Here are our nightly grades from the night’s action around the Association, or what you missed while reading why Los Angeles is the best food town in America (it is)…..
Memphis Grizzlies. California isn’t the “Bear Republic” anymore; it’s the “Grizzlies Republic.” With their 88-81 overtime win Wednesday at Golden State, Memphis became the first team since 1985 to sweep all four California teams on one road trip — the Lakers, Clippers, Kings and Warriors. They did it at both ends with their defense becoming more lock down and their offense finding a new level of efficiency. After a slow start they have found a groove under new coach Dave Joerger.
Paul George, Indiana Pacers. He wasn’t efficient for much of the night but he was when it mattered — George hit 7 of 11 field goals in the fourth quarter and overtime and finished with a game-high 35 points. He added to his superstar resume by out-playing Carmelo Anthony at both ends of the court.
Kemba Walker, Charlotte Bobcats. Walker has struggled with his shot to start the season — 32.9 percent overall, 26 percent from three — but he found his groove against the Nets slow, old defense. Walker had 31 points on 12-of-20 shooting and hit 4-of-7 from three. More importantly he was at the center of the Bobcats third quarter run when they pulled away to take charge of the game — Walker hit three threes in the quarter and had 13 points. Hopefully he builds on this and the slump is a thing of the past.
Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz. There is a lot on his shoulders with this roster, maybe too much. He’s a very good young player, just not the No. 1 option he is forced to be, which is why we end up with nights like this — he was 1-of-17 shooting. He had a worse shooting night than the Jazz’s record (1-12 now), which is tough to do. He did dish out 10 assists, so we will cut him a little slack. He has a lot of fans in NBA front offices, but Wednesday was just not his night.
Monta Ellis, Dallas Mavericks. When Ellis is efficient (and he has been more efficient this season than at any time in his career) he is nearly impossible to stop. He was very efficient Wednesday against the always-soft Rockets perimeter defense — 37 points on 13-of-18 shooting, getting to the free throw line 12 times, and scoring 8 of those points in the fourth quarter when Dallas came from 14 down to win. His biggest play may have been an assist — with 50 seconds left in the game Ellis drove baseline, drew a couple defenders then made a jump pass to Shawn Marion for a corner 3 giving Dallas its first lead since the game’s opening minutes.