NBA Week 7 2017-18 Season Review

Another week completed. 7 weeks of the NBA done, teams are now establishing their dominance. Here’s a review of the NBA Week 7.

News and events from NBA Week 7

In more worrying news for Los Angeles Clippers, Blake Griffin will be spending time on the side lines. The dynamic and talented forward was the main offence focal point of the team. He is expected to miss 2 months out.

Memphis Grizzlies have parted ways with Coach David Fizdale. The former Miami heat assistant coach saw his team go on an 8 match losing streak. He has been replaced by J.B Bickerstaff on an interim basis.

James ejected for the first time in 1,081 games. This happened on 28 November in a game against Miami Heat. The Cavaliers would still win the game.

LeBron James, in the Cavaliers game vs Atlanta passed Alex English in field goals made to move all time 10 in Field goals made. English had 10,659 made field goals. James, as of the end of the week stands at 10,676. The next 3 spots are within 300 field goals, so would be easy for him to break that record as well.

Derrick Rose is considering a return with the Cavaliers after taking time off for personal reasons. There was a chance that the former MVP will hang up his boots.

Select Match ups from NBA Week 7

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Philadelphia 76ers
Cavaliers 113 – 91 76ers

The Cavaliers beat the young 76ers for their 8 consecutive win as they have turned their season around. The Cavaliers were never troubled for the lead which was never relinquished after the end of the first quarter. LeBron James led the team with 30p-14r-6a-2b.  5 other cavaliers were in double digit scoring, with the bench contributing 57 points. Despite winning the team rebounding battle, the 76ers shot 37% from the field to the 47% of Cleveland. Embiid led the 76ers with 30p-11r.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Los Angeles Clippers
Lakers 115 – 120 Clippers

In a closely contested LA city match up, it was the Clippers who took their 2 win over the Lakers. The Clippers, having lost several key players inserted Lou Williams to the starting line up. He scored a massive 42 points. Blake Griffin and Austin Rivers had good all-round games with 26p-11r-6a and 19p-8r-6a respectively. The Lakers had a more balanced team effort, with 5 players scoring double digits. Kentavious Cladwell-Pope had a team high 29 points.

Detroit Pistons vs Boston Celtics
Pistons 118 – 108 Celtics

The Pistons continued to impress this season with a strong win over the Celtics. Tobias Harris had 31p-8r, while Andre Drummond had a monstrous 26p-22r performance. Avery Bradley and Reggie Jackson had 13 and 20 points respectively. 6 Celtics were in double digits, with Marcus Smart having a team high 23 points. Both teams were efficient at the field, but Boston were 12-21 from Free-throw line, while Detroit were 19-21.

Washington Wizards vs Philadelphia 76ers
Wizards 113 – 118 76ers

In the midst of a challenging week against the Eastern Conference elite, the 76ers took a vital win over the Wizards. Ben Simmons had a team high 31p with 14r to his name. Joel Embiid had 25p-14r-4b to his name, while Dario Saric had 24p-8r. Despite shooting 3-18 from 3-point range, the 76ers made 41-64 free throws (Simmons alone accounted for 29 of those attempts). The Wizards, playing without John Wall had resorted to Hack-a-simmons but it failed. Bradley Beal, Kelly Obure Jr and Jodie Meeks all scored 20+ points. The Wizards racked up 42 personal fouls and they lost the rebounding battle 35-64.

Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics
76ers 97 – 108 Celtics

The Celtics returned to winning ways with a strong with over Philadelphia. Irving exploded with 36 points as 3 other Celtics added at least 15 points each. The Celtics were shooting 50% from the field and 41% from 3-point range. Embiid was not risked, as a balanced team attack saw 6 players score in double digits. Ben Simmons 15p-6r-7a-5s. Despite being 50% from 3-point range, the 76ers overall shot just 40% from the field

Upset of NBA Week 7

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Orlando Magic
Thunder 108 – 121 Magic

When 3 in their prime all-stars lose to a team on an 8 game losing streak? That’s a low point. Aaron Gordon exploded with 40p-15r-4a-4s with 3 other members of the team scoring 15 or more points. Despite strong performances from Russell Westbrook (37p-11r-5a-5s), Paul George (22p-5r-5a), the Thunder were not able to shoot the ball as well as their opponents. This was a loss that had followed a disastrous defeat to the Mavericks.

While you’r at it, check out the Week 6 review.