the NBA world the past few games, as he has played like a serious MVP candidate. Tonight he played more like an above average player, which showed that without him playing at his best the Knicks aren't all that good. Randle endedup with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while RJ Barrett had a solid 19 points and 7 rebounds himself. However, the team as a whole played relatively week and was exposed by a young and fun Thunder squad. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds and was helped out by a promising performance from Hamidou Diallo who had 23 points and 11 rebounds. The Thunder ended up winning a low scoring 101-89 game over the Knicks, causing the Thunder to make it to 4-4 and pushing the Knicks down to 5-4.
Washington Wizards vs. Boston Celtics
I truly feel bad for Bradley Beal, because for the second time in three days he puts up an all NBA performance just to get no help from his team. Tonight the 2-6 Wizards played the 6-3 Celtics. Beal finished the game with 41 points, only being helped slightly by Rui Hachimura who chipped in 17 points. On the other end of the floor the Celtics continue to play great team basketball, including their top guys having great performances. Jayson Tatum had 32 points and Jaylen Brown finished the night with a very solid 27 points and 13 rebounds. The Celtics ended up winning 116-107 over the Wizards, proving that Beal needs to get the hell out of Washington before his career is wasted. The Celtics elevate to 7-3 while the Wizards plummet to 2-7.
Charlotte Hornets vs. New Orleans Pelicans
The 3-5 Hornets were set up to face off against the 4-4 Pelicans, a game that was set up as the first match-up between the Ball brothers. In the end neither of the brothers played spectacularly well, but it was LaMelo who was the better brother of the night finishing with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists. However, it was Gordon Hayward who continues to play at an all-star level this season, who scored 26 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. On the other end of the floor it was Zion Williamson who was working to prove himself, and he did indeed finish with 26 points and 8 rebounds. It was the Hornets who pulled out the 118-110 win, meaning both teams now sit with a 4-5 record.
pc: Andrew Lopez/ESPN
Utah Jazz vs. Milwaukee Bucks
My 4-4 Utah Jazz matched up against the 5-3 Milwaukee Bucks. These two teams have proved to be solid despite their top player not having a great game every night. That was not the case for Donovan Mitchell tonight, who scored 32 points and chipped in 7 assists. Multiple other Jazzmen had good games, including sparkplug Jordan Clarkson who put up 26 points. The Bucks were a two man show tonight between electric performances for both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. Giannis had 35 points and 8 rebounds while Middleton had 31 points and 10 rebounds of her own. However, this wasn't enough to overcome the team display put on by Utah, who ended up winning the game 131-118. The Jazz move up to a 5-4 record and the Bucks also not sit at 5-4.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Memphis Grizzlies
A rather lame game between the 5-4 Nets and the 2-6 Grizzlies as neither team has their top two players playing at the moment. The battle of the roll players was a close one though. The Nets were led by Caris LeVert who had an explosive performance, putting up 43 points. No other Net had a game to write home about. The Grizzlies had 20+ performances from Brandon Clarke and Dillon Brooks. The Nets were unable to hold off the Grizzlies despite LeVert's career night. The final score was 115-110 in a Grizzlies victory. The Grizzliesmove to 3-6 while the Nets now have an even 5-5 record.
Orlando Magic vs. Houston Rockets
The electric 6-2 Magic matched up against the slow starting 2-4 Rockets. However, the Magic's night would be anything but electric. The Magic would have solid nights from Nikola Vucevic, who had 22 points and 12 rebounds and rookie Cole Anthony who chipped in with 15 points. The Rockets had a very solid team performance, especially Christian Wood who had 22 points and 15 rebounds. James Harden also put up 15 points and a big 13 assists. Several other Rockets had double-digit points, making for a well-rounded team game. In the end the Rockets blew out the Magic 132-90 elevating the Rockets to 3-4 while the Magic dropped only their third game of the season putting their record at 6-3.
Toronto Raptors vs. Sacramento Kings
The struggling 1-6 Raptors played the 4-4 Kings, a game that the Raptors needed to win before it was too late for their season. The Raptors finally showed up this for a game, but it wasn't who you'd expect who showed up to play. It was Fred VanVleet who led the way for Toronto with 34 points and 7 assists. Pascal Siakam did nearly finish with a triple-double, while Norman Powell, Chris Boucher, and Terence Davis all put up solid numbers. The Kings also had many players who finished with double-digit scoring, being led by De'Aaron Fox who finished with 23 points. But it was did turn out the Raptors way in the end, ending the night with a convincing 144-123 win. The Raptors move to 2-6 on the season and the Kings drop to 4-5.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors
The 6-3 Clippers have been solid all season while the 4-4 Warriors are just now starting to play well. This was surely a game the Warriors needed to win to prove they had big games in them. Stephen Curry must've known this, as he finished his night with 38 points and 11 assists. Apart from Curry the rest of the team played relatively average, other than Draymond Green who sucks. I said it, and i'm not sorry. The Clippers had solid nights from Kawhi Leonard and Paul George who put up 24 and 25 points respectively. Serge Ibaka also looked impressive for them, finishing with 19 points and 7 rebounds. However, it was the Steph Curry express who pushed the Warriors over the Clippers 115-105. The Clippers now sit at a not-too-shabby 6-4 while the Warriors continue to elevate with a 5-4 record.
pc: Noah Graham/Getty Images
Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The 4-5 Chicago Bulls have had a relatively solid start to their season while the 6-3 Lakers have of course have had a good start as well. This game was not supposed to be close, but with Anthony Davis out for the night, the Bulls showed up to play. It was Zach LaVine who pushed the Bulls to a big night, ending his night with 38 points and 6 assists. His right hand man was Wendell Carter Jr. who put up a solid 23 points and 7 rebounds. Coby White and Thad Young also chipped in double-digit scoring performances. The wight was placed on Lebron James for the Lakers, who put up 28 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds. Players like Markief Morris, Montrezl Harrell, Wesley Matthews, and Dennis Schroder all had double-digit scoring. Sadly for the Bulls, the game was won by only two points by the Lakers with a 117-115 final score. The Bulls fall to 4-6 and the Lakers now sit at 7-3.