Recapping Week 2 in NBA: Nifty 50 … times two!
Take a look back at the week that was in the NBA with a collection of some of the best games, videos, photos, features and more from around the NBA world.
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Games of the Week
Spurs 143, Lakers 142 (OT) — LeBron James was brilliant all game, but came up empty on two free throws that could have sealed the win with 12.8 seconds left in overtime on Monday. That miscue — after a 32-point, eight-rebound, 14-assist night — was all the Spurs needed to steal the win. Veteran Patty Mills nailed a huge jumper with 6.8 seconds left to push the Spurs to a 2-1 start few had them pegged for.
Pistons 133, Sixers 132 (OT) — Blake Griffin, welcome back! The former All-Star big man continued to put the league on notice, logging a career-best 50 points and made the go-ahead, and-one bucket in overtime on Tuesday night. He’s off to a monstrous start to 2018-19 and is among the top 10 scorers in the NBA for the first time in four seasons.
Warriors 144, Wizards 122 — A night after Blake Griffin needed OT to get his 50-point game, Stephen Curry made getting to that number look like child’s play. Curry notched the sixth 50-point game of his career, finishing with 51 points in just three quarters of work Wednesday! He nailed 11 3-pointers in the performance, his sixth career game with 11 or more 3-pointers.
Celtics 101, Thunder 95 — This game was a prime example of why so many fear Boston in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics went on a 16-1 run over the final 4:14 — a rally fueled by veterans Kyrie Irving and Marcus Morris as well as youngster Jayson Tatum — that showcased their wide array of firepower and defense in a Thursday night classic.
Spurs 110, Lakers 106 — Another day, another LeBron vs. Spurs showdown. However, this time around, it was DeMar DeRozan providing the heroics. He flirted with a triple-double and hit several big shots late to salt away the win for the Spurs on Saturday. But even in defeat, history was made by James as he became the NBA’s No. 6 all-time scorer. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich added to his lore by becoming the fifth coach in NBA history with 1,200 or more wins.
Also worth noting: The Kings edged the Wizards on Friday, giving Sacramento its first 3-3 start since 2014-15 … Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant combined for 69 points in a win vs. Brooklyn on Sunday … The Raptors are off to their best start ever while the Bucks are 6-0 for the first time since 1971-72 …
Stat Lines of the Week
Stephen Curry (51 points, 15-24 FG, 11-16 3pt FG in 32 minutes) — Curry had 31 points in the first half, which was his fourth career game with 30 points in the first half. This was the 10th game in his career with 10 or more 3-pointers. And this was his sixth career game with 11 or more 3-pointers. In NBA history, only seven such games exist. Wow … | Watch | Video box score
Giannis Antetokounmpo (32 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists) — Milwaukee improved to 4-0 on Wednesday after Antetokounmpo logged his fourth straight game with at least 25 points and 15 rebounds. In doing so, he became the first player since Wilt Chamberlain (in 1965-66) to accomplish that feat. | Watch | Video box score
Blake Griffin (50 points, 20-35 FG, 5-10 3pt FG, 14 reb, 6 ast) — On Tuesday, Griffin became one of seven players in team history to score 50 or more points in a game. Aside from Griffin’s historic night, the Pistons joined the 1990-91 Blazers as the only teams in NBA history to start a season 3-0 with each win being by 3 points or less. | Watch | Video box score
Kevin Durant (41 points, 17-24 FG, 5-9 3pt FG, 9 reb, 5 ast) — The reigning Finals MVP showed why he has that hardware, putting on a clinic in the fourth quarter of Golden State’s 128-100 win Friday. Durant scored 25 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter off a sizzling 10-for-13 shooting that included four 3-pointers. | Watch | Video box score
Photos of the Week
More than just OK(C)
Who’s got it?
‘Brow know-how
Spida-senses are tingling
Best plays from Week 2
Quotes of the Week
“This isn’t the YMCA. We don’t have to play 15 guys all eight minutes apiece. It’s the NBA. He’s a rookie. He’s just learning what’s going on. He’ll get his chance at some point.” — Warriors coach Steve Kerr, on rookie Jacob Evans.
”A loss is a loss. It’s about winning. It’s not about the statistical achievements, doing this or that for whoever my fantasy owner is.” — Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns, after Wednesday’s loss to the Raptors.
“Try to foul the [expletive] out of him … but even when we did that, he was still making them.” — Wizards guard Bradley Beal, on one possible way to slow down Stephen Curry.
“I know when I’m 40 and I’m retired, I’m going to be able to chase my kids and I’m still going to have my knees and I’m not going to look for knees on eBay.” — Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, on getting some extra rest during the season.
“Every time I play here, I sit here in this same locker. Every time I land in Cleveland, I think about it. I watched it all summer, probably about 75 times. It’s all I thought about.” — Pacers guard Victor Oladipo, who still thinks about the Pacers-Cavs playoff series from 2018.
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We’re all busy. But there’s lots of great content on NBA.com that you might have missed in the hubbub of your life. Take a moment, slow down and soak up some of our best stories, videos and more.
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* Watch: LeBron reflects on latest scoring milestone
* Schuhmann: Power Rankings, Week 3
* Smith: Q&A with former All-Star big man Bosh
* Watch: Is Curry already Kia MVP favorite?
* Watch: Shaqtin’ A Fool | Diesel’s Dunks | Smitty’s Top Plays
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