NBA
FULL NBA Review From February 23, 2021
See the full NBA Game Reviews from Tuesday, February 23, 2021 with entertaining highlights, interesting facts, valuable takeaways, and more!
NBA/YouTube
On a day the NBA announced the reserves to complete the 2021 All-Star teams, it was Luka Doncic who stole the show with his clutch heroics over Boston. Jaylen Brown did all he could but his own timely FGMs were overshadowed by two amazing shots from the European sensation. Lamar Stevens GW-dunk for Cleveland understandably didn’t get as much attention either after Luka’s antics.
Nikola Jokic went full MVP mode against the immobile Enes Kanter as Jamal Muray came alive to post 24 points (18 in the 4th) on his 24th bday to down Dame‘s Blazers. Philly didn’t need a MVP performance from Joel Embiid to take down Toronto but Steph Curry did his best unanimous MVP impression when he closed out the Knicks in MSG, and Harden racked up another triple-double as the Beard continues to emerge in the Most Valuable Player conversation himself.
DC’s five-game winning streak came to a close at the hands of the Clippers despite a slight second-half surge from the Wiz. Giannis made light work of KAT and the T-Wolves as the Bucks dominated and Detroit found a way to beat Orlando thanks to a surprising 21-point (8-11 FG) showing from rookie Saben Lee.
With the NBA announcing the full 2021 All-Star teams, there were some snubs as always (covered below) and a few notable players making their first appearance including Zion Williamson (4th youngest ever), Julius Randle, Jaylen Brown, and Zach LaVine.
Here are the best NBA highlights, facts, performers, and takeaways from February 23rd, 2021:
Boston Celtics (107) vs. Dallas Mavericks (110) [GW-3PM]
[Highlights] @MAVERICKS (+119; $8.49) d. CELTICS (-119; $8.02) 110-107 (GW-3PM) [DAL +2 | u223.5]
[Highlights] @CAVALIERS (+288; $10.19) d. HAWKS (-288; $10.33) 112-111 [CLE +8 | u228]
[Highlights] @NUGGETS (-213; $9.05) d. BLAZERS (+213; $11.40) 111-106 [POR +6.5 | u232]
[Highlights] 76ERS (-113; $10.58) d. @RAPTORS (+113; $8.93) 109-102 [PHI -1.5 | u222.5]
[Highlights] WARRIORS (-146; $8.31) d. @KNICKS (+146; $15.73) 114-106 [GSW -3.5 | o219.5]
[Highlights] @NETS (-224; $10.55) d. KINGS (+224; $9.65) 127-118 [BKN -6.5 | o242]
[Highlights] PISTONS (+166; $8.79) d. @MAGIC (-166; $9.16) 105-93 [DET +4.5 | u210.5]
[Highlights] @CLIPPERS (-617; $10.79) d. WIZARDS (+617; $9.59) 135-116 [LAC -11.5 | o236]
[Highlights] @BUCKS (-506; $8.98) d. TIMBERWOLVES (+506; $6.26) 139-112 [MIL -10.5 | o232]
NBA All-Star facts
LUKA MAGIC CALLED GAME 🤧 pic.twitter.com/mt9eNlNKQW
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 24, 2021
LUKA IS FILTHY. pic.twitter.com/t4fzUYXstq
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 24, 2021
Luka nutmeg. Too crafty! (via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/T5vyBUQvHb
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 24, 2021
Zubac threw that down through traffic. Jeeeeez. (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/ufw4YupUBd
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 24, 2021
Effortless dime (via @SportsCenter) pic.twitter.com/RonPgv8tqi
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 24, 2021
What an ending to Hawks-Cavs 😯 pic.twitter.com/r1lNkCzM73
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 24, 2021
🥶 JOKIC EURO 🥶
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 24, 2021
(via @nuggets)pic.twitter.com/Zw0tWRtbib
No-look dime from Campazzo.💰😳 pic.twitter.com/hrIpjbnkG7
— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) February 24, 2021
Steph fooled everyone with this behind-the-back pass 😳 pic.twitter.com/ysJwririqd
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 24, 2021
[Highlights] G Luka Doncic, DAL (W v.BOS): 31 PTS (11-23 FG | 6-8 3PT), 8 AST, 10 REB, 0 BLK, 1 STL, 3 TO
[Highlights] PF Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL (W v.MIN): 37 PTS (13-18 FG | 1-3 3PT), 8 AST, 8 REB, 2 BLK, 2 STL, 3 TO
[Highlights] C Nikola Jokic, DEN (W v.POR): 41 PTS (17-32 FG | 3-6 3PT), 5 AST, 5 REB, 0 BLK, 1 STL, 0 TO
[Highlights] PG James Harden, BKN (W v.SAC): 29 PTS (9-22 FG | 5-10 3PT), 14 AST, 11 REB, 0 BLK, 1 STL, 4 TO
[Highlights] PG Steph Curry, GS (W @NYK): 37 PTS (9-22 FG | 7-14 3PT), 6 AST, 6 REB, 0 BLK, 2 STL, 2 TO
DOMANTAS SABONIS IS THE MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER IN THE NBA
Once the NBA revealed the final reserves for the 2021 All-Star game, all the attention immediately went toward which players missed the cut (as always). While there wasn’t an all-time snub this time like Bradley Beal last year, Domantas Sabonis being left off the list was still unprecedented. He’s the first player in NBA history to record 20+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists to not make the All-Star team.
This isn’t the first time Sabonis has been overlooked and it likely won’t be the last. Playing in a small-market like Indiana has forced Sabonis’ greatness to go under the radar on a national scale but Pacers fans have become well accustomed to his phenomenal performances. Just by looking at the 2020-21 NBA Top Performers, it can be understood how consistently effective the Pacers PF has been this year.
He’s a triple-double threat on a nightly basis as one of the few Bigs in the league who’s a true facilitator from the post, has expanded his game beyond the 3-point line this year, and is one of the best rebounders in the league. The 24-year-old is one of the most well-rounded Big Men in the NBA and has improved his production across the board from last year, yet he didn’t earn a second consecutive All-Star appearance for some reason despite elevating his game.
While it’s easy to point out which players SHOULD’VE made the All-Star Team, many times people leave out who they should’ve made it over. With no position limit in place for the reserves like there is for starters, Sabonis could’ve easily made it over G Ben Simmons or G/F Jaylen Brown, who both lack the resume Sabonis has this season. However, Simmons and Brown play in large markets and get credited for their All-Defense, which is the only subpar aspect of Sabonis’ game.
Considering the Gonzaga product has only been in the league for five years, he has plenty of time to turn the narrative around and become more of a household name. Paul George and Reggie Miller were both able to garner the respect of being a top-tier player in Indiana, a state known for hoops. Sabonis was acquired (with Victor Oladipo) for PG13 a few years ago and has developed into a perennial All-Star caliber player who, along with Devin Booker, can now be considered the most underrated player in the NBA.
COLORS KEY | FULL PACERS FUTURE OUTLOOK
Share this NBA Review with friends and follow for more great sports content!
