Start 5, February 1: Tatum Calls Game, Wemby & Giannis Duel and Lakers-Knicks tonight at ABC

On By Littum

A clutch 2 For number 0, with 0.2 back – and a large Celtics dub.

Catch up On a wild Friday night here, with Lakers @ Knicks on MSG on the way tonight (8:30 EN, ABC).

5 stories in today’s edition
February 1, 2025

New York Heart: The driving forces behind Knicks’ tall scoring stroke, ahead tonight at ABC

The king of MSG: Inside Lebron’s historical numbers and iconic moments at Mecca

All-Stars deliver: A big shot in Big Easy, Jokics Sene Heroik and a Wemby-Giannis Duel

ROUNDUP: Cade Cooks, Harden joins Rare Company, KD & Book Eye Mileste and More

LP Spotlight: A stacked slate with MVP -Frontrunners & New Superstars

But first …
A full day of brace on February 1st …

Box Office Basketball: Saturday’s SKIFER on 9 games has a primetime showdown on MSG, where LeBron James and Lakers take Knicks aiming for a sixth straight victory (8:30 ET, ABC).

Today’s reader: Espn on Players glowing about KD on the road to 30k … Nba.com talking with Ryan Hollins on Why he is not shocked over the rise of amen Thompson.

1. Rising troops collide on ABC: Knicks vs. Lakers tonight

A game left Of Nuggets for 4th place in the West and a win shy for their first 8-2 season stretch, Lakers goes into Saturday and play some of their best ball on 2024-25.

Knicks Run into Saturday on a five-game heater, only 1.5 games left on Celtics for 2nd place in the east-a spot Boston has held since October.

Tonight at ABC These two hot stripes collide by MSG (8:30 EN).

Big Apple Buckets: In their last three excursions, Knicks has a total of 408 points (122, 143, 143)-mostly across a three-game stretch in the franchise history.

The catalysts? Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Townsde first Knicks, both of whom were appointed All-Star starters in the same season since Walt Frazier & Earl Monroe (1974-75).

  • Combination to 50.5 ppg, Brunson (25.9) and cities (24.6) are in the process of becoming the first Knick’s tandem for average 50+ points in a season since Willie Naulls and Richie Guerin in 1961-62
  • Their key to success? Works inside as Brunson ranks 2. In NBA in the drive this season (18.8 per match) and 4th in PPG Off -drive (11.9)
  • Cat, Meanwhile, 9 ranks in points in the paint with 13.0 ppg – most since his second NBA season
  • The result? Closer-and-cleaner-ers out as New York ranks 4. In made 2-point field dimensions (30.6) and 2. In 2-point fg% (57.1)

While brunson and cities The leading charge is Knicks’ potent violation equally driven by their relentless supportive role crew, who thrives on transforming Hustle playing into hard deserved points.

  • Violation of Defense: New York ranks 24. In tempo but capitalizes its opportunities to run better than almost anyone, ranking 3. In PPG OFF revenue (20.0)
  • Creating chaos: The caused turnover stems from three elite defenders – Josh Hart, and Anunoby and Mikal Bridges – who lead the team in stealing respectively
  • “I think we’re best When we get revenue, ”Kat said earlier this week. “And we have what translates to our offense.”

New York’s Start 5 by Brunson, Bridges, Hart, Anunoby and Towns lead all five-man units in the scoring with 47.7 ppg when they are Everyone on the floor together (my 5 GP). Many of these points come from extra belongings earned by Hart.

  • All the heart: Hart (Listed as Doubtful for Tonight) shines on the glass and ranks 2. In offensive rebounds among guards (105), resulting in 14.3 ppg in the second chance for New York
  • All efforts: He is also restored 57 loose balls this season, 12 more than the next closest player
  • Results of Allround: Hart went into 2024-25 with six career-tripling doubles. Through 47 games this season he has six more. In these excursions Knicks are 6-0
  • “I think Josh Hart is the heart and soul of this team, ”cities said earlier this week. “There is so much more that he does that does not come up on the state.”

