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Top 10 Plays From Wednesday Night As Dillon Brooks Blocks Darius Garland To Seal The Win

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Once again we had some dominant performances across the NBA last night. Nikola Jokic recorded his 14th triple-double of the season last night while also passing Alex English for most assists all-time in Nuggets history. The Memphis Grizzlies fought till the final whistle last night backed by some outstanding defense for the 11th straight win. Next, we’ll look at the top 10 plays from Wednesday night’s NBA action. 

Top 10 plays from Wednesday night’s NBA slate

10. Walker Kessler steals the pass and then takes it all the way for the two-handed slam 

Early in the first quarter yesterday, rookie center for the Jazz Walker Kessler was matched up on the Clippers Ivica Zubac. He had nice positing on defense and was able to read the defenders eyes to steal the pass. The rookie took the ball right to the cup with his somewhat surprising speed for someone his size. Kessler finished off the fast break with a two-handed slam.

9. Jamal Murray takes the pass from Jokic for the lefty slam over Anthony Edwards 

Nikola Jokic collected a rebound ealry in the game off a Timberwolves miss and launced a pass with one hand to Jamal Murray down court. That was one of Jokic’s 13 assists last night which set a new franchise record for most assists all-time. Murray took the pass right to the rim on the fast break and then threw down a lefty slam on Anthony Edwards.

8. Dorian Finney-Smith follows the miss for the big-time put back over the Hawks defense 

The Mavericks were down six points with less than 40 seconds left in the game. Luka Doncic attempted a three-pointer that missed and luckily his teammate was ready for a miss and collected the rebound mid-air. Dorian Finney-Smith skied high for the rebound to throw down a one-handed slam for some crucial points.

7. Naz Reid comes soaring from behind with the chase down block on Bruce Brown 

Bruce Brown took a pass in stride at half court and was moving quickly to the basket. He blew by the first defender and went to attempt at floater off the glass. What he did not see was Naz Reid behind him chasing the play and was ready for his shot. Reid got up high to swat away Brown’s shot into the stands.

6. Kristaps Porzingis stays with the play and elevates to block Jericho Sims  

In the finals 30 seconds of the first half, Jalen Brunson missed a shot that bounced off a few players and was saved out of bounds. The ball went right back into the Knicks possession as Jericho Sims caught the ball and immediately went up to slam the ball. However, Washington’s Kristaps Porzingis was ready on defense and jumped high to pins Sims attempt.

5. Spencer Dinwiddie freezes the defense and then soars to the basket for the tomahawk jam 

Dallas’ Spencer Dinwiddie was matched up on the perimeter with a bigger defender in Onyeka Okongwu. Dinwiddie used his ball-handling skills to freeze Okongwu and gave himself a clear lane to the basket. He then drove to the basket at full speed and threw down the monster one-handed slam over Okongwu who had no chance to block the shot.

4. LeBron blocks a shot and then finishes with the one-handed jam on the other end 

LeBron James is still playing at an extremely high level at 38 and is still making the highlight reel. In the first quarter last night. James blocked a shot attempt and the Lakers stole the ball. Troy Brown Jr. took the pass and went to the basket. He drew in the defenders and then swung a pass behind him with the streaking LeBron James flying in. James finished off the pass with one of his signature one-handed jams.

3. Ja Morant flips the behind the back pass for he flashy assist to Santi Aldama 

There aren’t many things that Ja Morant can’t do on a basketball court and he shocked us once again last night with his incredible play-making. He had three defenders draped over him and then smoothly swung a perfect behind-the-back pass to Santi Aldama who luckily hit the three to finish off the spectacular pass.

2. Lauri Markkenan posterizes Ivica Zubac for the monster one-handed flush 

With an 11-point lead mid-way through the third, Utah’s PG Mike Conley found and all-star soon to be Lauri Markkenan as he had beat his defender inside. Markkenan took the ball right to the hoop and had Ivica Zubac waiting to block his shot. However, he was no match for Markkenan who’s known for some monster slam’s in his career.

