The Thunder beat the Nuggets on Friday night behind Chris Paul’s 29 points. Oklahoma City has now won 11 of their last 14 games.
The Oklahoma City Thunder returned to play after the All-Star break with a statement win on Friday night, defeating the Denver Nuggets 113-101 inside Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Here are three takeaways from that game:
Balanced scoring attack > dominant player
Denver’s Nikola Jokic was the game’s high scorer with 32 points. While Jamal Murray also chipped in 21, it wasn’t enough to overcome a balanced scoring effort from Oklahoma City.
Seven of the nine players that saw action for the Thunder were in double-digits, and the only one not to score at all was Terrance Ferguson, who played 21 minutes and took only one shot from the floor.
Steven Adams (19), Danilo Gallinari (15), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (11), Dennis Schroder (11), Lu Dort (11), and Nerlens Noel (10) all contributed double figures while Abdel Nader scored seven in 16 minutes of play.
Chris Paul was a scorer, not just a facilitator
At times during the season, Chris Paul has been fine to take a back seat to high-scoring guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dennis Schroder. Billy Donovan even talked about OKC’s success being predicated on the unselfishness of the guards during his post-game press conference.
Billy Donovan on the Thunder’s killer three-guard lineup, said he talked to Paul, Schroder and SGA in preseason about how hard it could be to defend. “It wouldn’t have worked if those guys didn’t have the attitude, mentality they had towards it.” pic.twitter.com/4VdykJSjjI
But on Friday, Paul was the primary scorer for the Thunder, scoring a team-high 29 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the field. Paul also hit on four of his six 3-point attempts.
While Paul hit on four 3-pointers, he was by far the best 3-point shooter on Friday night.
As a team, OKC struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 34.6% (9-of-26). Danilo Gallinari, in particular, had an off-shooting night from range, making just 2-of-7 from beyond the arc.
As bad as Oklahoma City was, the Nuggets were even worse. Denver shot a paltry 22.2% from three, making just six of their 27 attempts. Will Barton was the Nuggets best weapon from beyond the arc, as it was, making 2-of-5 from 3-point land.
Seven different players for Oklahoma City scored in double-digits. With the victory, OKC has now won 11 of their last 14 games.
Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray combined to score 53 points for the Denver Nuggets on Friday night. But it still wasn’t enough to beat another balanced scoring attack from the Thunder.
Seven different players for Oklahoma City were in double-digits as they took down the Nuggets 113-101.
Chris Paul led the way with 29 points as the Thunder have now won 11 of their last 14. They improve to 34-22 overall and 18-12 inside Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Steven Adams went for another double-double against Denver, scoring 19 points to go along with a game-high 17 rebounds. Danilo Gallinari added 15 while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, and Dennis Schroder all chipped in 11 apiece. Nerlens Noel also had 10.
Oklahoma City clamped down on Denver in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Nuggets 35-24 in the final frame. A dunk by Nerlens Noel off an assist by Dennis Schroder gave the Thunder a 10 point lead with 7:15 to play.
Grant played 21 minutes off the bench, scoring six points while shooting just 1-of-6 from the field.
Jokic scored a game-high 32 points while Murry added 21. Although the All-Star break was in between losses, it’s the first time that Denver has dropped back-to-back games since losing three in a row to the Celtics, Nets, and 76ers back in December.
Oklahoma City is back in action on Sunday when they host the San Antonio Spurs.
OKC’s loss to Denver on Dec. 14 was a turning point, and since then, the Thunder have gone 22-8 including winning 10-of-13 before the break.
Oklahoma City isn’t easing into the final third of their regular-season schedule, jumping back into play following the All-Star break by hosting one of the best teams in the Western Conference in the Denver Nuggets.
The first matchup between the team went to the Nuggets in a 110-102 victory over OKC back on Dec. 14.
Following that loss, the Thunder were just 11-14 on the year. But that loss served as a turning point in Oklahoma City’s season.
In the two months since, OKC has gone 22-8, including winning 10 of their last 13 ahead of All-Star Weekend.
Dennis Schroder touched on what has made the Thunder so successful during practice on Thursday, noting that there is a “different vibe” in the locker room this season and that “everybody is sacrificing” so that Oklahoma City can be where they are right now in the standings.
