"We had words 'cause the best supposed to clash at the top." -- "We Will Survive" by Nas
I am here for this Russell Westbrook versus Joel Embiid rivalry. The last time that the Philadelphia 76ers faced the Oklahoma City Thunder, Embiid waved goodbye at Steven Adams after Adams fouled out. That didn't sit well with Westbrook, who waved right back at Embiid and told him to go home after the game. This prompted a classic interview response from Embiid, who got in the last public word on the subject, even though Westbrook had the "best word" as his team got the win.
On Sunday, the teams faced off for the second and final time this season, and both players picked right back up where they had left off. Embiid had a huge, efficient game with 27 points (10-16 FG, 4-5 FT), 10 rebounds, 3 3-pointers, 2 assists and 2 blocks, with a team-high +8 plus-minus score. He also had a highlight move, where he shook his man at the top of the key, finding no one between him and the rim except Westbrook -- and then this happened:
The poster is nasty. The fact that Embiid is the one that posted it, given the way his relationship with Westbrook has been playing out, is priceless https://t.co/dYeW0lZcId
- Andre Snellings (@ProfessorDrz) January 29, 2018
Embiid first posted the picture on Instragram, listing the location as "Crime Scene Investigation". Even in live action, it was clear that Embiid was relishing in the dunk. Immediately afterwards, he ran down the court while continuously looking back at the fallen Westbrook:
Joel Embiid is an international treasure, protect him at ALL costs ��pic.twitter.com/0wKdW7GvFw
- Hashtag Basketball (@hashBasketball) January 28, 2018
But, speaking of stares, you know that Westbrook was going to get his in this exchange. After his own huge game of 37 points (14-33 FG, 8-11 FT), 14 assists, 9 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 3-pointer, Westbrook had a death stare of his own for Embiid (sitting on the 76ers bench) as he dribbled out the clock in the win:
That stare down though... �� pic.twitter.com/NaMhEnzSBk
- SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 29, 2018
I love this, because the best are supposed to clash at the top. While neither of these clubs is at the top of the league yet, Westbrook is the reigning MVP and Embiid is on the way up. In fact, on Monday, Embiid is set to take a huge step forward as an impact fantasy player and NBA superstar. Namely, for the first time in his career, Embiid "is available" to play in a back-to-back game.
After playing 36 minutes on Sunday, seeing Embiid on the court tonight would indicate that he is finally healthy enough for the 76ers to trust him to play every game. If this continues, Embiid will soon find himself moving up towards the top of my rest-of-season rankings, where Westbrook will be waiting for him. Going forward, I expect the fireworks between them to continue.
Sunday recap
Box scores
Highlights:
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns: 31 points (12-23 FG, 2-2 FT), 10 assists, 5 3-pointers, 3 rebounds, 3 TO
Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans: 25 points (8-17 FG, 9-12 FT), 17 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 4 TO
Blake Griffin, LA Clippers: 27 points (10-22 FG, 3-3 FT), 12 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 3-pointers, 1 steal, 0 TO
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers: 25 points (8-15 FG, 8-9 FT), 14 assists, 8 rebounds, 1 3-pointer, 1 steal, 3 TO
Lowlights:
Rajon Rondo, New Orleans Pelicans: 6 points (2-11 FG), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 3-pointers, 2 TO
Bogdan Bogdanovic, Sacramento Kings: 3 points (1-7 FG), 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 3-pointer, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 TO
Tony Snell, Milwaukee Bucks: 6 points (2-3 FG), 1 rebound, 1 steal, 2 3-pointers, 1 TO
Sunday takeaways
Sunday was the first game for the Pelicans in the post-DeMarcus Cousins era, and outside of a poor second half from Rondo, it pretty much went according to expectations. Davis was a monster, and interestingly added a strong assists component that had previously resided in Cousins' purview. Jrue Holiday flirted with a triple-double with 20 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks, 1 steal and 1 3-pointer as the second primary option on the team. E'Twaun Moore (84.2 percent availability) scored 18 points (7-11 FG, 3-4 FT) with 2 rebounds, 1 3-pointer and 1 assist as the third option. Rondo had a strong start with 6 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 3-pointers in 9:34 of the first quarter, then fell off with 0 points (0-6 FG), 2 rebounds and 0 assists over his last 13 minutes on the court. Dante Cunningham started in Cousins' place, and scored 8 points (3-7 FG, 1-4 FT) with 7 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 3-pointer in 28 minutes.
