Monday NBA grades: Faried, Hickson help Nuggets snap Clippers' win streak
Our quick look around the NBA, or what you missed while trying to explain how a python ate your family pet…
J.J. Hickson/Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets. Let's be clear — Denver snapped the Los Angeles Clippers 11-game win streak because the Clippers were tired and off. The back-to-back with the second game in Denver trap has caught many teams over the years, and the Clippers looked listless, shot 39 percent and Chris Paul had an uncharacteristic six turnovers. But it was Faried as the starter and Hickson off the bench that had the biggest impact — they both brought real energy and defended Blake Griffin well (yes, BG still had 26 points but he needed 25 shots to get there). They also made Griffin work on defense with Faried scoring 18 and Hickson 21 (Glen Davis had to work as well). The Clippers were clearly tired but that only matters of a team could exploit it. Faried and Hickson exploited it.
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder. We're giving him the shoutout with his 35 points on 21 shots, plus 12 rebounds and 5 assists — that's 32 games in a row Durant has scored at least 25 points — but it was more than him that got OKC a win over Chicago. Russell Westbrook returned to action and nearly had a triple double (17 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists) and the Thunder put up plenty of points on one of the best defenses in the game. Consider this a reminder that when healthy, when focused like they will be come the playoffs, the Thunder are an elite team who can score on anyone.
Deron Williams, Brooklyn Nets. Somebody hopped in the Hot Tub Time Machine because that was some Utah era D-Will right there — 28 points, leading every Nets starter into double digits. As a team Brooklyn shot 58.6 percent and scored 116.3 points per 100 possessions. The Suns have not exactly been defending well but that is the kind of offensive night that Jason Kidd hopes to see more of in the playoffs.
Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks. The reason the Knicks have any playoff life was the recent collapse of the Hawks, now they need wins. So they need more nights like this one with 28 from Millsap — he scored the first eight of the third quarter when the Hawks put together runs to come from six down to take control of the game. Pero Antic and Kyle Korver played well for the Hawks, but Millsap was the best player on the floor and that's why Atlanta won.
Tags: Atlanta Hawks, BKN, Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, Denver Nuggets, Deron Williams, Glen Davis, J.J. Hickson, Kenneth Faried, Kevin Durant, Kyle Korver, Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Paul Millsap, Pero Antic, Russell Westbrook