Schroder also credited Thunder head coach Billy Donovan with getting everybody to buy-in to his coaching philosophy, saying that he’s never seen three elite guards “having that much joy, coming out and playing for each other”.
As Schroder alluded to, one of the many reasons Oklahoma City found so much success prior to the All-Star break was their balanced scoring attack and unselfish nature.
A noted by ESPN, in the 13 games prior to the break, Schroder (22.4), Chris Paul (20.8), Danilo Gallinari (20.4) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (18.1) all averaged at least 18 points over that stretch.
The Nuggets are led by Nikola Jokic, who averages 20.6 points per game. In the last matchup, Jokic went for a 28-point, 14-rebound, 12-assist triple-double to top Steven Adams’ 18-point and 14-rebound double-double.
Tip-off between Denver and the Thunder is at 7 p.m. CT inside Chesapeake Energy Arena. The game will be televised on ESPN.
Previewing Friday’s Denver Nuggets at Oklahoma City Thunder sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.
The Denver Nuggets (38-17) visit the Oklahoma City Thunder (33-22) for a Friday 8 p.m. ET tip-off at Chesapeake Energy Arena. We analyze the Nuggets-Thunder odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.
Nuggets at Thunder: Key injuries
Nuggets
SG Will Barton (knee) questionable
C Bol Bol (foot) out
Thunder
SF Darius Bazley (knee) out
SF Andre Roberson (knee) out
Nuggets at Thunder: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 2:30 p.m. ET.
The Nuggets continued their domination of the Thunder in their first meeting back on Dec. 14, winning 110-102 for their seventh consecutive victory in the rivalry. Additionally, the Nuggets have played great against division foes, going 9-0 vs. Northwest Division clubs, averaging a 9.6 margin of victory. For all the love Denver receives as a home team, it should get more praise for having the fifth-highest winning percentage in road games. What jumped out at me and makes me confident in betting the NUGGETS (+100) to win outright is the edge they have in Per 100 Possession categories. Both teams are having a great season, but Denver is ranked seventh in offensive rating and 10th in defensive rating; Oklahoma City is 14th in offensive rating and 12th in defensive rating.
New to sports betting? Bet $100 on the Nuggets (even/+100) to earn a $100 profit if they win outright.
The Thunder -1.5 (-110) are a slight favorite. One needs to lay -110 to get 1.5 points of insurance to back the Nuggets. Let’s PASS since we have a narrow line and should just play the moneyline. Here are some ATS trends that strengthen our ML handicap:
The Nuggets have covered 10 straight games against the Thunder.
Oklahoma City is just 9-10 ATS as a home favorite. Denver is 6-4-1 this season as a road ‘dog.
Denver has the best ATS winning percentage following a loss with a 10-3-3 record.
The last two Nuggets-Thunder meetings went Under the projected total and the Nuggets have a 2-7 O/U record in games against division opponents. Their combined O/U record is 52-57-1 so the game is most likely to go Under. Also, these teams have played a combined three games with four or more rest days and the O/U record is 0-3 in those games. I lean UNDER 216.5 (-115).
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While his teammates were in Chicago for the All-Star game or spending time with their families, Steven Adams enjoyed “training his dog”.
One thing is for certain. When interviewing Steven Adams, you’re never quite sure what you’re going to get.
Like the time where he used profanity to describe his fear of being at the free-throw line in a clutch situation.
Or when he said the next time he’s going to wear a custom suit will be “at his funeral”.
Adams’ blunt style combined with sarcastic wit and his colloquial “mate” makes him one of the more entertaining interviews on the team.
Oklahoma City’s media session at practice on Thursday was no exception.
Thunder reporter Nick Gallo asked Adams what his favorite part of being off for the All-Star break was. Without missing a beat, Adams replied, “I think training my dog, mate”.
Who doesn’t love some quality time with their dog?
The week off also likely helped Adams get fully healthy for the final push of the regular season after dealing with knee and ankle injuries towards the end of January.
In his last 10 games prior to the All-Star break, Adams was averaging just 8.0 points per game 7.4 rebounds, down from his season averages of 10.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per contest.
