{"id":383219,"date":"2025-11-16T15:22:32","date_gmt":"2025-11-16T15:22:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/383219\/"},"modified":"2025-11-16T15:22:32","modified_gmt":"2025-11-16T15:22:32","slug":"starting-5-luka-outduels-giannis-sga-okc-strike-again-jokic-nuggets-extend-streak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/383219\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting 5: Luka Outduels Giannis, SGA &#038; OKC Strike Again, Joki\u0107 &#038; Nuggets Extend Streak"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.nba.com\/manage\/2024\/12\/STARTING5-ACTION-FINAL-HEADER-768x222-5.avif\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Kia MVP candidates<\/strong> were everywhere Saturday, doing what they do best.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Including another smooth 30<\/strong>\u00a0from Shai\u00a0\u2014\u00a0this time with a little history added.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Shai Gilgeous-Alexander\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/original.gif\" alt=\"Shai Gilgeous-Alexander\" width=\"560\" height=\"auto\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Nov. 16, 2025<\/p>\n<p><strong>Luka Magic:<\/strong> Back-to-backs, Bucks and MVP competition can\u2019t stop him<\/p>\n<p><strong>West\u2019s Best:<\/strong> Shai sparks OKC to its 13th dub, Joki\u0107 &amp; Nuggets extend win streak to 7<\/p>\n<p><strong>East Climb:<\/strong> Spida delivers down the stretch, Raptors remain red-hot<\/p>\n<p><strong>Strength vs. Strength:<\/strong> Houston\u2019s sizzling offense meets Orlando\u2019s elite defense<\/p>\n<p><strong>Heat Check:<\/strong> Curry aims to extend scoring streak, and six more Sunday tips<\/p>\n<p>A full afternoon of action\u2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Scores &amp; Schedule\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1763306537_322_original.jpg\" alt=\"Scores &amp; Schedule\" width=\"560\" height=\"auto\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Seven-plus hours<\/strong> of hoops get underway today on League Pass, beginning with James Harden and the Clippers visiting Jaylen Brown and the Celtics (<a href=\"https:\/\/ablink.email.nba.com\/ss\/c\/u001.fU_tQ3ryLfvcyfv2oQYkvoxI96BN6QALpSS8kPjK0Nmv7VsZXMCiSGmEFvqnKO4Ixi6_tye5MAySCFoK6pkf1kbPVQOe7vCjHxfZbkAZf_Q\/4ln\/9mNA2UfATua1VVuddwKM7A\/h17\/h001.2dOGlzgSNlfu4LURDU9x6eqlyhZ9k1IqA9Itr3SL4UA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">3:30 ET<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/ablink.email.nba.com\/ss\/c\/u001.fU_tQ3ryLfvcyfv2oQYkvvGms-JX-7t-MQpNcSdIHIzgX0K4F0QPtTUsNFEYEVo3gndsl8yPPFy-m4qAaNWwEp2dAqDyp54tU6KMVaY16ZsbKzWTjAYFpDyeNcEB6TdUkXnHHLt5x2co_WWewqpkmV4rVEWhDhkUewsPKB67KhmzJoGSTJu7dFW0tcpij9nB\/4ln\/9mNA2UfATua1VVuddwKM7A\/h18\/h001.HkzctpG6ItfBRFMjHPaay8idi6VN73oXfQv40hXB6Pk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tap to Watch<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p><strong>New Coach In NOLA:<\/strong> The Pelicans have relieved Willie Green of coaching duties 12 games into his fifth season and <a href=\"https:\/\/ablink.email.nba.com\/ss\/c\/u001.fU_tQ3ryLfvcyfv2oQYkvk_B6sdzR7vJKhCO_vqCO8VO5M_lmVc88abezheXOv4rGuQof0HCC7zQNq4913htPNjmPHN3M5lckV8uAz20kDrgjR3aDhAvv_4_BZOkcHJ_\/4ln\/9mNA2UfATua1VVuddwKM7A\/h19\/h001.daeNCSb6NhsqUqC8KP_Q6Hs5XlS-4J1pm3r_2bXgMTk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">named James Borrego interim head coach<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Don\u010di\u0107\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1763306538_10_original.jpg\" alt=\"Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Don\u010di\u0107\" width=\"560\" height=\"720\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jeff Haynes\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p><strong>In a matchup of two top-3 scorers<\/strong> on historic runs, Luka Magic was all gas, no brakes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Lakers 