Last time I wrote one of those daily score recaps, I spent the intro loving the unpredictability of the NBA. The Pistons were playing the Mavericks, and I didn’t know what to expect from the game – even Luka’s presence on one side couldn’t sway me one way or another. I might as well spend every intro from now on repeating the exact same sentiment, almost word for word. Of course, I won’t – like the league, I want to keep things interesting – but in a league that is becoming less and less uniform in its day-to-day life, a trend is emerging: you can never rely on what you might believe to be the inevitable.
With every passing night in the NBA, I find myself in awe of another young name or team breaking their own expectations. Lately that new face has been Indiana’s Andrew Nembhard. Gonzaga’s rookie guard has spent the past week taking on name after name and proving himself to be an indispensable cog in Rick Carlisle’s machine of unexpected success. Over his last four games, Nembhard has averaged 15.6 points on 53% shooting (46% on three), along with 7.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds. Its efficiency is extraordinary. Last week he hit a buzzer-beater to give Indiana the win over the Lakers.
And on Monday night, he continued to deliver, leading a shorthanded Pacers team past the Warriors. That begins today’s recap of Monday’s NBA scores.
Boosted by Nembhard, Indiana handles Golden State, 112-104
If not for Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner and a host of others, you would have been forgiven if you mentally marked the Warriors as the winners of this one before turning off the lights and calling it a night. But people forget the likes of Nembhard (31 points), Buddy Hield (17), Jalen Smith (15), Bennedict Mathurin (14), Oshae Brissett (14) and Isaiah Jackson (13), who all put together a exhilarating team effort in Indiana’s victory over the Warriors. Even one night shorthanded, this team is dangerous.
Klay Thompson finished with 28 points in the loss, while Steph Curry shot just 3 for 17, totaling 12 points on the night, his lowest of the season.
Rockets outlast Sixers in double OT, 132-123
In his first game since Nov. 2, James Harden looked… rusty. After missing 14 games with a tendon sprain in his right foot, he came back and scored 21 points for Philadelphia, but shot just 4 for 19 from the field. The Rockets took advantage, forcing two overtime periods before retiring in the second overtime. Joel Embiid led the way for the Sixers with 39, but fouled in the first OT.
Giannis, Bucks hand Magic ninth straight loss, 109-102
The Milwaukee Bucks have won five of six, and while Orlando kept this one on the closer end, a game never really feels in doubt when Giannis Antetokounmpo dominates. He finished with 34 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two blocks to keep his team rolling. The road ahead is tougher, though: In their last 12 games of 2022, the Bucks will face nine teams over .500, six of them coming on the road.
Luka still owns Phoenix, leads Mavs in blowout win over Suns, 130-111
Kawhi returns, hits game-winner to lead Clips over Hornets, 119-117
The Los Angeles Clippers have spent the better part of the past 10 years being the NBA’s first team “what could have been.” Whether it’s the Lob City days or the recent iteration of the franchise, led by two injury-prone stars, they’ve always had the right stuff, but never the durability or, perhaps, the luck. to overcome the last bump.
Now, last night’s win over the lowly Hornets shouldn’t send fans to the sports betting to place their championship bets on this group. But if it inspires something, make it a return to stability. Kawhi Leonard was the hero, a welcome sign for a team that has been without him for the better part of a year and a half. After missing the previous six games with a sprained right ankle, Kawhi shot seven of 15, good for 16 points, to go with six rebounds and the game-winning jumper in 28 minutes. He’s only played six games this season, but if this is any indication, he’s on his way back.
Thunder uses a great second half to overtake the Hawks, 121-114
If Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t part of your MVP conversation, stop having the conversation. I don’t care that the Thunder are 11-13 and unlikely to make the playoffs – they’re one of the most entertaining teams in the league, and it all starts with SGA, who is enjoying the best season of his young career. He’s averaging 31.8 points, six assists and a tick under five rebounds per game; against Atlanta on Monday, he led the way with 35.
We have already seen players putting a team on their backs. I’m not sure we’ve ever seen anything as electric as this.
No Ja, JJJ, Bane…no problem! Grizz defeats Heat, 101-93
Tatum and Brown lead the Celtics over the Raptors, 116-110
Honestly enough said.
Once a week, the Celtics bring Blake Griffin out of cryo-sleep to give Al Horford the night and literally no one in the league can figure out what to do about it.
— Dr. Daniel fromSport, Esq. (@DanielfromSport) December 6, 2022
No one in the league really knows what to do with the Celtics. They’re 20-5, winners of eight of their last 10 (and two in a row), and even on their top players’ “off” nights, the guys in the role come out of the woodwork to step in and contribute. Last night it was Blake Griffin. Next time it will be Luke Kornet or Justin Jackson. But at the end of the day, it will all come down to Tatum and Brown, who combined for 53 in Monday’s win over Toronto. Marcus Smart added 18 points and seven assists for the title favorites.