Oklahoma City will hope to have him back to form on Friday night when they host the Nuggets. In their only game against Denver this season, Adams went for a double-double, scoring 18 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in a 110-102 loss on Dec. 14.
Adams was also seen at practice on Thursday working on his half-court heaves.
Man, time flies. The NBA playoffs are right around the corner — we’re literally just 60 days away. But it still feels like we know absolutely NOTHING about the league right now.
For example, do we know for certain which teams are strong enough to squeak into the playoffs as the 8th seed? Will the Rockets ever sign another center? Will Ben Simmons take another three? We don’t know.
There are so many questions just waiting to be answered in the final third of the season before we get to April. We’ve got a bunch of them right here for you.
Here are the burning questions we need answered as a basketball viewing public, with teams listed in order of their current standing in each conference.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. How are you supposed to stop the Bucks?
Well, their defense is pretty much an impenetrable wall and their best player is a flying death machine, by himself, who is having one of the best regular seasons ever.
So, basically, ¯_(ツ)_/¯
2. Can the Raptors actually repeat?
Maybe! Last year at the All-Star break they were 43-16. This year, they’re 40-15 – so they aren’t far off. Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet have gotten even better an Kyle Lowry is still doing Kyle Lowry things. They’re a threat still.
3. Did Jayson Tatum finally make “The Leap” and how does that change things?
The 2019 edition of Jayson Tatum was bad. He shot the ball poorly and couldn’t finish layups. Since that calendar hit 2020, though? Dude has been balling. He’s shooting 47% from the floor and 40% from three while giving us all world defense.
If they get this Tatum the rest of the way? The best team in the West might be booking trips to Boston come June.
4. What is the Heat’s ceiling?
Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are incredible. But still, they’re playing with a bunch of dudes who are punching above their collective weight. Maybe they’re that good, maybe they’re not. We’ll know by April.
Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports
5. Can this sixers roster work as a unit?
The Sixers are the living embodiment of the term “on paper.” Their collection of talent should be able to beat anyone, but it turns out they can’t beat anyone — especially on the road. Can they solve that problem? We’ll see.
6. What can the Pacers get from Victor Oladipo?
Oladipo has been hit-and-miss in seven games back with the Pacers, but it’s only been seven games. If he improves, the Pacers are dangerous.
7. The Nets should probably start tanking, right?
One would think! Kyrie Irving is hurt again, they’re three games under .500, they’re the 7th seed right now. But who am I kidding? They’re totally getting swept by the Raptors in the first round while Kyrie takes 56 shots per game.
8. Uhhhh, the Magic?
I have no idea what they’re doing or where they’re headed. But Markelle Fultz seems good – so that’s great!
9. To Beal or not to Beal? That is the question.
It’s going to be so fun when the Wizards miss the playoffs by half a game this year and Bradley Beal finally demands his trade. SO FUN.
Sidebar: Never be a Wizards fan, folks. It’s unhealthy.
10. Is Zach LaVine worth going all in on?
Zach LaVine has legitimately turned into one of the league’s most polarizing players.
He’s one of the best scorers in the NBA… but he’s also a matador on defense. He’s just 24 years old… and is still turnover machine. See what I’m getting at? No idea what his future holds with the Bulls or elsewhere.
11. Is Devonte’ Graham a building block?
That game says yes. The Hornets might think otherwise, though. We’ll see.
12. Who is going to coach the Knicks next year?
Mike Miller has the Knicks at 13-20 in 33 games as their interim head coach and seems to be making a breakthrough with the young guys on the team… so we definitely know he’s out the door next season, right?
Trae Young, Clint Capela and John Collins are very good-to-great offensive pieces. It still feels like they need one more piece to make some noise next year, though.
15. How fast can they get beilein out of there?
This is how I like to imagine the conversation between Dan Gilbert and John Beilein going.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. Can the Lakers win a title with what they have?
They’d better because, uh, this is it, y’all. The trade deadline has passed, Darren Collison isn’t coming through and the buyout market is, well, not great.
Let’s be honest, though. This team is still pretty great. Also, we’ve seen LeBron James drag way worse into June before. They’ll be fine.
