By Noah Camras, PSO Director of Basketball Personnel
Jan 11, 2021

In a day that was filled with big wins, two games provided fans some nail-biting finishes. Pascal Siakam missed the game-winner at the buzzer, as the Raptors comeback attempt fell just short in Golden State. Kawhi Leonard and Zach LaVine battled it out in LA, combining for 80 points and 17 three-pointers between the two stars. Kevin Durant was unable to beat his former team in his return from quarantine as the Thunder upset the Nets, while the healthy Lakers blew out the Rockets in Houston. The biggest news of the night was the postponement of the Heat-Celtics game due to Covid, just the second postponement of the season. 

Enjoy PSO’s Game Reviews for NBA Sunday on January 10th, 2021:

GAME OF THE DAY

Toronto Raptors (105) vs. Golden State Warriors (106) [GW-FTs]

[Highlights] @WARRIORS (+133; $8.70) d. RAPTORS (-133; $7.85106-105 (GW-FTs) [GSW +3 | u233.5]

[Highlights] @CLIPPERS (-638; $10.10) d. BULLS (+638; $9.81130-127 [CHI +12 | o221]

[Highlights] @TIMBERWOLVES (+165; $8.42) d. SPURS (-165; $12.7296-88 [MIN +4.5 | u229.5]

[Highlights] JAZZ (-334; $9.99) d. @PISTONS (+334; $8.0096-86 [UTA -8.5 | u217]

[Highlights] THUNDER (+285; $7.98) d. @NETS (-285; $9.63129-116 [OKC +7.5 | o224]

[Highlights] LAKERS (-175; $10.18) d. @ROCKETS (+175; $8.40120-102 [LAL -4.5 | u224]

[Highlights] NUGGETS (-196; $8.88) d. @KNICKS (+196; $13.85114-89 [DEN -5.5 | u213.5]

NBA Game Odds via Vigit App

NBA Stock Prices via FANDEX

  • Christian Wood ties HOFer Neil Johnston for most consecutive 20-pt GP by an undrafted player in the draft era
  • Steph Curry’s 2-16 (.125) FG% is tied for the worst by a Warriors player who took 15+ FGA in a GP over the last 20 seasons
  • Jerami Grant set a Detroit Pistons record for most PTS (251) scored in his 1st 10 GP with the team
  • Julius Randle tied for Jerry Lucas for longest streak (8 GP) with 10+ PTS, 10+ REB, & 5+ AST in Knicks history
  • SGA joins Kevin Durant & Russell Westbrook as the only OKC players with a 30 PTS/5 REB/5 AST game before turning 23
  • Nikola Jokic is the 2nd player with 200+ PTS, 100+ REB, & 100+ AST through his 1st 10 GP of season in NBA history
  • Zach LaVine is the 1st player to record multiple GP with 10+ 3PM in Chicago Bulls history & the 6th player in NBA history
  • LaVine joins Michael Jordan (165) & Bob Love (13) as the only Bulls players with 10+ career 40-pt games in franchise history
  • Bron starts with a bang & fires a bullet

 

  • Caris puts it right through his five-hole

 

  • Zubac follows big block with the slam

 

  • LaVine threads the needle & drains clutch 3

 

  • SGA faked out KD for an easy bucket

 

  • THT making plays on both ends

 

  • Undrafted rookie gave LeBron the post work

 

  • D-Lo’s dime in slow-mo

[Highlights] G/F Zach LaVine, CHI (L @LAC): 45 PTS (15-26 FG | 10-16 3PT), 7 AST, 7 REB, 0 BLK, 0 STL, 5 TO

[Highlights] G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC (W @BKN): 31 PTS (11-16 FG | 2-4 3PT), 7 AST, 6 REB, 1 BLK, 2 STL, 2 TO

[Highlights] F Kawhi Leonard, LAC (W v.CHI): 35 PTS (14-22 FG | 7-9 3PT), 4 AST, 2 REB, 0 BLK, 3 STL, 2 TO

[Highlights] F Kevin Durant, BKN (L v.OKC): 36 PTS (11-21 FG | 2-7 3PT), 4 AST, 11 REB, 1 BLK, 0 STL, 4 TO

[Highlights] F Paul George, LAC (W v.CHI): 28 PTS (8-19 FG | 5-8 3PT), 9 AST, 7 REB, 0 BLK, 2 STL, 2 TO

NBA TOP PERFORMERS

1. Expect Zach LaVine to be the next superstar to request a trade

Zach LaVine has taken the superstar leap this year. He’s averaging career-highs in points (27.7), assists (4.6), rebounds (5.1), field goal percentage (49.1%), and free throw percentage (88.7%), cementing himself as a top player and premier scorer in this league. He had recent scoring performances of 39, 38, 33, and 32 going into Sunday’s tilt with the Clippers, and drained clutch shots down the stretch in wins against the Wizards and Trail Blazers.

On Sunday, it was more of the same for LaVine, who scored 45 points, including 10 3PM, and added seven rebounds along with seven assists. LaVine did everything he could for the Bulls, yet they came up just short in a tough three-point loss to the Clippers, two days after their two-point loss to the Lakers, also at the Staples Center. 

LaVine is playing like a superstar, and it may be time he wants to be treated like one. If the Bulls continue to lose, especially in the fashion they’ve lost their last couple games, LaVine may become even more frustrated with the losing franchise. It would not be surprising to see LaVine request to be traded to a contender, and to have a shot at playing playoff basketball for the first time in his seven-year career. 

2. Draymond Green’s health is the real catalyst for the Warriors team status

 
COLORS KEY | FULL WARRIORS FUTURE OUTLOOK
 

Draymond Green missed the first four games of the Warriors’ season due to a foot injury he suffered during training camp. The Warriors went 2-2 in those games, starting out with two blowout losses to the Nets and Bucks, and needed a last-second three to take down the Bulls. In Green’s first game back, he played just 17 minutes in a loss. Since then, Green has played at least 20 minutes in every game. The Warriors are 4-1 in those games.

Green is the defensive anchor for the Warriors on one side of the ball, and a gifted passer and playmaker on the other. On Sunday in Toronto, Green had a near triple-double, accumulating season-highs in points (10), rebounds (9), and assists (10). In a game where Steph Curry went just 2-16 from the field, Green was able to make the right plays for this team, help everyone around him play better, and they collectively held off the Raptors in a hard-fought victory. As long as Green stays healthy, the Warriors are a threat in the West and will continue outperforming their overall talent. 

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