FULL NBA Review From May 5, 2021

It was not the most competitive set of games on Wednesday night, but in one of the close matchups, Milwaukee edged out Washington to pick up their fourth straight victory, despite 42 points from Bradley Beal and of course another triple-double from Russell Westbrook. The only other single-digit game was a battle between Ja Morant and Anthony Edwards, who both recorded 37+ points in a battle of young future superstars. Memphis got the last laugh, beating Minnesota on the road.

A few of the blowouts came in contests between two playoff/play-in teams. Atlanta defended their home court and sent Phoenix packing. This loss and Utah’s victory over San Antonio gives Utah the current edge at the top of the Western Conference standings with Jordan Clarkson recording a game-high 30 points. Denver cooled off New York with a 34-12 first quarter, and held onto the lead to secure the win.

Some of the league’s worst teams seem to be lacking much motivation at this point in the season. Orlando was obliterated at home by Boston, Cleveland got crushed by Portland, and Houston did what they’ve done best this season, and that is lose games in hopes of getting a high draft pick for their rebuild. Philly’s win over the Rockets keeps them at the top spot in the East. Additionally, Sacramento beat Indiana, which was highlighted by frustrations boiling over from Indy’s coaching staff.

Here are the best NBA highlights, facts, performers, and takeaways from May 5th, 2021:

FINAL RESULTS

GAME OF THE DAY

Washington Wizards (134) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (135)

[Highlights] @BUCKS (-175; $9.51) d. WIZARDS (+155; $10.88) 135-134 [WSH +4 | o243]

[Highlights] GRIZZLIES (-155; $11.82) d. @TIMBERWOLVES (+139; $8.22) 139-135 [MEM -3.5 | o237.5]

[Highlights] KINGS (+215; $11.01) d. @PACERS (-260; $8.76) 104-93 [SAC +6.5 | u240]

[Highlights] @NUGGETS (-166; $10.84) d. KNICKS (+148; $18.08) 113-97 [DEN -3.5 | u215.5]

[Highlights] 76ERS (-1300; $11.35) d. @ROCKETS (+799; $4.09) 135-115 [PHI -14.5 | o221.5]

[Highlights] @HAWKS (-103; $13.34) d. SUNS (-115; $14.85) 135-103 [ATL +1 | o228.5]

[Highlights] @JAZZ (-262; $13.07) d. SPURS (+223; $11.99) 126-94 [UTA -7 | o218.5]

[Highlights] BLAZERS (-826; $10.65) d. @CAVALIERS (+592; $10.16) 141-105 [POR -12 | o229]

[Highlights] CELTICS (-716; $8.16) d. @MAGIC (+540; $6.94) 132-96 [BOS -11 | o218.5]

NBA Game Odds via Vigit App

NBA Stock Prices via FANDEX

INTERESTING FACTS

Anthony Edwards’ historic night shows how lethal of a scorer he can be in this league

Set Timberwolves rookie records for the most PTS (42) and the most 3PM (8) during 1 GP
Youngest (19y, 273d) player to reach 150 career 3PM in NBA history
1st Timberwolves rookie with 30+ PTS/5+ REB/5+ AST during 1 GP in franchise history
1st rookie with 40+ PTS/8+ 3PM/75+ FG% during 1 GP in NBA history
1st 19-year-old with 40+ PTS & 5+ 3PM during 1 GP in NBA history
2nd rookie with 40+ PTS & 8+ 3PM during 1 GP in NBA history, joining 2010 Roddy Beaubois
Joined LeBron and KD as the 3rd teenager with 40+ PTS/5+ REB/5+ AST during 1 GP in NBA history
2nd rookie with 40+ PTS & 0 FTM during 1 GP in NBA history, joining 1987 ROTY Chuck Person

Bradley Beal has an argument to be considered the greatest scorer in Wizards history

Most career GP with 40+ PTS in Wizards franchise history: 1. Beal (29), 2. Gilbert Arenas (28), 3. Walt Bellamy (23)

Ja Morant is already looking like the most dynamic player the Grizzlies have ever had

Most GP (5) with 30+ PTS & 10+ AST in Grizzlies history (no other player has more than 2)

Joel Embiid‘s incredibly efficient night has the 76ers on a 6-game winning streak

1st 76ers player with 30+ PTS & 10+ REB in under 25 Minutes during 1 GP in franchise history

They don’t make them like Russell Westbrook anymore

1st player to average 13+ PPG/13+ RPG/13+ APG over a 16-GP span within 1 season in NBA history
T-2nd most career GP (38) with 15+ AST/10+ PTS/10+ REB in NBA history, tying Magic and trailing only Oscar (45)

BEST HIGHLIGHTS

Holmes detonates on the Pacers

Richaun Holmes with a NASTY slam 💥 pic.twitter.com/NpBjdVI9vT
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 6, 2021

Beal told him to take a seat

Beal dropped ‘em 🤭 pic.twitter.com/JYjlTmJ8pM
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 6, 2021

Ja with the double-hesi slam

Sheesh, Ja 😳 pic.twitter.com/KUJfYHcstf
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 6, 2021

Dame doing Dame things at the buzzer

Dame steps back at the buzzer.. got it!

He's got 32 PTS through 3Q. pic.twitter.com/Kg5DC1a3p2
— NBA (@NBA) May 6, 2021

TOP PERFORMERS

[Highlights] PG Ja Morant, MEM (W @MIN): 37 PTS (14-25 FG | 1-2 3P), 10 AST, 4 REB, 1 BLK, 2 STL, 4 TO

[Highlights] SG Anthony Edwards, MIN (L v.MEM): 42 PTS (17-22 FG | 8-9 3P), 7 AST, 6 REB, 1 BLK, 1 STL, 3 TO

[Highlights] PG Russell Westbrook, WSH (L @MIL): 29 PTS (12-20 FG | 0-2 3P), 17 AST, 12 REB, 1 BLK, 3 STL, 2 TO

[Highlights] C Nikola Jokic, DEN (W v.NYK): 32 PTS (10-16 FG | 0-2 3P), 6 AST, 12 REB, 2 BLK, 2 STL, 4 TO

[Highlights] PG Damian Lillard, POR (W @CLE): 32 PTS (10-17 FG | 6-10 3P), 9 AST, 3 REB, 0 BLK, 2 STL, 2 TO

NBA TOP PERFORMERS

MAIN TAKEAWAY

JA MORANT ISN’T A TOP-5 PG RIGHT NOW, BUT IT WON’T BE LONG UNTIL HE IS

Ja Morant was recently asked in an interview where he thought he ranked amongst the league’s point guards, and his response was “top five, for sure”. There is no doubt that he has already made substantial noise in the NBA less than two years into his career. Morant won rookie of the year in 2020 and has Memphis currently in the playoff hunt, but it’s too soon for an unbiased source to call him top five at the most talented position in the NBA.

When it comes to Ja’s rank right now, there is a pretty clear group of five that have been better than him this season. It is hard to argue that he has had a better season than Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, or Luka Doncic. All five of these point guards will receive All-NBA consideration this year and have earned the right to be ranked above Morant, but his time is soon to come.

Although the 2020 rookie of the year may not be a top-five point guard this season, it won’t be long until he is. Everyone from that list minus Luka is at least 30 years of age, while Morant is only 21 and has already done so much individually and for his team. It is very clear that he has a long future in this league, and is only getting started. With how much he’s accomplished in only two seasons, there is no reason to doubt that Ja is well on his way to becoming a top-five point guard in the NBA, sooner than later.

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