BBNBA: Crazy endings in Lakers-Mavs, Thunder-Pelicans

The NBA was wacky last night. Three-quarter-court shots, an undrafted rookie bailed out for the Lakers, and another excellent performance from Tyrese Maxey. Check it out.

Thunder hearts broken at the buzzer

Oklahoma City trailed by three with under five seconds to go in a meaningless matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. I can’t do the ending of this game justice, so I’m just gonna drop this video right here for you guys. Please watch, it may be the most ridiculous ending to an NBA game ever.

THE MOST IMPOSSIBLE FINISH TO AN NBA GAME YOU WILL EVER SEE pic.twitter.com/eMV102hMqT
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) December 16, 2021

Wow. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander grabbed the inbounds and launched a three from the logo to avoid being fouled by a Pelican…and he made it to tie the game! Then, New Orleans quickly got the ball to Devonte’ Graham who heaved a moonshot from three-quarters of the court…and made it to win the game at the buzzer!

Pure insanity in Oklahoma City. Not that tragic heartbreak is new to the Thunder fans. The front office probably sent Graham a congratulatory bottle of wine for helping increase OKC’s draft odds.

We’ll say it again: Poor Shai. A star stranded on an island of misfit toys. Even in the loss, SGA led the team in scoring with 33 and a shot that should’ve sent the game to OT. Oh well.

Lakers bailed out by rookie

The Lakers’ struggles are well-documented so far this NBA season and also here on the BBNBA posts. Last night, they managed to win a game, but by the skin of their teeth.

The Dallas Mavericks didn’t even have Luka Doncic yet they stayed neck-and-neck with the Lakers throughout the game. By the end of regulation, both teams were spraying three-pointers and praying they went in.

LA ended their last four possessions in regulation with a three-point attempt. Tries by Anthony Davis and LeBron James didn’t even hit the rim, and it was Russell Westbrook — a notorious struggler from deep — who nailed one in the corner to tie it up. Maxi Kleber of Dallas smacked one off the backboard right afterward to regain the lead. Then, the Lakers hit another from the corner to send it to overtime.

OT wasn’t much prettier. The teams traded blows until LA had the ball on the final possession with a chance to win. Westbrook found an open Austin Reaves who swished a three from the wing to win the game. Reaves, the undrafted rookie from Oklahoma, was the one who saved the day for LBJ and AD.

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AUSTIN REAVES WINS IT AT THE DEATH FOR LA pic.twitter.com/Ph9nZPNR1B
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) December 16, 2021

Even in a win, Anthony Davis had a rather disappointing outing. He scored 20, but made just 8-18 shots and missed his three three-point attempts. Something’s not right for the 10th-year big man.

Maxey can’t miss

Tyrese Maxey initially struggled shooting the ball when Joel Embiid returned from injury. But he’s returned to form in Philly’s last four games, shooting above 50% from the field and reaching double-figures in each outing.

Last night was his best of the four. Maxey led the 76ers in scoring with 27 points while making 11-15 shots. That’s an uncommonly high percentage for a guard in the NBA. Three of those misses came from deep as well, meaning he made nine of his 10 two-pioint attempts.

Don’t get in this man’s way if he’s steamrolling towards the rim.

Pretty absurd sequence from Tyrese Maxey pic.twitter.com/KXcVVfCMku
— Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) December 16, 2021

Other NBA notes

KAT wins in front of KSR. The radio crew was in attendance for a fairly entertaining Nuggets-Timberwolves game yesterday. Minnesota scorched the mile-high city for 75 points in the first half and Anthony Edwards became the youngest player to ever make 10 threes in a game. Karl-Anthony Towns also showed out, scoring 32 points on 66% field goal shooting. Good win for MIN!

Fox powers Kings’ victory. De’Aaron Fox scored 28 points and shot 10-16 from the field as he led his fading Kings back into the green side of the win column with a 14-point victory over Washington. The Wizards were heavily praised for their fast start this NBA season under new coach Wes Unseld Jr. but they’ve since slipped back to within a game of .500.

Game of the Year for Eric Bledsoe. The Clipper guard made 80% of his shots, four of five threes and notched 21 points to come within one of his season-high. Still, given his shooting efficiency and the competition it came against (the Utah Jazz), we’ll consider this his most impressive game since his return to LA.