2. Can the Nuggets actually get to the Finals?
It’s definitely possible. Nikola Jokic has been the absolute best center in the NBA this season and the Nuggets have been pretty impressive against tough competition. It’s a tough road, but don’t count them out.
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
3. When will the Clippers actually be healthy?
The correct answer is probably not this regular season, but the Clippers are definitely hoping things are fine by May. Paul George is out now with a strained hamstring and that kept him out for nine straight games in January. He might not be good again until mid-March.
4. Can the Jazz get Grizzlies-ERA Mike Conley?
Conley is the difference between the Jazz being an elite team and a second-round out. They did a chunk of their winning while he was out of the lineup with a hamstring injury, but for them to have the offensive versatility they’ve lacked in the last couple of postseasons, they need him to deliver vintage performances.
5. Will the small ball Rockets actually work?
They’re 5-2 with P.J. Tucker starting at center and look pretty good. But, man, it’s hard to imagine Tucker or Robert Covington or whoever else guarding Nikola Jokic or Anthony Davis over a seven-game series.
6. What is the Thunder’s ceiling?
Chris Paul has been absolutely incredible this year and their three guard lineups with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Paul and Dennis Schröder have been killer. But Paul is 36 years old and this team isn’t lasting forever.
7. Can Luka Doncic Cause Playoff Chaos?
Only one player in the history of the NBA has averaged at least 28 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists per game. It’s Luka. 2-seeds beware. The Mavericks are going to be a beast.
8. The Grizzlies Are going to be scary next season, Right?
Ja Morant at point. Dillon Brooks taking your best player out of the game. Jaren Jackson protecting the rim and shooting threes. The best is very clearly still ahead of this team, but they’re also amazing to watch right now.
9. How long is Damian Lillard out for?
Lillard strained his groin just before the All-Star break, which stinks. The Blazers obviously caught a huge break with virtually no basketball being played this week, but if he has to miss extended time? They’re cooked.
10. The Spurs’ playoff streak is really going to die, isn’t it?
Man. This is really looking like the end of an era. They’re not out of it, but they’re five games behind the Grizzlies and in the 10th spot. Pop can’t go out like this, man.
11. How hard does Zion have to snap to win rookie of the year?
If we had to vote today it’d easily be Ja Morant. As great as Zion Williamson has been in 10 games, it’s still only 10 games. When he hits, say, 30? And he’s still averaging 22.1 points per game? That’s when we’ll at least have a conversation.
12. Why aren’t the Suns better?
Poor Devin Booker. At the start of the season it looked like the Suns were a legit playoff squad. Now? It’s probably time to build your draft board, Suns’ fans.
13. IS Buddy Hield gone?
The beef brewing between Buddy Hield and the Kings organization is just so Kings. First, they overpaid Hield. Then they benched him. Now, he wants out. There is absolutely no way this ends well.
14. What do the Wolves have to do to get Devin Booker?
D’Angelo Russell was the first piece. Karl-Anthony Towns was already in place. All that’s left? D Book. The littlest big 3 is almost intact.
Booker is already being asked about it.
15. The Warriors are really going to get the #1 pick, aren’t they?
The Rockets (34-20) haven’t played since Tuesday, but they benefited from a pair of losses by the Nuggets (38-17) and Clippers (37-18).
The Rockets finished up their schedule before the 2020 NBA All-Star break with Tuesday’s 116-105 home victory over Boston. It was Houston’s fifth win in seven games, lifting them to 34-20 overall and maintaining their position at No. 5 in the Western Conference playoff race.
But even though the Rockets didn’t play Wednesday or Thursday, they still improved their relative position in the standings.
Of the four teams in front of Houston in the West, two of them lost their final games heading into the All-Star break. Denver (38-17) lost at home Wednesday to the Lakers, while the Clippers (37-18) lost Thursday at Boston. That brings the Rockets within two games in the loss column of the No. 3 seed, and three games of the No. 2 seed.
Going by current winning percentage, the Rockets have the easiest remaining schedule of any current West playoff team. The Nuggets, who currently hold the No. 2 seed, have the hardest schedule by winning percentage of any team in the West’s top seven spots.
