Blake Griffin’s season record of 50 points only survived one night. Stephen Curry ran against the Washington Wizards incredibly and scored one more point. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers are clinching their first win of the season. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid are engaged in a thrilling duel, whereby the Greek shines with a Statline a la Wilt Chamberlain.
Although the game was tight over the entire first half (45:45), this did not show high-quality basketball. The lack of playful quality could not be overlooked on either side. Triple attempts did not even touch the ring, open layups were given away and unnecessary mistakes dominated the whole game.
After the first quarter, the Nets were in front with 24:17, but only shot 34 percent out of the field, at least slightly better than the Cavs (33.3 percent). They were able to place only a weak 29 percent of their attempts on the board in the basket and took too many midrange throws. The Nets got the lead because of their 7/17 goals from Downtown, Cleveland had of course also big problems with that (3/12).
None of the players could really shine with efficiency, Caris LeVert (10), for example, converted only one of his seven attempts at halftime, Allen Crabbe (without points) was even 0/5, Joe Harris (16) and Jared Dudley (12) were able to contribute the final decisive three. The Shooting Guard shot in all four of his attempts, while Dudley turned 4/5. 13/27 litters outside the triple line found their way into the basket, with the Cavs it was only 3/14.
In the third quarter, the home team was beaten 38:17. D’Angelo Russell convinced on the free-throw line (11/11 FT) and contributed with 18 points (5/14 FG) his part as the best scorer of the match. The boys from Brooklyn only had to administer the leadership from then on and let Cleveland throw further beside it.
Kevin Love (4/9 FG), Collin Sexton (6/10 FG) as well as Jordan Clarkson (4/14 FG) had 14 points in the Cavs. With a triple quota of 16.7 percent (3/18) and only 38.2 percent from the field, this came as little surprise. None of their players could pick up speed and the Nets (41.2 percent of downtown) had easy play. Tristan Thompson was the negative story of the east duel with only one goal in ten throws and 2 points.
The guests from the Big Apple started hot on South Beach and had a surprising double-digit lead early on. Tim Hardaway Jr. (14) and Mario Hezonja (13) each quickly had two sunken triples on their accounts and tickled the Heat, who had already been involved in some tight games this season.
Rodney McGruder, so far the positive appearance of the Heat, confirmed this trend also in the first half. The forward stayed perfectly out of the field with five throws and already stood at 16 points (19 at the end). At half time, the hosts were even leading, because the Knicks were aiming well from a distance (9/15 threes), but otherwise they did not get close (38.3 percent).
After the break the picture changed drastically, the Knicks had nothing more to oppose. With 45:20 the hosts won the third quarter and rang in a very long garbage time. Especially Hassan Whiteside didn’t get the Knicks under control, the center played 22 points (8/15 FG), 14 rebounds and 3 blocks in three sections. As a team, Miami met eight out of ten threes in this quarter.
Josh Richardson (21, 5/6 three) also bolstered his stats after a slow start in the second half. Dwyane Wade (7, 3/10 FG) looked unbelievably rusty again. For the Knicks Damyean Dotson used his playing time and came in 34 minutes to 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Page 1: Cavs still embarrassing – Heat destroy the Knicks
Page 2: Raptors also beat Minnesota with strong Leonard
Page 3: Lakers take first victory – Giannis beats Embiid with Wilt-Statline
Page 4: 51 points! Curry explodes against the Wizards