This new feature will be your home for the week that was in the NBA every Sunday evening/Monday morning. We’ll cover the previous Sunday – Saturday.
Team of the Week: Boston Celtics
After opening 0-2 following the Gordon Hayward injury, the Celtics have won four straight, including a perfect 3-0 last week. Boston started the week with a blowout victory over the Knicks, then beat the Bucks in Milwaukee and the Heat in Miami. Al Horford had a big defensive week as he helped contain Kristaps Porzingis, Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Johnson. Jayson Tatum continues to impress as a rookie, averaging 18 points per game on 60 percent shooting and 64 percent from behind the arc for the week.
Others receiving consideration: Orlando Magic
Orlando continues to be the surprise of the early season, as they went 2-0 in the week to improve to 4-1 on the year. Both wins were at home, first over the visiting Nets, featuring a breakout game from Aaron Gordon (more on that later), but the second win was the shocker. The Magic blew out the visiting Spurs, leading by as many as 36 points in the process. Time to start paying attention to Orlando.
Player of the Week: DeMarcus Cousins
Cousins led the Pelicans to a 3-1 week with dominant play on the offensive end. He averaged 32.8 PPG, 14.8 RPG and 6.8 APG, capping the week with a triple-double in a blowout win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The dual-big man lineup is working just fine so far in New Orleans.
Others receiving consideration: Al Horford
As covered above, Horford was terrific on defense against three tough covers. He also averaged 17.3 PPG on 61 percent shooting, 10.3 RPG and 4 APG. Horford facilitates a lot of the Boston offense and has been a steadying presence for Brad Stevens early on.
Line of the Week: Aaron Gordon vs Brooklyn Nets
Gordon returned from an ankle injury and had the best game of his professional career. He scored 41 points on 14-of-18 shooting overall and hit all five of his three-pointers. He also hit 8-of-10 from the free throw line and grabbed 14 rebounds. Gordon flashed all the moves in his developing game, including pull-up jumpers, spot-ups, drives for dunks, and step-back jumpers. In year four, it all seems to be coming together for Gordon.
Others receiving consideration: DeMarcus Cousins, Ben Simmons
Cousins scored more against the Trail Blazers and Kings this week, but he was at his dominating best against the Cavaliers. He scored 29 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, handed out 10 assists and nabbed three steals. And he did it all while turning the ball over just one time.
Simmons had been building towards his first triple-double and got it in a road win over the Pistons. Playing as a 6’10’’ point guard, Simmons scored 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, pulled down 12 rebounds and dished out 10 assists. You get the feeling this is just the beginning for the 76ers talented, giant point guard.
Win of the Week: Orlando Magic home win over San Antonio Spurs
When the Magic blew out the Cavaliers in Cleveland, it raised some eyebrows, but weird things happen early in the year. Dominating the Spurs from the tip is even more surprising. Orlando led by as many as 36 and were in control all night.
Others receiving consideration: Minnesota Timberwolves win at Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans home win over Cleveland Cavaliers
The Wolves won in a stunner on the road, as Andrew Wiggins buried a pull-up jumper as time expired. This was after Carmelo Anthony drained what looked like the game winner just a few seconds earlier.
New Orleans destroyed the visiting Cavaliers, with one of the weirder box scores of the year. Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins, Jrue Holiday and E’Twaun Moore all scored 24 or more points. No other Pelican scored more than three points.
News of the Week: The Phoenix Suns sent Eric Bledsoe home while they work on finding a trade for him. After firing head coach Earl Watson, Bledsoe tweeted “I don’t want to be here anymore”, seemingly in reference to wanting out of Phoenix. He later said it was in reference to being at the hair salon. Ryan McDonough expressed his skepticism in that and sent Bledsoe home while the Suns try to work out a trade.
Transactions of Note: The Pelicans waived Jordan Crawford and signed Jameer Nelson. Nelson will help the depleted Pels backcourt and had an immediate impact with several nice games. He’s already played as part of the closing unit in close games and will likely serve as Rajon Rondo’s primary backup when Rondo returns from injury.
The Pelicans were also granted a hardship exemption and used the extra roster space to sign veteran forward Josh Smith. Smith adds to depth to a thin frontcourt group. If he can stay in his lane, and not shoot a bunch of three-pointers, Smith could help New Orleans quite a bit off the bench.