The Rockets also have an easier schedule on paper than No. 6 Oklahoma City and No. 7 Dallas, who are currently just two games behind Houston in the loss column. In particular, Houston needs to hold off the Mavericks, since winning the Southwest Division could give the Rockets a significant boost in potential tiebreaker scenarios.
By standings impact, Houston’s biggest remaining games are Saturday, Feb. 22 at Utah and Thursday, March 5 at home versus the Clippers.
The Rockets trail No. 4 Utah by two games, which means they could cut the deficit in half with a win in their second game after the All-Star break. Since eight teams make the playoffs in each conference, getting into the top four assures home-court advantage in at least one round.
Western Conference Loss Column
Nuggets 17 Clippers 18 Jazz 18 Rockets 20
This is going to be nuts. Does it impact how teams load manage? Each night is going to have so much on the line because no one wants to play 4 v. 5 with Lakers waiting
More importantly, because the Rockets and Jazz only play three times, the winner of that Feb. 22 game in Salt Lake City will secure the season series and potential tiebreaker between the teams. Both Houston and Utah have now won on the other’s home floor following Bojan Bogdanovic’s shocking buzzer-beater at Toyota Center earlier this week.
[lawrence-related id=24510]
There’s similar importance to the March 5 matchup with the Clippers. Based on current standings, it would be an opportunity to halve the deficit. Moreover, it could also determine the tiebreaker, since Houston currently leads Los Angeles in the season series by a 2-1 margin.
Great win by the Celtics.#Rockets will enter the All-Star break just two games back in the loss column of the Clippers for a Top 3 seed in the West, and Houston currently holds the tiebreaker (2-1 edge).
If the Rockets and Clippers split the season series at 2-2, as Houston already did with Denver, then winning the Southwest could prove critical — since the next tiebreaker in two-team scenarios after head-to-head results is whether a team won its division.
The Rockets are now 2.5 games back of the Clippers.
With George possibly missing extended time and the Rockets hitting their stride, it's definitely possible they overtake them in the standings.
Going by the all-important loss column, Houston leads the Southwest Division by two games over Dallas, while the Clippers trail the Lakers in the Pacific by a whopping six games. The Nuggets do have a lead in the Northwest, but only by a game over the Jazz.
Thus, whether the Rockets can hold off Dallas could prove critical in not only being ahead of the Mavs in the standings, but also with potential tiebreakers involving other teams. The Rockets and Mavs, who have split their two games so far, play March 23 and Apr. 7, both in Dallas.
Houston likely needs to win at least one of those games, since allowing the Mavs to take both would give them the head-to-head tiebreaker versus the Rockets while also making up the current two-game gap.
Rockets have 28 games remaining. Here are the most important ones: 2/22: @ Utah 3/5: Vs Clips 3/23: @ Dallas 4/7: @ allas Utah gives tiebreaker in a 4/5 series. Losing to the Clips will mean they're 4 games back w/out a tiebreaker advantage. Beating Mavs gives SW division.
The Rockets resume play next Thursday at Golden State (12-43), who has the NBA’s worst record this season. Tip-off is at 9:30 p.m. Central, with the game televised nationally on TNT.
If the Rockets can take care of business there, in a way that they did not on Christmas Day, that could give Houston a chance to continue its move up the standings — since other West playoff teams (such as Denver at Oklahoma City on Friday) have tougher games out of the break.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis are the first Lakers duo to both score 30 points and grab 10 rebounds since the late Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol did so in 2008.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis continued to stake their claim for best duo in the NBA with their pair of quality performances Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets.
James and Davis led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 120-116 overtime win over the Nuggets. According to Justin Kubatko of Stat Muse, James and Davis became the first pair of Lakers teammates to both score at least 30 points and grab 10 rebounds since Pau Gasol and the late Kobe Bryant accomplished the feat in March 2008.
James had a triple-double, scoring 32 points, grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing 14 assists. Davis scored 33 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. With the win, the Lakers went into the All-Star break with the best record in the Western Conference.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis are the first @Lakers duo to each record at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in the same game since Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol on Mar. 4, 2008. pic.twitter.com/6rfNYj0V1o
The Lakers are a franchise filled with historic duos. Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar helped lead the Lakers to five titles in the 1980s. Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal led the Lakers to three straight championships from 2000-2002. Bryant and Gasol were the top players on the Lakers’ championship teams in 2009 and 2010.
