Best- LeBron James F Los Angeles Lakers (29PTS 9-21FG 5-11 3PT 6-10FT 1REB 12AST 2BLK 5TO 38MIN)
The Lakers were getting no respect in the bubble, so the king had to remind the league that the Lakers are still the team to beat in the west. LeBron helped lead the Lakers to a much-needed win against the Nuggets. A team is still playing for a higher seed.
LeBron was able to control the game and make sure all of his teammates were chipping in to take out the uber-talented Nuggets. He made sure to get the role players involved, such as Kyle Kuzma (25PTS 11-16FG 3-5 3PT 6REB 3AST 2STL 1TO 33MIN). LeBron made sure to find open looks to get Kuzma’s confidence up before he hit the game-winning jumper.
LeBron is the king for a reason. Still, the way the Lakers as a team have been playing, and how shaky the role players have come together, it made sense for people to doubt this Laker squad. But LeBron reminded the league that you want to win the west, it would be through him and the Lakers. This win can also be seen as a preview for things to come. If they both advance, the Lakers might see the Nuggets in the 2nd round of the playoffs.
Other Notables: Devin Booker (G) Suns – 35PTS 9-17FG 3-7 3PT 14-14FT 5REB 4AST 2BLK 4TO 29MIN; Jimmy Butler (G) Heat – 19PTS 5-13FG 0-2 3PT 9-11FT 11REB 5AST 4STL 1BLK 2TO 29MIN.
Worst-TJ Warren F Indiana Pacers- 12PTS 5-14FG 2-6 3PT 5REB 1TO 29MIN
TJ Warren has been playing well in the bubble, but on Monday, the Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler shut Warren and the Pacers down. In the bubble, Warren has lit the court on fire with his superb shooting with an average of 60.5% and shooting 34.8PPG, but on Monday, he did not come anywhere near those numbers.
Jimmy Butler and TJ Warren have had a very public beef going for a while now. Butler has often declared that no one should ever mention Warren’s name in comparison to his; well, Butler backed up that declaration after the shutdown D he put on Warren on Monday’s loss for the Pacers. Warren was well below his bubble average for most statistics. Butler came back to Miami after missing the last couple of games as well, but no way he was missing this game to shut down Warren and back up his comments.
Warren had a big chance to give Butler some humble pie but instead got pied right in the face and might get even more of this treatment as it stands right now Pacers v Heat will be the matchup in the first round between these two teams.
Extra Trash: Pascal Siakim (F) Raptors – 14PTS 5-16FG 1-7 3PT 3-4FT 7REB 2AST 2STL 28MIN; Chris Paul (PG) Thunder – 14PTS 3-9FG 1-5 3PT 5REB 7AST 2STL 4TO 24MIN.