Our quick look around a busy night in the NBA, or what you missed while trying to buy some beer and pay for it with a live alligator...
Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat. The last time Wade scored 30 points or more in a game it was Game 4 of the NBA Finals, so it’s been a while. Wade had to step up early when LeBron James got into foul trouble Wednesday and he had 8 points in the first quarter, helping keep Miami in it. Wade looked like his vintage self aggressively attacking the paint — he was 11-of-15 inside 8 feet on the night (his jumper was on as well, he hit 3-of-6 from the midrange). A lot of those close shots came in transition with Wade getting out and moving well on the break. He finished with 32 points. Just a reminder that if Wade is on in the playoffs the Heat are that much more dangerous.
Kemba Walker, Charlotte Bobcats. He had a nice first half but he was key in the third quarter as the Bobcats came back to make this a game, scoring 11 of his 29 in that quarter. All night Walker just abused new Raptor Greivis Vasquez and was able to get by him and create good looks. Then he hit the game winner — look at how well he stops on a dime and is able to go up quickly with a balanced shot. That’s impressive.
Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans. He was back a month earlier than expected after missing time with a broken hand and he looked like he hadn’t missed a step — 24 points and 12 rebounds. It wasn’t near enough to lift the Pelicans past the Clippers, but the fact Davis (and Tyreke Evans) are back means you’re going to see better play from New Orleans coming up.
Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves. He had 17 points 11 rebounds and 8 assists — and that was just in the first half. Love and Nikola Pekovic (who had 30 points on the night) just dominated red-hot Portland inside and Love finished with 29 points, 15 rebounds and 9 dimes as the Timberwolves picked up a quality win at home.
Brandon Knight, Milwaukee Bucks. I’ve knocked him the past so we need to credit him when he scores a career high 36 points. Even if he did have eight turnovers, just three assists and did all of this against the weak defense of Beno Udrih. Knight to his credit was aggressive against a weak defender and took advantage of the situation. He needs to do that more consistently. He also needs to be under more control in transition. But we’re being positive here, and Knight had a good game in the loss to New York.