# NBA 2019-2020 Season **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [September 23, 2019, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732 "2019-09-23T23:58:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732/63 "2019-11-14T15:14:16Z")
In other news in Houston, the Rockets held the Clippers to under 40 percent shooting and under 100 points, in a 102-93 win. Harden ended up with 47, 7 assists, and 6 boards. Doc Rivers got thrown out of the game, late in the 4th, to the delight of his son, who was pantomiming that the referees should give Doc a technical foul. [Clippers vs. Rockets - NBA Game Recap - November 13, 2019 | ESPN](https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401160799) The defense has much improved, even with Danuel House not playing due to a back injury. Rockets center, Clint Capela, exited the game after a hard blow to the head by JaMychal Green, but not before pulling down 20 rebounds. The thought is Capela has some form of facial fracture. Great win for Houston. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732/64 "2019-11-14T16:53:05Z")
Back in the 80s, it was apparently common for NBA starters to play 32-37 minutes a game, and later, Iverson was notable for playing 42 minutes a game. With “load management” and bigger egos and salaries, these numbers are down. So it amazes me when a guy like VanVleet plays 45 minutes a game or more, due to injured teammates. Because he still runs all over the place, steals the ball, makes key plays and throws the ball at the net. In the fourth quarter against the Clippers (who I am happy to see beaten), VanVleet looked exhausted and did everything but put the ball in the net. He had no problem doing that yesterday. Siakam and the depth of the Raptors bench amazes me. If Nurse deserves the credit, I don’t know how he does it. With what I know, I wondered if it was a mistake to trade Jonas and DeMar. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732/65 "2019-11-14T17:18:20Z")
And they kept Kawai to twelve points too. I like [538.com](http://538.com), which gives the Raptors a 2% chance of repeating. It probably is higher, and probably isn’t much higher — a lot of good teams out there, and some surprises. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732/66 "2019-11-14T17:18:49Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Well, you called it. Lillard had nine points all night; Fred VanVleet choked him to death. Fred put on a defensive clinic. > > Nick Nurse is the best coach in the NBA. He’s rolling guys out there who I think had bought tickets to the game and were called down from the stands and given souvenir jerseys. Particularly striking was that he started Malcolm Miller, who proceeded to play seven of the worst minutes you could possibly imagine; Miller would have been outclassed in a WNBA game. Most coaches would have rolled with Miller longer, figuring he’d do something a maybe snap out of it. Nurse promptly benched him and he didn’t see the floor again; “I need to pretend I didn’t make a mistake” is not a Nick Nurse thing to say. Instead he gave minutes to the wonderfully named Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, whose name starts at the bottom of his uniform number and wraps all the way around; Rondae was fantastic. He also got 30 sensational minutes out of Terence Davis, an undrafted rookie no one has heard of but who did everything on both ends of the floor. To their credit, other players stepped up. Hood had a standout game, Simons continues to impress, and Bazemore is great defender. If the coaches can make Hezonia understand that not every play involves him dribbling into dense traffic and losing the ball, he could also be a standout. I like Little’s energy and fearlessness. For him to get a start last night as a rookie speaks volumes. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732/67 "2019-11-14T18:27:30Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > And they kept Kawai to twelve points too. I like [538.com](http://538.com), which gives the Raptors a 2% chance of repeating. It probably is higher, and probably isn’t much higher — a lot of good teams out there, and some surprises. I mean, there’s 30 teams. If you just assigned players randomly to everyone, your odds are 3.3%. So I’m not sure if 2% is insulting or not. (Actually, they now have them at just 1%.) I think it fair to say the NBA is remarkably top heavy, with a very high portion of the odds assigned to a small number of teams, unlike MLB or the NHL, where it’s much harder to predict the eventual champion. In the NHL, few teams have no chance at all; no one expected the Blues to win last year. By comparison, in the NBA most people will tell you at the beginning of the year than between four to six teams have a realistic shot, and they’re almost always correct. Anyway, right now here’s how 538 has the top nine Bucks - 34% Clippers - 27% Sixers - 16% Lakers - 6% Rockets - 5% Jazz - 3% Celtics - 3% Nuggets - 2% Raptors - 1% That adds up to 97 percent; the other 21 teams all combine for just 3%, all listed at “\<1%.” I think anyone would agree the odds of the Knicks winning it all are whatever the odds are that all other 29 teams will be killed in plane crashes or kidnapped by bank robbers; it is just incomprehensible that any normal sports events could take place that would cause the Knicks to win the title. What are their odds, a million to one? No baseball team or hockey team is that bad. As to whether this is fair to the Raptors, I don’t know, and given how high 538 is on the Sixers right now and less high on the Celtics I assume this is mostly determined by preseason expectations, not by how the season has actually gone. Well… actually, having said that, I have to think 1% is just too low. If Nate Silver offered me 98-to-1 on the Raptors to win it all, I would take that bet in a heartbeat. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2019, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732/68 "2019-11-15T00:18:24Z")
There is a huge difference when you compare Raptors under their new system and the old Elo system which looks at strength of competition and point difference, but wouldn’t have direct player ratings for guys like Rondae who are third string. Based on current play, it seems they call for the Raptors to win 60 games with a 21% chance at repeating. Since some betting sites offer 40:1 odds, it might be worthwhile. But I don’t know the best sites or legality of doing that in Canada? ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2019, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732/69 "2019-11-15T14:13:39Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > To their credit, other players stepped up. Hood had a standout game, Simons continues to impress, and Bazemore is great defender. If the coaches can make Hezonia understand that not every play involves him dribbling into dense traffic and losing the ball, he could also be a standout. I like Little’s energy and fearlessness. For him to get a start last night as a rookie speaks volumes. I had faith in the Blazers—they’re a plucky team, Dame’ is tremendous, and in the East they’re an easy playoff team. And then they do this: [Blazers sign Carmelo Anthony to deal.](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28082614/sources-blazers-signing-carmelo-anthony-non-guaranteed-deal) Yes, it’s non-guaranteed, but why do that to your locker room to begin with? ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2019, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732/70 "2019-11-15T14:50:46Z")
Portland is a plucky team, and Hood against the Raptors reminded me of Curry. They’ll make the playoffs, maybe go far. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2019, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732/71 "2019-11-15T15:08:32Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > I had faith in the Blazers—they’re a plucky team, Dame’ is tremendous, and in the East they’re an easy playoff team. And then they do this: [Blazers sign Carmelo Anthony to deal.](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28082614/sources-blazers-signing-carmelo-anthony-non-guaranteed-deal) Yes, it’s non-guaranteed, but why do that to your locker room to begin with? That’s a bit of a shocker, but Portland desperately needs another power forward with some talent. One of the great things about Portland’s coaching staff (and the team in general) is their ability to quash egos. If it’s all about you, you won’t get much court time, or you’ll find yourself on the trading block. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2019, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732/72 "2019-11-15T16:27:28Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > That’s a bit of a shocker, but Portland desperately needs another power forward with some talent. One of the great things about Portland’s coaching staff (and the team in general) is their ability to quash egos. If it’s all about you, you won’t get much court time, or you’ll find yourself on the trading block. Agreed you guys can use a good 4. So can the Rockets. 'Melo isn’t it at this point in his career. From someone who watched the debacle of his play with the Rockets last year, it’s not his play on the court that’s the problem. It’s that, for whatever reason, when Anthony was involved with the team, the Rockets’ other players were much worse than their historic norms, in pretty much all of the statistical areas. That happened whether Melo was part of the five on the court, or sitting on the bench. It didn’t stop until Anthony was put out to pasture, and then magically (though hiring back Coach B helped too), all of the other Rockets’ players figured out how to shoot, rebound, and pass again. Maybe your coaching staff will get him to not bring everyone else down? Let’s hope so. Well, except for games you all are playing Houston. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2019, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732/73 "2019-11-16T03:25:43Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > Agreed you guys can use a good 4. So can the Rockets. 