Scoreboard
Cavaliers 112, Pistons 88
Pacers 101, Heat 99
Knicks 106, 76ers 104
Nets 128, Wizards 86
Celtics 123, Bulls 119
Grizzlies 130, Hornets 99
Clippers 113, Spurs 106
Mavericks 111, Raptors 110
Pelicans 114, Warriors 105
Bucks 115, Timberwolves 102
Trail Blazers 108, Suns 106
Jazz 130, Lakers 116
What went down
It was a full slate of games for the NBA today. And on a night where LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, and Ja Morant were all playing, the player that shined the brightest was… Jerami Grant.
Usually, when Portland Trail Blazers games go down the wire, the team leans on Damian Lillard. But with their franchise player still out due to a calf injury, the Blazers found another savior.
With one second left on the clock and the game tied at 106, Portland ran a play to get Grant the shot. Justise Winslow triggered the play with a pinpoint high-arching pass from the left side of the court. DeAndre Ayton, expecting a lob to the hoop, jumped straight up to try and deny a tip shot. But the pass sailed over him as the Blazers didn’t design a lob to the hoop but a cross-court pass to get Grant a midrange shot.
Grant got the ball near the baseline on the right side of the hoop. With Ayton out of position, Grant was wide open to hit the short jumper as the clock expired.
Jerami Grant comes up CLUTCH in the closing moments for the @trailblazers! #TissotBuzzerBeater #ThisIsYourTime pic.twitter.com/0hqjivZ3xN
— NBA (@NBA) November 5, 2022
Grant not only did his best Lillard impersonation with the clutch shot, but he also led the team in scoring with 30 points on nearly 60 percent shooting. Six other Portland players scored in double digits as the entire team chipped in to overtake the Phoenix Suns at the top of the West standings.
Big-time baller
And still!
The Milwaukee Bucks are still the only undefeated team in the league. They came into their matchup today against the Minnesota Timberwolves riding a seven-game streak. They got their eighth straight win easily thanks to the all-around dominance of Antetokounmpo.
He finished with a triple-double, collecting 26 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists. Antetokounmpo is the most dominant player in the league right now. Just check out this move, which looks exactly like Shaquille O’Neal’s spin and slam in the early 2000s.
Giannis hit 'em with the spin cycle!! pic.twitter.com/YliigBchwk
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) November 5, 2022
What he said
In his prime, Jason Kidd was one of the coolest players in the league. He was dropping no-look dimes and full-court passes like it was nothing.
So for him to find what Doncic is currently doing to start the season “cool” is something else.
"I wonder if he surprises himself sometimes..."
— NBA (@NBA) November 5, 2022
Jason Kidd talks Luka Donicic's wild highlight plays from tonight's action! #MFFL pic.twitter.com/9dbAPBSoFp
Did you see that?
The one-legged three-pointer is not something new. James Harden even normalized it during his MVP run.
Seeing a 7’2” 18-year-old Unicorn pull it off is something else, though.
Victor Wembanyama's handle 🤯 pic.twitter.com/UCCGSeyzpO
— NBA (@NBA) November 4, 2022
