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Category: NBA
Betting Odds Win the 2019 NBA Championship
Though the 2018 NBA season just reached its conclusion, we know you are eager for next season. SO, read below as we highlight the 2019 NBA title favorites!
Golden State Warriors (6/5)
There is no surprise that this team is leading the odds. They just won for the third time in four years, and they will be locking both Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson up for the long term this offseason.
This team has two MVP’s, the two best shooters in the world, and two of the most versatile players in all of the NBA. There is no end in sight for this dynasty, which is clearly just getting started.
Looking at the Warriors, it would not be surprising if they top this list for the next 3-5 years. This is very reminiscent of the 60’s Celtics, who won nine titles.
Houston Rockets (7/2)
They should probably be listed as the #1 team after how close they were to beating them in the WCF, but here they are at number two. Lead by the likely 2017-18 NBA MVP James Harden, they should be able to reclaim the top seed in the West a year from now.
A lot of their future success will hinge on whether or not they re-sign Clint Capela and Chris Paul, but the return of both guys should be considered very likely. They also have to decide if they want to bring Trevor Ariza back on a new contract.
This is an extremely talented team who will definitely be looking at the 2018-19 season as championship or bust.
Philadelphia 76ers (7/2)
This is a team that will have a very interesting offseason ahead of them. Their key wing players are free agents, and they are potentially big players for the league’s biggest free agent in LeBron James. They trusted the process and won a playoff series this year. Howard Beck of Bleacher Report feels LeBron will be on the move this offseason:
“Arguably his greatest accomplishment was just getting here—with one of the worst rosters in Finals history. These are things James can’t say. But he spent the last two days articulating quite clearly what he wants in a supporting cast, and it’s everything the Cavs lack: elite talent, of course. But also brainpower, the ability to perform under pressure, to think in the game. James wants reliability as much as ability.” – Howard Beck
Joel Embiid looks to be future MVP, while Ben Simmons is looking like a guy that is a jump shot away from already being a top-20 player in the game. Brett Brown proved in the playoffs that he still has a lot to learn about playoff coaching, but he is the right man for the job.
It is unlikely without LeBron that Philly wins the East next year, but in the next few years, they should be in the Finals regardless.
Celtics (7/1)
What a season this was for the Celtics. After losing Gordon Hayward five minutes into the season and Kyrie Irving with 3 weeks left in the regular season, they found a way to get within a single win of the NBA Finals.
With a group of scrappy players, they took on very talented teams, but would not be denied. They lost only one home playoff game through the entire run, and it was to a team that had LeBron James play every single second of the game.
With their two All Stars coming back next year, the Celtics should be looked at as the favorite in the East, no matter LeBron goes. Get those bets in!
Full Betting Odds to Win the 2019 NBA Championship
- The odds in this article come from SportsBetting.ag and are accurate as of June 10, 2018
| 07:00 PM | 22009 | Golden State Warriors | +120 | ||
| 22010 | Houston Rockets | +450 | |||
| 22022 | Philadelphia 76ers | +500 | |||
| 22001 | Boston Celtics | +650 | |||
| 22013 | Los Angeles Lakers | +1400 | |||
| 22026 | San Antonio Spurs | +2000 | |||
| 22005 | Cleveland Cavaliers | +2500 | |||
| 22015 | Miami Heat | +5000 | |||
| 22018 | New Orleans Pelicans | +5000 | |||
| 22020 | Oklahoma City Thunder | +5000 | |||
| 22028 | Utah Jazz | +5000 | |||
| 22027 | Toronto Raptors | +6600 | |||
| 22011 | Indiana Pacers | +7500 | |||
| 22012 | Los Angeles Clippers | +7500 | |||
| 22016 | Milwaukee Bucks | +7500 | |||
| 22017 | Minnesota Timberwolves | +7500 | |||
| 22024 | Portland Trail Blazers | +7500 | |||
| 22007 | Denver Nuggets | +10000 | |||
| 22019 | New York Knicks | +10000 | |||
| 22029 | Washington Wizards | +10000 | |||
| 22008 | Detroit Pistons | +20000 | |||
| 22002 | Brooklyn Nets | +25000 | |||
| 22003 | Charlotte Hornets | +25000 | |||
| 22004 | Chicago Bulls | +25000 | |||
| 22006 | Dallas Mavericks | +25000 | |||
| 22014 | Memphis Grizzlies | +25000 | |||
| 22023 | Phoenix Suns | +25000 | |||
| 22025 | Sacramento Kings | +25000 | |||
| 22000 | Atlanta Hawks | +30000 | |||
| 22021 | Orlando Magic | +50000 |
Betting Odds For The #1 Pick In The 2018 NBA Draft
The 2018 NBA Draft is fast approaching. Read below as we look some of the best choices for the #1 pick. As the NBA Draft approaches, Vegas will release the odds on who will be the top pick, so be sure to check back with us!
