NBA Game Reviews: December 23, 2020

1. Russell Westbrook (surrounded by shooters) will lead the Wizards to the playoffs

The Wizards were down 51-39 in the second quarter when Scott Brooks inserted Russell Westbrook into the lineup, where he accompanied Bradley Beal, Deni Avdija, Davis Bertans and Moritz Wagner. DC went on a 16-2 run, with Russ running the show, surrounded by shooting, shooting, and more shooting. The 76ers & Wizards went back-and-forth in crunch time, with the 76ers ultimately edging out the victory 113-107. But this was DC’s first game with Beal and Westbrook, who the team acquired just 20 days ago. The Wizards went into Philly to face a bonafide playoff team and battled until the final buzzer. 

The performance was very telling for the team WAS will be this year and that team is a playoff team. Westbrook was phenomenal in his debut, becoming the first player in Wizards/Bullets history with a triple double in their debut, finishing with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 15 assists. Beal added 31 points of his own, his personal record for points scored in a season opener. The Wizards defensive effort was intense, their energy levels were high, and most importantly, Westbrook and Beal looked happy. If Wednesday night’s game is a sign of things to come, Wizards fans will be getting a taste of the playoffs for the first time in three years.

2. The Celtics have championship potential once Kemba comes back healthy

COLORS KEY | FULL CELTICS FUTURE OUTLOOK

The Celtics beat the Bucks in one of the most exciting games of the night as reigning back-to-back MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo missed the potential game-tying free throw with 0.4 seconds left. Superstar Jayson Tatum knocked down 30 points, including the game-winner, a banked-in step back three over Giannis’s outstretched arms. But the Celtics knew Jayson Tatum was special. The story of the night was the rest of the Celtics. 

Jaylen Brown led the pack with 33 points, eight of them coming in the fourth quarter. Newcomer Jeff Teague provided a spark with 19 points off the bench, while fellow free agent acquisition Tristan Thompson put up 12 points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes. And this was all without star point guard Kemba Walker, who the Celtics are expecting back by the end of January. Once he comes back healthy, this Celtics team can use the added boost of Teague and Thompson to elevate them past another ECF exit like last year and truly compete in a highly-competitive East. 

3. This reality that this season is going to be unlike any other is already setting in

COLORS KEY | FULL ROCKETS FUTURE OUTLOOK

After March 11, 2020, the National Basketball Association (and the rest of the world) hasn’t been the same since. The NBA played in a bubble last year to be able to conclude the season. Adam Silver and the rest of the NBA staff did an incredible job in getting Orlando set up in such a timely manner, and they were proud to announce zero positive tests throughout the entire bubble experience. The playoffs were a huge success, yet the NBA ultimately couldn’t bring it back this year for a full season.

Just two days into the NBA season, and there’s already been a postponement. Three members of the Rockets organization had either positive or inconclusive tests, while a video of James Harden surfaced that violated the protocols. This could be the start of a very rocky season for the NBA, where the reality that this season is going to be unprecedented has already become reality right from the jump. New Health & safety protocols are in place, fans aren’t welcome in most arenas, and postponements are to be expected. It’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out, but one thing is certain: this season is unlike any other.