119, Bucks 95:<\/strong> Don\u010di\u0107 poured in 41 points to outduel fellow Kia MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo (32 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast) as the Lakers never trailed by more than one for their eighth win in their last 10 games. | <a href=\"https:\/\/ablink.email.nba.com\/ss\/c\/u001.fU_tQ3ryLfvcyfv2oQYkvoxI96BN6QALpSS8kPjK0Nmgc41yqhdW2QgLGY4UdBnEOJZKyk7wlgtxt-8rPDeJoDjMHs-mYxtbIQzYOhiCZhU\/4ln\/9mNA2UfATua1VVuddwKM7A\/h20\/h001.H_cYvcnENpwTq6NIGMCSJbECz6JuboSs8XQCeFCJbjw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Recap<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Early Explosion:<\/strong> After scoring 20 in the 1st half on Friday, Don\u010di\u0107 erupted out of the gates again, dropping 21 points and 5 dimes before the break to build the Lakers a 65-34 lead<\/li>\n<li><strong>Giannis Responds:<\/strong> But Antetokounmpo wouldn\u2019t go away, taking over the 3rd quarter with 15 points and 5 assists to fuel a 15-0 Milwaukee run<\/li>\n<li><strong>Don\u010di\u0107 Delivers:<\/strong> Combatting the takeover? Luka, who matched him with 15 in the 3rd before slamming the door in the 4th with the help of Austin Reaves (25 pts, 6 reb, 8 ast)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Complete Win:<\/strong> Deandre Ayton (20 pts, 10 reb) logged his second straight 20-point double-double while the Lakers held the Bucks to 40% from the field, improving to 10-4<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Luka Don\u010di\u0107\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1763306542_667_original.gif\" alt=\"Luka Don\u010di\u0107\" width=\"560\" height=\"auto\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Early-Season Magic:<\/strong> Through 10 games this season, Luka now has four 40-pieces \u2013 more than any other player in the NBA \u2013 while averaging an NBA-best 34.4 ppg.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Quick 50: <\/strong>Saturday marked Don\u010di\u0107\u2019s 50th career 40+ point game, making him the fourth-fastest player in NBA history to reach the mark<\/li>\n<li><strong>Legendary Company: <\/strong>The only three players to beat him there? Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan and Bob McAdoo<\/li>\n<li><strong>Legendary Luka:<\/strong> But only one player has tallied 340+ points, 80+ rebounds and 80+ assists in his first 10 games of a season: Luka Don\u010di\u0107 \u2013 once in 2022-23, and again this year (344\/89\/89)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>2. ROLLING WEST: SHAI\u2019S THUNDER, JOKER\u2019S NUGGETS STAY HOT<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Shai Gilgeous-Alexander\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1763306542_837_original.jpg\" alt=\"Shai Gilgeous-Alexander\" width=\"560\" height=\"720\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jared C. Tilton\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p><strong>Make that five straight<\/strong> wins for OKC since their lone loss, and a historically great interconference streak.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Thunder 109, Hornets 96:<\/strong> Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (33 pts, 7 ast) collected his league-best 12th 30-point game this season as OKC never trailed in the 2nd half on the way to its league-leading 13th win. | <a href=\"https:\/\/ablink.email.nba.com\/ss\/c\/u001.fU_tQ3ryLfvcyfv2oQYkvoxI96BN6QALpSS8kPjK0NlNrdMO8CIsebFtJY97fG9S0OUIG9WOWB75KMNQ3Ba_ZGyp5zjn7ie5AcAFUosCedfk0gcu2LheOjrk2cZV__lL\/4ln\/9mNA2UfATua1VVuddwKM7A\/h21\/h001.Le2Z1LCZ23JCc3m_F11bRNq95FU0uk_uWA5KL9V_i8k\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Recap<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Thunder Greats:<\/strong> SGA\u2019s 190th 30+ point game with OKC passed Russell Westbrook for 2nd-most in franchise history. He now trails only KD<\/li>\n<li><strong>A Steady 30:<\/strong> In his 6+ seasons in OKC, Gilgeous-Alexander has recorded 30+ points in 48.2% of his games<\/li>\n<li><strong>Unmatched Pace:<\/strong> SGA reached 30 in under 30 minutes played for the 7th time this season, matching his total for each of the last two seasons<\/li>\n<li><strong>The record<\/strong> for most such games in a season? Nine, from Giannis (2019-20)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The win is OKC\u2019s 22nd straight<\/strong> against the East in the regular season, extending the NBA\u2019s longest interconference win streak ever.