If you watch closely every night in the NBA you can learn a little something. We know you are busy and can’t keep up with every game, so we’re here to help with those lessons from another night in the Association. Here’s what you missed while you and your friend argue over which beer is better, Budweiser or Busch, to the point of pulling out a gun…
1) Dwyane Wade jumped owns a hot tub time machine, traveled back to 2006. People haven’t given full credit to Dwyane Wade for his best season in years. One where the Heat needed him to step up in the absence of LeBron James, and he has. He fully deserved that All-Star Game invite. And even in that context Monday night was a crazy, throwback game. Wade had 16 points in the second quarter on 6-of-7 shooting and it pushed the Heat up by a dozen at the break as Miami just rolled Cleveland. Wade finished with 32 points on 13-for-18 shooting, the Heat moved the ball, defended, and out hustled the Cavs all game. Call it the second night of a back-to-back and just one of those games for the Cavs, but the Heat needed this to make a push for the playoffs.
2) Dallas has now beaten the Clippers and Thunder in consecutive games. Have we mentioned before the Western Conference playoffs are going to be a bloodbath. Like a Mel Gibson movie level of blood. A week ago Dallas looked like the weakest link in the Western Conference eight, they were struggling on offense, and some wondered if the Pelicans could catch them. Now in the span of a few days they have knocked off the Clippers handily, then ground out a win over a hot Thunder team 119-115. Chandler Parsons was the big catalyst — he attacked, he created shots, and he ended up with 31 points on 18 shots for the night. He was 7-of-9 at the rim and 3-of-5 from three — notice no midrange shots, just good choices. They need more nights like this out of him.
3) Kyle Lowry drops triple-double, Raptors get much-needed win over Pacers. The Raptors had just won 2 of their last 12 games, but they had a plan for the stout defense of the Pacers: Run. Push the tempo. Kyle Lowry did that and with it had his best game in recent memory with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. He just seemed to do everything. Lou Williams added 24 points, DeMar DeRozan 22, and you got a win. Well, that and this was the best defense the Raptors have played in recent memory. The question now is can the Raptors build on this Wednesday against Minnesota and going forward? They still have a lot to get right before the playoffs.
4) Washington may have its groove back. Washington has now won four in a row, and that includes wins over Memphis and Portland — and the Trail Blazers didn’t rest everybody. Sure, Washington had a 25-point lead that dwindled down to one possession late, and Portland was on the second night of a back-to-back. Don’t spoil this for them. Washington has always been a team that could be dangerous come the playoffs because they can defend, and John Wall can put pressure on a defense with his speed. Both of those things happened Monday night. The Wizards covered the arc better (and Portland just missed some shots), and Wall finished with 21 points. The Wizards now head out of a four-game West Coast swing, but they do so with momentum. You know things are going your way when Nene is making this play.
5) Robin Lopez’s war on all mascots continues. This now is joining some of the all-time great feuds. Alexander Hamilton vs. Aaron Burr. Hatfields vs. McCoys. Stalin vs. Trotsky. Montagues vs. Capulets. Robin Lopez vs. NBA mascots.
