FULL NBA Review From April 11, 2021

Road teams had the upper hand on a Sunday night defined by destructive dunks in the NBA, with away squads winning seven of the ten contests. One of the road wins came from San Antonio behind a game-winner from DeMar DeRozan. Bogdan Bogdonovic had a career-high eight threes for Atlanta in their comeback win over Charlotte (but Bridges‘ dunk stole the show). A double-digit lead at half for MIN was enough for a victory over CHI on a night where the Wolves honored KAT’s mom with her own jersey and flowers in the stands.

Boston found themselves behind at the end of the third, but went on an amazing 31-3 run that propelled them to victory as they held Denver to only eight points in the entire fourth quarter, and eviscerated their win streak. Milwaukee had no issues without Giannis Antetokounmpo, as they blew out Orlando by 37 while New York was able to recover after blowing a double-digit lead to Toronto, and scraped out the win by six.

Marcus Morris had a season-high 33 points that led the Clips to a home defeat of Detroit. A dominant fourth quarter brought New Orleans from behind over Cleveland with the help of 38 points from Zion Williamson. Miami held Portland to under 100, and secured a road victory thanks to an impressive defensive effort. A 45-point first quarter and 34 points from Caris LeVert was enough for Indiana to leave Memphis, TN with a win, despite 34 points and 22 rebounds from Jonas Valanciunas.

Here are the best NBA highlights, facts, performers, and takeaways from April 11th, 2021:

FINAL RESULTS

GAME OF THE DAY

San Antonio Spurs (119) [GW-FG] vs. Dallas Mavericks (117)

[Highlights] SPURS (+205) d. @MAVERICKS (-241) 119-117 (GW-FG) [SAS +6 | o220.5]

[Highlights] HAWKS (+117) d. @HORNETS (-137) 105-101 [ATL +2.5 | u213.5]

[Highlights] @TIMBERWOLVES (+155) d. BULLS (-165) 121-117 [MIN +4 | o232]

[Highlights] @KNICKS (-168) d. RAPTORS (+150) 102-96 [NYK -3.5 | u216]

[Highlights] PACERS (+133) d. @GRIZZLIES (-151) 132-125 [IND +3 | o222]

[Highlights] @CLIPPERS (-849) d. PISTONS (+606) 131-124 [DET +12 | o215]

[Highlights] PELICANS (-345) d. @CAVALIERS (+285) 116-109 [CLE +8 | u225.5]

[Highlights] HEAT (-110) d. @BLAZERS (-110) 107-98 [MIA -1 | u222.5]

[Highlights] CELTICS (+138) d. @NUGGETS (-156) 105-87 [BOS +3.5 | u220]

[Highlights] BUCKS (-365) d. @MAGIC (+301) 124-87 [MIL -8.5 | u224.5]

NBA Game Odds via Vigit App

INTERESTING FACTS

Zion has more GP (8) with 30+ PTS & 0 FGM outside the paint than the rest of the NBA combined this season
Highest 3P% among teams with 30+ 3PA/GP in NBA history: 1. 2021 Clips (42.1), 2. 2016 Warriors (41.6), 3. 2021 Bucks (39.3)
Jonas Valanciunas became the 2nd player with multiple GP of 30+ PTS & 20+ REB in Grizzlies history, joining Zebo

BEST HIGHLIGHTS

Bridges DUNK OF THE YEAR!

2 things. Miles is a FREAK going to the basket. The Hornets announcer needs to do every NBA game. (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/GqPQt8owJT
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) April 11, 2021

DeMar drains the GW to down Dallas

DEROZAN CALLED GAME 👀 pic.twitter.com/JYiN82WPQ8
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 12, 2021

Finney-Smith‘s ferocious poster

Finney-Smith's filthy poster 😲 pic.twitter.com/Bbg9lRWKMF
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 12, 2021

This PG poster was Rated R

PG POSTER 😳 pic.twitter.com/bFHRqSL87M
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 12, 2021

Lonnie cocked it back on Melli

LONNIE WALKER YAMS ON MELLI 😱 pic.twitter.com/tqtPXSvw3m
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 12, 2021

KAT dominated Chicago for his Mom

KAT came up BIG with this dagger against the Bulls 💪 pic.twitter.com/ySTXgl9m1p
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 12, 2021

KAT dropped the hammer 🔨 pic.twitter.com/46WD8D2iLP
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 12, 2021

KAT DROPS THE HAMMER. pic.twitter.com/JhxTpFH4ZS
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 12, 2021

Jaxson sinks it from Lake Erie

Jaxson Hayes from half court! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/bt1YnCHLoU
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 12, 2021

TOP PERFORMERS

[Highlights] C Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN (W v.CHI): 27 PTS (8-15 FG | 3-7 3PT), 8 AST, 12 REB, 2 BLK, 0 STL, 4 TO

[Highlights] C Jonas Valanciunas, MEM (L v.IND): 34 PTS (16-25 FG | 0-0 3PT), 2 AST, 22 REB, 2 BLK, 0 STL, 1 TO

[Highlights] PF Zion Williamson, NO (W @CLE): 38 PTS (16-22 FG | 0-0 3PT), 4 AST, 9 REB, 2 BLK, 0 STL, 4 TO

[Highlights] G Malcolm Brogdon, IND (W @MEM): 29 PTS (10-21 FG | 5-9 3PT), 11 AST, 9 REB, 0 BLK, 1 STL, 0 TO

[Highlights] F DeMar DeRozan, SA (W @DAL): 33 PTS (13-25 FG | 0-1 3PT), 8 AST, 5 REB, 0 BLK, 0 STL, 2 TO

NBA TOP PERFORMERS

MAIN TAKEAWAY

IN AN ERA THAT REJECTS MID-RANGERS, DEROZAN HAS PERFECTED IT

DeMar DeRozan had 33 points for San Antonio in their win over Dallas on Sunday night. The final two of these 33 came on a last-second mid-range jumper to put his team up two and win the game. He was able to get to a spot on the floor that he feels comfortable and knock down the shot.

The spot on the floor where DeRozan shines is unlike most of the league. He is a mid-range expert and makes a living off these shots. As the years go on, fewer and fewer mid-range shots are being taken across the league, as players have been advised to expand their game beyond the three-point line. In fact, most players nowadays need a successful three-point jumper to even play in today’s NBA.

Although the league is moving away from the mid-range shot, DeRozan still makes a living off it. He is currently on a 5y/$139M contract that he earned by shooting the mid-ranger at a high clip. Having a player like him on the team brings a different look to the offense, and makes it more diverse with more ways to score effectively, which is why DeRozan continues to thrive, even in today’s NBA.

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