Before you do, take a look at our other NBA related articles.
DeAndre Ayton (Arizona)
This man was an absolute beast this past year on Sean Miller’s team. Not only was he consistently putting up 20 and 10, but he was protecting the rim with great swagger.
This is a more complete version of Marvin Bagley, a player who can flourish on offense as the #1 option. This likely won’t be the case in the NBA, wherever he goes, but he will still have the chance to be a star. In College, Ayton had this to say about his game.
“I’m not a regular big man,” Ayton said. “I’m a mobile big man. I’m not trying to be big, like 270. I like it the way I am: pretty mobile and running the floor.” – DeAndre Ayton
He is going to be turning heads from day 1, as he has the best odds to get the nod of being the #1 pick.
Luka Doncic (EuroLeague)
This young man has received every major award/milestone in the past few weeks and is showing to be no bust. Potentially the biggest European prospect in NBA history is standing here before us.
Doncic, still just 19 years of age, has doubled his scoring output from the prior year, while his rebound, assist, and minutes played stats have also increased.
This is going to be a player many GM’s would regret passing up if they decided against the young man. HE CAN PLAY.
Mo Bamba (Texas)
There was not a single shot blocker in college basketball last year who was more impressive than Mo Bamba. He averaged 3.7 blocks per game over 30 games played.
In addition to this, he was a double-double machine, averaging around 13 points and 11 rebounds a game. Better yet, he even has a three-point shot. THIS 7-FOOTER CAN SHOOT IT FROM DEEP!
He won’t be relied on for that, but it is a big tool that can only enhance his potential. Mo Bamba is going to be fantastic in the NBA,
Marvin Bagley III
A late offseason addition to Duke last year, Bagley did not disappoint in the slightest with his performance. Expected to be a star big man, he did just that.
He won the ACC Player of the Year award, finishing with averages of 21 points, 11 rebounds (4 offensive), and 1.5 assists per game. He was simply not being slowed down,
He shot close to 40% from three on 58 attempts, a sign that this could translate to the pros. Bagley and Ayton will likely compete for the #1 spot, but Bagley will probably end up here at #4.
Jaren Jackson Jr. (Michigan State)
Jaren Jackson is the second-best rim protector in this draft and any team that can’t get Ayton will pursue Jaren. If Dallas is on the clock and the order above follows, he is the pick for them.
The big fella averaged just 11 points and 6 rebounds per game, but also averaged 1.1 threes and 3 blocks. He can stretch out and hit the jumper.
Jackson has some star potential, but it will be about the fit.
The 2018 NBA Draft will be held on Thurs. June 21 this year.
Full Betting Odds For The NBA Draft
- The NBA Draft Betting Odds listed below are from SportsBetting.ag as of May 22, 2018.
| DeAndre Ayton | -200 |
| Luca Doncic | 100 |
| Jaren Jackson | 3300 |
| Any Other Player | 2000 |
LeBron and Harden Lead Two Man Race in Updated NBA MVP Odds
The NBA regular season produced great excitement. The race to the MVP is one that looked to be a one-man runaway for awhile, before things changed. Read below as we go through the odds at the top MVP candidates to win the award.
- James Harden: -400
- LeBron James: +300
LeBron James Odds To Win NBA MVP
The case for LeBron is pretty clear here. For the first time in his career, we saw him play in all 82 games. He posted a career high in triple doubles, averaged career-highs in both rebounds and assists, and well, he was the clear floor leader for his team all year.
LeBron took a team that basically had three different squads, 5 different starting point guards, to a #4 seed. He was without a doubt the leader of a team that was horrendous defensively and was outcoached in most of their matchups.
Now, to take a further look at LeBron’s numbers. The 27.5 points per game which he averaged this season, was the highest total since his return to Cleveland. The 8.6 rebounds per game he averaged this year matched his average from 2016-17 and equals a career high. The 9.1 assists per game he averaged this ranked as a career high, and speaks volumes to how well he was able to get his guys involved.
