Anthony Edwards Dunked All Over the Orlando Magic | HOOPS Daily, 1/10/2025
Another huge highlight for Ant, Cleveland wins their 12th straight, Golden State snaps the Pistons' win streak, and more.
The Tip-Off: 3 Incredible Anthony Edwards Dunks
1. Huge dunk on John Collins of the Jazz
2. In-game windmill with Team USA
3. Dunk on the Mavs’ Daniel Gafford in Game 3 of the 2024 Western Conference Finals
Game Recaps
Cavs Get Past Raptors, Push Win Streak to 12
One night after beating the Thunder, the Cavaliers were able to get by a game Toronto Raptors team thanks to Darius Garland. With Donovan Mitchell out, DG the PG put up a season-high 40pts on an incredibly efficient 14-22 from the field. Toronto actually beat Cleveland at their own game, winning the bench scoring 44-30 and building a lead as high as 12pts in the third quarter. But clutch shotmaking from the Cavs in the final minutes finished off the comeback. Also, if Evan Mobley (21pts/11r/6a) and Jarrett Allen (18pts/15r) both aren’t All Stars, Adam Silver can just cancel the event. Also also, shoutout to Raptors rookie Jamal Shead who put up 15pts in 15 minutes on 6-7 shooting (including 3-3 from 3pt). It was a strong performance that deserves credit.
Warriors Halt Pistons Win Streak at Five
This was a lot of fun to watch because no matter how Golden State padded their lead, the Pistons wouldn’t go away. Cade Cunningham dropped 18 of his 32pts in the fourth to help the Pistons get back into the game down the stretch. Even the last minute was filled with drama as Cade executed an intentional missed free throw so perfect, it fooled the refs and the Warriors’ broadcast team1 into thinking it didn’t hit the rim:
After the game, the Warriors’ Draymond Green spoke a little bit about why Cade was deserving of an All-Star spot this season.
Timberwolves Handle Magic
Orlando needs scoring badly as they just didn’t have an answer for Minnesota’s hot shooting. Fortunately, Paolo Banchero is on track to return tomorrow. Unfortunately for them, Anthony Edwards dunked all over their team tonight:
Rockets Spoil Ja’s Grizzlies Return
Ja Morant returned to the Grizzlies after a five-game absence and picked up right where he left off with 27pts/3a/3r but it was a massive effort from Alperen Sengun (32pts/14r/5a) and a late-game coaching mishap from Taylor Jenkins that put the Grizzlies away. With Houston up three and 3.8 seconds left, Desmond Bane (16pts) thought he’d hit the game tying shot but Jenkins had called timeout before the attempt.
Hawks Drop to .500 with Loss to Suns
I think the Hawks are going to be kicking themselves for not coming away with this win. They made more threes, committed fewer turnovers, and attempted two more FTs but a rebound disadvantage and a lack of stops down the stretch let the Suns escape with the W. Trae Young had 21pts but was 6-15 from the field and I think Atlanta really missed Jalen Johnson who remained out with a shoulder injury. For Phoenix, Bradley Beal came off the bench with another strong performance while Jusuf Nurkic got hit with the DNP - Coach’s Decision so this whole thing feels like it could blow up at any second.
Heat Get by Jazz with Balanced Attack
What a shame that Tyler Herro is finally healthy and playing like this NOW. This is the level of play that could’ve made a difference for Miami before this Jimmy Butler situation exploded to the point of beyond repair. Herro paced the Heat with 23pts/7r/5a to just one turnover on an efficient 7-17.
Shorthanded Mavericks Survive Blazers
The Mavericks were without Kyrie Irving or Luka Doncic and Klay Thompson only had 3pts in 22 minutes. All of that sounds like a guaranteed loss but instead, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively and Jaden Hardy (off the bench) led the team to a big win over the Portland Trailblazers. I know Portland may not be viewed at the same level as Dallas but they’ll play anyone hard on any given night and tonight was no exception. Scoot Henderson went 12-12 from the FT line and looked aggressive all night, constantly making smart decisions while the backcourt of Shaedon Sharpe and Anfernee Simons combined for 44pts to keep the Blazers in it until a 36-22 4th quarter put the game away.
NBA Announces Second All Star Voting Returns
Comment below and let me know what surprises you the most about the voting
News & Notes
- Lakers’ HC JJ Redick among those impacted by California wildfires
- Thursday night’s Hornets at Lakers game postponed due to fires
- Report: Despite rumors, Kawhi Leonard’s house reportedly not damaged by wildfires
- Pat Riley’s interview with Dan LeBetard is full of unbelievable quotes, including this all-timer:
- 76ers’ rookie Jared McCain will miss the remainder of the season as he recovers from meniscus surgery
“I f*** with it, that takes me back to wearing 5XL tall tees.”
- Blake Griffin on LiAngelo Ball’s song | 7pm in Brooklyn
Really the whole episode is a must-listen.
- No Beef: De’Aaron Fox and former Kings’ HC Mike Brown squash feud rumors, get lunch together
- Joe Mazzulla gives us another two incredible quotes:
- on Brandon Jennings calling Jayson Tatum “the softest superstar”
- on his conversations with Jaylen Brown
Watching This Weekend
Friday
Bucks at Magic
Warriors at Pacers
Thunder at Knicks
Saturday
Rockets at Hawks
Grizzlies at Timberwolves
Spurs at Lakers
Sunday
Bucks at Knicks
Pacers at Cavaliers
Thank you to everyone who took some time out this week to hang out and read these newsletters. I hope there was at least one thing that you enjoyed or that helped distract you from anything going on in the real world. I hope everyone in areas that have been devastated by all these wildfires are okay and safe, thank you to all of the incredible firefighters who have worked around the clock. I hope everyone can have a good, stress-free weekend. Please check in on your loved ones, take care.
Not trying to cause any controversy but they’re like a bottom-third broadcast team right?