NBA Summer League: Day 5

Memphis 90 New York 86
Box Score

Darrell Arthur Second year PF Darrell Arthur broke out with a 22 point (8-15), 6 reb performance to lead the Grizzlies (2-0) to victory over New York. Arthur played with great energy knocking down mid range shots and using his great speed out on the break.

Jordan Hill looked somewhat tentative as the Knicks lost their first Summer League game.

Hill had some nice plays (13 pts, 6-14 fg, 8 reb) including some solid turnaround jumpers and post moves, and did have some solid plays including an and-1 off a post move in the closing minutes which drew the game even.

But he missed a potential game tying turnaround hook with less than 10 seconds to play. The Grizzlies iced the game after grabbing the rebound and being fouled.

2nd overall pick Hasheem Thabeet got loose for a dunk on the break, but looked a little awkward at times. On one occasion, he missed a rebound as he completely mistimed his jump and the ball went right over him as he was coming down. He finished 3-6 from the floor for 6 points and 6 boards in 23 minutes.

Toney Douglas struggled mightily in his debut going (2-13 fg) for 8 points, but his 11 assists helped ease the pain. Douglas is extremely quick in the open floor but needs to improve his shot selection. Morris Almond led the Knicks in scoring with 17 pts (7-12 fg) and 3-6 from 3.

"Mr Bean", aka Nikoloz Tskitishvilli continues to make his annual trip to Las Vegas in an attempt to make it in the league (to no avail), he knocked down 3-5 from 3 but did little else scoring 12 on 4-8.

Washington 95 Cleveland 90
Box Score

Christian Eyenga The Washington Wizards played their first game of the 2009 SL, taking on the Cleveland Cavaliers (0-2) at Thomas & Mack Center. Led by Nick Young (36 pts 13/19 FG) and Andray Blatche (21 pts,10 reb 3 ast) the Wizards shot at a high level for the entire game.

Tarence Kinsey displayed a variety of skills on his way to 22 pts (9-15), 5 rebs, 4 stl. Although he has a slender frame, Kinsey wasn’t timid in being aggressive scoring inside and out whilst also willing to make the extra pass.

The Wizards, directed by Tyrese Rice (11 points), made a push in the second, taking advantage of the Blatche/Lyons match up and maintaining their shooting percentage (54%). They took a 47-35 lead heading into the halftime.

Kinsey had a good battle going on with Young heading into the second half, with Young eventually coming out well on top. The Cavs made a surge largely due to the play of Christian Eyenga (17 pts 7/13 fg). The rookie had his first taste of success in the SL showing some skills to match his outstanding athleticism and giving some cause for his 30th selection. He displayed better decision making today and it showed in his improved offensive efficiency.

Young was unconscious in the third though and it didn’t matter who was covering him. His offense gave Washington a 16 point lead going into the 4th with the team shooting an incredible 60%.

Danny Green struggled going 0/5 from the floor. While he knows the game and puts in a solid defensive effort, at the moment he isn’t much more than a spot up shooter. Blatche put up nice numbers and has room for improvement on offense as he had a couple of sloppy turnovers (a few from over dribbling) and was called for a charge.

The Wizards win was set up by Young’s red hot shooting in the third quarter. He was lethal all day offensively and was also a committed defender.

Washington returns Wednesday to battle the Denver Nuggets, while Cleveland dropped to 0-3 and will look to post their first SL win against Dallas (without their PG Rodrigue Beaubois, out with an injury) on Thursday.

Golden State 95 Chicago 83
Box Score

Anthony Randolph Anthony Randolph put on an absolute show tying the NBA Summer League record for points (42) helping the Warriors (3-1) seal a 12 point win over Chicago.

Randolph's baseline dunk and-1 (photo) was the highlight of the summer league so far. He went well over the rim and threw the ball through the net on the way down without actually grabbing he rim (similar to the D-Howard Superman dunk). Randolph scored in a variety of ways showing his improved jump shot and ability to use his quickness and ball handling to get by defenders to the rim.

Randolph got to the line just one fewer time than the entire Bulls team knocking down 16-21 ft. He's definitely getting the superstar treatment from the refs as he gets into the lane and as soon as he feels any contact, he lets out a yell and usually gets the benefit of the doubt.

He was yanked from the game at the 5 minute mark after taking the ball coast to coast and shooting an ill advised shot but was put back in with 2 minutes to go when someone probably informed coach Keith Smart that he was just 2 points shy of the record. He would knock down 2 free throws in the final 1:30 to tie the mark set by Marcus Banks two years ago.

James Johnson looked very good for Chicago. His 21 and 8 came on an efficient 9-13 fg, as he showed polished skills around the rim and a solid ability to create shots for himself. He's a guy that should come in and instantly be a factor for the Bulls. James Augustin added 21 as well (on a near perfect 10-11 fg) showing solid effort on both ends of the floor. Taj Gibson also looked good, although his lack of strength wasn't really challenged in this one (12 and 14).

Stephen Curry struggled with his shot today (3-15 fg) for 10 pts. Instead he looked to get teammates involved totaling 8 ast to 4 to.