The Cavs began the year with Derrick Rose starting at point guard. Jose Calderon took the reins from him. Then when Isaiah Thomas finally got healthy, it was his turn. After all of the trades, Cedi Osman had to fill in and start a game there. And finally, George Hill took over at that spot.
It was a season filled with turmoil, trades, big ups, and big downs. But at the end of the day, the reason to bet LBJ, at +300 as MVP, is that he didn’t miss a game, has continued to elevate his play in year 15, and how poor his team is without him.
James Harden Odds To Win NBA MVP
The bearded one, we could say, was robbed each of the past two seasons, of his MVP trophy. Steph took it from him two years ago, and Mr. Triple Double, AKA Russell Westbrook took it from him last year.
Harden, appearing in 72 games, helped carry his Rockets to an NBA-best 65 wins this season. He raised his scoring average for the fourth year in a row, culminating his first ever year averaging over 30+ ppg. He averaged 5.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game. He also made a career-high 265 threes.
No credit should be taken away from Harden with the acquisition of Chris Paul. Even with CP3 in the lineup, most of his numbers outside of the assist category all rose. He was a one-man wrecking crew at times this season and knows how to use the guys around him.
Though he will probably never shave his beard, he may quite possibly “shave” his title of “man with 0 MVP’s”. He was without a doubt robbed in the past two years, and will garner a lot of betters with his -400 odds.
The race to the 2017-18 NBA MVP will come down to the wire, between LeBron James and James Harden!
Mike Budenholzer and Atlanta Hawks Agree to Move On
The Hawks and Mike Budenholzer have parted ways. Read below to find out more about his career.
Background before ATL:
Mike Budenholzer is one of many Gregg Popovich disciples to take the reigns of a head coaching position after leaving the assistant role in San Antonio. Before taking over as the head coach in ATL, he had eighteen seasons under his belt helping out in a lesser role. He was 25 years of age when he began his professional coaching career with the Spurs.
After 4 years at Pomona College, where he played 4 years of basketball and golf, he went on to play basketball in Denmark. He averaged a team-high 27.5 points per game in a season there, while also serving as the head coach for a pair of youth teams. He took on a video coordinator role as a 25-year old with the Spurs in 1994-95.
He moved up to assistant coach in 1996, and remained there until being hired by the Hawks in 2013. There he remained for five years, as the future is now uncertain.
Atlanta’s performance under him:
Budenholzer was trying to extend a streak started before him by Mike Woodson, and also carried on by Larry Drew. The team had made the playoffs for five straight years before he took over as head coach, a weird predicament.
He came in and though the team struggled to a 38-44 record, they pushed the #1 Pacers to 7 games before finally bowing out. The very next year, they finished with the best record in the East at 60-22 and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals. There was a month where the entire starting 5 was player of the month.
They came back down to earth with 48 wins the following season, but still managed to make it to round two, beating Boston in 6. They would get swept by the Cavaliers from there.
In 2016-17 the win total dipped a little bit more to 43, but they still made it to the postseason for a ninth year in a row. After falling to the Wizards in 6 in the opening round, they decided to call for a rebuild. They traded a number of their top players who remained and braced for a struggle.
They went just 24-58 this past season, as expected, and Budenholzer came out and said he wanted no part of a rebuild. So now, he’s gone, a 213-197 record with 4 playoff appearances left behind him.
His strengths as a coach:
Budenholzer, being a disciple of Popovich, was a strict leader. His mains strengths were his ability to lead, and generally manage a game. He took a team with a lot of role players and turned that into a 60-22 team, only like a Gregg Popovich type of coach could do.
He brought the best out in his players and was a very good voice for his squad. It never seemed they tired of him and it also seemed the players all had a great relationship with the man in charge.
What’s next?
It is very likely that Mike Budenholzer is a head coach somewhere in the NBA next season. The track record he had in small-market Atlanta, despite some big name players, is very impressive.
The Suns and Knicks, along with the Hornets are possibilities for the 48-year old free agent. There are a lot of other big name coaches so we will see how highly other teams value him, compared to the likes of Steve Clifford and Frank Vogel.
Stay tuned for more on Budenholzer. We post NBA news stories every Thursday on VegasOdds so be sure to follow us!
NBA Playoffs Players to Watch
It has been a very exciting first few days of the NBA Playoffs. Read below as we highlight some of the players with surprisingly impressive performances!