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Piling Points:<\/strong> Chet Holmgren (25 pts, 8 reb) backed up SGA\u2019s offense, while Ajay Mitchell (14 pts, 6 reb) matched his total points from last season (234) in 22 fewer games<\/li>\n<li><strong>Locking Down:<\/strong>\u00a0OKC\u2019s top-ranked defense (102.8) held Charlotte to just 18 points in the 3rd quarter, allowing the Thunder to separate by as many as 20<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Nuggets\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1763306544_213_original.gif\" alt=\"Nuggets\" width=\"560\" height=\"auto\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>While OKC owns <\/strong>the league\u2019s best record, the longest win streak out West belongs to the team right behind it \u2013 the 2nd-place Nuggets.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nuggets 123, Wolves 112:<\/strong> Nikola Joki\u0107 tallied his NBA-best 7th triple-double of the season (27 pts, 12 reb, 11 ast), while Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and Tim Hardaway Jr. all added 20+ to power Denver past Minnesota late, marking the Nuggets\u2019 seventh straight win. | <a href=\"https:\/\/ablink.email.nba.com\/ss\/c\/u001.fU_tQ3ryLfvcyfv2oQYkvoxI96BN6QALpSS8kPjK0NlPKQpi-CRvP2Hnlurl0uTahdo1vSPbPbRpioSQTUiLG10PoL3h-a-UHEsmANVh-Ec\/4ln\/9mNA2UfATua1VVuddwKM7A\/h22\/h001.bfzsXHuJZK5I4o7fn1w85q5lH_N3v6lZFDtQR2c0pzU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Recap<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Turning The Page:<\/strong> Denver hasn\u2019t lost since Oct. 31, averaging 124.7 ppg in November while topping 120 points in six of its seven games<\/li>\n<li><strong>Joker\u2019s Wild:<\/strong> In that same span, Joki\u0107 is averaging 34.6 points, 12.0 rebounds and 11.0 assists<\/li>\n<li><strong>Class Of His Own:<\/strong> The only other player in NBA history to tally seven straight triple-doubles in the first 12 games of a season? Joki\u0107, last year<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>3. STAYING POWER: CAVS, RAPTORS CONTINUE EAST CLIMB<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Donovan Mitchell\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1763306546_77_original.gif\" alt=\"Donovan Mitchell\" width=\"560\" height=\"auto\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Last Saturday<\/strong> in Chicago, the Cavs trailed by 16 at halftime before Donovan Mitchell scored 26 2nd-half points to lead Cleveland to its largest comeback of the season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Last night<\/strong>, he did it again.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cavaliers 108, Grizzlies 100: <\/strong>The league leader in 2nd-half points came through again as Spida scored 14 of his 30 points in a four-minute span in the 4th to help Cleveland storm back. | <a href=\"https:\/\/ablink.email.nba.com\/ss\/c\/u001.fU_tQ3ryLfvcyfv2oQYkvoxI96BN6QALpSS8kPjK0NkJtjF1Crzo-NSRkc6zn3wQRxEdkE4nj36_mbZpi71gm9ToYKjdP4EqTKADixb7cs_gv3QOhiQKrDEmv45twXky\/4ln\/9mNA2UfATua1VVuddwKM7A\/h23\/h001.0fDHYT2MxgGTpAaYaBmXHp8ILv8jFE7boiHH_xGIO6k\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Recap<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Win Creator:<\/strong> Mitchell scored or assisted on 18 straight Cavs points in the final 7 minutes, including this <a