About Last Night: Jimmy Buckets redux



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Perhaps it is simply mandatory for the Eastern Conference to have a number 23 to hit winning shots.

Jimmy Butler is neither Jordan nor LeBron, but he has imposed himself as the man of choice for Philly when they need him the most. Just eight days ago, the early-season acquisition was a three-point decline that ruined Charlotte's 30th birthday and gave Philadelphia a 122-119 victory over the Hornets in overtime.

Either the Nets did not see the band, or they were more confident in their own face-to-face defense with the game in play. In an absurd sequence of déjà vu, Butler teased his defender with some dribbling, backed up and nailed a 3-pointer right that left only 0.4 seconds to the clock, offering the Sixers a victory of 127-125 despite a delay of 46 seconds. over 48 minutes.

Same situation, same player, same result.

Joel Embiid remains the mainstay of Philadelphia production, one of the first Kia MVP candidate for which there was no response during the first quarter of the season. The former overall third-place pick up 32 points and 12 rebounds in the Sixers' victory, his 13th performance in 30-10 from 2018-19.

Yet it is the Butler number that coach Brett Brown calls into the final possession of his team, a fact that could be significant when he will be in free agency next summer. Butler's response ability is even more amazing, which he did not do well with Minnesota. With his team trailing by a possession 10 seconds or less from the end, the quad All-Star shot just 1 in 12 goals for the Timberwolves last season.

Butler is already 2-in-3 in such scenarios with the 76ers, who have now won five of seven goals with their new captain.

Go back

We will not blame you for having confused the highlights of Heat-Raptors on Sunday with a retransmission offline. Half a decade ago, it was common to see Dwyane Wade burn like Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry from the age of 30.

But it was the current Wade who was reminding us with his bag of tracks from the Hall of Fame. Riders mid-range receding. Drives and dishes. Even his footwork after defeats was visible in his 35-point effort against Toronto.

Wade may be about to go out, but he still has a lot of work to do to make the exit ramp a fun ride.

The return of Fizdale

Their separation was far from easy, but David Fizdale and the Grizzlies had no grudges against each other when the former Memphis coach returned to Tennessee. They should not either. The Grizzlies took an encouraging start 12-6, while Fizdale clinched one of the most coveted and visible jobs in the NBA.

The Knicks made their new coach's new concert even more beautiful, removing a 13-point deficit in the second half to make their way with an unlikely 103-98 victory in Memphis. The win was the perfect example of what Fizdale has been trying to shape while the big star Kristaps Porzingis (ACL) has not left yet. Enes Kanter has pioneered a path up to 21 points and 26 rebounds. Tim Hardaway Jr. (22 points) continued one of the most underrated stars in the league. The surprise rookie Allonzo Trier has provided another night of productive energy on the bench.

This is a disappointing defeat for Memphis, but they have their own reasons for being optimistic. In addition to the extended excellence of Mike Conley and Marc Gasol, Jaren Jackson Jr. continues to look like another jewel in the 2018 draft class. The fourth overall pick blocked seven shots while achieving a perfect 4-in -4 to 3 points.

Bridges honor Vince

Remember that rookie Miles Bridges of the Hornets had the respectful daring to emulate Vince Carter's motorcycle brand after a dunk against Atlanta earlier this month?

Before the rematch between Sunday and Charlotte and Atlanta, the two men reflected at that time. Carter admitted that he had told the recruit: "You must ask permission!"

Good to see you again among us

After a difficult start to the season, Trae Young and the Hawks must love the return of John Collins. Last year, the amazing rookie performer missed the first 15 games of the season with ankle problems, preventing Young from establishing early chemistry with one of the best finishers in the world. # 39; team.

Collins has returned five times and is already averaging 13.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists, while shooting 63.3%. The former 19th overall pick stole his comeback with the block win over the Hornets, breaking the Hawks' 10-game losing streak.

John Collins wins the match for Atlanta with a last-second block over Kemba Walker.

Ayton effective

Deandre Ayton, first overall pick, plays well as an offensive and rebounder option. The former Arizona standout player averages 16.9 points and 10.4 rebounds while shooting 62.4%.

Its most impressive production was in the fourth quarter. After being 4-in-4 Sunday against the Pistons, Ayton is now shooting 80.9% (38-in-47) in the fourth this season. This brand ranks first among all NBA players with at least 10 fourth-quarter throwing attempts this season, with only seven more averaging 70% or more.

Remaining links

  • Nikola Vucevic's career year continues, this time at the expense of the Lakers
  • Utah ended a series of three consecutive losses to an offensive attack from … Ricky Rubio?
  • The Raptors create a separation at the top of the East
  • Willie Naulls, four-time Knicks champion and triple Celtics champion, has died at the age of 84

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