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2.2.18

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LAST NIGHT'S SCORES

Pistons 104, Grizzlies 102Wizards 122, Raptors 119Rockets 102, Spurs 91Timberwolves 108, Bucks 89Nuggets 127, Thunder 124

Written while listening to Q Tip’s Amplified. [

Spotify

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Insane scoring nights are becoming the norm   

James Harden vs. Orlando Magic46 Minutes | 60 Points | 19-30 FG | 5-14 PT | 17-18 FG | 10 RB | 11 AST | 4 STLSo many times in the NBA, a star is put in the wrong place, or annointed the leader too soon. So many times, we are left with more questions than answers about just how good or how prolific or what the right situation would have done.

We are seeing it right now, with both Demarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis. We saw it with Kevin Garnett before he came to Boston, with Tracy McGrady and Carmelo Anthony (his fault). We weren’t alive, but read about Pete Maravich wasting away in New Orleans and Atlanta.

There will always be misplaced stars, but it is cool to know James Harden has found his basketball nirvana. A lot of people like to daydream about Harden, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook sticking together. We think they all got what they wanted elsewhere, and that’s cool.

Last year, we thought a 50-point triple-double was the move. A few days ago, Harden called that child’s play.Harden with a clutch four point play to break 60 points

CJ McCollum keeps rising

CJ McCollum vs. Chicago Bulls29 Minutes | 50 Points | 18-25 FG | 6-9 PT | 8-8 FG | 5 RB | 2 AST | 4 STL 

Just a day after Harden’s ridiculous scoreline, C.J. McCollum put on a show himself, scoring 28 points in the first quarter and ending the night with 50 points on 25 shots -- and he didn’t even play the fourth quarter.

Once generally assumed as a role player and backseat sidekick to Damian Lillard, Lehigh’s own is proving that he can single-handedly impact and win games in a tough Western Conference.

And, seriously -- don’t look now, but the Trail Blazers have won seven of eight games and are approaching Oklahoma City’s and Minnesota’s mid-tier spots in the playoff race. 

Interesting final tidbit: This is now the ninth 50 plus point game this season. In every instance, the player has shot better than 50 percent from the field. That is a stat that, undoubtedly, represents the advanced stat and efficiency revolution over the last five years.

There is very little little room for chuckers in today’s game.

The bodies are starting to pile up

Earlier this week we discussed the nervy situation revolving around the Cleveland Cavaliers.

As you've heard, that situation went from bad to worse. Kevin Love, who is nearly averaging a double-double this season (18 points, nine rebounds per game), broke his hand the other night and will miss six to eight weeks. The Cavaliers now have a 30-20 record and are technically as good as the Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat.

Tyronn Lue has already exhausted the notion, but after the game, he wheeled this cliche-riddled response out: “Guys have to step up and be ready to play. Everyone has to play better. We have to coach better. Everyone has to be better, especially when you lose a significant piece like that. I’m sure the guys will be up for the challenge. It’s going to be a tough task, but we can handle it.” Yeah, we have to coach better.  

An optimist will say that this is the spark the team needed to get going again. A pessimist (us) will say that if an All-Star’s return didn’t help the team win, than losing one of their strongest assets definitely won’t help either. We’ll still take Cleveland in the 2018 Finals for $1,000, Alex. 

Things aren't much better in Washington.

On Tuesday news broke that John Wall will undergo surgery on his knee. He will be out for six to eight weeks, as well. It may sound like a devastating blow to the Wizards, but they’ve posted a 28-22 record despite Wall being out for a fourth of the games this season.

Hang in there Washington, he’ll be back in time for the playoffs.

• This Manu Ginobili pass: 

• Mike Conley, hopped up on painkillers, tries to sing Carry On My Wayward Son. Quite a different energy from Ricky Rubio on painkillers.

• FREE THROW WATCH: Dwight Howard retakes his throne as the worst free throw shooter in the league at 55 percent. Ben Simmons is lurking at 55.7 percent. Andre Drummond (61.9 percent) is still doing his thing.

• The LeBron to the Warriors buzz is the worst kind of clickbait. Read the actual contents of the article and you’ll understand why.

• Tyreke Evans is on the market for the price of one first round draft pick. Any takers?

• Not counting the Warriors fluke loss to the Jazz the other night, Curry is averaging 31.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.5 steals since returning from injury. He is nudging his way back into the MVP conversation.

• Nikola Mirotic punched his ticket to New Orleans on Thursday. He should be a knockout on the Pelicans. Hopefully he doesn’t leave any parting jabs on his way out of Chicago.

• Iso-Joe Johnson is also looking for a buyout. Greg Monroe just got his. Both will be good additions for a contender.

• R.I.P Porzingis

• Poor Isaiah Canaan had a Gordon Hayward-esque leg break on Wednesday. The video is not good.

• This 2013 Q&A with Earl “The Pearl” Monroe.“When I had my surgery on my foot Miles [Davis] used to call me and I could never understand what he was saying because he had this raspiness in his voice … So I used to always say ‘Uh huh, yeah, uh huh,’ and that’s what our conversations were like … It wasn’t until years and years later when I read his autobiography — y’know the only thing I could understand him saying was ‘bed’ — that I realized he was trying to offer me his orthopedic bed, you know, for me to recuperate with.”To read more, Tap Here

• ESPN’s Mike Schmitz breaks down Devin Booker’s development. [Tap Here]

• In hindsight, this Blake Griffin profile from three months ago, entitled The Clippers are All-In On Blake Griffin, has some laughable lines. [Tap Here]

• Here’s a very good profile of Lou Williams. [Tap Here]

 A LOOK AHEAD Here are the must-see games of the weekend. 

FRIDAY, 2/2The Portland Trail Blazers (29-22) head to Toronto to play the Raptors (34-15). 7:30 PM EST SATURDAY, 2/3The Houston Rockets (36-13) head to Cleveland to play the Cavaliers (30-20).8:30 PM ESTSUNDAY, 2/4The Portland Trail Blazers (29-22) head to Boston to play the Celtics (37-15). 12:00 PM EST