Gerald Green:
Signed by the Rockets back in late December, Green had a number of huge performances. He put up big numbers night in and night out. It wasn’t known what his role over the course of the whole season would be, but it did seem that his offensive ability would be showcased.
We flash ahead to the postseason now, and Green was unable to get it going in the first game against Minnesota. In 19 minutes off the bench, he shot just 2-5 from the floor and finished with 4 points and 7 rebounds, with a +/- of -7. In Game 2 however, he turned into an absolute star.
Green had it going on from the first second he hit the floor. Finishing with a net rating of +27 in this contest, Green put up 21 points in 7-17 shooting (5-12 from 3PT), and pulled down 12 rebounds (3 offensive). He also blocked a shot and played some of his best ball all season.
The Rockets will not lose games when they have Green putting up numbers like these.
Dwyane Wade:
Traded back home to Miami after spending the last year and a half between Chicago and Cleveland, all was normal for D-Wade again. He was back to wearing number 3, and he was in Wade County, where he was known and loved by fans for fourteen years.
It was not clear how big of a role he would have on this team at the time, a team loaded with guards, but it became clear pretty quickly it would be a significant one. When the playoffs begin and Dwyane Wade is playing for your team, you tend to be a lot better.
After a relatively quiet game one (11 pts, 4 rbs, 4 asts in 19 minutes off the bench) Wade emerged as star in game two. He played 26 minutes and posted 28 points in 11-16 shooting (6-8 FT), grabbed 7 rebounds, and dished out 3 assists.
Wade was showing us that he can still be an elite player, while at the same time, driving his team toward a victory. The 36-year-old is due for another big performance as the Heat hos the 76ers for game 3 tonight.
Terry Rozier:
It is no secret that one of Danny Ainge’s all-time favorite Celtics is Terry Rozier. Coming in to this season, this fascination was laughed at, and he was not seen as a key contributor to Boston’s success. Oh how it has all changed.
Due to all of the injuries the Celtics suffered, Rozier was thrust into a starting role for much of the stretch run, a role in which he thrived. He showed capability of being the leading scorer on the team and playing very solid on the defensive side of the ball.
When the playoffs begin, everything changes though as that is a completely different level of play. Not only has he outplayed seasoned veteran Eric Bledsoe, he has gotten into his head. Bledsoe acted as if he had never heard of Rozier in his last press conference.
Over the first two games against the Bucks, Rozier has averaged 23 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game, while playing 78 minutes. He has done all of this while not committing a single turnover. He is showing that he is worth a lot of money, and is without a doubt, a blue-chip talent.
Referred to by his peers now as “Scary Terry” Rozier is only beginning his quest to lead a great Celtics playoff run.
Andre Ingram King of the Final Week in National Basketball Association
Andre Ingram, with just 3 short days left in the NBA season, became the most captivating name in the NBA this season. Read below for more:
How he got to this point
A 32-year old who was originally born in Richmond, VA, Andre Ingram attended Highland Springs High School in Highland Springs, VA. As a senior, he lead his team to their first to the Group AAA title in 2002-03. Over the course of that season, he averaged 22.8 points per game, as well as 9.5 rebounds per game.
Ingram’s next step took him to American University, where he started all 31 games as a freshman, averaging 13.6 points per contest. Fast forward to the end of his career there, and he’s the fifth all-time leading scorer in school history, scoring 1,655 points. He was the leading scorer during all four of his years.
He was selected in the 7th round of the D League draft by the Utah Flash (now defunct), finishing his time there as the team’s all-time leading scorer with 2,098 points, and ranked 2nd in rebounds, 4th in assists, and 3rd in steals.
He spent parts of four seasons with the LA D-Fenders from 2012-16 before going to Perth to play for the Wildcats. He lasted two games before calling it quits. He played for the D-Fenders, as well as the South Bay Lakers over the past two years.
He went in to have an exit meeting with his coach. Little did he know that this would be a life-changing meeting. He found out in there, when he saw Rob Pelinka and Magic Johnson, he was going to get a shot in the NBA. 12 years after finishing his college career, here he was. Andre Ingram, Los Angeles Laker.
His time with the Lakers:
It didn’t take long for his Lakers teammates to grow fond of Ingram. He suited up to make his debut on Tuesday for a game against the league’s best team, the Houston Rockets. He checked in off the bench about 7 minutes into the game, and it was off.
