Another game, another MVP-type performance from James Harden. The Brooklyn Nets star continues to add to the hype surrounding his MVP credentials with another triple-double to lead his team to another win, this time over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Not to be outdone, two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry made a triumphant return from his recent absence to help the Golden State Warriors snap their four-game losing streak. Meanwhile, the LA Clippers extended their impressive winning streak to six games with a blowout win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
So without further ado, here are the top takeaways from another eventful night of NBA action.
Harden’s MVP feeling justified again
James Harden made some NBA 2021 news the other day as he admitted he felt like he was the league MVP after a 44-point explosion against the Detroit Pistons.
And the Nets star once again justified that stance with another terrific outing to lead Brooklyn to a narrow win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. With 38 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists, Harden picked up his 12th triple-double for the Nets, tying the franchise record for the most triple-doubles in a season in just 32 games.
Kyrie Irving had 27 points on his return from a family-related absence, but Harden once again ran the show for the Nets as his MVP case continues to grow.
While Brooklyn keep adding ageing big men — Blake Griffin and now LaMarcus Aldridge — it’s clear that Harden was the key acquisition that launched their NBA 2021 odds into true contender status.
This type of incredible regular-season play is nothing new for Harden, and there’s no reason to expect him to slow down anytime soon.
Stephen Curry shows his true value to Warriors
Stephen Curry may no longer be a top MVP contender like Harden at this stage of his career, but the two-time MVP once again showed his immense value to the Golden State Warriors on his return from injury.
Curry had 32 points to lead the Warriors to a 116–102 win over the Chicago Bulls, snapping Golden State’s four-game losing skid.
The Warriors had lost four of the five games Curry missed, which underscores his importance to the team. Even at age 33, Curry continues to play at a very high level. He is averaging over 29 points per game — third in the NBA — with six assists.
The Warriors’ offence completely falls apart whenever he is off the court, so his return is a huge boost to the team’s hopes of securing at least a place in the play-in tournament in the West.
New-look Bulls falling fast
On the other side, the Bulls have now lost four games in a row themselves and are just 1-6 in their last seven games. They are currently 10th in the East, just two games ahead of the Raptors and Wizards for that final play-in spot.
SBOTOP heralded the Bulls as one of the big winners of the trade deadline after acquiring Nikola Vucevic. But while the All-Star big man has had a decent start to his career in Chicago – back-to-back games of 21 points and nine rebounds – Zach LaVine’s recent slump continues.
The All-Star guard had just 12 points on 4-of-16 shooting against the Warriors and is shooting well below 40 per cent in each of his last five games.
LaVine is having quite a sensational season overall, shooting nearly 52 per cent from the field and 43 per cent on 3-pointers, so this recent slump might just be some regression to the mean.
But if the Bulls are to make it back to the playoffs, they will need LaVine to get back to his best and form a formidable one-two punch with Vucevic.
Clippers looking like dangerous contenders again
Don’t look now, but the Los Angeles Clippers are the one of hottest teams in the NBA. They won their sixth straight game after blowing out the Milwaukee Bucks by 24 points. And that was without three injured starters in Paul George, Serge Ibaka, and Patrick Beverley. Meanwhile, key trade deadline acquisition Rajon Rondo has yet to make his debut.
The emergence of Terance Mann as a sixth man has been huge for the Clippers. The 24-year-old adds more size and defensive solidity over Lou Williams, who was traded for Rondo. Meanwhile, Luke Kennard and Reggie Jackson have been able to help carry the load in terms of playmaking.
There will continue to be doubts about the Clippers due to their playoff failures. But for now, they are back to looking like the top title contenders many expected and will now be eyeing the second seed in the West.
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