DeMar & Saddiq, left corner legends
DeRozan did it again. Saddiq Bey lifted the Pistons out of hell. There's something about that left corner...
About last night...
DeMar DeRozan did it again.
He becomes the first player in NBA history to hit game-winning threes on back-to-back days. Would you look at that? The Bulls have sole possession of first place in the East. Zach LaVine scored 35, but it's DeRozan who is climbing up the MVP ladder. LaVine said it best: "Thank God we have DeMar DeRozan on our team."
The Pistons, still playing with only three NBA players, beat the San Antonio Spurs. Saddiq Bey with the game winner — in the exact same spot as DeRozan buried his:
It's a surreal feeling to hit a game-winning three, and then only be mobbed by the two teammates you've actually known for more than a week. Headband Saddiq Bey is different. Detroit gets their sixth win of the season. Hamidou Diallo played close to 50 minutes and went 13-32 from the field, scoring 34 points, pulling down 14 rebounds, and ripping away five steals.
Late into the night, this notification popped up across our phones:
KPJ has since apologized to his coaches, but I'm desperate for security footage of an NBA player leaving the arena and getting into some supercar in full uniform. The part about Christian Wood is more concerning. He's had character issues in the past. In Detroit, he was able to rectify them for several months, earning him this Rockets deal — but this is not the Rockets team he signed up for. Also, Wood has refused to shoot and come into the game before.
Should Houston look to trade Wood? They've already been rumored to do so, and patience could be running thin on both sides. Being labeled as a guy who only plays hard when things are going well is a tough case, though, and Wood is too talented to be doing this.
Scores, stats, & notes
Bucks 136, Pelicans 113 — Giannis put up 35-16-10. Jaxson Hayes led all Pelicans with 23 points on 9-12 FG — smart money is on him being traded at the deadline.
Pistons 117, Spurs 116 — Bryn Forbes was nasty down the stretch for the Spurs. Thad Young getting DNP-CDs makes no sense. Luka Garza (cinder blocks for feet) scored 20 points.
Bulls 120, Wizards 119 — Kuzma thought he had the game-winning three with 3.3 seconds left. He thought wrong. Beal had 27 and 17 assists in his first game as a point guard.
Clippers 120, Nets 116 — By betting standards, this was the biggest upset of the season. Brooklyn was favored by 14 points and lost to the ghost of Eric Bledsoe. Harden had 34-12-13.
Nuggets 124, Rockets 111 — Denver led by as many as 31 in this one. Jalen Green led all scorers with 29. Facundo Campazzo remains a joy:
Warriors 123, Jazz 116 — The Warriors needed 28 from Steph and 25 from Wiggins to recover and beat the Jazz. Four 20-point scorers (Bogdanovic, Gobert, Mitchell, Clarkson) for Utah.