Ingram would put on a show in the 29 minutes that he spent on the court that night. Whenever he caught the ball, he’d let a shot fly, and it would swish through the net. Shot after shot, the crowd was even chanting MVP during his trips to the free throw line.
As soon as he checked in to the game, he hit a three, got a 3-point play, then hit another jumper. Andre Ingram finished the game with 19 points (6-8 FG, 4-5 3PT, 3-3 FT), 3 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots. They lost by six, but this was a night to remember for Ingram.
In the team’s game against the Clippers last night, Ingram didn’t quite generate the amount of buzz that he did the night before, but the team produced while he was on the floor. Shooting just 2-9 from the floor, Ingram failed to score the ball much, finishing with just five points. He did a tremendous job though, of finding open teammates, going from one assist in his debut, to six.
The LA Lakers outscored their opponents, the LA Clippers, by 23 points with Ingram on the floor, giving him a net rating of +20 in his 64 minutes of action over two games.
What’s next?
Andre Ingram waits to see if the Lakers could consider bringing him back next season. The team already has a talent at the guard position and dealt with health issues at the end of the season. He thrilled Lakers fans one final time to close the 2017-18 season, and for that, we all owe him a big thank you.
List Narrows on Potential #1 Pick in 2018 NBA Draft
With the NBA Draft just a few months away and players declaring, let’s comb through some potential #1 picks and what makes each player worthy of being selected as #1.
DeAndre Ayton
- He’s a big man that absolutely dominates inside the paint and you won’t slow him when he gets to his spot.
- He’s a tremendous rim-protector, and in a league where many teams have opted to go small, his rim-protecting presence can be felt immensely.
- He shot 73.3% from the foul line in his lone season at Arizona, and it’s a luxury to have a big man that can make free throws.
- He’s fantastic in the pick and roll and can set up a lot of shots for teammates a la Steven Adams with setting good hard screens.
Marvin Bagley
- He seems to be a once in a every 10 years or so type of big man, where he can absolutely dominate the game in many facets
- He’s got the ability to not only dominate inside of the paint, but spread the floor and knock down the three as well. He could be the next Karl-Anthony Towns in the NBA
- He’s as dominant a shot-blocker as a DeAndre Jordan or Hassan Whiteside type, something every team in the association could use on their team
- He knows how to go straight up without fouling, averaging a shade under two fouls a night for Duke this past year
Luke Doncic
- He’s not only a knockdown shooter but has the ability to find the open man wherever he may be.
- His game has no real glaring weakness and his game should translate very well from Europe to the NBA.
- His minutes have steadily increased from year to year, so he’s used to having to adapt to playing more in games.
Mo Bamba
- Averaging around four blocks per game in his lone season at Texas, he showed to be as a good a shot blocker as any player could ever hope to be.
- He dominates on the glass, something a lot of teams could really use in their system.
- His length is something that we’re all marveling at and seeing him go through combine workouts will have teams drooling.
- He’s got a decent jumper, and once he improves it, could be a better version of Myles Turner, who also came from Texas.
Jaren Jackson Jr.
- Like a lot of the earlier players mentioned, he protects the rim extremely impressively and is a tremendous free throw shooter as well.
- Being a 6-11 big man and able to knock down the three at a high clip is something that a lot of NBA teams want to have in their players, and Jackson Jr. thrives in that category.
- He scored just eight points in two March Madness games, but a lot of players in the past, including Andrew Wiggins, who struggled in the tournament still went as high as #1.
- Jackson could very well be the next Wiggins, stink up in March Madness but still be selected as the top pick.
Some other honorable mentions who could go at #1: Wendell Carter Jr., Michael Porter Jr., Mikal Bridges, and Kevin Knox. The draft class in 2018 will be very impressive and many teams will come out better than they were before.
Follow VegasOdds to get the latest happenings around the NCAA every weekend!
One and Done in NCAA College Basketball – the Debate
It’s been plaguing college basketball for a number of years. Here’s why the one and done rule needs to be put to a halt.
What does one and done mean?
When a player goes from high school to college and he plays just one season of college hoops, this is what it’s called. Essentially, they only go to said school to play basketball, and in many cases, they completely leave the institution once the basketball season comes to an end.
Ben Simmons did exactly this, leaving in March after his team had failed to qualify for the NCAA March Madness tournament. This doesn’t look good for the school, and the players like Simmons (who left with a sub 2.0 GPA) have no interest whatsoever in getting an education.
