Play of the week
The Utah Jazz were 0-4 on the road before playing the Raptors on Monday night and looked to be on their way to loss No. 5 before big Al Jefferson provided the shooter’s touch on only his second three-pointer of his career to send the game into overtime. The Jazz eventually prevailed after dominating the third-overtime session for their first road win of the season.
Misplay of the week
Referee Bill Kennedy tries to break up an altercation between Anthony Davis and Byron Mullens but gets bowled over by an overzealous Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
How the Canadians fared (stats are per game):
Tristan Thompson (Cavaliers): 30.3 min, 12.7 pts, 10.0 reb, 1.7 ast, 0.3 blk
Samuel Dalembert (Bucks): 18.7 min, 12.3 pts, 6.0 reb, 1.7 blk
Andrew Nicholson (Magic): 13.7 min, 8.3 pts, 2.3 reb, 0.3 blk
Joel Anthony (Heat): Played in three of four games; 4.7 min, 0.3 pts, 0.7 reb, 0.7 blk
Robert Sacre (Lakers): Human victory cigar/lead cheer leader 1.0 min, 0.0 pts, 0.0 ast, 0.5 blk
Cory Joseph (Spurs): Assigned to the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League.
Kris Joseph (Celtics): Assigned to the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League.
Steve Nash (Lakers): Didn’t play due to broken leg.
Trending up: Nicholas Batum
Batum has been a hot commodity lately for the Portland Trail Blazers. He’s been averaging north of 20 points a game this season, including two 35-point games and Batum has been deadly from deep, connecting on 24 three-pointers over the last seven games. Batum is capable of big games on defence as well with a six-steal game and a five-block game under his belt already this season.
Trending down: Roy Hibbert
After an all-star appearance last year, big things were expected of Pacers centre Roy Hibbert. Instead, his field-goal percentage is below 40 per cent, he’s shooting 45 per cent from the line with his overall scoring and rebounding numbers way down despite playing almost identical minutes from last season.
Dunk of the week
Rudy Gay makes LeBron James look downright silly off the dribble, while Chris Bosh has second thoughts about challenging him at the rim.
Block of the week
It’s always embarrassing for a power forward to be blocked by a point guard. Jrue Holiday legitimately blocks Paul Millsap on a long-range attempt in a one-on-one situation. Impressive.
Line of the week (best stat line)
Kobe Bryant vs. Rockets: 22 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 steals. The triple-double was the 18th of Kobe’s career; a feat that is staggering when you see that Kevin Durant recorded the FIRST of his career on the same night.
Tweet of the week
Magic Johnson let his feelings be known on Twitter about the Lakers’ hiring of Mick D’antoni over Phil Jackson.
The reason I haven’t tweeted in 2 days is because I’ve been mourning Phil Jackson not being hired as the Lakers head coach.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 14, 2012
As if to smooth things over, he puzzingly added:
My mother always taught me that if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 14, 2012
Matchup of the week (next week)
On Wednesday there’s a full slate of 14 NBA games, but all eyes will be on the Clippers-Thunder game. Not only are two of the league’s best point guards, Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook, going toe-to-toe, but there are sure to be an abundance of highlight-reel plays between these two high-flying offences.
