About Last Night: Thunder rattle Giannis

On Saturday night, with 4:11 left in the fourth quarter of Oklahoma City Thunder’s 118-112 triumph over the Milwaukee Bucks, Russell Westbrook stayed on a switch as Giannis Antetokounmpo began to post from the left block. He spun as Thunder guard Dennis Schroder closed from the weak side. Westbrook held his position and swatted Antetokounmpo’s soft layup off the bottom of the backboard.

An Oklahoma City Thunder player blocked one of Antetokounmpo’s shots for the seventh time, marking a career-low for the MVP candidate. This was also the highest number of blocks suffered by any player in a single game this season.

In the first half, Giannis was effectively contained – making no field goals out of six attempts, scoring three points, and committing three turnovers. However, he managed to amass a respectable final line of 27 points, 18 rebounds, and 4 assists in the loss.

The Thunder, who started the game with the fourth-best defensive efficiency (105.7 points allowed per 100 possessions) and ended it with the third-best (104.5), impressed the Bucks who were one of the top five offensive teams at the start of the game.

“They were just really active tonight,” said Bucks swingman Khris Middleton, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “We knew they were going to be active in the passing lanes, in the paint guys were coming to pack the paint on Giannis and whatnot. I think we tried to do a great job of making the extra pass, those extra plays. Some we just didn’t get the bounce or the roll and some we did.”

However, without the exceptional performance of Paul George, the defensive success would have been insignificant. Although he accomplished other things, he will be mainly remembered for his stunning dunk over Giannis, which set #NBATwitter on fire:

Not exactly PG-13, as ESPN’s Marc J. Spears cleverly put it, and a suitable climax to a commanding 36-point, 13-rebound, three-steal performance. George shot 12-of-21 overall (8-12 3-point FGs) and, among other key plays, deflected a pass to earn a steal and position Westbrook to extend the lead to seven with 31.3 seconds remaining.

In this best individual season to date, George has rightfully claimed an All-Star starting nod and a place in any MVP debate you’d care to have.

Paul returns? Harden gonna Harden

Chris Paul was absent for 17 games due to a strain in his left hamstring. Upon his return, he found James Harden performing at an exceptional level, a feat only matched by Wilt Chamberlain and unprecedented for any guard.

When Kenneth Faried assisted an early floater against the Orlando Magic, it was the first bucket Harden hadn’t created for himself in more than seven games, a total of 87 straight makes.

Kenneth Faried broke James Harden’s 87 consecutive unassisted field goals streak by assisting on his 1st-quarter floater.

Via @EliasSports, that streak was more than twice as long as any other player in the last 10 seasons (Steve Nash: 42). pic.twitter.com/yW62WcAObb

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 28, 2019

Harden finished with 40 points, stretching his 30-plus streak to 23 games and bumping his season average to 36.3 ppg, the highest since Michael Jordan’s 37.1 ppg in 1986-87. He hit several monster shots in a closing rally during Houston’s 103-98 win.

Meanwhile, Paul played for 25 minutes, scoring 12 points (4-8 FGs, 2-5 3-point FGs), and contributing five rebounds, six assists, and three steals, including being on the court for the final stretch. Despite some moments where his lack of recent play was noticeable, he also showed signs of his usual prowess.

Familiar, and not just for this observer, either. Said Harden:

He seemed to have an added spring in his step, carrying out a spin move along with a few others to assess his physical condition. He seemed to be in great shape. Seeing him back on the court was a welcome sight.

If Harden continues his current performance, and Paul successfully returns to his game, Houston could be much closer to repeating last season’s form of over 60 wins than we initially anticipated after their rough start. We have a lot more of this to look forward to, not to mention the playoffs.

Count me in.

Popovich pulls ’em back

Let it never be said that Gregg Popovich can’t find new ways to keep everyone on their toes … just 16 seconds into the 51st game of the this 23rd season as head coach:

That was a friendly greeting to the squad that allowed this rim-rocker from Thomas Bryant on the opening possession against the Washington Wizards.

The San Antonio Spurs went on to a 132-119 victory. Message received, it would seem.

Luka, Luka, Luka!

The rookie that must insipire crippling angst — or whatever passes among pro athletes — for others in his class, Luka Doncic continues to do things that are either casually spectacular or actually record-breaking … like Sunday’s 35-point, 12-rebound, 10-assist showing.

Doncic set the record as the youngest player to achieve a 30-point triple-double, surpassing previous record holders LeBron James (who achieved 40-10-10 at 20 years and 100 days old) and De’Aaron Fox (who achieved 31-10-15 at 20 years and 316 days old). The last rookie to reach this milestone was Blake Griffin in 2011.

Tobias takes guff

This postgame interview went sideways quick:

It's called fashion look it up. @tobias31 | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/0VAMtMIPKg

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 28, 2019

Just to clarify, it’s not worn inside out. Let’s be honest, he was fully aware when he put that on. His list of key points was so prepared that I could practically see the flashcards in his back pocket.

Tough sight for South Beach

Derrick Jones Jr. went down on the break in Miami, and it immediately drew strong concern from the bench:

Heat players saying prayers for Derrick Jones Jr. after he goes down with an apparent knee injury pic.twitter.com/VjY8k8WLY5

— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) January 28, 2019

The Heat later provided a series of updates, first confirming the injury, then indicating X-rays were negative and that Jones will be re-evaluated Monday.

Wishing for a smooth recovery. It’s been a rough week for the knees, yikes.

A standing (Mel-)O

Though he’s still on hardwood hiatus after a recent trade to the Bulls, Carmelo Anthony returned to his old Eighth Ave. haunt for Sunday’s Knicks-Heat matchup — the first of two #OneLastDance visits for 2003 draft classmate Dwyane Wade. A tribute video covering the six-plus seasons Anthony spent in NYC warmed up the Garden crowd, which showed hearty appreciation for the man they call Melo:

Well earned. Happy Monday, everyone.