Luka Doncic, here to remind us
Ja Morant is amazing. Luka Doncic is still better.
About last night…
This isn't news — but Luka Doncic is a player worth staying up and watching.
It had been a while since I caught a full Mavs game, and an ever longer time since I'd seen this version of Luka:
That's the assist that gave Luka his 40th career triple-double. He finished with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in a rout of the red-hot Grizzlies.
Memphis' win streak is snapped at 11. It's a schedule loss — this was their eighth game in 12 days, the third game in four nights. When you're tired, and Luka's rolling, you're going to lose. I don't feel any worse about Memphis and I don't feel any better about Dallas. If Luka is an all-time great, he's gotta get back to racking up performances like this on a nightly basis.
The battle between Darius Garland and Dejounte Murray needs some shine. In previous years, nobody could blame you for skipping a Cavs-Spurs game in January. But now, both teams have dynamic, playmaking point guards who can get their own whenever they want. Here's Garland, with patience:
Here's Murray, who, if you recall, is the Spurs' starting point guard:
Murray finished with 30-14-8. Garland posted 32-4-8. Both have made massive individual leaps this season — DG is just blessed to have two 7-foot defensive unicorns behind him.
Scores, stats, & notes
Magic 116, Hornets 109 — Would you be surprised to know that LaMelo Ball is awesome, even in a loss?
Pistons 103, Raptors 87 — Dwane Casey moves to 8-3 against his former franchise. Detroit got their best games of the season from Hamidou Diallo, Killian Hayes, and Trey Lyles. If you still have any doubts about Cade Cunningham... keep them to yourself:
Suns 112, Pacers 94 — Devin Booker scored 35. Ayton dropped 27 on 12-18 shooting, and him and Jalen Smith pulled down 12 rebounds each. CP3 pulled out the Shammgod:
Sixers 111, Celtics 99 — Embiid scored 25 with 13 rebounds, and had this to say after the win:
Warriors 138, Bulls 96 — Yikes. Jonathan Kuminga led all scorers with 25. Andre Iguodala, who made one of the best passes in NBA history, made another one of the best passes in NBA history:
Heat 124, Hawks 118 — Jimmy Butler hates Max Strus. Or loves Max Strus. Yeah, I think it's that:
Cavs 114, Spurs 109 — Mobley and Allen combined for 32 points and 22 rebounds. Their consistency is the backbone of Cleveland's success. Also, Darius Garland made a half-court shot look as cool as it could possibly look:
Mavericks 112, Grizzlies 85 — It's rare for Dallas to get seven guys in double figures. Marquese Chriss was an amazing pickup for the Mavs: 15 points on 6-7 shooting. He rebounds, rolls, and hits open threes. Every team could use that.
Kings 126, Rockets 114 — Sacramento's De'Aaron Fox heard the trade rumors. They don't matter. He's gonna ball anyway. 11-18 shooting for 27 points, six rebounds, 8 assists. Here's the full story:
