By Rob Mason, PSO President of Sports Operations
Jan 30, 2021

Two rookies shined on Friday night as Tyrese Haliburton drained a clutch 3PM to help lift the Kings over Toronto and LaMelo Ball made a smart play in the clutch himself as they both added a few highlights as well (as seen below).  LaMelo’s brother, Lonzo, along with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram were enough to lead the Pelicans past the Bucks despite Giannis’ top performance. Ice Trae became the fastest player ever to record 400 career 3PM in a Hawks win over Washington while Joe Ingles broke the all-time Jazz 3PM record as a cherry on top of Utah’s demolition vs. Dallas. 

The Spurs are back to being a premier threat after ANOTHER impressive victory, this time vs. Denver. Ivica Zubac and Paul George threw down some posters in the Clippers colossal win in Orlando, Tobias Harris added a major dunk of his own during Philly’s dominant showing in the Twin Cities, and Immanuel Quickley heated up at the Garden to take down Cleveland. The Brooklyn Nets defense continues to be a problem as they gave up 125 points to the Thunder, but they continue to show that it doesn’t matter as they collectively dropped 147 (!) in Oklahoma City without OKC’s former MVP Kevin Durant suiting up. 

Here are the best NBA highlights, facts, performers, and takeaways from January 29th, 2021:

GAME OF THE DAY

Indiana Pacers (105) vs. Charlotte Hornets (108)

[Highlights] @HORNETS (+144; $12.44) d. PACERS (-144; $10.56108-105 [CHA +3.5 | u221.5]

[HighlightsKINGS (+165; $9.57) d. @RAPTORS (-165; $7.87126-124 [SAC +4 | o226.5]

[Highlights] @PELICANS (+239; $8.82) d. BUCKS (-239; $10.07) 131-126 [NOP +7 | o230]

[Highlights] @SPURS (+164; $14.01) d. NUGGETS (-164; $10.27) 119-109 [SAS +4 | o222]

[HighlightsHAWKS (-145; $11.38) d. @WIZARDS (+145; $7.65116-100 [ATL -3.5 | u234.5]

[Highlights] @JAZZ (-162; $12.50) d. MAVERICKS (+162; $8.92) 120-101 [UTA -4u222.5]

[Highlights] @KNICKS (-111; $14.24) d. CAVALIERS (+111; $13.34102-81 [NYK -1.5 | u209]

[HighlightsNETS (-237; $9.56) d. @THUNDER (+237; $9.24147-125 [BKN -7 o229.5]

[Highlights76ERS (-236; $10.43) d. @TIMBERWOLVES (+236; $7.15118-94 [PHI -9.5 | u225]

[HighlightsCLIPPERS (-221; $11.23) d. @MAGIC (+221; $8.92116-90 [LAC -7 | u217]

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  • The rook came to play on Friday

https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings/status/1355341862593126400

 

  • Tobias spins & rocks the rim on MIN

 

  • LaMelo out of Left Field for the putback

 

  • Double hand jam right on his man

 

 

  • Ingram had Portis on the ground

[Highlights] PG Trae Young, ATL (W @WAS): 41 PTS (10-18 FG | 5-9 3PT), 5 AST, 3 REB, 0 BLK, 0 STL, 2 TO 

[Highlights] F Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL (L @NO): 38 PTS (15-27 FG | 2-7 3PT), 5 AST, 11 REB, 2 BLK, 2 STL, 4 TO

[Highlights] SG James Harden, BKN (W @OKC): 25 PTS (9-14 FG | 3-6 3PT), 11 AST, 10 REB, 1 BLK, 0 STL, 1 TO

[Highlights] C Nikola Jokic, DEN (L @SAS): 35 PTS (14-24 FG | 5-11 3PT), 5 AST, 10 REB, 1 BLK, 1 STL, 4 TO

[Highlights] C Joel Embiid, PHI (W @MIN): 37 PTS (10-19 FG | 1-2 3PT), 3 AST, 11 REB, 0 BLK, 1 STL, 0 TO

NBA TOP PERFORMERS

1. Tyrese Haliburton gives the Kings one of the best young backcourts in the NBA 

Sacramento hasn’t had much fortune since HC Rick Adelman’s departure in 2006. If the Kings don’t make the playoffs this season, it’ll be the 15th consecutive year ending up in the lottery. Despite the plethora of premium draft picks, SAC hasn’t been able to turn that potential into production. After years of building a roster full of young talent, the Kings might finally be on the cusp of having a good core to work with.

It all starts with their youthful backcourt duo. Buddy Hield is currently the starting SG, but his name has been on the trade block ever since his benching last year, and it now seems inevitable with the rise of Tyrese Haliburton. The Iowa State Guard has accustomed himself well to the league, already averaging double-digit points and over five assists per game. He stepped up big on Friday night with a clutch 3PM in the final minute and a smooth hesi (as seen above). 

Once Hield is likely traded for a Forward, Big, and/or draft pick, Haliburton and De’Aaron Fox will be able to start games together and showcase their two-way skills on a nightly basis. Fox has world-class athleticism that continues to go under the radar, while Haliburton’s efficient 3-point shot and facilitating abilities supplement’s Fox’s game perfectly. They form one of the best young backcourts whenever they’re on the floor together and they’re only going to get better as they become more familiar with each other’s game.  

COLORS KEY | FULL KINGS FUTURE OUTLOOK 

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