By Tyler Keller, Director of Basketball Personnel
Mar 16, 2021

 

While the sports world was fixated on Day 1 of NFL free agency, basketball fans enjoyed another exciting day in the NBA on Monday. The reigning 2x MVP recorded a third straight triple-double as Bradley Beal’s impressive buckets and Westbrook’s 17 assists weren’t enough for Washington against the Bucks. James Harden recorded a historic triple-double himself as Randle’s potential game-tying 3PM was negated by a bad referee call that left the Knicks leader heated.

The Hornets came in the clutch against the Kings with Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier both putting up big buckets and the Spurs got back on track with a win over Detroit that featured Lonnie Walker’s slick dime. Three of the West’s top teams all handled business as the Nuggets, Suns, and Lakers all made light work of the Pacers, Grizzlies, and Warriors. 

Here are the best NBA highlights, facts, performers, and takeaways from March 15th, 2021:

GAME OF THE DAY

Brooklyn Nets (117) vs. New York Knicks (112)

[Highlights] @NETS (-353; $10.82) d. KNICKS (+291; $15.74117-112 [NYK +8.5 | o223.5]

[Highlights] @HORNETS (-152; $15.44) d. KINGS (+132; $9.64122-116 [CHA -3 | u240]

[Highlights] CLIPPERS (-123; $9.87) d. @MAVERICKS (+105; $9.73) 109-99 [LAC -1.5 | u229.5]

[Highlights] SPURS (-120; $12.52) d. @PISTONS (+102; $10.16109-99 [SAS -1.5 | u210.5]

[Highlights] BUCKS (-405; $9.45) d. @WIZARDS (+312; $9.24133-122 [MIL -9 | o244.5]

[Highlights] @NUGGETS (-185; $10.26) d. PACERS (+164; $8.99121-106 [DEN -4.5 | o223.5]

[Highlights] @SUNS (-308; $13.67) d. GRIZZLIES (+258; $11.20122-99 [PHX -7.5 | u228]

[Highlights] LAKERS (-122; $9.83) d. @WARRIORS (+104; $8.87128-97 [LAL -1.5 | o224.5]

NBA Game Odds via Vigit App

NBA Stock Prices via FANDEX

  • LeBron James is the 1st player with 10 triple-doubles after turning 35 years old in NBA history
  • LeBron tied Wilt Chamberlain for the most triple-doubles (61) by a player after turning 30 years old
  • James Harden is the 1st player with a GP of 20+ PTS/15+ REB/15+ AST in Brooklyn Nets history
  • Julius Randle has the 2nd most GP (4) with 30 PTS/10 REB/5 AST with NYK since 2000, trailing only Carmelo (5)
  • 2020-21 Lakers are the 1st team to record multiple wins of 25+ PTS in the same season vs. a Steph Curry team

 

Giannis Antetokounmpo facts:

  • Most 30pt triple-doubles (7) in Bucks history, leading Kareem (6), Sam Cassell (1), and Terry Cummings (1)
  • 1st player with 3 straight triple-doubles in Milwaukee Bucks history
  • 1st reigning MVP with 3 straight GP of 20+ PTS/10+ AST/10+ REB since Michael Jordan in 1988-89
  • What a pass from Walker

 

  • Myles Turner looking like a Guard

 

  • Hornets coming through in the clutch

 

  • Steph Curry makes it look easy

 

  • Kawhi’s casual dunk over KP

 

  • Brad Beal was giving the Bucks cups

 

  • Access denied by Nerlens Noel

[Highlights] PF Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL (W @WAS): 31 PTS (12-19 FG | 1-2 3PT), 10 AST, 15 REB, 1 BLK, 3 STL, 3 TO

[Highlights] G James Harden, BKN (21 PTS (6-15 FG | 0-5 3PT), 15 AST, 15 REB, 1 BLK, 0 STL, 7 TO

[Highlights] G Luka Doncic, DAL (L v.LAC): 25 PTS (9-23 FG | 4-11 3PT), 16 AST, 10 REB, 0 BLK, 2 STL, 7 TO

[Highlights] F LeBron James, LAL (W @GS): 22 PTS (8-13 FG | 2-4 3PT), 11 AST, 10 REB, 0 BLK, 0 STL, 6 TO

[Highlights] C Nikola Jokic, DEN (W v.IND): 32 PTS (11-25 FG | 2-4 3PT), 5 AST, 14 REB, 1 BLK, 4 STL, 1 TO

NBA TOP PERFORMERS

STEPH CURRY MISSING THE PLAYOFFS COULD HAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON HIS LEGACY

Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors lost in a blowout to the Los Angeles Lakers by a score of 128-97 on Monday night. This loss marks the team’s fifth in their last six games and the Warriors are now currently on the outside looking in when it comes to the Western Conference playoff picture, sitting a game behind the Dallas Mavericks for the No.8 spot. 

There is no doubt that Curry will go down as the greatest shooter to ever touch a basketball, but as a 2x MVP and 3x NBA Champion, he has positioned himself to potentially go down as the greatest Point Guard to ever play the game as well. However, if the Warriors finish this season without a playoff berth to show for it, that could severely hurt his all-time argument as it would make the case that Curry has been unable to lead the Warriors to success without the help of stars like Klay Thompson or Kevin Durant alongside him. 

If Curry can’t lead this team to the playoffs, it may be hard to argue that he is even the league’s best point guard right NOW. Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, without the help of an injured CJ McCollum, currently has his team sitting with a 22-16 record as the 6th seed in the West. 

Lillard also has the slight edge on PPG, as he is averaging 29.9 compared to Curry’s 29.3, and Lillard is averaging more assists with 7.9 compared to Curry at 6.2. If Curry can’t lead this team to a playoff spot during what may be the sole season he has no other star offensive player beside him, it may be a lot harder to call him the greatest point guard and reduce his individual legacy considering players like LeBron James led less-talented teams all the way to the NBA Finals.

COLORS KEY | FULL WARRIORS OUTLOOK

SEE MORE NBA TAKEAWAYS

 
 

 

 

Share this NBA Review with friends and follow for more great sports content!