As the season continues, the Lakers will need more of James’ and Davis’ high-caliber play to remain atop the West. James and Davis are the only other pair of teammates besides Russell Westbrook and James Harden to rank in the top 15 of the league for points per game.
Los Angeles will play against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Staples Center on Feb. 21 in their first game back from the All-Star break.
Many believe the NBA Draft will feature a stronger prospect pool in 2021 than what the 2020 class will offer. But it may get even deeper.
Many believe the NBA Draft will feature a stronger prospect pool in 2021 than what the 2020 class will offer. But it may get even deeper.
Our mock draft for 2021 featured blurbs on several high school juniors who have already reclassified to forego their senior seasons, including Terrence Clarke (Kentucky), Devin Askew (Kentucky) and JT Thor (uncommitted). Another high school junior who narrowly missed the cut was Cam Hayes, who committed to North Carolina State.
However, we believe that the topic of reclassification will become even more pressing in the coming few weeks and months. Perhaps one reason why high school juniors may want to join a class that is already loaded is the following year could become even more crowded.
It is fairly well known that the NBA may allow high school seniors to enter the draft in 2022 for the first time since Amir Johnson was selected in 2005. That means that the draft class will feature all of the usual college prospects as well as an influx of high school talent as well.
There would be an incentive, then, for top high school juniors to find a way to separate themselves by potentially showcasing what they are capable of when playing against NCAA talent. Scouts and executives are more familiar with evaluating college basketball players than high schoolers.
As such, here is what you need to know about the high school stars that are most rumored to join the ranks of the Class of 2020 and then potentially be eligible to be selected in the 2021 NBA Draft.
JONATHAN KUMINGA
Forward, 6-foot-8, The Patrick School (New Jersey)
Background: Jonathan Kuminga is considered, nearly unanimously, the best high school junior in the country. He averaged 20.8 points per game on the Nike EYBL Division B circuit in 2019, showing his prolific scoring ability. Kuminga also had the second-most points per game (27.4) among all players in the Peach Jam Tournament last year. As recently noted by SB Nation’s Ricky O’Donnell, the forward could be a top-five pick in the 2021 NBA Draft if he chooses to reclassify. He will participate at the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp during All-Star Weekend in Chicago.
NCAA: Back in October, the top prospect announced that he was not going to reclassify. However, that has not quieted any of the speculations that he will forego his senior season and play college basketball next season. He narrowed his collegiate decision to ten schools in November 2019. Kuminga also had an official visit from Kentucky head coach John Calipari in January. Corey Evans of Rivals believes Duke could add Kuminga via reclassification to their Class of 2020. Evans has called his recruitment “fluid” so though the talk of him reclassifying was once silenced, it could easily change.
The two reserves, who have been key all season, delivered again last night in a big road win for the Los Angeles Lakers over the Nuggets.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis both had monster performances last night as they knocked off the No. 2-seeded Denver Nuggets in an overtime thriller last night in the Mile High City. Davis hit a pair of 3-pointers in the overtime period that put the Lakers ahead for good, letting them cruise into the All-Star break with 41-12 record that leads the Western Conference.
But the two stars likely wouldn’t have felt quite as good were it not for the performances of two bench pieces that have provided little things and defense all season long: Alex Caruso and Dwight Howard. Both were instrumental down the stretch of the fourth quarter and in overtime. Howard had 14 points and 11 rebounds on 30 minutes, with much of that coming against Nikola Jokic, while Caruso had 10 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Their play earned a shout-out from LeBron afterward, echoing the sentiments of Lakers forward Jared Dudley.
Some of their contributions weren’t seen on the box score either. In the overtime, a smart Caruso screen freed Davis for what was the biggest shot of the game.
AD clears but his man stays to zone up on LeBron, and watch Caruso signal that he's going to set a screen to open up the biggest shot of the night. pic.twitter.com/soIxPJ5b5M
The Lakers have been led by Davis and James all season, but their season has been about much more than them as well. They showed that last night, just as they did throughout an impressive pre-All-Star stretch of their season.
