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The Brooklyn Nets have stumbled out of the gates, with a celebrity nicely down on his ordinary finest kind.
Plus Australian’s gun rookie has turned in one of the best efficiency of his younger profession, whereas the Lakers bought their first win of the season in a wild end at Staples Centre.
Take a look at all the large storylines in basketball at the moment in our NBA Wrap.
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GRIZ STAR UPSTAGES LAKERS’ BIG THREE DESPITE FIRST WIN
The LA Lakers have gotten their first win of the season — ousting the Memphis Grizzlies 121-118 in a wild end — though it was removed from convincing.
They endured a large night time from Ja Morant, who was merely huge with 40 factors, 5 threes, 10 assists and three steals.
As per ESPN, Morant grew to become the primary Grizzlies participant 40 factors and 10 assists in a recreation and the third to report a 40-point double-double
For the Lakers, Russell Westbrook seemingly discovered his area of interest on the staff within the first half by passing the ball extra, racking up 10 assists and doing a terrific job of discovering the open man, additional boosted by Malik Monk’s return.
Whereas it meant Westbrook didn’t rating his first bucket till beneath three minutes left within the second time period with a mid-range jumper, he was all of a sudden oozing confidence, scoring nine-straight factors.
Westbrook completed the sport with 13 factors, seven rebounds, 13 assists and 4 steals, though solely shot 5-for-15 from the sector and 2-for-four from the road.
Carmelo Anthony had a large recreation, dropping 28 factors on 10-for-15 taking pictures with six triples to maneuver into ninth on the NBA’s all-time scoring record.
When the Lakers had been beginning to lose their means a bit within the fourth quarter, Anthony got here up large with two large back-to-back three-pointers to ship Staples Centre into raptures.
The Grizzlies, having opened their season with two-straight wins, didn’t go away simply all recreation regardless of the Lakers’ improved play.
Memphis stayed in contact till the ultimate minute of the sport the place each groups traded free throws. Morant had an opportunity to equal the scores with a possible game-tying three, however he was unwisely fouled by Kent Bazemore.
Morant knocked down his first two free throws however missed the third, whereas Anthony grabbed the rebound to seemingly seal the win.
However the referees then got here collectively to work out how a lot time to place again on the clock as the ultimate 1.9 seconds dragged proper out… even LeBron was calling for them to wrap it up!
Anthony Davis had 22 factors to guide six Lakers in double figures, including eight rebounds and 4 blocks. He got here up with some large defensive performs down the stretch.
Steven Adams proved to be an enormous drawback for the Lakers on the glass all recreation, hauling in 16 rebounds, as all 5 of Memphis’ starters scored in double figures.
HARDEN ‘POSTER BOY’ OF NBA’S NEW FOUL RULE
The Nets entered the 2021/2022 season as the new championship favourites, however at present look something however.
The Nets’ struggles continued on Monday morning (AEDT), falling to the Charlotte Hornets at residence 111-95.
And whereas Kyrie Irving’s absence has performed a task of their sluggish begin, James Harden’s detached kind has additionally been alarming.
Harden tallied 15 factors on 6-for-16 taking pictures towards the Hornets, including seven rebounds and eight assists whereas committing eight turnovers.
It included again to again fees, an airballed open three-pointer, getting dribble picked within the open courtroom and continuously crushed off the dribble.
And most significantly, Harden solely bought to the free-throw line as soon as regardless of repeated efforts to take action.
It comes because the NBA this season tightened its guidelines round fouls, the place offensive gamers who strive to attract contact will not get as many whistles.
“I believe he’s going to keep it up. I really feel like he’s unfairly grow to be the poster boy of not calling these foul,” Nets coach Steve Nash instructed reporters post-match.
“It‘s nonetheless basketball, irrespective of how a lot of a giant deal we attempt to make it a foul is a foul,” Harden added when requested about it after the match.
“Yeah for positive I (really feel just like the ‘poster boy’ of the rule change). However I’m not the kind to complain about it.”
Harden’s skill to get to the free throw line has maybe been his strongest asset throughout his 13-year NBA profession.
Since 2018-2019, Harden has solely had three video games with considered one of fewer free throws.
What’s extra, throughout his time on the Houston Rockets from 2012 to 2021, Harden averaged over 10 free throws per recreation. That quantity dripped to six.3 in his first season on the Nets.