The Clippers got strong contributions across the board on Sunday, led by Griffin, but with four other players in double-figures and two others with seven-plus points. Lou Williams was the main lieutenant, scoring 22 points (9-22 FG, 2-3 FT) with 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 3-pointers and 2 steals in 35 minutes off the bench. Tyrone Wallace (94.9 percent availability) was the surprise contributor, scoring 19 points (6-12 FG, 7-7 FT) with 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 steal with a team-high +22 plus-minus.
Fred VanVleet (98.6 percent availability) stole the show again for the Toronto Raptors, scoring 25 points (9-13 FG, 4-4 FT) with 4 assists, 3 3-pointers, 2 rebounds and 2 steals in 20 minutes off the bench. This was his second strong game in his last three outings, but it was sandwiched around a effort with only three points. He has talent, much like bench-mate Delon Wright, but neither are reliable options, barring injury to the starting backcourt.
Anthony Tolliver (99.5 percent availability) and Reggie Bullock (98.5 percent availability) combined for 34 points, 9 3-pointers, 9 assists and 8 rebounds on Sunday against the Cavaliers. They got extra run with Avery Bradley (right hamstring) out, but both project as 3-point role players when given minutes.
The Cavaliers have quietly won two games in a row, and seem to be starting to right the ship. James led the way, but Kevin Love was strong with 20 points (8-14 FG), 11 rebounds, 4 3-pointers and 1 assist while JR Smith knocked down four treys on his way to 15 points and four rebounds. Isaiah Thomas is slowly finding his level, scoring 14 points with 7 assists, 2 rebounds and 1 3-pointer on Sunday.
In San Antonio, both the Kings and Spurs saw results from both the young and the old. On the young side, De'Aaron Fox knocked down all six of his 3-point attempts on the way to 26 points (8-15 FG, 4-4 FT), 3 assists and 1 blocked shot. Meanwhile, Dejounte Murray (14 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 6-6 FG, 2-2 FT) and Bryn Forbes (23 points, 5 3-pointers, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 9-15 FG) were both strong for the Spurs. As for the more senior set, Vince Carter (21 points, 6 rebounds, 5 3-pointers, 7-12 FG, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 assist) and Manu Ginobili (15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 3-pointer) became the first pair of 40-plus players to both score 15 points in a single game in NBA history.
Injuries of note
Devin Booker left late in Sunday's game due to injuries to his ribs and right hip. He's planning to have an MRI on Monday prior to Phoenix's scheduled game against the Memphis Grizzlies, but it is not clear yet whether he will be available to play. Stay tuned. Meanwhile, Troy Daniels tweaked his back, and is also a question mark for Monday. If one or both are unable to go, players like Isaiah Canaan, Josh Jackson and/or Tyler Ulis could see more action on Monday for the Suns.
Trevor Ariza left one minute into the Houston Rockets' game on Sunday with a left leg injury, coming down very awkwardly on his left foot after jumping into the air to make a play. No further information has been released thus far, so consider him questionable for Tuesday's game with the Orlando Magic.
Analytics advantage for Monday
Something has to give in Memphis on Monday, when the Grizzlies, who score the second-fewest points in the NBA (99.4 per game), play at home against the Suns, who allow the most points in the NBA (112.1 per game). A closer look would suggest that this would be a game when the Grizzlies are more likely to put up points, because their offensive rating is actually 105.8 points per 100 possessions. They just play a very slow pace.
The Suns, meanwhile, allow 112.2 points per 100 possessions, almost the same as their points allowed per game, because their 99.7 possessions per game is fourth-fastest pace in the NBA. With the faster pace, the Grizzlies will have more opportunities for their "not as terrible as it first seems" offense to produce against the "every bit as bad as it first seems" Suns defense.
Top players to watch tonight
As previously noted, Embiid has been cleared to play in both games of a back-to-back for the first time in his career. The 76ers have had 24 such quick turnarounds since the start of last season, with Embiid playing in only the first game of the pair 10 times, and just the second game on five occasions.
Dwight Howard has casually grabbed 15-plus rebounds in eight straight games. He goes for No. 9 on Monday against an Indiana Pacers team that is still trying to work starting center Myles Turner back into the mix.