What impact does this have on the school?
When a player only spends the one season required by the NBA before turning pro at the school of their choice, it leaves a lot to be desired. They don’t return for their sophomore year to continue what they started the prior year, and in many cases, their games are still very raw and need years of NBA experience to perfect their craft.
Some players need to support their family, and obviously, that won’t happen while they are a member of the NCAA. With the exception of these cases, it’s very bad for the schools when players do this. Academically, they aren’t teaching much to these players, they’re having to rebuild after every season rather than every few, and have to change their lineups year after year.
While it will draw more and more fans to the games, these people don’t get to grow as the players do when they leave after one year. They have to go all out each and every year because the top guys are declaring for drafts so young, and that affects the performance of their product.
Why is it bad for the players?
Players are only spending about 7-8 months at their school before heading off to make millions in the NBA. They hardly really acclimate themselves to their schools or fellow students, as they are solely focused on going pro. There isn’t a rule currently in place that allows players to go pro right from high school like there used to be, so that isn’t an option.
The NBA, though, has looked into that decision. All-time greats like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Garnett did not attend college at all and all had legendary careers. Not all players though can be as talented or anywhere near as dominant as them, however. They need to develop their games in college, a la Kyle Kuzma, who has been one of the year’s best rookies after spending three years at Utah.
If a player is going to go to college, they should be required to play two or more years, like how the NFL has it. They have a chance to grow and improve under the same coach and staff, while not entering the league as a young teenager, but somebody just entering their 20’s. They’ll have more experience then.
What will change if players are allowed to go right from high school to the NBA?
The corruption in the NCAA will happen far less, as these amazing, 5-star talents are always being “sold off” and given illegal benefits so they will get to play for the coach who wants them the most. It’s been a big scandal for a number of years and will subside a bit if players don’t have to go to college.
It’s great when you see a player, good enough to go pro, spend multiple years in college before moving up, so they can ready themselves for life after ball. Those who want that can get that, by spending multiple years and improving their game while in school. They will come more ready for the pro game that way and bring more to the table.
Adam Silver has been working with the league to try and go back to how it used to be, and looking to send players to the G-League who want to forgo college, and earn their way into the pros faster. Once this passes, it will greatly improve the college game, and life on campus for those who want to go. Requiring the two years allows them to acclimate, and if players want to right to the NBA, well then they can.
While nothing is imminent, the NBA is looking into this rule. Stay up to date on the latest happenings in the NCAA by checking Vegas Odds every weekend!
Philadelphia 76ers are Absolutely on FIRE
The Philadelphia 76ers have been turning heads during their 12-game winning streak. Read more below!
About the streak:
While they were already essentially guaranteed a playoff spot, this recent streak by the 76ers have all but ensured them a chance to have home-court advantage for the first round. While most of their wins have come against non-playoff teams, a 12-game win streak is extremely impressive. To all of those who were not trusting the process, they are now believing in it.
Philadelphia got back this past year’s #1 pick Markelle Fultz during the streak, and they had to acclimate him back to the offense after he hadn’t played since the team’s third game of the season. TJ McConnell also had his role change to where he was a ball handler to playing off the ball. It was a major switch that the team had to forgo. They have switched up their rotations consistently and been able to get the job done equally impressively.
The most impressive parts of the streak:
Undefeated since March 15, Brett Brown’s squad has been on an absolute tear. While the only playoff team they have defeated has been the Minnesota Timberwolves, the streak has continued despite injuries to the two top players on the team in Joel Embiid and Dario Saric. Ben Simmons has been playing fantastic basketball while Richaun Holmes and Amir Johnson have effectively handled all the minutes at the center spot.
Embiid is seen by many as the best defensive player in the NBA this season and is considered to be a front runner for the defensive player of the year award. He has the rare ability to stretch the floor and take players off the dribble, while being over 7 feet tall. Saric on the other hand had been starting to score a lot more than he had previously and been a very consistent second option for the team.
Unsung heroes:
Some of the players on the 76ers who deserve a little more credit for their play during their recent winning streak include Justin Anderson, Ersan Ilyasova, and Marco Belinelli. Anderson has been in and out of the team’s lineup all throughout the season, and when he has received minutes, he’s shown what he’s capable of. A starter during much of his rookie season in Dallas, he gave them baskets when needed and showed defensive stopping ability.
