Credit: AP Photo/Randall Benton
Vic's Night Caps - NBA Week 12/16
Published: Monday, December 23, 2024
by Victor Lisboa
I’m Victor Lisboa, here to provide recaps of our friend Darren’s weekly NBA takes. This week he highlighted three matches within Monday, Dec. 16 and Tuesday Dec. 17, and made predictions. Let's look at the action this past week and see how he did.
First we have Monday’s Key Games
Denver Nuggets vs. Sacramento Kings: The Contenders and The Underdogs
The Kings came into this game hovering just outside of the current playoff picture. They came in with a 13-14 record, and the Nuggets came in at 14-10. Denver currently sit in sixth place in a closely contested Western conference. The Nuggets and Kings matchup is always an anticipated one, led by some of the league’s best to offer.
Nikola Jokic is making NBA fans accustomed to multi-faceted, abnormal talents at the center position, as he consistently averages triple-doubles. The Kings are led by one the most exciting stars who has really paved his way to superstardom in the last couple of seasons since his Kentucky Wildcat days, De’Aaron Fox.
This contest started off with the Nuggets finding a groove early and taking a 41-21 lead by the end of the first quarter. The Kings were able to cut it to seven by the end of the first half. All of a sudden, the Kings started getting hot, with big plays from their top scorers, as well as capitalizing on Denver’ mistakes in the second and third quarters. The Nuggets trailed by 10 points with just four minutes remaining and proceeded to go on a 14-3 run to roar back. However, in the final 75 seconds, there were seven lead changes.
Jamal Murray hit the dagger with about 12 seconds in the game, after DeMar DeRozan’s baseline dunk had put the Kings ahead Prior. Murray finished with 28 points shooting 4-8 from three. Russell Westbrook was one rebound from a triple double, adding 16 points and 10 assists.
MVP candidate Nikola Jokic added his typical triple double with 20 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists, making his presence felt everywhere. Domantas Sabonis had 28 points and 14 rebounds, Malik Monk added 25 points and 10 assists, sharing guard duties with Fox, who added 29 points and seven assists.
Darren predicted it would be a close contest, giving the Nuggets the seven-point edge,
but it was a bit closer than that. It came down to the wire in a final score of 130-129,
with Nuggets edging it out with a dagger.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets: An Eastern Conference Clash
The Cleveland Cavaliers made one of the biggest acquisitions of the season, signing one of the most coveted coaches in the market, Kenny Atkinson, to a five-year deal. Cleveland has been very impressive all season, and it may come as a surprise that they lead the league with best overall record.
Yet many would argue it was only a matter of time until this squad fulfilled their
potential. The Brooklyn Nets also made a major move when they traded Mikal Bridges
to the NY Knicks for Bojan Bogdanovic and five first-round draft picks. However, they
have impressed some, as they maintain to hover around play-in range with young star
Cam Thomas finally breaking out this season.
The Cavaliers took command of this game early and never looked back. Brooklyn’s largest
lead was by seven points, which came within just the first three minutes. Cleveland
had a well-rounded game, and a balanced scoring sheet. They entered this game leading
the league with the best field goal and three-point percentage this season.
That stat was evident in this game, as Cleveland shot 43-81 in total, and 14-34 from
three-point range. This was the Nets' first game since they recently acquired Dennis
Schroder from the Warriors. The Cavaliers also demonstrated a great defense along
with their balanced offense, as the Nets only scored 40 points in the first half,
making it a season-low on 42%.
Cavaliers stars Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley combined for 39 points. Their bench
was also able to contribute to the large lead, as Caris LeVert and Georges Niang combined
for 36 points on 65% shooting. Cam Thomas’s absence hurt the Nets, but they leaned
on Cam Johnson, who scored 22 points and was the highest scorer for the Nets by +
7. Day’Ron Sharpe was able to add 15 off the bench, but it wasn’t enough.
Darren came near-perfect with this prediction, as he expected a Cleveland blowout,
asserting their dominance. He predicted Cleveland winning with a final score of 130-101,
so close to the actual final of 130-100. Great job Darren!
Tuesday’s Games
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Milwaukee Bucks: The Last Men Standing
This was an enticing matchup for the NBA Cup, with two great stories at the front. The Milwaukee Bucks have had a great stretch lately, as the start of the season was looking lackluster, with Giannis Antetokounmpo even being rumored in trade discussions. The Thunder, who are one of the youngest teams in the league, continue to be ahead of schedule. They have maintained their top spot in the conference, even with their young stud Chet Holmgren missing most of the season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, however, remains an MVP candidate, averaging practically identical numbers to last season.
To say the least, Antetokounmpo dominated this contest, and the Thunder’s rim protection didn’t deter him. It was a low-scoring contest, with neither team cracking 100. A lot of great defense was played, as both teams shot under 43%. It seemed the Bucks rim paint-presence with Giannis and Brook Lopez was too much for the Thunder, especially without Holmgren.
Their center Isaiah Hartenstein, who they signed from the Knicks this offseason, still gave his best effort defensively and notched a double-double, with 16 points and 12 rebounds. But Antetokounmpo and Lopez were too much to handle, especially with Lopez stretching the floor.
For the Thunder it was an odd night. They had scored at least 99 points in every game this season, but this was their coldest night of the season so far. Although Milwaukee did present a challenge in the paint, OKC was able to outscore them in that area, which was one of the bright spots.
SGA finished his night with 21 points on 33% shooting, and Jalen Williams was able to add 18 points. However, the Bucks were able to outscore the OKC bench 27-15, with Gary Trebt adding 13 points on 5-9 shooting. As of late his performance has become more consistent, as he initially entered the season in a slump. Giannis had 26 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists to end his dominant night, and Damian Lillard added 23 points, shooting 5-10 from three. Let’s see if Milwaukee can build on this momentum, as it was an impressive run in the cup, completely altering their season for the better.
Darren predicted a higher scoring game with the Bucks winning 114-111, but the poor shooting from both teams reduced the total; the Bucks won 97-81.
Victor Lisboa can be reached at victor.lisboa@student.shu.edu.Posted in: sports,