Scrimmage Game #1:
Memphis Grizzlies 128 | Miami Heat 110
The Grizzlies closed out their scrimmage schedule in dominating fashion. They pounded the Heat the right from the tip, unloading 41 points in the first quarter.
Seven Grizzlies scored in double figures, including all five starters. Dillon Brooks had a game-high 23 points on 8-for-12 shooting, while Ja Morant posted a double-double of 22 points and 12 assists.
The bubble debut of Bam Adebayo and Kendrick Nunn didn’t do much for the Heat. The team shot just 42.9% and turned the ball over 18 times.
Scrimmage Game #2:
Phoenix Suns 117 | Toronto Raptors 106
Like the Grizzlies, the Suns had an encouraging finale to the scrimmage games. It’s always good to edge out a defending champion, especially if it’s paired with firing away 18 three-pointers.
Mikal Bridges was superb for Phoenix, scoring a game-high 26 on an efficient 10-for-12 shooting. Ricky Rubio followed suit with 22 points, four assists, and four steals. The two, plus rookie Cameron Johnson, each had four treys apiece.
The Raptors got a good out of Pascal Siakam (17 pts), but they were all quite sloppy the ball, committing 28 turnovers.
Scrimmage Game #3:
San Antonio Spurs 118 | Indiana Pacers 111
The Spurs showcased classic Spurs basketball by showing off a balanced attack. They need to stay in that rhythm as they are in danger of breaking the franchise’s historic playoff streak.
Rudy Gay turned back the clock by tallying a game-high 23 points in just 21 minutes. Big, long-armed guard Dejounte Murray had another all-around line (12 pts, 8 rebs, 6 ast), while rookie Keldon Johnson scored 21 and went 7-for-8 from the floor.
Two Pacers went four a double-double – Myles Turner (17 pts, 10 rebs) and TJ McConnel (12 pts, 11 ast) – but San Antonio was simply clicking.
Scrimmage Game #4:
Oklahoma City Thunder 131 | Portland Trail Blazers 120
Known mostly for their defense, the Thunder burned the Blazers with a good ol’ quick-trigger attack on offense. Seven guys had 10 or more points, five of which came from the second unit.
Darius Bazley’s 20 points paced OKC, and through the bevy of other solid performances, the team ended up shooting 51.7% from the field. It includes an eye-popping 20-for-40 shooting from beyond the arc.
Portland’s second-year guard Anfernee Simons had 23 points and led all scorers, while co-youngster Gary Trent Jr. added 19. In the end, though, the absence of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum crippled the team’s chances of keeping up.
Scrimmage Game #5:
Houston Rockets 137 | Boston Celtics 112
Another day, another explosive Rockets performance. They again fronted the lethal scoring James Harden and their relentless focus on threes (finished 23-for-57).
After putting up 31 earlier this week, The Beard ramped things up today by 30 in just in the first half. He finished with 35 to go along eight rebounds, six assists, and eight three-pointers. Russell Westbrook was all over the floor as well – 19 points, eight boards, six dimes.
The Celtics were pretty pedestrian and the lone highlight was 5’11 Carsen Edwards shocking everyone with a poster dunk. He had a team-high 19 points too.
Scrimmage Game #6:
(OT) Dallas Mavericks 118 | Philadelphia 76ers 115
The Mavericks and the Sixers provided a good finale for the scrimmage games as the back-and-forth bled into an extra frame. Dallas came away with a win through poised play and clutch shooting.
Mavs stars Luka Doncic (23 pts, 7 rebs, 6 ast) and Kristaps Porzingis (17 pts, 12 rebs) produced their usual numbers, and veteran guard JJ Barea provided clutch baskets and playmaking in the fourth quarter and overtime to help push Dallas.
Sixers All-Star big man Joel Embiid (calf) is still out, and Ben Simmons (4 pts, 2/10 FGs) was quiet in 19 minutes, so they were led by Tobias Harris (28 pts, 11 rebs). Rookie Matisse Thybulle, who’s also become a fan favorite thanks to his Vlogs, chipped in 14 points and three steals.