href=\"https:\/\/ablink.email.nba.com\/ss\/c\/u001.hoe014Mlj9SUcpn1wEcwfYT_c2qV1EmmTUk4_3p7LsGt_mtsv4RATFfCdgvO1cM2-8RkjFYlVb8iC2joYvARziMazQhrKQXR_G0mMSnbWoo\/4ln\/9mNA2UfATua1VVuddwKM7A\/h24\/h001.LtZD6tkjFyC6fiiU14Y9E_Dp6YyOjx7FUOG7gG9BtkU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">De\u2019Andre Hunter dunk<\/a> to retake the lead<\/li>\n<li><strong>Comeback Cavs:<\/strong> The 2024-25 Kia DPOY Evan Mobley (22 pts, 13 reb) added 8 pts and 2 blk in the 4th as Cleveland outscored Memphis 32-16<\/li>\n<li><strong>Grizz Gamers:<\/strong> Jaren Jackson Jr. (26 pts) led Memphis as Ja Morant exited early (calf). Zach Edey had 13 points and 7 rebounds in his season debut<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Scottie Barnes\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1763306546_692_original.jpg\" alt=\"Scottie Barnes\" width=\"560\" height=\"auto\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>After a 1-4 start,<\/strong> the Raptors stand just a half-game back of 2nd in the East.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Raptors 129, Pacers 111: <\/strong>Jakob Poeltl and RJ Barrett each scored 22 and Brandon Ingram added 19 as Toronto topped Pascal Siakam (30 pts) and Indy for its third straight win and seventh in eight games. | <a href=\"https:\/\/ablink.email.nba.com\/ss\/c\/u001.fU_tQ3ryLfvcyfv2oQYkvoxI96BN6QALpSS8kPjK0NmOfoXcwKg1BHUF-xTq1yCpyUTtDo2xOwz97TTCXWlfdFfYKa7GmYOsmUlqTCB2vcs\/4ln\/9mNA2UfATua1VVuddwKM7A\/h25\/h001.q-LIY4aOn6nzUzhF7YZ3pb0qQaHrqSZUlhDAKgm7rmo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Recap<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Dino Strength:<\/strong> Toronto\u2019s 78 points in the paint (+40) gives it two of the three best interior scoring games of the season. It\u2019s the only team to top 75 points in the paint twice this season<\/li>\n<li><strong>Barnes In The Books<\/strong>: Scottie Barnes (14 pts, 11 reb, 6 ast) topped 5,000 career points, becoming the first Raptor in franchise history to reach 5K points, 2K rebounds, and 1K assists by age 24<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>4. TONIGHT ON LEAGUE PASS: SURGING SQUADS COLLIDE<\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1763306547_894_original.jpg\" alt=\"Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero\" width=\"560\" height=\"480\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Alex Slitz + Rich Storry\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p><strong>One team is 8-1<\/strong> in its last nine games, fueled by one of the game\u2019s most prolific offenses.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The other is 6-2<\/strong> in its last eight, anchored by one of the NBA\u2019s stingiest defenses.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tonight (7 ET, LP),<\/strong> the Rockets and Magic clash in a matchup of strength versus strength \u2013 each seeking its fourth straight win.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Houston Heater: <\/strong>Amid their 8-1 stretch, the Rockets have poured in an NBA-best 127.2 ppg \u2013 the 2nd-highest nine-game scoring clip in franchise history.<\/p>\n<p><strong>63.7 of those points<\/strong> have come from Kevin Durant (24.0), Alperen Sengun (21.1) and Amen Thompson (18.6) \u2013 all shooting 50% or better amid the run.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>KD Catalyst:<\/strong> Houston\u2019s scoring centers around Durant, who entered Saturday with the 10th most isolation points in the NBA this season<\/li>\n<li><strong>His Office?<\/strong> The midrange, where he\u2019s scored 23.2% of his points \u2013 the 4th-most of any player<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Kevin Durant\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1763306549_513_original.gif\" alt=\"Kevin Durant\" width=\"560\" height=\"226\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Durant is shooting 50.8% from the midrange on 5.8 FGA per game. The last time he didn\u2019t shoot over 50% off middies? 2017-18, when he went 49.4%.