Pascal Siakam makes his Pacers debut: How much better does he make the Pacers?
With the trade deadline just a couple weeks away one of the major trade targets has finally found a new home. Pascal Siakam was traded to the Pacers this week in a move that could be a huge addition for one of the most exciting young teams in the NBA. Siakam is playing at an All-Star caliber level this season averaging 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. He pairs with Tyrese Haliburton who is having a very special season and came back from injury just in time for Siakam's Pacer debut.
In his Pacer debut, Siakam played well and appeared to fit in seamlessly with the rest of the team scoring 21 points against the Portland Trailblazers. Unfortunately, the struggles for the Pacers defensively still appears to be an issue as they lost at home to Blazers giving up 118 points in the loss. Unless the Pacers make a move to add more perimeter defense they won't make a significant move up the Eastern Conference standings or in the playoffs
Are the Knicks a legit threat in the East?
The New York Knicks appear to have found a winning formula after acquiring OG Anunoby in a trade with the Toronto Raptors. Since the trade, the Knicks have won 9 of their last 11 games and currently sit at the 5th seed and just a half game behind the Cavaliers for the 4th seed. Their new addition is averaging 15.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game through his first 11 games as a Knick. His best game for the Knicks came against the Portland Trailblazers where he 23 points in a 112-84 blowout win.
A major improvement for the Knicks has been their perimeter defense with Anunoby making arguably is biggest impact on the defensive side of the court. As a team, they are just as impressive with the #3 overall defense in the league giving up just 110.6 points per game. Offensively, they have a potent All-NBA combo in Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. Brunson in particular has been special and is arguably playing the best basketball of any guard in the East. With the trade deadline approaching they still have time to add another piece but with the way they are playing I would not be surprise to see them make a run to conference finals.
Battle of the Titans: Embiid outshines Jokic in MVP showdown
On Tuesday, NBA fans were treated to another showdown between two of the best players in the league and the most recent MVP winners in reigning MVP Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic. Both players are playing at an all-time great level as Embiid is averaging a career high 35 points per game while Jokic is nearly averaging a triple double.
Embiid understandably called Jokic "the best player in the league” but it was Joel who was the best player in their matchup on Tuesday night. Jokic put up a double performance with 25 points and 19 rebounds but Embiid put up yet another dominant performance to get the win for Sixers. In a game that could certainly be a finals preview Embiid dropped 41 points while dishing 10 assists to lead the Sixers to a 126-121 victory. With his performance against the Nuggets Embiid made history putting up his 18th straight 30 point game tying the Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor for the sixth longest 30 point streak in NBA history. The Sixers also showed why they are a championship caliber as it was not just the Embiid show with Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris putting up 25 and 24 points respectively. Embiid and the Sixers sensational performance against the defending champion Denver Nuggets show why could be as dangerous as ever come playoff time.
Game of the week- The Kings led by as much as 22 points in the fourth quarter before Kevin Durant and the Suns put forth an epic 22 point comeback With the game tied at 117 with seconds left in the 4th Durant gets fouled by De'Aaron Fox on a shot attempt and knocks down two clutch free throws to seal the win.
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