'Melo isn’t it at this point in his career. > > From someone who watched the debacle of his play with the Rockets last year, it’s not his play on the court that’s the problem. It’s that, for whatever reason, when Anthony was involved with the team, the Rockets’ other players were much worse than their historic norms, in pretty much all of the statistical areas. That happened whether Melo was part of the five on the court, or sitting on the bench. It didn’t stop until Anthony was put out to pasture, and then magically (though hiring back Coach B helped too), all of the other Rockets’ players figured out how to shoot, rebound, and pass again. > > Maybe your coaching staff will get him to not bring everyone else down? Let’s hope so. Well, except for games you all are playing Houston. The driving force on the Blazers team is Lillard. He is the team captain, the mentor, the voice of reason, and the peace maker. If Anthony butts heads with him, the rest of the team will shut him out. The article I read today quoted Anthony as saying he needed time away from the game, as his head wasn’t in it, so we’ll see what happens. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2019, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732/74 "2019-11-17T14:56:21Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Bradley Beal is going to have to stand on his head every night for them to even be in the game. To his credit, Beal is doing it. Second consecutive 44-point game, the second time in a win. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2019, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732/75 "2019-11-17T15:17:16Z")
Despite their best efforts to blow another one, POR managed to squeak out a win over the Spurs after blowing a 21 point lead. Lillard is still in a 3-point slump (1-9), with 13 of his 22 points coming from the line. This should have been one of the easier games for this long road trip. Looks like Carmelo will be on board by Tuesday, but I’m not holding out much hope there. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2019, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732/76 "2019-11-17T15:23:50Z")
The Raptors played a mediocre game against the Mavericks. Siakam kept turning over the ball and was largely shut down by some great defending. Still think the Raptors will go far, but they need their injured stars back on the court. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732/77 "2019-11-18T14:38:27Z")
Yeah, they fell apart inthe second half. They looked tired. A 3-2 road trip while missing Kyle and Serge is just fine. Lowry is out another couple of weeks; fortunately, they’re home for most of that time. It’s fun to watch Fred VanVleet and Norm Powell and all that but the importance of Kyle Lowry to the Raptors is massive. He is underrated, in my opinion, and the guy makes the All Star team every year so that’s saying a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2019, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732/78 "2019-11-19T03:49:30Z")
Raptors sure looked good against the Hornets though. Even their fourth string players, once they were thirty points ahead. The team had forty assists and were passing all over the place. I gotta think the Elo score on 538 is more accurate; I’d give ‘em a ten percent chance of repeating. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2019, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732/79 "2019-11-19T21:39:03Z")
POR got creamed by HOU, with another dismal performance by their all-star. Again, a decent first half and a rout in the second. I’m now wondering if Lillard has a low grade injury that he’s not revealing. Pretty sure I saw him grimacing during play. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2019, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732/80 "2019-11-21T15:06:36Z")
Didn’t see much of the Raptors-Magic game, but sounded uninspiring. Instead, enjoyed the Celtics play the LA home team Clippers. I was curious since the Celtics are 11-2 but have been said to have one of the easiest regular schedules. Bookies favoured LA by 5-15 points. And for most of the game, it was super close. Indeed, it went into overtime before LA consistently outplayed Boston. Could have gone either way. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2019, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732/81 "2019-11-21T16:48:03Z")
I’m visiting my parents in Dallas. When I am here we usually go to as many Stars games as possible. Last night we happened to go to the Mavs game. I was curious to see if the hype around Luka Doncic was for real. And holy crap did the kid ever deliver. He had 35 points and a triple double in about 25 minutes. There was a point in the game where he alone was at, I want to say 30 points and the Warriors as a whole had 31. What a talent. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2019, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732/82 "2019-11-21T19:48:18Z")
Turns out I was right about Lillard having a problem (back spasms). They of course lost to NO and now go on to get stomped by Milwaukee tonight, which will drop them to 5-11. At least I get pizza. Maybe they can beat Cleveland? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-2019-2020-season/840732.md?page=5)