BBNBA: Late night window delivers excellent guard play

On3 imageby:Ian Alvano01/19/23

It’s time to stay up a little bit later. Especially when Jamal Murray and De’Aaron Fox are leading their respective teams to Western Conference wins. That may mean your nighttime routine will get extended, considering the Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets continue to win and rise up the standings in the Wild Wild West.

We start in the City of Angels, where Fox claimed his California crown in a 116-111 win over the Lakers. Swipa’s 30-point outing versus LA is just a small victory for Sacramento right now. Everything is going right for Beam-fanatics, as the Kings have won five in a row.

Fox continues to lead the purple charge, averaging a team-high 24.0 PPG. However, Fox’s performances continue to get overlooked as he goes up against a tough group for All-Star voting. Fox was 10th in fan voting amongst the Western Conference guards when the second fan returns became public a week ago. The third fan update will come out later today.

Kings are for real

While some believe Fox may have some more work to do, the numbers certainly offer a different perspective. Fox is still Sacramento’s main man and will continue to lead this season’s squad with the help of Domantas Sabonis, who is looking to be an awesome fit. Fox still leads the Kings in scoring and is second in assists, behind Sabonis. The Kings are 25-18 and currently third in the West. Who would’ve predicted that?

Fox wasn’t the only BBNBA standout in the California showdown on Wednesday night. Malik Monk contributed two points in 10 minutes while Trey Lyles gave the Kings 10 points and six boards, also off the bench. Wenyen Gabriel has been a delightful story for the Lakers as of late. Gabriel followed up his 14-point Monday night with 10 points and six rebounds versus the Kings. Go on, Wenyen.

One thing is for certain. California’s BBNBA man is De’Aaron Fox right now. So yes, light the beam.

Mile High Success

What a story the Denver Nuggets are this season. Denver is the best in the West with a 32-13 record. They’ve flown into the New Year, currently on an eight-game winning streak and only dropping one game in January. Even if it took Jamal Murray a while to look like his old self, his impact on this team doesn’t go unnoticed.

Wednesday night’s 28-piece from Murray shouldn’t go unnoticed either. His scoring frenzy was only second to one Nikola Jokić. Being the second scoring option behind the back-to-back MVP shouldn’t be a knock on anyone.

Murray shot 40% beyond the arc in his highest-scoring game since his season-high 10 days ago. Murray is averaging 18.8 PPG and 5.4 APG in his get-back season after being sidelined for what felt like an eternity with an ACL injury.

I’ll tell you what, with a walking triple-double in Jokić (he had one last night) and a scoring guard like Murray, watch out. There is no coincidence that Denver is the best in the West and has the second-best record in the league. Murray and Jokić’s chemistry brings them to this point. This team is destined for the postseason, but the destination will be expected to be a long stay in the playoffs.

BBNBA party in Big Easy

Bam Adebayo led the way for Miami in its 124-98 blowout win over New Orleans. Adebayo was the leading scorer for either squad with 26 points. Bam did fail to record a double-double, as he only snagged eight boards on Wednesday night. A massive amount for some, but a slow day at the office for Adebayo.

Last night was the first time in four games that Bam hasn’t gone home with a double-double. His trend continued Monday night when he grabbed his 22nd double-double of the season. Although he’s averaging 21.5 PPG and 10.1 RPG, Adebayo remains snubbed from the All-Star shortlist as of now.

Tyler Herro dropped 14 points and seven assists for the Heat in the victory. Herro returned to action on Monday night against Atlanta after he missed three consecutive games. Miami has now won four of its last five as they continue to make up ground in the East after a slow start. Expect the 305 to make a push as their four-man tangent of Herro, Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, and Kyle Lowry are all healthy.

Other BBNBA notes

  • Julius Randle and Immanuel Quickley both had productive nights in the Knicks’ 116-105 loss to the Wizards. Randle was a menace on the glass with 15 rebounds, a nice compliment to his 14 points. IQ made the most of his 31 minutes off the bench with an 18-point night.
  • PJ Washington dropped 16 points and eight rebounds in Charlotte’s 122-117 win at Houston. Nick Richards did not play for the Hornets.
  • Isaiah Jackson posted 11 points and seven rebounds in Indiana’s 126-106 loss at Oklahoma City. Jackson seems to be playing better after his short G League stint. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dominated in this BBNBA showdown, leading all scorers with 23 points. SGA must continue to dish out the big outings if he wants to be an All-Star starter.

1/18/2023 Statistics

PlayerScorePTSFG (3PT)REBASTSTLBLKTOMIN+/-
De’Aaron Fox (SAC)116-111 W @ LAL3113-23 (2-7)3610239+19
Jamal Murray (DEN)122-118 W vs. MIN2810-18 (2-5)2420133-13
Bam Adebayo (MIA)124-98 W @ NOP2611-15 (0-0)8121230+16
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC)126-106 W vs. IND237-17 (1-4)3630229+38
Immanuel Quickley (NYK)116-105 L vs. WSH186-13 (2-6)5010131+9
PJ Washington (CHA)122-117 W @ HOU167-11 (2-5)8233037+9
Julius Randle (NYK)116-105 L vs. WSH146-17 (0-5)15410234-11
Tyler Herro (MIA)124-98 W @ NOP146-13 (0-7)4720124+17
Isaiah Jackson (IND)126-106 L @ OKC114-6 (0-0)7000117-5
Wenyen Gabriel (LAL)116-111 L vs. SAC105-8 (0-1)6111123-3
Trey Lyles (SAC)116-111 W @ LAL103-5 (0-1)6000120-6
Jarred Vanderbilt (UTA)126-103 W vs. LAC94-9 (1-2)3300016+4
Brandon Boston Jr. (LAC)126-103 L @ UTA73-9 (0-2)4300322-15
Malik Monk (SAC)116-111 W @ LAL21-9 (0-3)3201210-13
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN)122-118 L @ DEN DNP
Nick Richards (CHA)122-117 W @ HOUDNP
TyTy Washington Jr. (HOU)122-117 L vs. CHADNP
Anthony Davis (LAL)116-111 L vs. SACDNP
John Wall (LAC)126-103 L @ UTADNP

Tonight in the NBA

3:00 (NBA TV): Bulls @ Pistons (Diallo, Knox II, Noel)
7:30 (TNT): Warriors @ Celtics
8:00: Toronto Raptors @ Timberwolves (Towns: out)
10:00 (TNT): Nets @ Suns (Booker: out)
10:00: 76ers (Maxey) @ Blazers (Sharpe)

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2024-03-28