About Last Night: A contrast of contenders

The contrasting performances at the top of the West saw Golden State take the lead while Denver faltered, revealing a striking difference in their killer instincts in this two-team tango.

Neither team faced world-beaters, though the Warriors’ opponent (Charlotte) had playoff aspirations at stake that Denver’s opposition (Washington) had forfeited weeks ago. Yet it was Golden State demolishing the playoff-hopeful Hornets 137-90, while the Nuggets suffered a shocking 95-90 letdown to the lottery-bound Wizards.

Despite DeMarcus Cousins only playing for 11 minutes before being ejected for a Flagrant 2 due to an errant elbow to Willy Hernangomez’s face, the Warriors still managed to cruise through.

Despite the absence of Cousins and a subdued performance by Kevin Durant with 11 points and nine assists, Golden State still managed to secure a 22-point lead by halftime. This was largely due to the Splash Triplets – Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Quinn Cook, who collectively scored 70 points, 16 of which came from 23 attempts beyond the arc. The Warriors managed to score over 30 points in each quarter while restricting the Hornets to fewer than 30 points.

In a location three states away, Denver boasts an impressive 31-6 record at the Pepsi Center. Despite this, the Nuggets struggled on the court, with the exception of Nikola Jokic who scored 23 points and made 14 rebounds. However, even ‘the Joker’ had a tough time, initially dealing with his nose transforming into a bloody fountain.

Next, Bobby Portis chose to transition from a hard foul to a long-lasting hug at the cost of Jokic.

The Nuggets were surely relieved to see the Wizards leave the Mile High City by the end of the night. The defeat significantly dented Denver’s chances of securing the No.1 seed in the West. They now lag a full game behind Golden State, with only six games left.

The Nuggets certainly regret underperforming on the same day that Golden State showcased an overwhelming display on national television. The apparent difference in skill between the two teams has appeared larger than the actual difference in their standings for most of the season. Undoubtedly, Denver is eager to reduce both these gaps on Tuesday. The Nuggets and Warriors will face each other under the spotlight of TNT with the opportunity to claim a potential tiebreaker, the top position in the standings, and possibly gain a psychological advantage.

Trae’s sixth sense

The last nine weeks have provided Trae Young supporters all the proof they need to back their man, both in general and in a Kia Rookie of the Year race that seemed over months ago. The Hawks’ young guard added to the portfolio on Sunday with his second game-winner in as many weeks, a ridiculously intuitive push shot as time expired to give Atlanta the 136-135 victory over East-leading Milwaukee.

Reminder: The Horry Scale breaks down a game-winning buzzer-beater (GWBB) in the categories of difficulty, game situation (was the team tied or behind at the time?), importance (playoff game or garden-variety night in January?) and celebration. Then we give it an overall grade on a scale of 1-5 Robert Horrys, named for the patron saint of last-second answered prayers.

DIFFICULTY: Like many entries in the dunk contest or simple layups in traffic, a slow-motion replay is the best way to appreciate Young’s last-second heroics.

Reading and reacting promptly to live-ball situations are the most challenging tasks. Young manages to do both in less than a second, which includes 1) catching the ball with his left hand; 2) transferring it to his right hand; 3) avoiding George Hill’s extended defense; and 4) shooting the ball before finishing the same jump he started with.

You can’t practice this; it’s the fusion of instinct and touch in a literal split-second of NBA action.

GAME SITUATION: The Hawks will take every confidence-inflating breath to come with victory. That being said, almost nothing rode on this game. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe were all no-go’s for the NBA’s best team, which even after the loss boasts a three-game lead over second-place Toronto.

CELEBRATION: Do we dock Young for his teammates’ initial lack of response? His game-winner was met by a vacuum of space and a startling absence of mob-forming, chest-bumping Hawks. Even after Young admirably crows to his adoring fans, he walks several steps down the court before one teammate gives him a well-deserved bear hug.

GRADE: Young’s crunch-time chops are already a thing, something no one would have predicted just three short months ago. Yet the game’s lack of import and post-shot euphoria left a lot to be desired when it comes to the overall magic of buzzer-beaters. 2.0 Horrys.

Sunday’s standings

Four playoff-bound teams — Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, San Antonio and Denver — lost to lottery squads, with the latter three providing unintentional help to the rest of the Western Conference. Once the dust settled:

• The Spurs and Thunder are still tied for seventh place, but they won’t know until Game 82 whether they will face Golden State or Denver as the first or second seed.
• The Clippers’ rout of Memphis, combined with the aforementioned defeats, launched LA to a tie for fifth with Utah. Yet with third and fourth place just as unsettled between Houston and Portland, neither the Clippers nor Jazz can assume who would wait for them in the first round.
• The Hornets’ playoff chances are on thin ice following their 47-point defeat to the Warriors. They are currently three games behind eighth-place Miami, with Orlando in the middle. Their upcoming matches are no walk in the park either, as they face Utah on Monday and Toronto on Friday.

A different kind of Hussle

The worlds of basketball and popular music often intersect, hence it’s not surprising that the NBA was grieved over the death of Grammy-nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle. The 33-year-old was gunned down outside his store in Los Angeles on a Sunday afternoon, leading to numerous profound expressions of sorrow and appreciation for the NBA enthusiast turned music sensation.

Numerous NBA celebrities were aware and admired Hussle’s journey from a grim childhood to a successful and hopeful adulthood. Knowing the impact his death would have on their players and the wider community, their teams played Hussle’s music during their individual games as a form of tribute, capturing moments of reflection in the aftermath of his passing.

The Clippers honored Nipsey Hussle, who was killed today in LA, with a tribute before tipoff against Memphis. Hussle was close with Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell. pic.twitter.com/OMOEUQ2DY3

— Andrew Greif (@AndrewGreif) April 1, 2019

Nipsey was played at Oracle Arena. Both KD and Draymond paid tribute.

(via @loganmmurdock)pic.twitter.com/OKu1f3jOpk

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 1, 2019

Rest in peace, Nipsey Hussle. pic.twitter.com/SgxhQ16Zi9

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 1, 2019

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Steph Curry had developed a recent friendship with Nipsey Hussle. He shares some thoughts on his death. pic.twitter.com/sBeD4YnOQz

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 1, 2019

Pop pops off

Assuming Gregg Popovich would take it easy after the Spurs secured their 22nd playoff berth on Saturday is a mistake. You clearly need to watch more Spurs basketball. Guaranteed postseason play and a lottery rival mean zilch to the five-time champion coach when he perceives unjust calls.

Numerous former Spurs rave about the franchise’s family-like environment for many reasons. One prime example is how Popovich shields them as fiercely as any parent would in youth sports. Another thing that particularly stands out is his composed departure as soon as he senses that his outburst has served its purpose.