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Durant\u2019s isolation scoring<\/strong> doesn\u2019t just stabilize the Rockets \u2013 it opens the floor for their young talent, with five other players, all 25 or younger \u2013 Sengun, Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. (14.9), Reed Sheppard (12.3) and Tari Eason (11.5, now injured) \u2013 averaging double figures this season.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The Connector: <\/strong>With KD demanding attention as a scorer, Sengun has thrived as a playmaker, averaging a career-best in points (22.4) and assists (7.4)<\/li>\n<li><strong>His Favorite Target?<\/strong> Thompson (17.7 ppg), who\u2019s scored on 19 assists from Sengun \u2013 the most of any Rocket \u2013 and leads the league in points off cuts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1763306550_302_original.gif\" alt=\"Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson\" width=\"560\" height=\"264\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">KD draws the double and hits a slipping Sengun, who immediately finds a cutting Thompson. He outjumps Ja for the catch and goes right back up for the and-1.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Defensive DNA:<\/strong> After allowing the fewest points last season, Orlando\u2019s defense has fueled its 6-2 stretch, giving up just 108.3 ppg in that span. The formula is simple: Nothing easy and nothing extra.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Winning Ways: <\/strong>Orlando ranks 2nd in contested 2-point shots and 7th in defensive rebounds, a combination that chokes off high-percentage looks and limits possessions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Magic\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1763306552_311_original.gif\" alt=\"Magic\" width=\"560\" height=\"225\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Anthony Black fights through the screen to cut off Chicago\u2019s P&amp;R action. A weakside give-and-go leaves Orlando beat, but Tristan da Silva erases it with a perfectly timed rotation before Wendell Carter Jr. swoops in for the board.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Orlando\u2019s discipline<\/strong> is even more crucial tonight, as Houston leads the league in offensive rebounds, resulting in an NBA-best 20.5 second-chance ppg.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Which team<\/strong> will impose its identity to extend its win streak?<\/p>\n<p><strong>5. STEPH\u2019S SCORING SHOW MOVES TO NOLA, AND 6 MORE GAMES<\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Steph Curry\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1763306552_955_original.jpg\" alt=\"Steph Curry\" width=\"560\" height=\"720\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jesse D. Garrabrant\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p><strong>Four NBA championships,<\/strong> two Kia MVPs and the all-time 3-point crown. The NBA\u2019s highest career free-throw percentage came in handy last time out, <a href=\"https:\/\/ablink.email.nba.com\/ss\/c\/u001.hoe014Mlj9SUcpn1wEcwfYT_c2qV1EmmTUk4_3p7LsG0nOI0IiuSJWpynHbRM0t799um30XnBpyeK3-kn_kBAFQ-TT0cI6RxdiGVy4Tx6GXAOFoV99Wirgysr85aG9qOqILbQl3BN7VvoWK60cDEvQ\/4ln\/9mNA2UfATua1VVuddwKM7A\/h26\/h001.NB_y_y02hqt2CXr3Dp__ZntwT7rSq739sH24_RxbXHk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-mce-attribute-name-1=\"\" data-mce-attribute-value-1=\"\">too<\/a>\u2026<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tonight,<\/strong> Steph Curry chases a new first.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Warriors at Pelicans (7 ET):<\/strong> Curry laces up with a chance to add to his historic 45+ point scoring run, as the Warriors\u2019 six-game roadshow (2-1) moves on to New Orleans on League Pass.