This week in the NBA: London, Rockets and Cousins feature
Published:
Odds and review of the NBA action
We can only really start in one place when looking back on last week’s action.
That is London, where the Washington Wizards fought back to defeat the New York Knicks in a tight tussle in the English capital.
Wizards’ Bradley Beal top scored with 26 points and is now drawing many admirers from around the game.
But it was Oklahoma City Thunder’s win over Philadelphia 76ers that takes game of the week. Paul George is fast becoming the king of clutch.
There were other big performances of course so we run through who’s hot and who’s not from the week that was.
Winners
Boogie is back!
Golden State Warriors have been off the boil for the most part this season. In-house feuds and the injury to Steph Curry meant they haven’t reigned supreme like usual.
But one player the fans were desperate to see was the latest ‘all-star’ signing from the Dubs.
That is DeMarcus Cousins.
After being laid low with an Achilles injury for almost a year, he made his first appearance for his new team with a 14-point night in his 15 minutes on-court.
Steve Kerr has to figure out how to get the best out of his roster, which more than ever is shaping up to be NBA’s answer to the Galacticos.
It could be a gradual process for Cousins to be integrated into the family but his talent is unrivalled.
Everyone should be happy to have Boogie back in action.
Eric Gordon is Houston’s Rocket man
You’d be forgiven for thinking Houston was just James Harden and his supporting cast. But against LA Lakers it was Gordon who fired up the Rockets.
The shooting guard netted 16 of his 30 points in the final two minutes as the game spilled into overtime.
The Rockets went on to win 138-134 in just Gordon’s second appearance after injury.
Harden has praised his team-mate as a ‘big-game player’ who can take the ‘burden off’ him.
This performance proved Gordon’s clutch control is still in gear and he could be a secret weapon going into the play-offs.
Losers
What’s next for Carmelo Anthony?
Houston Rockets have agreed to sign Brooklyn Nets big-man Kenneth Faried in the coming months.
It all means the ten-time NBA All-star Carmelo Anthony will be on his way out of the Rockets.
This is a far cry from Anthony’s time at Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks where he was almost untouchable.
The 34-year-old is looking for his swansong and one more shot in a competitive side.
LA Lakers seems a likely destination for Melo to continue his career, but Phoenix Suns may want Anthony to spearhead their side next season.
The NBA icon is in the wilderness right now, and it would be sad to see the veteran’s career grind to a halt now.
Upcoming Games
Selection of games across Monday and Tuesday
Oklahoma City Thunder @ New York Knicks – Thunder to win -9 points – 10/11
Dallas Mavericks @ Milwaukee Bucks – Bucks to win on match betting – 1/6
Miami Heat @ Boston Celtics – Celtics on the money line – 2/7
Houston Rockets @ Philadelphia 76ers – Over +233.5 points in the game – 10/11
Golden State Warriors @ LA Lakers – GSW on the money line – 11/2
Click here for the latest NBA odds
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
