The Best of the Day: January 16th, 2021

The ‘Best of the Day’ is a daily PSO original series showcasing the most significant stories, highlights, and facts going on in the land of the NFL, NBA, & MLB every day. Get a recap on EVERYTHING that happened on 1/16 here.

The first two games of the NFL’s divisional round took place Saturday as the Rams visited the Packers and the Ravens went into Buffalo. Both home teams came out victorious. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers shined once again, while the Bills defense clamped down on Lamar Jackson and company. Also, James Harden had a historic debut with the Nets, the Grizzlies took down the 76ers in Ja Morant’s return that became the best game of the night, and the Best of the Day also features a look at the money trends for the divisional round.

Here is the best of the day from January 16, 2021:

Story of the Day

Josh Allen & Aaron Rodgers led their teams to the Conference Championship

The Bills are headed to the AFC Championship game for the first time since 1994. Buffalo smothered the Baltimore offense, holding the NFL’s top rushing team to 150 yards on 32 carries in the 17-3 win. The Bills limited Lamar Jackson to 162 yards and a pick with just 34 yards on nine carries while K Justin Tucker had an off night (1-3 FG). Josh Allen only had 206 yards and was held mostly in check, but his third quarter TD to WR Stephon Diggs proved to be the winner. Buffalo sealed the game with CB Taron Johnson’s 101-yard pick six in the final minute of the third. The Bills are now set to either host the Browns or visit the Chiefs in the AFC Title game.

Just what we needed. 😏

📺 #BALvsBUF: https://t.co/VqXMJDH1vI pic.twitter.com/7mFM8iWyeT
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 17, 2021

The defining play and turning point of his @BuffaloBills 17-3 win vs the Ravens Saturday night, Taron Johnson picked off Lamar Jackson's pass just inside the endzone and it took it all the way to the house to tie for the longest such #NFLplayoff touchdowns on this list of players pic.twitter.com/dsx9200Ve0
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) January 17, 2021

Tonight is Stefon Diggs' 17th game this season (reg+post) with 6+ receptions, the most in a single season in NFL history. pic.twitter.com/qWnvHMYYhX
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 17, 2021

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will be hosting their first NFC Championship game in the HOF QB’s career. Green Bay defeated the Los Angeles Rams 32-18 to advance to their second consecutive championship game. The Packers, who never trailed, nearly doubled the Rams in total yards (484-244). Their three-headed monster of Rodgers (296 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 RUSH TD), RB Aaron Jones (99 RUSH YDS, 1 TD), and WR Devante Adams (9 REC, 66 YDS, 1 TD) all showed out. Rodgers’ 58-yard strike to WR Allen Lazard with 6:52 remaining ended any hope of a Rams comeback. The top-seeded Packers now await the winner of Bucs-Saints part III Sunday.

The pump fake!

AARON RODGERS IS IN. #GoPackGo #NFLPlayoffs

📺: #LARvsGB on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/nMJSN7Rn8Z pic.twitter.com/next8WxMu9
— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2021

BIG YARDS FOR ALLEN LAZARD!@Packers take a 14-points lead. #GoPackGo #NFLPlayoffs

📺: #LARvsGB on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/nMJSN7Rn8Z pic.twitter.com/YndFY5cyHU
— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2021

With 2 TDs today, @AaronRodgers12 has thrown for multiple pass TDs in 8 consecutive postseason games, tied with Joe Flacco for the longest streak all-time.

Now with 233 in his career, Rodgers also passed Brett Favre for the most TD passes thrown at Lambeau Field (reg + post).
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) January 17, 2021

Hauling in 1 of his team's 4 touchdowns in dispatching the Rams tonight, Davante Adams- when including the regular season- now has 19 scoring grabs as he continues to author a tremendous 2020. In fact, it's a single reg/postseason record in @packers franchise history on this list pic.twitter.com/AlMIJ7jF1M
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) January 17, 2021

Related: Stories of the Day

Takeaway of the Day

James Harden is already showing a willingness to change to chase a championship

James Harden made his debut for the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday. He played with Kevin Durant for the first time since their run on the Thunder and fit in seamlessly with not only him, but the rest of the Nets offense. Harden played point guard for Brooklyn on Saturday as Kyrie Irving remained out for personal reasons. Point Harden didn’t only look as good as he has all year, but he looked happy for the first time this season.

Happy Harden torched the Magic for 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 14 assists, while his All-World teammate KD exploded for 42 points of his own. While Harden became the first player in NBA history to record a 30-point triple-double in a player’s first game with a new team, the way in which Harden played is what should really have Nets fans excited. Harden was known for being one of the premier isolation scorers in the league. While it led to him being one of the most dominant scorers in NBA history, it never led to a title and was most likely never going to, according to one of the greatest to ever to do it who knows a thing or two about winning rings.

In his first game in Brooklyn, however, the Beard prioritized getting his teammates involved and ensuring the offense didn’t stall when he had the ball. While Harden may have passed a little too much on Saturday, as he was one turnover away from a quadruple-double, the unselfishness he played with was a welcoming sight for his teammates and coaching staff. Although many questioned the way in which Harden went about this situation, he’s in a happier place now, and is finally showing signs of changing his game in order to compete for a championship.

Harden dropping half-court dimes 😯 pic.twitter.com/dwS5ZYSpkP
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 17, 2021

Point Harden goes behind-the-back to Jeff Green 🍿 pic.twitter.com/LLnN9nKYQI
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 16, 2021

James Harden recorded the most AST (14) in a single GP by a player in Nets franchise history.

He's played 1 game with the Nets. https://t.co/CYyq0DMQCG
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) January 17, 2021

Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day

Highlight of the Day

Game-changing play for Buffalo

TARON JOHNSON 101-YARD PICK-SIX!#BILLSMAFIA #NFLPlayoffs

📺: #BALvsBUF on NBC
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/apCkRMWr6f pic.twitter.com/rgwIuVLNxE
— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2021

Player of the Day

SG James Harden, BKN (W v.ORL): 32 PTS (8-18 FG | 3-10 3P), 14 AST, 12 REB, 1 BLK, 4 STL, 9 TO

#PlayerOfTheDay (1/16/21) - SG James Harden, BRK
THE FACTS:
- 1st player with 30pt triple-double in debut w/ new team
- Most AST (14) ever recorded in Brooklyn Nets history
- 7th triple-double ever by a player in his team debut
- Also had 9 turnovers; almost a quadruple-double https://t.co/E6JyTND5pf
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) January 17, 2021

Related: Players of the Day

Game of the Day

Philadelphia 76ers (104) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (106)

[Highlights] @GRIZZLIES (-109; $10.39) d. 76ERS (+109; $10.23) 106-104 [MEM -1.5 | u221.5]

Related: Games of the Day

Fact of the Day

James Harden had a historic debut in Brooklyn

James Harden is the 1st player to put up a 30-PT triple-double in his debut with a new team in NBA history

Related: Facts of the Day

PSO Post of the Day

Money Trends That Matter in NFL Divisional Round by Michael Grammenos

The biggest money trends to know to make money from sports wagering

Bucs overs on the road, Browns after covering the spread, Rams as a road underdog, and all the major money trends that matter in the NFL Divisional Round ⬇️ https://t.co/rRrFOF1tsb
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) January 16, 2021

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