BBNBA: Anthony Davis, Devin Booker Explode in Late-Season Victories
Anthony Davis is in rare form as the former All-NBA big has dropped back-to-back double-doubles.
On Tuesday night, Davis carried the Lakers to a 125-120 win over the Wizards behind 35 points, 18 rebounds, and three blocks. He shot 10-17 from the field, went 15-15 from the free throw line, and dominated in the paint. 19 of his 35 came in the opening quarter.
After many years of NBA fans labeling Davis as “injury-prone”, he’s up to 72 games played in 2023-24 for the Lakers out of a possible 77. The 30-year-old is being rewarded for his durability, too.
On August 4th, 2023, The Athletic’s Jovan Buha reported that Davis signed a contract extension with the Lakers to keep him in purple and gold until 2028. He has awarded their front office with one of his most productive seasons as a Laker.
He has played his most games in a season since 2017 and made his first All-Star Game appearance since 2020-21. Davis has also started making his home in the paint, using his length and bigger frame to score around the rim.
His 81% shooting from the free-throw line puts him in the elite category regarding bigs, and he continues to be great on the defensive end.
It seems that the Lakers as a whole are beginning to hit their stride. Los Angeles is currently slated in the eighth spot in the Western Conference, deep in the Play-In race. If the Lakers finish strong, they may be able to avoid the 7-8 line and guarantee their spot in the playoffs. If this happens, it’s best to assume the Davis will be a large part of the wins.
Devin Booker balls out in front of Calipari
The 2014-2015 Kentucky Wildcats are the best squad in college basketball history to never win a title. With more NBA players than coaches, the squad changed the way college basketball was played.
However, when historians look back at the team, the names Devin Booker and Karl Anthony-Towns jump off the page. Yet, it’s easy to forget that Booker never started for Kentucky. Now, he’s tearing up the NBA, and that’s been especially true this week.
In fact, Booker has mentioned it in a joking manner to Calipari many times over the years.
It’s easy to see why every time Calipari shows up to watch D Book in the league, the shooting guard goes nuclear. Wednesday night was no different, as Booker led the Suns to a 122-101 victory over the three-seed Cleveland Cavaliers with Calipari and Tyler Ulis watching courtside.
Booker exploded for 40 points on 13-25 shooting while going a perfect 9-9 from the stripe. Booker combined with future hall of famer Kevin Durant for 72 points, as KD shot 13-23 from the field.
Bradley Beal had another rough outing as the former All-Star scored seven points on 3-9 shooting. The Suns have yet to find their stride with the big three, and they sit at sixth in the Western Conference, barely above the Play-In line.
If the big three figure it out, nobody will want to see the Suns
4/3/2024 BBNBA Statistics
| Player | Score | PTS | FG (3PT) | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | +/- | MIN |
| Devin Booker (PHX) | 122-101 W vs. CLE | 40 | 13-25 (5-9) | 1 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 4 | +18 | 37 |
| Anthony Davis (LAL) | 125-120 W @ WAS | 35 | 10-17 (0-1) | 18 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | +29 | 38 |
| Immanuel Quickley (TOR) | 85-133 L vs. MIN | 16 | 7-17 (2-7) | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -24 | 29 |
| Cason Wallace (OKC) | 100-135 L vs. BOS | 12 | 4-9 (0-3) | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 4 | -16 | 28 |
| Isaiah Jackson (IND) | 111-115 L vs. BKN | 6 | 3-6 (0-0) | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +17 | 22 |
| TyTy Washington (MIL) | 101-111 L vs. MEM | 3 | 1-2 (1-1) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 9 |
| Trey Lyles (SAC) | 127-106 W vs. UTA | 11 | 3-8 (3-5) | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | +2 | 19 |
| Nick Richards (CHA) | 118-130 L vs. LAC | 8 | 4-6 (0-0) | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | -12 | 25 |
| Cason Wallace (OKC) | 113-112 W vs. NYK | 6 | 2-3 (2-2) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -3 | 16 |
Tonight in the NBA
- 7:30: 76ers (Maxey: questionable) @ Heat (Herro: out, Adebayo)
- 7:30: (TNT) Kings (Fox, Monk: out, Lyles) @ Knicks (Randle: out)
- 7:30: Hawks @ Mavericks (PJ Washington)
- 8:00 Warriors @ Rockets
- 10:00: (TNT) Nuggets (Murray: questionable) @ Clippers (Boston)
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