Today's edition of The Morning Dunk will have your attention with all of the NBA news and highlights from Tuesday's slate of games.
Too soon? You'll see.
Billups Ejection Leads To Trail Blazers' Demise
Do NBA officials need to invest in q-tips to get their ears cleaned for improved hearing during pivotal stretches of basketball games? Chauncey Billups probably thinks so.
With his Portland Trail Blazers up by one on the Oklahoma City Thunder during the final moments of the fourth quarter and guard Malcolm Brogdon facing a Thunder double team, Billups attempted to get the attention of a nearby official to call a timeout and preserve the possession.
Unfortunately, despite Billups' best efforts, no one was able to catch the timeout call, leading to Brogdon turning the ball over with a double dribble. Billups was irate, and got ejected from the festivities following consecutive technical fouls.
Blazers HC Chauncey Billups was given two technical fouls at the end of the 4th, ejecting him from the game. 😬 pic.twitter.com/AMHn5LXTWS
— Bally Sports Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) January 24, 2024
The icing on the cake came when Jalen Williams connected on an 18-foot pull-up jumper with 2.1 seconds remaining to give Oklahoma City the lead and eventual 111-109 victory at the Paycom Center.
Jalen Williams CALLS GAME vs. Blazers 🔥 pic.twitter.com/tdKRYN52kB
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 24, 2024
Billups and the Trail Blazers will reportedly file a protest with the league office to challenge the result of this game, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Portland drops to 12-31 on the season SU with the loss after opening as the 13.5-point underdogs.
Kawhi Records Rare Triple-Double Vs. Lakers
Triple-doubles don't grow on trees like they seemingly have for teammate Russell Westbrook, so when Kawhi Leonard notches one, it's a tad more noticeable.
Leonard finished with just the second triple-double of his career against the LeBron James-less Los Angeles Lakers, recording 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists while shooting 11-of-16 from the field in a 127-116 win for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Kawhi Leonard tallied a triple-double in the Clippers' Battle of LA win! #NBARivalsWeek
— NBA (@NBA) January 24, 2024
25 PTS
11 REB
10 AST
68% FG pic.twitter.com/Jo6Q4RI2DS
It was the Clippers' first win of the season SU against the Lakers after falling the first two times when James was able to suit up. The Clippers were the heavy 6.5-point favorites which grew to as much as 9.5 points versus the depleted Lakers, who are now 3-12 in their last 15 meetings with their rivals.
Pacers Remain Winless With Siakam
The recent trade to acquire Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors will surely pay dividends for the Indiana Pacers in the not-too-distant future.
Just not yet.
The Pacers fall to 0-3 (two of those defeats are without Tyrese Haliburton, mind you) since the trade went through after losing 114-109 to the Denver Nuggets at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Nikola Jokic led Denver with his league-best 13th triple-double of 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 dimes in 37 minutes of action.
Nikola Jokic says GOODNIGHT to Indiana Pacers 😴🎯
— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) January 24, 2024
pic.twitter.com/2Xlm6kbEFk
Jokic remains with +250 odds in the race for a third Most Valuable Player win. Joel Embiid still leads the way at +130 after recording 70 points on Monday night.