And now by means of three video games of the brand new marketing campaign, Harden has averaged three free throw makes an attempt, his worst return since his rookie season.
“James (Harden) needed to alter his recreation as a result of they weren’t calling fouls for him,” Nets celebrity Kevin Durant stated of his teammate.
His discipline objective clip has additionally been nicely beneath par, hitting 38 per cent of his pictures on over 16 makes an attempt to common 18.3 factors per recreation — his lowest mark for the reason that 2011-2012 season with OKC.
“I’m simply getting my confidence again. I’m just a little hesitant. I do know you guys can see it,” Harden stated.
Durant completed with a game-high 38 factors on 17-for-24 taking pictures, including 5 rebounds.
However this was the Hornets’ recreation to rejoice as they moved to 3-0 to take a seat equal first within the Japanese Convention standings.
LaMelo Ball dominated the primary three quarters however was used sparingly within the closing time period resulting from back-up level guard Ish Smith’s sturdy play.
Ball had 18 factors, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, whereas Miles Bridges continued his sturdy begin to the season with a team-high 32 factors, three triples, 9 rebounds and two steals together with 11-of-12 taking pictures from the charity swipe.
Trailing by eight factors on the fundamental break, Charlotte dominated the second half 61-37 to run away with an emphatic victory on the street.
GIDDEY ‘LOOKS LEGIT’ IN CAEEER-BEST PERFORMANCE
Australian younger gun Josh Giddey has produced his finest recreation within the NBA regardless of the OKC Thunder taking place to the Philadelphia 76ers 115-113.
The versatile level guard completed with 19 factors on 8-for-13 taking pictures, eight rebounds, six assists and 4 steals in 34 minutes.
However the stats don’t inform the total story. Giddey’s freakish athleticism was on full show with some moments of sheer brilliance.
It included hitting a floater over Joel Embiid and nailing crosscourt passes you’d count on from a veteran playmaker.
Giddey additionally transformed a tricky layup by means of site visitors within the fourth quarter whereas getting fouled, however wasn’t in a position to convert the free throw.
“You’ll be able to see why the Thunder are very enthusiastic about him, his potential is off the charts proper now. He does so many issues nicely for such a younger participant, and the maturity he has in his recreation,” Thunder commentator Michael Cage stated.
In one other large play, Giddey pressured a turnover within the open flooring late within the fourth earlier than nailing a three-pointer.
Looking for their first win of the season, the younger Thunder didn’t permit the 76ers to run away with this one with out a combat.
Philadelphia led by as a lot as 12 factors early and had been nicely led by Joel Embiid (22 factors, two threes, 9 rebounds, six assists, three blocks) and Seth Curry (28 factors, seven triples) as they proceed to play with out Ben Simmons.
Shai-Gilgeous Alexander was glorious for the Thunder with a team-high 29 factors to go along with six rebounds, eight assists, one steal and one block.
The Thunder continued to push arduous down the stretch to get the sport again inside single digits, however had been outclassed by the skilled 76ers unit.
Philly shot 46 per cent from the sector within the contest and made 17 triples at a 40 per cent clip.
WARRIORS MOVE TO 3-0 FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2015
The Golden State Warriors stay undefeated after knocking off the Sacramento Kings 119-107 on the street — the primary time Steve Kerr’s staff has gone 3-0 2015.
Steph Curry was once more large, scoring a game-high 27 factors with 4 triples, seven rebounds, 10 assists and three steals, changing into the primary Warriors participant in franchise historical past to succeed in 5000 dimes.
And with Klay Thompson nonetheless sidelined, Curry has discovered a brand new associate in crime in Jordan Poole, who had 22 factors and three steals.
“This was our greatest recreation of the three to date,” Kerr stated.
“We had been rock stable with the ball. We had a number of guys are available in off the bench and play nicely.”
The Warriors turned it on late within the third quarter, occurring a 7-2 run earlier than steadily pulling away from the Kings within the fourth.
Buddy Hield hit back-to-back triples to chop the Warriors’ result in 107-104 with simply over 4 minutes left within the recreation , earlier than two Poole free throws and a Draymond Inexperienced layup put the outcome out of attain.
Golden State had simply six turnovers in comparison with the Kings’ 19, which proved telling ultimately.
For the Kings, Harrison Barnes led the best way with 24 factors, 5 triples and 7 rebounds, whereas Richaun Holmes had 16 factors, 11 boards and two blocks.
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