NBA Game Notes: A full MLK Day of hoops!

Notes from: Grizzlies-Timberwolves, Pistons-Rockets, Pelicans-Jazz, Hornets-Mavericks, Knicks-Hawks

By now, you probably realize how much I love watching the NBA. Nothing makes me happier than a full day of basketball. 12-plus hours of hoops is heavenly for me!

The NBA has done a nice job making MLK Day one of their signature days on the calendar. This particular edition served up a bunch of really good games.

Here’s what I saw on Monday!

Minnesota Timberwolves - 106 at Memphis Grizzlies - 108

• For a change, the Grizzlies came in as the healthier team. Taylor Jenkins used that depth to play 12 players throughout what was a back-and-forth game. Did that usage help Memphis get over the top? Maybe. The Grizzlies did look fresher and quicker at the end of the game.

• As he did in the teams’ previous matchup, Jaylen Wells did a terrific job taking Anthony Edwards largely out of the action late. Wells face-guards Edwards, scarcely concerning himself with what’s happening with the ball or elsewhere on the court.

  The result of defense like this from Wells was Edwards taking only four shots and drawing one shooting foul in the fourth quarter:

• Let’s stick with Jaylen Wells for a couple more plays. His ability to hit shots like this is so huge for Memphis. The Grizzlies have searched for years to find a 3&D guy. Wells looks like he’ll fill that role for a while.

  In the first clip, look at how much attention Ja Morant draws before Wells makes them pay. The second clip is a good example of how little space Wells needs to rise and fire. Also, look at him lock right back onto Anthony Edwards as soon as both shots drop.

• GG Jackson made his season debut and got thrown right into the deep end. He was clearly rusty and will need some time to find his rhythm, but Jackson brings a size/skill element to the Grizzlies perimeter attack. This is terrific burst to the rim here:

• Rob Dillingham has put together some nice games since returning from injury. I really like how he’s always on the attack on offense. This is a good use of the hesitation dribble when coming off the screen to get downhill for the layup:

• It’s hard to put it on a guy who had 32 points, but the Wolves needed more from Anthony Edwards in this game. He’s got to figure out a way to have more of an impact late in games. Teams have done well to take him out of the action late. That’s on Edwards and the Minnesota coaching staff to figure out.

• It goes without saying, but the Timberwolves really missed Donte DiVincenzo shooting/spacing. No idea how they solve for that, as there isn’t a clear answer on the roster. More minutes for Dillingham will probably help some. He’s a confident, if streaky, shooter.

Detroit Pistons - 107 at Houston Rockets - 96

• Yes, Cade Cunningham had 10 turnovers. (I’m taking that counter out before it’s even deployed.)

  I don’t really care.

  Sure, I’d love him to cut a couple of the sloppy ones. But they are turnovers of commission vs turnovers of omission. Cunningham is trying to make a play. Considering he’s the Pistons only plus passer and ballhandler, let’s cut him some slack.

• Beyond the above, Cunningham was excellent. No better a judge than Rockets coach Ime Udoka said Cunningham got to his shots all night. It’s becoming increasingly really hard to keep the Pistons star from doing that whenever he wants.

• This was a really focused, strong game from Jalen Duren. He was all over the glass on both ends of the floor. He finished well inside too. And Duren’s defense was better too. This was a nice read by Duren. He knows he can’t leave Alperen Sengun, but he uses his athleticism to still get the block in help on Jalen Green’s drive:

• Ausar Thompson is a blur in transition. He’s at the rim before you really know what happened on the play. But this shot was the one that made me say, “OK! I like that!”:

• On the other side of the floor, the Rockets are figuring out more ways to use Amen Thompson in the halfcourt. Like his brother, Thompson is also at his best in transition. In the halfcourt, you have to be a little creative. Playing Thompson primarily as the four with Jabari Smith out has unlocked him as a roll man:

• The Terror Twins are back in full effect, as Tari Eason put his imprint all over this game. Eason made a bunch of plays on both ends. He’s still getting back to full chaos-mode after missing some time, but Eason is a game-changing reserve with his energy.

• Is Reed Sheppard so far from ready that he can’t handle 10-15 minutes per game? This one was screaming for more shooting on the floor for Houston. The Rockets know best, but it feels like Sheppard needs a real look sooner, rather than later.

Utah Jazz - 119 at New Orleans Pelicans - 123

• C.J. McCollum went off for the second time in about three weeks. The young Jazz defenders had no chance of containing McCollum. And the Pelicans probably didn’t mind this as a showcase for teams that could use another guard to provide some shooting, scoring and ballhandling.

• Really strong game for Jordan Hawkins off the Pelicans bench. He was aggressive. Loved this one-dribble pullup three off the screen in the first clip. The second clip is an example of how Hawkins can stress a defense with the quick, deep pull in transition.

• Karlo Matkovic is still largely a man of mystery. No idea what he can be exactly, but there’s some talent there. This was a nice pick-and-roll finish by Matkovic:

• This game was another good example that organizations may tank, but players don’t. Both teams were scrapping for this win. That’s heartening, even with both having terrible seasons.

• Isaiah Collier’s jumper remains a major work in progress, but the rest of his game has rounded out nicely. He’s competitive defensively, if a bit lost at times. And his playmaking has really made a leap. Fun player!

• It was great to see Kyle Filipowski do some work on the boards. He’s developed pretty good chemistry with Walker Kessler on who blocks out and who chases the rebound. The good thing is Filipowski is getting better of using his own body position to get rebounds like this too:

• The young Jazz group is really interesting. But, boy, are there are lot of question marks there. The second half of this season for Utah has to be all about figuring out as much as they can about this group and who will stick moving forward.