2. LeBron takes the center of MSG

For LakersThere will be without all-star center Anthony Davis (stomach), LA will look at a familiar face to lead the road.

One that has done something of his best work at the world’s most famous arena.

For two decades now, NBA-leading goal scorer LeBron James has delivered to MSG and leaves fans of both teams in awe.

Can he deliver again Tonight to help keep Lakers’ Hot Streak going?

  • The King of Msg: In 30 career season matches at “The Mecca” James has an average of 28.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 7.4 assists
  • No other player in the NBA storyWhether it is to play for Knicks or an opponent, has average of 28/6/6 on msg
  • James have done that In the course of 21 seasons

Next to his hitherto unseen Average in the garden is a record of 22-8 and totals everywhere showing his legendary all-round games.

And lebron’s msg legacy Isn’t just about numbers-it’s built in almost a quarter of a century with show-stop moments, from 50-pieces to sky-high tomahawks.

Before he takes the floor Tonight (8:30 AM, ABC), let’s relive some of his most iconic plays at one of Basketball’s most iconic venues.

2009: One year after hanging 50 on MSG, a 24-year-old lebron took it up a notch and fell 52 with his raw athletics on full view.

2013: At the top of his powers, James submits a dagger vs. New York with a vintage steal and sludge. Hangtime, strength, flair …

2015: And how about breaking down guards before flying up and around big for a casual dual clutch finish?

In its latest chapter What does the king want to wait for the world’s most famous arena?

3. Tatum & Jokić Live In Crunch Time, Wemby & Giannis Duel

In two epic Friday endings, Two superstars with championship -DNA came up on the clutch.

Celtics 118, Pelicans 116: In a back and forth match containing zero double -digit leads, New Orleans’ CJ McCollum spiked a Floater with 24 seconds left to tie the game.

But then Jayson Tatum called Play, spray one Fadeaway Jumper with 0.2 Ticks left To lift the defense masters over fur in exciting way. | Summary

  • JT & JB: Tatum (27 points, 10 ast) and Jaylen Brown (28 points) combined to 55 points to overcome 40 from Trey Murphy III
  • 25 x 2 = 90: It’s the 90th time that Tatum and Brown have scored 25+ points in the same game, the 4th most of any duo in the NBA story
  • The only duos over them? Elgin Baylor & Jerry West (210 games), KD & Russ (124), Shaq & Kobe (114) and Cliff Hagan & Bob Pettit (114)

Cold blood: Tatum is now hit Two last seconds game winners This season, the most in the NBA – added his resume as one of the top closers in the game.

  • No fear: Since the 2019-20 season, Tatum has hit Eight game -winning shots In the last five seconds of a game (plain season and playoffs)
  • His eight game winners In the last five seconds they are most of any player in that time, followed by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (6), Luka Dončić (5) and yes morant (5)
  • “Hard shot. That’s what we needed, ”Brown said of Tatum’s winner. “Big-time players playing big-time act.”

Nuggets 137, 76ers 134: In his second 40-piece in the last three games, Tyrese Maxey shone with 42 points and 9 dimes to give Sixers a late lead.

But Nikola Jokić would not be denied, score 8 points in the last minuteIncluding the decisive bucket of 13 seconds back to power Denver past Philly. | Summary

  • Denver Duo: Jokić finished a table shy for a triple-double (28 points, 9 ropes, 13 ast), while Jamal Murray added 31 points and 11 assists to click Denver’s three-game
  • To the maximum: It was Maxey’s 13. Straight match with 25+ points joining Joel Embiid (5x), Allen Iverson (4x) and Wilt Chamberlain as the only Sixers that detect such a stripe
  • Games respect the game: But Maxey says all eyes should be at Jokić: “Everyone needs to be aware of what he’s doing … as a fan of basketball, you really need to cherish these moments.”

In a showdown Between the Greek freak and the stranger, both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Victor Wembanyama highlighted their other worldwide talents.

