Best of the NBA: 10th-15th January
The very best moments from a week's worth of world-class basketball packed into 700 words:
The Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks were evenly matched throughout their meeting at MSG early in the week. The Knicks' offence was led by Kristaps Porzingis, who had 24 points on the night, while Bulls rookie Lauri Markkanen took charge for his team, putting up a double-double of 33 points and 10 rebounds. The early advantage New York had in the first half was erased by the Bulls in the second, and at the end of the game the scores were tied. Not even overtime could separate the teams: a layup from Porzingis just as time expired in the extra period kept the game going. It would be a floating shot off a crossover from Kris Dunn that would be all the difference in this game, it put the Bulls ahead at a crucial point in the game and led them to win this one, 122 to 119.
The Bulls seem to have bagged one of the biggest steals of the 2017 Draft in Markkanen, who has been a huge sensation for Chicago and instrumental in turning around the team's fortunes. This week saw him break the record for most threes made in a single game by a Bulls rookie, and, more impressively, become the fastest player to make 100 career three-pointers:
Despite the Cleveland Cavaliers having one of the league's best pedigrees, teams keep showing they will not be intimidated by the 2016 Champions. This week saw their 13-game winning streak broken by a last-second three pointer from Victor Oladipo, which saw his Indiana Pacers win the game by just two points:
Even more impressive against the Cavs were the Toronto Raptors, who went on a rampage in the second quarter, outscoring Cleveland by 19, and despite the best efforts of LeBron James, the Raptors just kept firing away - they made half of all shot attempts from the field - finishing this one 133 to 99. Most impressive was Fred VanVleet, whose 22 points off the bench helped to lift his team to victory.
Staying with the Raptors, they were part of one of the most intense games of the week when they hosted the Golden State Warriors in Toronto. In the first half it was all Golden State, with their big three of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant consistently finding the best spots on the floor. They led by 27 points at halftime, after which the Raptors looked to their playmaker, DeMar DeRozan, who did not disappoint. DeRozan had 42 points in the game and led the Raptors' second-half takeover. The game became more heated as it went on, with a lot of fouls being called, and it came down to a single mistake from Toronto that saw Golden State emerge victorious, 127-125.
Turning to the Eastern Conference, by keeping Miami's seven-game winning streak, Goran Dragic was named player of the week in the west, with his highlight performance over the seven days being his 25 points show against the Bucks. Meanwhile, Lou Williams won his second player of the week award, and it was thoroughly deserved. With six three-pointers as part of his total 30 points he helped the Clippers take down the Sacramento Kings, but his top showing of the week was undoubtedly came against the Warriors in Oakland: putting up a career-best 50 points which helped the Clippers take down one of their biggest rivals by 19 points. It was a performance worthy of the player of the week title:
This weeks unsung hero, though, would have to by Anthony Davis. His New Orleans Pelicans had it hard this week, with games against the Grizzlies and Knicks going down to the wire. Davis was absent against the Grizzlies, but made up for it with a dominant performance against the Portland Trail Blazers in which he scored 36 points and grabbed six rebounds. He was saving his best for last, though, as the 6'10" centre dominated against the Knicks, putting up an astonishing 48 points and 17 rebounds, helping his team to win 123-118 in overtime.
One more notable this week: Kevin Durant became the forty-eighth player to score 20,000 NBA career points with a long-range jumper against the Clippers.
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