BBNBA: Anthony Davis & Karl-Anthony Towns both go for 31 in losses

Only two NBA games last night, but both featured several former ‘Cats and a pair of solid performances from UK big men. Let’s chat.

AD is all the way back

After missing a month due to an MCL injury, Anthony Davis returned against Brooklyn the other day but only played 24 minutes and scored eight points.

Last night against Philly, the All-NBA forward looked like his true self. Davis carried the load in another poor Lakers performance, scoring 31 points on 66% shooting. AD also swatted four shots and hauled in 12 rebounds in the loss to outmatch Joel Embiid across the board. But the rest of LA, which was without LeBron James, failed to help Davis and managed just 56 total points in the 105-87 loss.

Anthony Davis is playing sensational tonight

His 3rd block of the game (2nd on Embiid) pic.twitter.com/TbL1EDZfQi
— The Laker Files (@LakerFiles) January 28, 2022

Pathetic offensive showing, but credit the Philly defense, which is always one of the best in the NBA with Embiid as its anchor. Tyrese Maxey not only played solid defense, but he also scored 14 points, dished out 10 assists, corralled seven boards and even blocked a pair of shots.

Look, Maxey is no Ben Simmons. Although he does offer a lot of the traits Simmons brought to the court: perimeter defense, ballhandling, the ability to drive the lane and pass to open shooters. While Philly is at an impasse with their All-Star point-forward, Maxey is plugging in and playing well wherever the Sixers need him.

Simple from Sixers but effective. Hit Embiid trailing and play out of it. Use Thybulle as a screener with teams playing off him. Good set up by Maxey. pic.twitter.com/wlMeUSdCtA
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) January 28, 2022

T-Wolves fall despite big night from Towns

Karl-Anthony Towns may have lost the game last night, but he showed the deranged NBA All-Star voters who really deserved that other frontcourt starting spot in the West next to LeBron James and Nikola Jokic.

THERE WE HAVE IT. Your 2022 All-Star starters 🤩

Did the fans, media and players get it right? ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/Ti0KJOWTid
— The Association on FOX (@TheAssociation) January 28, 2022

In case you’re unaware, Towns’ former teammate Andrew Wiggins, now a Golden State Warrior, was awarded a starting spot in the All-Star game next month, despite a fairly large discrepancy in statistical profiles between the two.

If Andrew Wiggins is an All-Star starter, then Karl-Anthony Towns should be the damn team captain.

18/4/2 on the season for Wiggins
24/9/4 for Towns

KAT is shooting better from everywhere on the floor too. Damn those fan votes!!!
— Zack Geoghegan (@ZGeogheganKSR) January 28, 2022

Utter disrespect from the voting body to include Wiggins over Towns. So KAT decided to show Wiggins up last night with 31 points, 12 rebounds and six assists with above 50% shooting from the field — business as usual for the uber-talented center. Business as usual also for Andre Wiggins, who failed to score 20 points as one of the many foot soldiers in the shadow of Steph Curry out in San Fran.

Golden State went on to win the game, but I’ll say KAT won the night by proving his superiority over Wiggins. It probably doesn’t matter, though. The folks who voted Andrew Wiggins as an All-Star starter most likely don’t spend any time watching the actual games.

Statistics

Player	Result	Points	FG(3PA)	Rebounds	Assists	Steals	Blocks	Turnovers	Minutes	+/-
Anthony Davis (LAL)	105-87 L @ PHI	31	14-21 (0-1)	12	1	2	4	3	34	-7
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN)	124-115 L @ GSW	31	12-22 (2-6)	12	6	2	0	2	36	-16
Tyrese Maxey (PHI)	105-87 W vs. LAL	14	5-14 (2-6)	7	10	0	2	2	39	+27
Malik Monk (LAL)	105-87 L @ PHI	11	3-13 (1-6)	4	5	2	0	3	31	-8
Jarred Vanderbilt (MIN)	124-115 L @ GSW	9	3-4 (0-0)	8	1	3	0	0	30	-12