If Anthony Davis (questionable, right hip) plays tonight in Boston against the Celtics, he could score 70 points since Al Horford and Aron Baynes are out. That would make him the winner of the “Who Can Top Kemba Walker’s 61-point Night?” contest.
But more importantly, Davis going for big numbers in Boston could be something we see for years to come.
Danny Ainge has coveted the New Orleans Pelicans big man ever since he was a one-and-done starter at Kentucky. And as GetMoreSports.com reported earlier this year, the teams that Davis would play for is a trade were to be made are the Celtics, Knicks, Lakers and Sixers.
Over the next month and a half, the determining factor on what happens and when will be the performance of the Pelicans, who enter the week sitting in 10th place in the Western Conference with a .500 record (12-12).
Not much has changed since this Website first reported the five possible next landing zones for Davis should he be traded. He has two years plus a player option remaining on his contract, so he won’t be going anywhere unless the Pelicans agree to it.
At the same time, if the season plays out with the Celtics underachieving (although they enter tonight with a five-game winning streak after being 10-10), Ainge will have to rethink whether he has what it takes to get past the much-improved Sixers, Bucks and Raptors in this season’s Eastern Conference playoffs.
Four years ago in Barcelona, Spain during the Basketball World Cup (once known as the World Championship), Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim and this author were sitting on the bench watching the team practice when Boeheim pointed at Davis and said: “Look at him. He is going to be the best player in the NBA in five years.”
Nobody knew much about Giannis Antetokounmpo at the time, and whether the MVP frontrunner will remain in that position is an open question.
But it is well chronicled how Davis went through a growth spurt in high school after developing the skills of a point guard, and he is now (apologies to Nikola Jokic) the most versatile big man in the NBA who does not have issues (see Embiid, Joel) about a reduced role over the past couple of weeks.
The over/under on Davis’ points tonight is a mere 25.5, and with the Celtics playing without their two best big men, that number should probably be surpassed by halftime. The over/under on points for both Jrue Holiday and Jayson Tatum is 20.5, and Terry Rozier has an over/under of 16.5 with Kyrie Irving missing ther game because of shoulder stiffness.
Despite all of their injuries, the Celtics are 5 1/2-point favorites — something that is explainable by someone in the company above my pay grade.
Boston began its five-game winning streak with a 7-point victory at New Orleans, which was followed by victories over Cleveland, Minnesota, New York and Chicago.
New Orleans has alternated wins and losses for the past seven games following a four-game losing streak, so tonight could be a litmus test of just how dominating they can be when facing an opponent decimated by injuries (The Celtics called up G-Leaguer Robert Williams for tonight’s contest, and he and Daniel Theis should find themselves on a number of AD dunking posters by the time the night is over.)
Quite honestly, the Celtics giving points makes no sense to this writer. Do with that information what you wish.
As for Davis, keep an eye out for what hew says and does tonight at the “Gah-den.” The speculation about his future is not going to end any time soon, and what we see tonight — Davis dominating in Boston — is very possibly the first of many nights in which he’ll light up the scoreboard above North Station.
A few other notables on tonight’s 11-game slate:
- Blake Griffin is getting a rest night vs. Detroit, and the line is now Sixers -11 after opening at -7. The last time these teams met, Joel Embiid took particular pleasure in dominating Andre Drummond, so take that into consideration when looking at the over/under on Drummond’s points 19.5).
- The over/under on Jimmy Butler’s points is 20.5.
_ Indiana is favored by 6 against Washington with John Wall out coming off a career-low one-point performance.
_ Oklahoma City (a half-game behind Golden State for first place in the Western Conference) is a 5-point favorite at home over Utah, which is coming off an embarrassing loss Sunday night at San Antonio and has not been above .500 since Nov. 6.
_ Coming off their team meeting-slash-revolt against new coach Jim Boylen, the Bulls are getting just two points against the Sacramento Kings. Seems the line should be a little bit higher considering they lost by 56 points in their last outing, but again: That is above my pay grade.
_ LeBron James has another reunion game against the Miami Heat, and the over/under on his points is 28 1/2. This will be the last time be competes against Dwyane Wade.
Enjoy the games tonight, folks.
And good luck.