1. Dillon Brooks blocks Darius Garland to seal the win for the Grizzlies 11th straight win 

With a slim one-point lead in the final seconds of the game last night, Dillon Brooks was matched up against Cleveland’s Darius Garland. He’s known for his stellar defense and he came up big in crunch time. Garland tried to take a three-pointer but Brooks was right there on his shot attempt to block it and seal the win for his team. That was Memphis’ 11th straight win last night.

 





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Draymond Green hates the Play-in because ‘it’s the best thing’ the NBA created

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April 16, 2024

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As the Warriors and Kings are getting ready for this Tuesday’s clash for a spot in the NBA Playoffs, Draymond Green gave his thoughts on the Play-in Tournament. Even though he’s not too happy with the fact that his team will have to fight their way into the postseason, he understands the positive impact that this new stage has made on the league’s competitiveness. 

The power forward shared what he thought about his team’s current state. “I hate the play-in, just so you all know. I absolutely hate it,” he said on this week’s episode of The Draymond Green Show. “It’s the best thing ever created. If you look at the play-in and what it’s done for basketball, it’s the best thing ever created.”

Golden State ended the 2023/24 season on a roll, but weren’t able to clinch a direct Playoff berth in a very contested Western Conference. However, with a 56.1 winning percentage, the Warriors became the best 10th-ranked team in NBA history.

The four-time champion went on to explain why he believes that Play-in stage was introduced to improve the level of competition and entertainment in the league, especially during the last month.

“Since the NBA has added the play-in, it’s taken the last month and a half of the season to a totally different level. Like, totally different,” Green expressed. “So, I hate the play-in. I especially hate being the 10 seed. But as much as I hate it, as a basketball player, as a basketball fan, this play-in is nuts, and you gotta love it.”

Just last season, as Sacramento made the Playoffs for the first time in 17 years, both squads faced each other in the first round but Golden State emerged victorious in a tight series. Now Mike Brown’s squad hopes to take revenge despite producing a much weaker campaign than they did last year.

“Well really, I’m happy with the way [the season] unfolded over the last couple of months,” Steve Kerr said after defeating Utah this weekend. “We were a little bit in disarray for a while early in the season, trying to find ourselves, and a lot of guys really stepped up not only on the court but off the court, in the locker room.”

The Warriors expect CP3 to become a leader with experience during their upcoming Play-in action

As Chris Paul just ended his 19th NBA season, he’s participated in 149 playoff contests throughout his career, wearing five different jerseys, although he’s never earned the league title.

Coach Kerr is well aware that his team possesses a lot of players with postseason experience, and he expects this will make the difference against a less mature Sacramento squad. Also, he doesn’t fear the Kings’ homecourt advantage as Golden State have a very strong road record this campaign.

“We should be a good road team,” he said after dispatching the Jazz on Sunday and closing regular season on a strong note. “We’ve got a lot of guys who have won championships – and veteran players like Chris, who are unfazed by the road.”

His teammate Draymond understands this will be a tight contest against Sacramento. “Us knowing them helps, but on the flip side they know us as well and that hurts,” he said. “Coaches are going to put a game plan together. Their coaches will put a great game plan together. Our coaches will put a great game plan together. But then you’ve got to go out there and play.”





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LaMelo Ball might consider wearing ankle braces to avoid future injuries

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2 hours ago

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April 16, 2024

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Once a promising young star, LaMelo Ball has been limited to only 58 matches during the last two NBA campaigns due to ankle issues. The last time he played for Charlotte was back in January 26. This is why the point guard is again considering wearing protective braces to avoid future injuries. 

In other words, the 2022 All-Star is willing to leave vanity aside and do anything in his power to keep him healthy and on the court. “I’m going to see over the summer, try some stuff,” Ball said of the ankle braces. The player then added that if he can find something that feels good, then “we can go from there.”

Before the start of this season, Ball started wearing these braces in training during the summer, after three different ankle injuries took him away from the competition for long periods of time. This eventually resulted in surgery, and LaMelo insisted that he never found anything completely comfortable on his feet.

