Post Up: Harden Effect

Nets 96 (3-5), Knicks 110 (3-4)

Melo caught fire in the final five minutes of the third, scoring 14 points and hitting six straight shots, en route to a game-high 22 points for the game. Derrick Rose added 14 points in 22 minutes of play and was not pleased at this missed free throw (language NSFW):

https://vine.co/v/5jEBuQAgFjb

Celtics 93 (3-4), Wizards 118 (2-5)

Washington got their second win of the season, but the night didn’t feel all that victorious. Bradley Beal went down with yet another injury (this time, it’s his right hamstring). And then John Wall was ejected for the second time in as many games after he tackled Marcus Smart with 5:24 left in the fourth quarter.

https://vine.co/v/5j0btLYxttW

Otto Porter stepped up with the game of his life, contributing career highs in points (34) and boards (14).

Jazz 98 (5-4), Hornets 104 (6-1)

Charlotte is off to their best seven-game start in franchise history thanks to another gritty win and strong bench play. The Jazz were without George Hill, but Gordon Hayward, in just his second game back dropped a game-high 29 points on 10-19 shooting.

T-Wolves 123 (2-5), Magic 107 (3-5)

Zach LaVine scored 37 points and Andrew Wiggins added 29 as Minnesota snapped a three-game losing streak. Tyus Jones outplayed starting PG Kris Dunn for the second straight night, playing 31 minutes (to Dunn’s 17), scoring 10 points with 5 assists and 2 steals.

76ers 115 (0-7), Pacers 122 (4-4) (OT)

It looked like the Sixers would get their first win of the season when Dario Saric hit a 20-footer to give Philly a 106-100 lead with 1:35 left in regulation. But Indy went on a 7-0 run, and the game eventually went to overtime. As has been the case all season, Philly has been unable to finish games, and Wednesday’s game was a perfect example.

Bulls 107 (4-4), Hawks 115 (6-2)

Thabo Sefolosha continued his scorching hot play by scoring 18 points in his first 6 minutes on the court and shooting a perfect 7-7 FG, 2-2 3PT and 2-2 FT. Jimmy Butler finished with 39 points and 6 steals and Dwyane Wade had 25 and 5 steals for the Bulls, who have significantly cooled off since their 3-0 start.

Raptors 112 (5-2), Thunder 102 (6-2)

Two of the NBA’s hottest players, DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook, did not disappoint with 37- and 36-point performances, respectively. DeRozan had the more efficient night and also became the first player in 26 years to have six 30-point efforts in the first seven games of a season.

Pistons 100 (4-4), Suns 107 (3-6)

Eric Bledsoe nearly triple-doubled, and Alex Len added 16 points and 14 rebounds as Phoenix got the W for Tyson Chandler, whose mother had recently passed away.

Rockets 101 (5-3), Spurs 99 (5-3)

If James Harden wasn’t already the early MVP of the 2016-17 season, he became it on Wednesday after leading Houston to a big win over the Spurs. Harden also recorded his first triple-double of the season and fifth (!!!) game with 15-plus assists. He man is on pace to have a legendary season.

Blazers 80 (5-4), Clippers 111 (7-1)

The Clippers are looking like the juggernaut we all knew they could be. With a stifling defense and flowing offense, L.A. completely destroyed the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last season. Dame Lillard and CJ McCollum only managed 8 points apiece.

Mavs 95 (2-6), Warriors 116 (6-2)

The Warriors practically won the game before tipoff, with Dirk Nowitzki, Wes Matthews and Deron Williams out with injuries and JJ Barea and Andrew Bogut out for rest. Klay Thompson went straight to work, outscoring the entire Dallas team in the first quarter. Four players on the Warriors finished with at least 4 treys (Curry/Klay/KD/Draymond), marking the first time in history that four players on the same team made four three-pointers in a game.