Vic’s Night Caps: Young Stars and Historic Showdowns

Published: Monday, December 2, 2024

by Victor Lisboa

I’m Victor Lisboa, here to recap our friend Darren’s NBA takes. This week, Darren highlighted four key matchups from Monday and Tuesday, making predictions based on each team’s performance so far. Let’s see how he did.

Orlando Magic vs. Charlotte Hornets  

Darren dubbed this matchup the “Battle of the Young Teams.” Both the Magic and Hornets feature exciting young talent and rising stars. The Magic finished as the No. 5 seed in the East last season, while the Hornets are working to break into the playoff picture.

The Magic have been without Paolo Banchero since early November but have managed an 11-5 record, thanks in large part to Franz Wagner’s standout play. In this game, however, the bench stepped up. Cole Anthony and Mo Wagner combined for 32 points on 22 shots, while Jonathan Isaac hit three fourth-quarter 3-pointers to help seal the win.

The Hornets were shorthanded, still dealing with injuries to their center and forwards. Most notably, Miles Bridges is sidelined with a knee bruise, while Grant Williams tore his ACL against the Bucks last Saturday. Center Mark Williams has yet to make his season debut.

Despite the setbacks, the Hornets’ two stars kept them competitive. LaMelo Ball dropped 44 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and dished out seven assists. He made franchise history for the most points scored over a three-game span after posting 50 against Milwaukee.

However, it wasn’t enough. Head coach Charles Lee was forced to go deep into the bench, which struggled with chemistry and contributed just 15 points in support of Ball’s extended minutes.

Darren predicted a Magic victory, and Orlando delivered with a 95-84 win. Both teams showcased their potential Monday night but also revealed areas for improvement.

LA Clippers vs. Boston Celtics  

This matchup featured two familiar stars and two teams that have been at the forefront of NBA competition for the past decade. Coming off their championship run last season, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown remain in their prime, averaging impressive numbers. The duo combined for 37 points while starting center Kristaps Porziņģis returned from injury with 16 points in his debut. 

Payton Pritchard again played well off the bench, continuing to make his case for Sixth Man of the Year, tying a team-high with 20 points to help the Celtics secure a commanding win and extend their winning streak to six games.

The Clippers have hovered around .500 this season as they await the debut of hometown star Kawhi Leonard. Unfortunately, Leonard’s extensive injury history has made this a familiar situation for the team. In his absence, James Harden has helped keep the Clippers competitive, averaging 21.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game. 

However, the Celtics pulled away in the second quarter, scoring 49 points and taking a 29-point lead into halftime. While the Clippers managed to cut the deficit to 14 in the second half, the Celtics’ 15 made 3-pointers proved too much, and Boston cruised to a 126-94 victory.

Darren predicted a 15-point Celtics win, but they doubled that margin to take down the Clippers and extend their win streak to six games.

LA Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns  

This Pacific Division matchup featured one of the most notable rivalries in NBA history: LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant. Both the Lakers and Suns entered the game with identical 9-6 records. Anthony Davis has looked like a legitimate MVP and Defensive Player of the Year candidate, while LeBron James continues to perform at a high level, often taking on point guard duties. Despite a solid supporting cast, the Lakers have struggled with offensive consistency, frequently experiencing cold stretches that disrupt their game flow.

The Lakers held their own in the first half but faltered in the second, finishing the game shooting just 23.5% from three and managing only five fast-break points. Meanwhile, Phoenix increased the tempo and took control offensively.

The Suns welcomed back Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal from injuries, and the duo combined for 46 points, with Devin Booker adding 26. While injuries have limited Phoenix’s core lineup this season, they’ve shown they can be one of the league’s best teams when healthy. Under new head coach Mike Budenholzer, their defense has also improved.

Phoenix led 62-60 at halftime but dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Lakers 36-18. Booker helped shift the momentum with three consecutive baskets during a 14-2 run. The Suns pulled away and cruised to a 127-100 victory, improving to 10-6 on the season.

Darren predicted a four-point Lakers win, but the Suns secured a commanding victory in their second-to-last meeting of the regular season. A potential postseason matchup looms.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Miami Heat  

The Milwaukee Bucks had a rocky start to the season, opening 1-6 and eventually falling to 3-8. However, they entered their matchup with the Miami Heat riding a four-game winning streak, thanks in part to Damian Lillard’s return from injury. Lillard was asked to do more in this game, as Giannis Antetokounmpo remained sidelined with a lingering knee issue. Lillard stepped up, scoring 37 points and dishing out 12 assists while shooting 8-for-13 from beyond the arc. Brook Lopez also contributed, going 5-for-6 from the field, including three 3-pointers, for 13 points and three blocks, continuing his role as the team’s primary interior defender. The win brought Milwaukee back to .500 at 9-9, signaling a return to form.

The Heat have also experienced a shaky start, hovering just below .500 as Jimmy Butler missed several games. Tyler Herro has emerged as Miami’s top scoring option, though Butler continues to contribute, averaging 19 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game at age 35. Butler showcased his clutch ability with a game-tying layup at 96 after the Heat erased a 22-point deficit, finishing as Miami’s leading scorer with 23 points. Despite the comeback, Miami’s recurring issue of slow starts—having faced a 22-point deficit twice in their last seven games—continues to hinder their progress.

Darren predicted a two-point nail-biter, and he was spot on as the Bucks edged out the Heat 106-103.

Victor Lisboa can be reached at victor.lisboa@student.shu.edu. 

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