FULL NBA Review From May 4, 2021

A day after an avengers NBA broadcast and on May 4th with plenty of Star Wars references, nothing was really out of this world on Tuesday across the Association. Only one underdog pulled off the upset and it’s hard to really consider Dallas the inferior squad compared to Miami without Jimmy Butler or Tyler Herro. It almost looked like Cleveland was going to get a huge win against Phoenix, but the Suns snapped in the extra period to still cover the 13-point spread.

LaMelo Ball kept the dimes coming in Charlotte’s win over Detroit and OKC almost got their second win in over a month, but they’re now on a 1-18 stretch after falling to the Kings without Fox or Haliburton who is now out for the year. LeBron‘s re-aggravated injury will force him out against the Clippers and Blazers this week, but Kawhi‘s return was welcomed for LAC’s hard-fought victory against the Lowry-less Raptors.

The biggest game of the day was a re-match from Sunday where the Bucks and Nets battled it out with playoff implications on the line. James Harden was unavailable again but KD–Kyrie powered BKN to a 4th Qtr lead. Despite only losing one game this season when entering the final period with a lead, they lost both of their last two games to Milwaukee in those situations as the Bucks Big 3 came to play down the stretch. NOLA vs. GS was another recent re-match but this time the Pelicans came out victorious after the lights went off.

Here are the best NBA highlights, facts, performers, and takeaways from April 4th, 2021:

FINAL RESULTS

GAME OF THE DAY

Phoenix Suns (134) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (118) [OT]

[Highlights] SUNS (-1021; $14.78) d. @CAVALIERS (+691; $10.26) 134-118 (OT) [PHX -13 | o219.5]

[Highlights] HORNETS (-181; $15.47) d. @PISTONS (+160; $9.14) 102-99 [DET +4 | u217.5]

[Highlights] KINGS (-200; $10.85) d. @THUNDER (+175; $6.91) 103-99 [OKC +5 | u228]

[Highlights] @CLIPPERS (-499; $10.67) d. RAPTORS (+397; $6.94) 105-100 [TOR +9.5 | u218]

[Highlights] @PELICANS (-120; $8.83) d. WARRIORS (-100; $8.67) 108-103 [NOP -1.5 | u234.5]

[Highlights] @BUCKS (-130; $9.43) d. NETS (+112; $10.81) 124-118 [MIL -2 | PUSH 242]

[Highlights] MAVERICKS (+140; $9.76) d. @HEAT (-160; $8.64) 127-113 [DAL +3.5 | o216]

NBA Game Odds via Vigit App

NBA Stock Prices via FANDEX

INTERESTING FACTS

The 300 3PM club is basically the Steph Curry club

Steph Curry has 4 of the 5 seasons with 300+ 3PM in NBA history (James Harden has the other)

Chris Paul’s efficient passing is what continues to fuel Phoenix’s breakout season into the No.1 seed

T-most GP (3) with 20+ PTS/15+ AST/0 TOV since 1977-78, joining Steve Nash
Most GP with 10+ AST & 0 TOV (active): 1. CP3 (44), 2. Rondo (13), T3. Conley (11), T3. Lowry (11), 5. LeBron (10)
2nd most GP (44) with 10+ AST & 0 TOV since 1985, trailing only Mugsy Bogues (46)

BEST HIGHLIGHTS

Cam with the OT reverse special

THIS CAM JOHNSON REVERSE POSTER ON JARRETT ALLEN 🤯 pic.twitter.com/hnH6n9Kb74
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 5, 2021

Zubac hasn’t been holding back

Zubac with a BIG slam 😳 pic.twitter.com/GAKfWtJSaK
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 5, 2021

Lonzo drained the GW to defeat GS

CLUTCH shot by Lonzo 🥶 pic.twitter.com/N6w8MI1458
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 5, 2021

Bam with the slam on Cauley-Stein

Bam throwing it down on ‘em 💥 pic.twitter.com/MIIzqyztCO
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 5, 2021

TOP PERFORMERS

[Highlights] PG Chris Paul, PHX (W @CLE): 23 PTS (8-16 FG | 2-3 3P), 16 AST, 6 REB, 2 BLK, 4 STL, 0 TO

[Highlights] G Jrue Holiday, MIL (W v.BKN): 23 PTS (8-13 FG | 4-6 3P), 10 AST, 8 REB, 1 BLK, 1 STL, 2 TO

[Highlights] F Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL (W v.BKN): 36 PTS (11-30 FG | 4-12 3P), 4 AST, 12 REB, 0 BLK, 1 STL, 5 TO

[Highlights] PG Kyrie Irving, BKN (L @MIL): 38 PTS (14-25 FG | 6-12 3P), 5 AST, 3 REB, 2 BLK, 3 STL, 3 TO

[Highlights] F Kevin Durant, BKN (L @MIL): 32 PTS (11-22 FG | 4-8 3P), 6 AST, 9 REB, 2 BLK, 1 STL, 3 TO

NBA TOP PERFORMERS

MAIN TAKEAWAY

LONZO’S DRASTIC DEVELOPMENT GIVES NOLA 1 OF THE NBA’S BRIGHTEST FUTURES

The New Orleans Pelicans are fueled with one of the best young players in NBA history. Zion Williamson is having an all-time efficiently high-volume season, and he’s only a NBA sophomore. NOLA’s No.1 scorer F Brandon Ingram is just 23 years old and under contract for four more years. The Pels have their star duo intact for the long-term, but it’s Lonzo Ball‘s recent rise that can take them over the top during the next decade.

A day after Golden State got the best of New Orleans during a Marvel-inspired AR broadcast, the Pelicans were looking for revenge to stay in the playoff race. As good as Zion (23p, 12r, 7a) played, Ingram struggled (13p, 5a, 3r), and the Pels’ playoff chances would’ve quickly diminished if it wasn’t for Lonzo Ball showing his future All-Star potential on Tuesday. Ball tied his career-high with 33 points, went 7-13 on 3PA, and drained the game-winning bucket to lift New Orleans to victory.

Ball’s future is somewhat uncertain as a pending RFA. The front office will be able to match any offer Ball receives this summer, but could choose not to re-up the 23-year-old Guard after drafting Kira Lewis in the lottery last year. Lonzo could join his brother LaMelo in Charlotte under legendary owner Michael Jordan, or could choose to play in a bigger market like New York or Chicago.

The UCLA product is putting up career-highs across the board in 2020-21 and showcasing the ability to impact the game in all facets. If he does stay in Louisiana alongside Zion and Ingram, it would give NOLA one of the brightest futures in the NBA.

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