Detroit picked up their biggest win of the season on Monday, annihilating Brooklyn 130-77 in an absolute cakewalk. The hosts always looked like coming out on top, with a 19-6 first quarter run setting the tone before a mammoth 56-15 run across the second and third quarters saw Detroit really pull away. Finishing the night with an 81.1 defensive rating, it was a spectacular defensive showing from JB Bickerstaff’s side, as Ausar Thompson, Cade Cunningham, Ron Holland II and new All-Star Jalen Duren all showed off good instincts on that end of the floor. Offensively, Cunningham and Duren went to work again, with Cunningham posting 18 points, 12 assists, four steals and three blocks and the big man put up 21 points, 10 rebounds and two steals. Thompson had nine points, eight rebounds, three steals and two blocks and Daniss Jenkins had an impressive 18 points off the bench to cap off a stellar night for the hosts.
Denver looked a step slow on Monday, falling to Oklahoma City 111-121. At home and with Nikola Jokić back in the lineup, it was expected that Denver would put up a real fight against the defending champions, but it didn’t pan out that way, as they failed to lead at any point in the contest and were comprehensively outplayed in the second half, seeing OKC coast home. After impressing in his first game back from injury on Saturday, Jokić didn’t look anywhere near as dominant on Monday, finishing with 16 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, being a -7 in his 29 minutes. Jamal Murray shot just 4/16 for 12 points and 12 assists, while Payton Watson top-scored with 29 points.
It was an ugly performance in almost every way against OKC, but I am not banking on Jokić having an off night two games in a row. He will enjoy his matchup against Duren and that will unlock the visitors’ offence, making them my pick as underdogs.
Dallas have now lost four consecutive games following a 107-111 loss in Houston on Sunday. Dallas rallied to make things interesting down the stretch, with a 14-4 run tying the scores at 107-107 with 47 seconds on the clock, but they went cold from then on to go scoreless for the rest of the game to see the hosts leave with the win. It was a disappointing offensive night from Jason Kidd’s side, getting up just 23 three-point attempts and recording a lowly 50% eFG%, as the likes of Naji Marshall, PJ Washington and Caleb Martin all struggled to get going. Cooper Flagg, however, was excellent again with 34 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and one block, to help keep Dallas in the fight and leave them with a chance of a road win.
Boston have rediscovered their offensive form of late and that was on display again on Monday in a 107-79 thumping of Milwaukee. Their 125.0 offensive rating was solid, but it was on the defensive end where they really stood tall, with a season-best 92.4 defensive rating. They forced Milwaukee to shoot 43% of their shot attempts from the midrange and held the visitors to a very low 38.5% clip at the rim, while Jaylen Brown excelled again offensively with 30 points and 13 rebounds. Anfernee Simons got hot for 27 points and Derrick White flirted with a triple-double, with 17 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Neemias Queta was excellent defensively and added 14 points and four assists on the offensive end to cap off a great night for Boston.
Washington has been ruled out for Dallas already and Brandon Williams is questionable, giving the hosts even more injury headaches. Those are particularly big blows on the offensive end and I am struggling to see how Dallas will score against an in-form Boston defence. The under is 7-3 in the last 10 games between these teams and is 8-2 in Boston’s last 10 games.
Portland have now lost five games on the bounce after a 111-130 blowout loss to Cleveland on Monday. It was a flat return home after a 0-3 road trip, and things really became undone in a 30-41 third quarter, allowing Cleveland to get out to a 24-point lead early in the fourth to make for miserable viewing for the Moda Center fans. It was another ugly offensive performance that lost Portland this game, with an 108.2 offensive rating, courtesy of a woeful 22 turnovers. Shaedon Sharpe was the key culprit with four turnovers, and his 9/21 shooting was the result of a shaky scoring night, finishing with 20 points and three assists. Caleb Love top-scored with 21 points, while Donovan Clingan struggled offensively but had 12 rebounds, five assists and four blocks in a strong defensive showing.
Phoenix were made to look ordinary on Monday, losing 93-117 to the Clippers. At home, Phoenix went into the game as two-point favourites against the red-hot visitors, but they had no answer for LA in the second half, losing 50-68 to make for a big loss. Phoenix had every chance to win this game, committing just four turnovers on the night, but they were outrebounded 35-63, giving the Clippers way too many opportunities. Their 45.4% eFG% also did them no favours, as Dillon Brooks and Grayson Allen combined to shoot 14/41 as Devin Booker sat out with an ankle injury.
Booker remains out for Wednesday, while Jalen Green is questionable to return, potentially giving Phoenix some offensive juice. However, they won’t need much to get past this Portland team, that will likely be without the doubtful Deni Avdija. Jrue Holiday is also questionable, and potentially without that duo, I can’t see Portland keeping pace with the visitors.