One of the rare regular-season NBA games that rise to the level of must-see was played last night. With the top four seeds in the Eastern Conference still in doubt, the meeting between the two teams in Philadelphia had some meaning. It was a classic, as much as any regular-season game can be. Statement games don't take place before the playoffs, but this one certainly wasn't empty.
Antetokounmpo put on a performance that only cements his previousMVPs, with 40 points, 14 rebound, and six assists, as the Bucks defeated the Raptors 118-116. He had two of those moments that only he can provide. The full court drive for a dunk only requires four steps.
Or a game-clinching block on the future Most Valuable Player, Joel Embiid.
The reaction time and explosion is simply amazing. Two of the best teams in the league played each other for 48 minutes, changing the landscape of the conference for a night.
You didn't see it unless you lived in Philadelphia or Milwaukee. If you're interested in seeing what it's like to be in a basketball uniform, you'll want to watch the Lakers game on national TV. The Lakers were terrible, trailing by 26 at the half before a death rattle in the 4th got them to within 18 for a 128-110 loss to the Mavs. The Lakers are the only team in sports that wants to be playing less than people want to watch, and no one wants to watch them. They have been able to limbo under that bar.
They've been to ABC Saturday night games before. They show up on both networks. sludge comes out of your TV when they do. People might get a kick out of watching their teammates vomit up their organs as they slip out of the playoffs. It's far too much of a pain for the benefits of moving to L.A., which is why they enjoy seeing the realization that 95 percent of anyone who moves to L.A. comes to. Basketball fans, perhaps more than any other, enjoy good basketball. The two teams were giving that.
I have been on the other side of this. The Hawks were put on national TV regularly by the NHL's broadcasters after they turned into a suck fest. We didn't want them to be as well, so less would know about our shame. Hockey fans are the most parochial, so large followings like the Hawks meant better ratings. Hockey fans are more aware of the league-wide stories and trends than Hoops fans are.
In the words of Local H, please no more California songs on our TVs.
Europe secured two of its remaining spots, and both Africa and South America wrapped up their qualification for the World Cup yesterday. The biggest moment was the 124th-minute winner by Cameroon in Algeria, which knocked Algeria out of the World Cup and propelled them into it.
Algeria scored in the 114th minute to take a 2-1 lead on the night, but they were only able to hold on for a 2-2 draw.
World Cup defeats or hard exits are the worst because teams and players have to sit on it for four years, with no chance of getting back then. Algeria will be watching this goal until they can try again, and if they succeed, they will still be watching it. Ask Italy about Jorginho's missed penalty and the fact that Italy failed to score over 180 minutes against Sweden four years ago. These scars never heal.
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