Spurs 144, Bucks 118: With a historic state line of 30 points, 14 boards, 6 blocks and 5 Treys, Wemby Spurs burned to a 74-47 2nd half when San Antonio pulled, 6 ast). | Summary

  • Unicorns: In the victory, Wemby joined Kristaps Porziņģis as the only NBA players to ever record two matches of 30+ points, 10+ rebounds, 5+ blocks and 5+ 3s

4. Cade Cooks, Harden ends up to Rare Company, KD & Book near Mileste

One day After being named his first All-Star game, Cade Cunningham went off the floor of Detroit for a shower of ‘MVP’ song.

Pistons 117, Mavericks 102: Cunningham needed only three 3s to hang one Season high 40 pointsto go 17-of-30 from the floor (56.7%) to lead the stamps past Kyrie Irving (28 points) and Mavs, stop Detroit’s three-game-yours. | Summary

  • “He has a good understanding At the moment, ”JB Bickerstaff said on Cade after the victory. “To be voted like an all-star and then come out and have this performance-it is points Previst.”

Clippers 112, Hornets 104: Norman Powell (27) and Kawhi Leonard (21) led LA in the scoring, while James Harden spoke 14 points and 10 assists and eclipsed 8,000 careers -Dimes along the way as the rocks exceeded the short -haired Hornets. | Summary

  • Historical Tempo: Harden, who played in his 1,117 -career game, passed LeBron James (1,121) as the second fastest player reaching 26k Point, 8K Assists and 6K Rebounds
  • The fastest player to do it? Oscar Robertson (983 games)

Suns 130, Warriors 105: Devin Booker (31), Bradley Beal (21) and Kevin Durant (19) poured into 71 when Suns stretched an 11-point lead at half into a 25-point dub and held Steph Curry for 14 points. | Summary

  • Star assignments: Booker is now 60 points shy to break the franchise scoring record (15,666), while KD is 75 away from joining 30,000 Career Points Club

Bulls 122, Raptors 106: Coby White scored a game-high 25 points, while Nikola Vučević added a double-double (21 points, 12 ropes) to top Raptors and snapped Toronto’s season-best five-game victory. | Summary

5. Saturday at League Pass: KIA MVP candidates and All-Stars in action

While lakers and knicks Take the center of ABC (8:30 ET), eight games are underway on League Pass with the top two KIA MVP -ladder Leaders and a number of All-Stars.

Kings by Thunder (8 ET): Fresh from a 52-ball, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander closed January an average of 35.6 ppg-the third highest scoring month for any player since January 2020 (min. 13 GP).

Now at the top of the MVP ladder What does Shai want to wait for Sacramento to tilt February?

  • Number to know: Included two 50 pieces, SGA is an average of 39.8 ppg in its last six excursions. In the six games he has only made 10 a total of 3s

Nuggets on Hornets (7 ET): With 21 Triple-Doubles through Nuggets’ first 48 games, Nikola Jokić is underway in 35 this season, which would be the 4th most in a single campaign-despite missing six games.

Tonight, The reigning MVP will aim to keep its blistering pace going as Denver visits Charlotte.

  • Defense Dissertor: Apparently always one step ahead, Joker reads the defense as a chess master. His latest trick? A ‘Never-Look Pass’ that sweeps the Internet …

Hawks on Pacers (5 ET): No team has sent a higher victory percentage than Pacers since the new year, as Indy has gone 10-2, led by Tyrese Haliburton and recently named All-Star Pascal Siakam.

To open the shifter of the day, They are facing Trae Young and Hawks who want to finish a seasonal 7-game-yours.

Heat at Spurs (8:30 ET): When we talk about All-Stars, two first-time elections will go head-to-head tonight as Victor Wembanyama and Spurs host Tyler Herro and The Heat.

Four more games Get started all night, uncovered by a matchup between Suns and Blazers (10 ET), with history on the horizon of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.

  • Magic at jazz (5 et)
  • Nets on Rockets (8 et)
  • Wizards on Wolves (8 et)