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>BIG In Texas<\/strong>: A top-10 scorer this season, Curry leads everybody over the last two games (47.5 ppg) after 46 and 49-point extravaganzas over a 3-night stop in San Antonio (2-0)<\/li>\n<li><strong>40+ Club: <\/strong>One of the game\u2019s greatest scorers, Steph has logged the 3rd-most 40+ point games (74) among active players \u2013 behind LeBron (79) and James Harden (106) \u2013 and 4th-most since 2020-21<\/li>\n<li><strong>New Heights:<\/strong> But he\u2019s never netted three straight 45+ point games, a feat only five players have achieved since 1990<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Will we see<\/strong> another splash into the history books? \u201cYou always have a chance when Steph is on your team,\u201d said Jimmy Butler III.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Feeling The Splash:<\/strong> Butler himself has expanded his role alongside Steph since arriving in the Bay, improving his scoring from 17.0 to 19.2 ppg, including 28- and 21-point outings in his last two games<\/li>\n<li><strong>New Equation:<\/strong> Butler and Steph (29.1 ppg) combine for 42.0% of Golden State\u2019s scoring (115.1 ppg) while Draymond Green (105.7 DefRtg) anchors the league\u2019s 8th best defense (112.4)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Derik Queen, Jeremiah Fears\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1763306552_940_original.jpg\" alt=\"Derik Queen, Jeremiah Fears\" width=\"560\" height=\"480\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jeff Haynes + Layne Murdoch Jr.\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Pelicans<\/strong> look to end a four-game skid and embark on a fresh start under new head coach James Borrego, who had served as associate head coach since 2023.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Fresh Legs:<\/strong> In their last 5 games, rookies Derik Queen (14.2 ppg, 7.0 reb, 4.0 ast) and Jeremiah Fears (16.0 ppg, 2.8 stl) have stepped up with Zion Williamson and Jordan Poole out<\/li>\n<li><strong>Give &amp; Take:<\/strong> Fears has the second-most points (173) for New Orleans this season, behind Trey Murphy III, while also leading the team in steals (24), including 7 on Friday<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>In San Antonio<\/strong>, Wemby and the Spurs look to bounce back as they host De\u2019Aaron Fox\u2019s former team, the Kings (4 ET).<\/p>\n<p><strong>In Boston,<\/strong> Jaylen Brown and the Celtics lock up with James Harden and the Clippers (3:30 ET), opening today\u2019s slate on League Pass.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Nets at Wizards <\/strong>(6 ET)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Blazers at Mavericks<\/strong> (7:30 ET)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hawks at Suns<\/strong> (8 ET)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bulls at Jazz<\/strong> (8 ET)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Kia MVP candidates were everywhere Saturday, doing what they do best. Including another smooth 30\u00a0from Shai\u00a0\u2014\u00a0this time with&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":383220,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[1444,183175,1260,183174,159967,62,67,132,68],"class_list":{"0":"post-383219","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nba","8":"tag-1444","9":"tag-luka-out-duels-giannis","10":"tag-nba","11":"tag-nba-starting-5-newsletter","12":"tag-november-16","13":"tag-sports","14":"tag-united-states","15":"tag-unitedstates","16":"tag-us"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115560065691240926","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/383219","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=383219"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/383219\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/383220"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=383219"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=383219"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=383219"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}