Absolutely loaded slate for today’s NBA Action with no games on Thanksgiving. The only two teams that do not have games tonight are the Knicks and Pistons. Before I get into todays games, let’s talk about last night. The Pacers-Hawks game exceeded expectations of the highest total set since 2003. This was as much fun I have had watching an NBA game in a long time. A track meet doesn’t do the pace justice as the final score was 157-152. Down 13 at half, Tyrese Haliburton came out and played the best quarter of the season scoring 26 points and hitting 7 threes. Im talking stepbacks from 40 feet away from the basket hot. I do not have the words to describe the third quarter from Hali, who is the favorite to become the first ever in-season tournament MVP and has played himself into first team all-NBA considerations. The game came down to the 4th quarter and the bucket-making duel between Buddy Hield and Trae Young. Buddy hit three straight threes in the 4th and did not miss all game (6-6 from three). Trae had 17 in the 4th and did all he could do to try to regain the lost lead from the Hawks. This was the game of the season so far and Haliburton is the best point guard in the East finishing with 37 points and 16 assists.
Looking at the slate for today, there are not too many games that pop out at me. Lakers and Suns on a back to back against the Mavs and Warriors could be fun but I am starting to feel that the same team play each other every week. It is the Kings second straight game in New Orleans, Clippers second straight game in San Antonio and the Jazz just recently played the Blazers. The game I was most excited about was the team of the two teams with unexpectedly hot starts in Philadelphia and Minnesota. However, Embiid will miss his first game of the season after the 6ers overtime loss last night. Citing a sore hip for Embiid makes sense when he is on the floor every time he shoots looking for a foul call. Embiid’s brand of basketball is not for me, too soft, too much flopping, not enough winning when it matters. (Also, shoutout to Craig Porter Jr for hooping last night. 4 straight wins and the last 3 without DMitch and Levert.) I am excited to see how Bball Paul Reed does with starter minutes but that Twolves team is tough to beat.
Another game I am looking forward to is Dillion Brooks’ first game against his former team. You already know Brooks is going to take this game extra intense and have some crazy quote when the Rockets win by double digits. My friends and I have this theory that you always go off the first game against your former team (mostly football) and I can see Brooks taking 20 shots. Ayton had one of his best games last night against the team that traded him and DBook really hit him with “try as hard for the other games that you tried against us.” I hope the Grizzlies will look at this game the same way Brooks will but they have shown 0 fight all season.
As mentioned in the title, tonight is Blackout Wednesday, one of the biggest drinking days of the year. Getting back in your hometown with your high school buddies to destroy beers just to play football (in my case basketball) hungover tomorrow is a great tradition that happens everywhere in the United States. Excited to see another jam packed night in the association. #THISLEAGUE
JakesTakes 
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