By Josh Whittemore, PSO Sports Operations Executive
Jan 22, 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 1/21 here

The NBA’s top two players squared off Thursday night as LeBron James out-dueled Giannis Antetokounmpo in the Lakers’ 113-106 victory over the Bucks. LeBron had one of his best games of the early season as Los Angeles continued it’s hot streak on the road. A lack of home-court advantage due to no fans in attendance has proven to be a significant trend around the NBA this season. Also, Donovan Mitchell and the Jazz defeated the Pelicans, as he and his team made history in the process. 

Here is the best of the day from January 21, 2021:

LeBron out-dueled Giannis in a potential NBA Finals preview

The West-leading Lakers (12-4) extended their franchise record with an eighth straight road win to open the season after defeating the Bucks 113-106. LeBron James out-performed Giannis Antetokounmpo in a battle between two of the NBA’s top title contenders. LeBron had the hot hand all night, draining 6-of-10 3PA, including a few long-range bombs, on his way to a season-high 34 PTS along with 8 AST and 6 REB. James appears to have turned his one weakness throughout his career – shooting – into a strength. Through 16 games, he is shooting 39.6% on 3PA’s, his second-highest mark ever, on a career-high 6.6 3PA per game.

Giannis put up 25 points on 11-of-17 shooting to go along with 12 boards and three assists. However, his jump shot continues to be inconsistent. He was 1-for-3 from deep, 2-for-4 from the charity stripe, and missed badly on a few jump shots. For the season, he is hitting just 30.9% of his 3’s and 58.3% of his FT attempts. Of more concern, though, is the Bucks (9-6) inability to beat top contenders. They now fall to 0-4 against the Celtics, Nets, Jazz, and Lakers. Their bench, outscored 31-16 by the Lakers bench, must improve if Milwaukee is to secure the top seed in the much-improved Eastern Conference for a third-straight season.

Related: Stories of the Day

Home-Court advantage is officially proven to be as insignificant as it’s ever been

COLORS KEY | FULL LAKERS FUTURE OUTLOOK
 

As the coronavirus has continued to alter the NBA this season, one difference has seemed to stand out above the rest. With limited fans in attendance in some places and zero permitted in others, home-court advantage has become almost meaningless. Home teams this season are a mediocre 108-104, equaling a winning percentage of just 50.9%. In previous seasons, home teams have enjoyed a winning percentage of around 56-58%. 

This year’s Lakers squad is a prime example of the insignificance that now comes with playing on a home-court. The Purple and Gold are off to a franchise-best 8-0 start on the road this season, including their tough seven-point victory in Milwaukee on Thursday. The Bucks were an NBA-best 39-10 at home two seasons ago, and 28-3 at the Fiserv Forum last year prior to the shift to the bubble. While the Lakers have been dominant away from home, they’re just a pedestrian 4-4 at the Staples Center this season.

While home-court advantage has been a huge factor in the NBA, especially in the playoffs, the lack of fans has basically made it a non-factor. While home-teams in the playoffs have seen a win percentage of around 64% in the NBA, the top seeds in each conference may not be as coveted this season. There are pros and cons with these ripple effects, like the fact that teams might not prioritize regular-season wins as much down the stretch, and prefer to rest their marquee players before a playoff push. At the same time, a team decimated by COVID during the season that subsequently falls down the seedings won’t be in as bad of shape.

Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day

Mitchell puts the moves on the Pelicans

Related: NBA Highlights | Utah Jazz Highlights

SG Donovan Mitchell, UTA (W v.NOP): 36 PTS (11-19 FG | 6-8 3P), 5 AST, 7 REB, 1 BLK, 0 STL, 4 TO

Related: Players of the Day

Los Angeles Lakers (113) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (106)

 [Highlights] LAKERS (+114; $10.98) d. @BUCKS (-114; $10.08113-106 [LAL +2 | u228.5]

Related: Games of the Day

No team has been hotter from 3 to open the season in NBA history than the Utah Jazz 

  • The most 3PM (248) through the 1st 15 GP of a season in NBA history, and the most ever (133) during a 7-game win streak

 

Related: Facts of the Day 

New Orleans Saints 5 Most Interesting Facts From 2020 NFL Season by Arslan Ubul

NO had another incredible regular-season but fell just short again in the playoffs in what was likely HOF QB Drew Brees’s final season

Related: Latest PSO Posts

FULL ARTICLE: Most Significant Sports History on January 21st

YEAR: 1995

SIGNIFICANCE: John Stockton became the NBA’s all-time leader in assists (9,922)

Related: Significant Sports History

 

 

 

 

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