LA Lakers 74 Oklahoma City 68
Box Score

James HardenJames Harden and the Oklahoma City Thunder took on the Los Angeles Lakers (2-1) today falling just short, 74-68. The Thunder started strong and didn’t look as sluggish as their opening SL game missing just 2 of their first 11 shots. Harden played like a top 3 choice Tuesday, doing a bit of everything on his way to 23 points 5 rebs 5 ast. But without the help of teammate Russell Westbrook, Harden gassed out at the end.

The Thunder went into the half up 4, after a 63% first half shooting effort. Combined with an increase in defensive intensity in the second quarter, which resulted in some stops and long contested Lakers shots, Oklahoma City got the lead out to 7 at one stage.

Points off turnovers (5 to’s in 5 minutes) hurt the Thunder badly to start the second half with the Lakers going on a 11-2 run to take a 5 point lead. Harden then calmed his team down with a much needed three point play and 2 three’s from the left wing. The Thunder remarkably went on a 16-6 run themselves to go up 5 after three quarters.

Despite Harden's efforts to tie the game on a fast break dunk with 1:44 left, the Thunder committed far too many turnovers and the Lakers punished them for it (32 points off of them). The Lakers outscored OKC 23-12 in the 4th to steal the game from the Thunder.

Mullens showed some positive things finishing with 10 points and 5 rebounds. He took some tough shots and got a little frustrated early but also had some success crashing he boards and altering some shots on the defensive end. Adam Morrison (17 points 5/18 FG) had a bad shooting night statistically but not all of his misses were poor shots, and the Lakers got the W.

Denver 88 San Antonio 86
Box Score

The San Antonio Spurs overcame the Denver Nuggets 88-86 at Cox Pavilion. George Hill (16 pts 2 reb 2 ast) backed up his Sunday performance to get the Spurs across the finish line following a tightly contested match.

Without second round pick DeJuan Blair (#37), the Spurs got out to an early 10 point lead thanks to strong play from Ian Mahinmi (12 pts 16 rebs). Rookie Ty Lawson had a horrendous shooting night (0-8 fg) but did make some key plays.

Coby Karl (19 pts 6/7 FG, 3/4 3FG) led all scorers for the Nuggets. His play allowed the Nuggets to take the lead at the end of the second period 39-33. Richard Hendrix (11 points 4 reb) also provided his team with a small, albeit important contribution.

San Antonio made a push in the final period where Malik Hairston (17 pts 7/11) and Romel Beck (14 PTS 6/11) combined to help the Spurs out score Denver 26-19 in the final period. In his two games Hairston has been efficient offensively averaging 16.5 PPG at an impressive 63% shooting. Beck has been a threat from outside in both games and doesn’t force many shots (13.5 ppg 54%)

The work of Mahinmi (who technically got a triple double with 10 fouls) provided the Spurs with a rebounding advantage (44-34) and ultimately helped put them in position to win. The play of Sonny Weems didn’t help Denver’s cause who saw their 3-point lead evaporate after his introduction. Weems, who was 2/12 fg before returning, first committed a turnover then missed his last 4 field goal attempts, including a lay up. They were costly in such a tight game.

LA Clippers 88 New Orleans 86
Box Score

DeAndre Jordan DeAndre Jordan (21 pts, 12 rebs, 3 blks) and Eric Gordon (22 pts, 5 to, 6/14 fg) led the Clippers in scoring as they defeated the New Orleans Hornets 88-86. Top pick Blake Griffin finished with 16 pts 9 rebs and 5 ast, to take the Clippers to 2-0 SL record.

Poor shooting from the Hornets (33%) put them in an early hole trailing by 6 after the first quarter. Griffin’s presence was also responsible for the Clippers registering a lopsided rebound edge early in the game.

It was DeAndre Jordan & Eric Gordon’s turn in the second to continue the Clippers quality play. Gordon (22 points) was looking for his offense all game challenging the Hornets defense and also showing his outside touch. Jordan was damaging on the offensive glass and made a couple of spectacular rejections.

LAC committed too many turnovers in the third period allowing the Hornets to outscore them (26-18) and close the Clipper lead to just one. Julian Wright (12 points 4 rebs) got the crowd interested with a stunning one handed follow for a dunk.

Griffin’s defensive effort was largely responsible for the Clippers getting some important stops. He did commit some sloppy turnovers however and some of his perimeter dribbling was excessive. But he also made some excellent passes setting up teammates for easy buckets.

Louisiana native and second rounder Marcus Thornton (19 Points 8/17) displayed his soft touch from outside swishing a series of threes to keep his team in range midway through the final quarter.

Darren Collison has a pleasant surprise for the Hornets (23 pts 4 ast 3 stl 4 to) and came alive when it mattered leading his squad well and getting a breakaway dunk off a steal to make it a one point game. A volleyball spike-type block from Anthony Tolliver (9 points 4 rebs) was indicative of the Hornets defensive intensity to finish the game.

A Griffin assist to McAlarney gave the Clippers a 4 point lead and turned the match into a free throw shooting contest. Following a late Collison drive, 2 Taylor missed free throws gave the Hornets a chance to tie or win, however Collison was bumped out of bounds after he controlled the rebound.

To nearly everyone’s surprise, the officials called it Clippers basketball instead of a foul. Time expired before Hornets could foul again. Its tough to believe that the Collision wouldn’t have received a call if it happened during any other part of the game, another example of the effects of landing the #1 pick, perhaps.