Since acquiring him from the struggling Hawks, the 76ers have proved to be a great fit for Ersan Ilyasova, who also spent 53 games with them in 2016-17. He’s a big man who is a force on the boards and can spread the defense out and hit threes. He’s been averaging 10.1 points per game on 43% shooting in the 23 contests he has played in since coming over.
Marco Belinelli, picked up after the Hawks waived him, signed with Philly with the statement “I am trusting the process.” He has proved to be a legitimate sharpshooter, something he has been known for his entire career, and playing for a team that needed another shooter, it’s been perfect. Whenever JJ Redick needs a break or when Robert Covington struggles, they put Marco in the game and all is well.
These three players have all been vital to the team’s success, but a lot of credit has to go to Brett Brown and his staff. He believes in his players and in their ability to step up.
Beware of these 76ers, as they look to stay hot as we head toward the playoffs!
Night to Remember in the National Basketball Association
It was a night to remember in the NBA on March 28, 2018. We’ll go through a few of the biggest moments from a historic night.
Karl-Anthony Towns drops franchise record 56 pts
Karl-Anthony Towns did something last night that no player in franchise history, not even Kevin Love or Kevin Garnett ever did. He absolutely went off and posted a franchise record 56 points. He surpassed Mo Williams and his out-of-nowhere 52-point effort on January 13, 2015.
Ben Simmons was joking with Towns before the game on Twitter the night before that he could stay up playing video games all night since they were playing the Hawks. Well, technically speaking, he sure could have. His final line, when all was said and done, was 56 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 assists.
The most impressive aspect of this, was his accuracy. Towns finished the day shooting 19-32 from the floor including 6-8 from 3, and 12-15 from the foul line. It would be hard to ever find a big man who can shoot the ball this well over the course of an entire game to drop as many points as Towns did. His future is only looking brighter.
Marshon Brooks appears in first NBA game since 2013-14 season, leads Grizzlies to win
Marshon Brooks NBA career started off with a bang in New Jersey, where he averaged 12.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game in about 30 minutes a night during his rookie season. He declined rapidly, averaging just 5.4 ppg in 12.5 MPG the following year. He played for three teams in his third season, Boston, Golden State, and the LA Lakers.
Out of the league following the 2013-14 season, Brooks went to play overseas, and he shined. The Grizzlies, looking for somebody to sign who can spark them, went out and picked up Marshon on Tuesday, March 27. The very next day, he would have a game that he would not soon forget.
Brooks finished the game with 21 points in 21 minutes, including going 4-4 from three-point range in the fourth quarter. He was firing up the crowd all quarter and showed that he is back, and here to stay, even it was only one game. The former Providence star has once again found his NBA traction.
Kemba Walker becomes Charlotte’s all-time leading scorer
Charlotte has been known since 1998 as the city where Dell Curry is the franchise leader in scoring. Well, Kemba Walker has been creeping up on that total over the past few games, and Curry, broadcasting last night’s game against the Cavs alongside Eric Collins, had a front row seat to witness history.
Kemba was destined to eventually pass Dell Curry as the all-time leading scorer in Hornets history after he wasn’t moved at the trade deadline. He scored 7 points in the game’s final 1:22 to reach the magic number: 9,841 points. A long-time coming, he was a legitimate scorer from the first day he got to Charlotte from UConn.
Walker finished the game, a loss which snapped the team’s 4-game winning streak, with 21 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists. Congratulations to him, on becoming the Charlotte Hornets all-time leading scorer. 10,000 is just a few knocks away!
Jaylen Brown hits game-winning three
No Kyrie. No Smart. No Morris. No Theis. NO PROBLEM. The short-handed Boston Celtics played 47:57 of even basketball with the Utah Jazz, with the scored being tied at 94 headed to the game’s final shot. This would go down as one to remember for a gritty Celtics team that doesn’t know what it means to throw in the towel.
Semi Ojeleye kicked the ball out to second-year man Jaylen Brown, now back from his nasty concussion, and he came through and buried the three. This shot helped the Celtics to defeat a team with the league’s second past record over the previous two months, as they had won 23 of their previous 27 games.
Brad Stevens drew up the play brilliantly, and the Celtics, thanks to Jaylen’s game winner, now sit at 52-23 on the season. He’s shown a number of flashes of being a legitimate NBA star at times, and at just 21 years of age, his future looks bright.
You never know what exciting moments will happen in the NBA next. Be sure to tune in to tonight’s action!