In this weeks 13 Rules: Random NBA Thoughts Steve Purciello dives shares more random NBA thoughts. Bam Adebayo’s 83-Point Explosion, Heat Surge, and Western Conference Playoff Chaos and more. Make sure to listen and add the 13 Rules: NBA Random Thoughts podcast the Shot Clock Pod to your list!
Bam Adebayo’s Historic 83-Point Night
Let’s start out by commending Bam Adebayo for his 83-point game against the Washington Wizards Tuesday night. Bam shot 20-43 from the floor, including 7-22 from three, and made 36-43 from the foul line. The 43 free throws were the most any player has ever taken in a single game. Bam is now the second-highest single-game scorer of all time behind Wilt Chamberlain.
I have no problem with coach Spoelstra leaving him in the game, because if you look back, coaches left their players in even though the game was won. My problem is that in these games, the last few minutes turn into a “do anything possible to get the ball to the scorer and foul the opposition so there’s more time to get the ball to him.” It’s just not the right way to play the game.
Miami Heat Winning Streak
Speaking of the Miami Heat, they are now on a seven-game winning streak and have surged into a virtual tie with the Orlando Magic for fifth in the Eastern Conference. The irony of this is that during this streak Norman Powell, the Heat’s leading scorer, has been out.
Jaylen Brown getting tossed in the second quarter Tuesday night in the Celtics’ game against the San Antonio Spurs was interesting. It seemed Tyler Ford was in front of Jaylen Brown and didn’t see the push from behind. Ford, the crew chief, allowed Brown to voice his displeasure until he began pointing at Ford. At that point he received the first technical foul. What was odd was as Brown continued complaining, Suyash Mehta, 20 feet or so away from Brown, gave Brown his second technical, which meant he was gone. Mehta was not involved with the call or the complaining, as Brown was looking directly at Ford while complaining.
Orlando Magic and Jalen Suggs Impact
The Orlando Magic are another team surging in the Eastern Conference. The Magic have won six straight. Jalen Suggs, a key player, has played in those six games. On the year, when Suggs plays 25 minutes or more the Magic are 20-8. With Suggs on the court the Magic allow 10.6 points less per one hundred possessions.
Another team surging forward is the LA Clippers. They have won three games in a row. This is a team that appeared to cut their losses and build for the future at the trade deadline. They are now one game over .500. Kawhi Leonard has played like the star he is. He is averaging 28.3 points per game. This includes 45 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves Tuesday night.
Between Leonard and Bennedict Mathurin, recently acquired from the Indiana Pacers in the Zubac trade, in 23 games has averaged 19.4 points. Tyronn Lue has done a masterful job keeping this team together. The Clippers have moved up to eighth in the Western Conference. They will be in the play-in game and are dangerous because of Kawhi.
Minnesota Timberwolves Inconsistency
What to make of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Every time they win a few games they go backward and lose a few. This week they lost three in a row before beating Golden State in what Minnesota termed a must game. Over the years teams that are inconsistent like Minnesota have been don’t go very far in the playoffs.
Tight Western Conference Playoff Race
Take a look at the Western Conference standings. At the present time, 2.5 games separate the third-place team, the Houston Rockets, and the LA Lakers, who are tied for third, going back to the Phoenix Suns in seventh. Nobody wants to finish seventh because not just are you in the play-in game, but if you win in the play-in you would face either the San Antonio Spurs or the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.