- WEEK 5 RECAP -
WRITTEN BY: STEPHEN A. KELLERMAN
Ok folks, let's keep this quick and short as I am a busy man. They need to bump my pay if they want me to write a whole bunch of words. Them grocery prices ain't no joke! Week 5 in the books so let's get to recappin.
ROCKETS vs RAPTORS: Apparently the Raptors managed to only show up with 2 rostered players and ended up having to forfeit. The first forfeit of season 7 and while the Rockets wanted to definitely play...they will take the 25-0 victory which could prove huge down the stretch. Get yo shit together Raptors! They got a good team and so hopefully this doesn't come back to bite them near the end of the season.
Final Score: Rockets 25 - 0 Raptors Player of the Game: TYRELL LEOTAUD for bringing all his boys to still get a scrimmage to happen!
THUNDER vs HEAT: Okay, I admit...I was too harsh on the Heat. I didn't believe in them and I thought they were just front runners (plus they showed some arrogance before actually proving anything) but damn they showed us alot in this one. They competed all game and took it serious from the get go. This was their best game of the season even though it was the only one they lost. That's because it was the first time I can conceivably see a path where they can make a deep run in the playoffs. They matched the intensity of an elite team and they did not back down for most of the game. The Thunder turned up the pressure with a full court press later in the 2nd half and that gave them problems and wore the Heat down. So they gotta be able to handle that better but GM Witness has to be proud of what he got out of his team. Zaid was solid with 14 points but several times he would beat his man off the dribble and then let them catch up with pump fakes. He is most effective when he takes a few dribbles and uses his footwork to get to the spot, rise and shoot. The Thunder are going to get their best shot from other teams and considering they had all their main players...there was some concern with their play. With some of the teams in the league catching up to their talent level...they are going have to earn it the rest of the way. They get the defending champs on Sunday which could once again be a finals preview.
Final Score: Thunder 56 - 47 Heat Player of the Game: NABIL IBRAHIM 13pts/7rebs/3asts/3stls/1blk
PISTONS vs MAGIC: Well the Magic had an opportunity to get their first win against a Pistons team who had no subs but Big Mike went beast mode and carried motown to victory. He was doing it from the outside and inside and regardless of how old he is...man is just incredible. Kept up his endurance and just bodied the Magic. Kendell and Adrian chipped in with double digit points (10 & 11) while GM Shaun grabbed double digit rebs (10). Magic need to regroup quickly and get a victory soon before they fall completely out of the playoff picture. They got a chance to right the ship against the Warriors on Sunday. Pistons are off till the new year and they better hope all their guys will be committed as playing without subs is not a recipe for success. These FIBA courts are long and taxing on the body.
Final Score: Pistons 62 - 50 Magic Player of the Game: MIKE GRANT 29pts/9rebs/1ast/2blks/1to - 65% Shooting - 3 Triples
SIXERS vs LAKERS: The Sixers are here to play. Kareem Jackson made his debut and so did his buddy Delly Thomas. They both were not at their best but they still managed to pull this game out as the whole team contributed. The Lakers battled tough and Shavaughn was incredible with 24pts, 7rebs, 2stls and 3blks!!! Dude is a freak athlete and was almost able to get his team over the edge with his play. They had a hard time containing the Sixers in transition and were a step slow alot of the times on isolation plays which led to them fouling a lot. They will look to get things back on track this Sunday as they face the Hawks. The Sixers have some major talent and can put up points in a hurry. I do believe they will be in the mix but they gotta be more organized on offence. If it is an outdoor game at Rucker Park, I will take them all day but if they want to get to the mountain top...they gotta play a lot smarter. This was their problem last season and looks to be a similar issue this year but there is no denying they might be able to just out talent teams in the regular season. I just don't think it can work in the playoffs without some structure...not against the Thunder or Bobcats anyways.
Final Score: Sixers 62 - 50 Lakers Player of the Game: MAYO SPENCER 20pts/5rebs/2asts/0to
BUCKS vs CLIPPERS : That is right...these two teams had a lot to prove and in the end we didn't really do too much. That is because the game ended up in a tie (yes, the dreaded tie) but it would have been devastating for one of the teams if they had lost since it was easily winnable for both of them. A few key freethrow misses near the end for both squads which could have sealed it. Aaron Hayles made his debut and he was nice. Got to his spots and made it look easy as all the shots he made were swishes. Him and Ajahmo are going to be a lethal combo on offence. The Clippers did get exposed defensively and I don't believe they will be a good 3 point shooting team so they will have to shoot at a high clip inside the arc to make some noise this season (plus improve their defence quite a bit). The addition of Aaron definitely makes them a contender and a team I would not want to see in the playoffs if everyone shows up. Jaylen and Harrson were huge in this one for the Bucks as they made big plays down the stretch for their team. Harrson with a huge triple down the stretch to cut it to one and the Bucks need him to be really good this season if they want to make some noise. Jaylen did a little bit of everything and he is another x-factor for this team. Game saving block on Aaron in the late stages was incredible. Bucks get one more before the holiday break.
Final Score: Bucks 51 - 51 Clippers (OT) Player of the Game: AARON HAYLES 19pts/3rebs/3asts/1blk - 54% Shooting - 2 Triples
JAYLEN LATOUCHE 17pts/9rebs/2asts/2blks
PACERS vs CAVALIERS: The Cavs made it interesting again but come up short again. Abeku with another good game (21/10/6asts plus 1stl and 1blk) while he got some help from Abbeshan who had 11/3/3 with 2 stls and a block! The Pacers showed their poise down the stretch and in overtime and made just enough plays to come away with the victory. Nidun was great and looked healthier than the previous week. This team needs him at his best if they want to be considered contenders. Vman and Duzan combine for 30 and some really solid defence. Cavs are going through the learning curve and I believe they will be right there knocking on the door to a playoff spot. They might be a player away from busting through that door. The Pacers will get the Kings this weekend before we relax for the holidays.
Final Score: Pacers 62 - 60 Cavaliers (OT) Player of the Game: NIDUN CHANDRAKUMAR 19pts/13rebs/3asts