Now that the ankle is finally better, he’s concentrating on competing to his best and staying healthy throughout the summer. “My favorite thing to do is play basketball and to not be able to do it is just horrible,” the star said. “That fact that I got this summer (to be healthy), I’m going to take it and get it as strong I can to get out there and play.”

The 22-year-old is considered a sort of cornerstone for the Hornets, as he was doing great this season before he got injured again. The athlete, who signed a rookie max extension last offseason that will pay him up to $260 million over the next five years, was averaging 23.9 points, 8 assists and 5.1 rebounds per contest while shooting 36% from three-pointers.

The Charlotte administration is convinced that if they pair him up with Brandon Miller, who won three Rookie of the Month awards this season, they can finally make it to the playoffs after 8 years apart.

LaMelo is convinced that the Hornets have a great roster but “we just need everybody to be available to play,” which has been one of their biggest troubles in the past campaigns.

His teammates acknowledge that Ball takes the team to another level and needs to be on court as soon as possible

Nick Richards was the first to admit that the team isn’t the same without Ball on court. “He makes our team go,” said the Hornets center. “It’s really important for us to have him on the court.”

However, the 22-year-old isn’t the only star who has been sidelined due to injury this campaign. The Charlotte locker room also missed starting center Mark Williams and guard Cody Martin for long periods of time, while Gordon Hayward also struggled.

Now that the Hornets will have a new coach in town, as Steve Clifford is taking on a new administrative role, they hope the new energy around the squad brings better luck.

“LaMelo wants to be on the court,” said teammate Miles Bridges. “That’s what people think, that he doesn’t want to be on the court and just wants to wear his jewelry on the sideline. But he wants to be on the court and he wants to win. He knows how important he is to this organization and this is going to be a big summer for him.”





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Grayson Allen Signs 4-Year, $70M Contract Extension With Suns

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April 16, 2024

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Grayson Allen signed a four-year, $70 million contract extension with the Phoenix Suns that includes a player option, his agents Mitch Nathan, Aaron Mintz, and Steven Heumann of CAA Sports announced Monday.

The deal keeps Allen out of unrestricted free agency this summer and rewards him after averaging career-high numbers with the Suns. His 3-point percentage (46.1%) led the NBA this season.

Per multiple NBA betting sites, the Suns hold ninth-shortest odds to win the championship. Sportsbooks are showing better odds for the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Additionally, Allen is in the final season of the two-year, $20 million contract he signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in October 2021. His current deal includes $2.55 million in total incentives. He’s making $8.5 million this season with Phoenix.

Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen led NBA in 3-point percentage, hit eight 3s in seven games this season

In 75 games (74 starts) this season, Allen averaged career highs of 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 33.5 minutes per game. The Duke product shot career bests of 49.9% from the floor and 46.1% from deep as well.

The 6-foot-4 guard finished fifth in effective field goal percentage (64.9%) and 21st in 3-pointers (205). Plus, he ranked second in true shooting percentage (67.9%) and seventh in offensive rating (129.9).

Furthermore, Allen made eight 3-pointers in seven games this season — the most in such games in Suns history and second only to Stephen Curry (eight) this season, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

His 205 3-pointers this season were tied for the second most in franchise history with Raja Bell in 2006-07, per the Basketball-Reference database. Only Quentin Richardson recorded more 3-pointers with 226 in 2004-05.

“The consistency of his 3-point shot making would be at the top of the list,” Suns coach Frank Vogel told The Arizona Republic in March when asked about what stood out the most about Allen’s play this season.

“He’s a good, all-around basketball player. There’s a lot of shooters in this league that aren’t good basketball players. … He’s a hell of a basketball player in so many different ways.”

Of course, Grayson Allen was traded to Phoenix as part of a three-team trade involving the Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers in September. In exchange, Milwaukee received Damian Lillard from Portland.

The sixth-seeded Suns will play the No. 3 seed Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

The first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs begins this Saturday, April 20.





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