Scoreboard
Celtics 111, Pistons 99
Cavaliers 114, Wizards 91
Clippers 124, Nets 116
Bulls 128, Spurs 104
Kings 140, Rockets 120
Mavericks 124, Jazz 111
Warriors 141, Thunder 114
Bucks 127, Trail Blazers 108
What went down
On the heels of one of the biggest trades ever in the middle of a season, both the Dallas Mavericks and Brooklyn Nets pulled off some interesting results.
The Mavs, without newly acquired Kyrie Irving and the injured Luka Doncic, grabbed a road win against the tough Utah Jazz.
Without their superstars, Dallas got career games from two of their young players. 2020 1st round pick Josh Green and 2022 2nd round pick Jaden Hardy each tallied 29 points to get the Mavericks over the edge.
Jaden Hardy and Josh Green showed out in the Mavs W.
— NBA (@NBA) February 7, 2023
Hardy: 29 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 4 3PM
Green: 29 PTS, 6 REB, 3 3PM pic.twitter.com/gNj3ZrxYDp
The Mavericks traded away Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith, along with three future draft picks. With minutes position up for grabs, Green and Hardy both made a good case to continue getting looks. Dallas is currently fifth in the West with a 29-26 record with several teams nipping at their heels.
In Brooklyn, Cam Thomas went off for 47 points, his second straight 40-point performance, but the Nets couldn’t hang on against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Winner of eight of their last 10 games, the Clippers leaned on Paul George in the final quarter. He finished with 29 points as the Clippers remained fourth in the West with a 31-26 slate.
The Nets, according to reports, are still active on the trade market. This team has shown they have some depth and could still make waves in the East when Kevin Durant returns. They are fifth in the East with a 32-21 record.
Big-time baller
It’s almost impossible to beat the Golden State Warriors when they get on a bender like they did earlier today. Klay Thompson was close to again reaching the record for most 3-pointers in a game today as he dropped 12 triples en route to 42 points.
What a night for Klay Thompson.
— NBA (@NBA) February 7, 2023
42 PTS
3 REB
12 Threes pic.twitter.com/rfhlOG6bpW
Thompson set the record back in 2018 when he drilled 14 against the Chicago Bulls. Today, the Warriors rained 26 total triples on the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Steph Curry still doesn’t have a clear timetable for his return, so the Warriors are going to need more of this from Klay.
What he said
The Los Angeles Lakers were in the Kyrie Irving sweepstakes, but the Nets reportedly were unwilling to trade Irving to LA without getting an exorbitant package.
In an interview with ESPN’s Michael Wilbon, LeBron James verbalized his disappointment that the Lakers were unable to get a deal done.
Did you see that?
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Kyrie Irving arrives at the Mavs' practice facility in Dallas as the team's trade with Brooklyn becomes official. Forward Markieff Morris also joins Irving on the Mavs.
— WFAA (@wfaa) February 6, 2023
Story: https://t.co/A3QY9IJTBW pic.twitter.com/hNBYESbnK7
Irving has officially arrived in Dallas, where he was welcomed by Mavs owner Mark Cuban. Whether or not this trade works out for the Mavericks could define the next few years for the franchise as they navigate Doncic’s prime.
