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00:14When you have a guy like him, you can put it in his hands at times
00:17and you can deliver like he has throughout his whole career.
00:20Durant on top. Durant pulling back.
00:24He gets it!
00:25Just try to live up to what those past legends have accomplished here.
00:29For us, it's a foot on the throat mentality.
00:32Keeping the team down when they're down.
00:33That's the ultimate test.
00:35Over the top!
00:36Mitchell behind the back!
00:37Oh, goodness!
00:39Welcome back to NBA Countdown, presented by Popeyes.
00:44Donovan Mitchell looking to lead his team in this early season test
00:47against the Houston Rockets.
00:49Coach, what's the match-up that you're going to be keeping an eye on here?
00:51Hey, he better get his mind right.
00:53We've got Amen Thompson, who held them 1-for-10 last year
00:56in their match-up.
00:57Amen, first-team All-NBA.
00:59Donovan having a great season.
01:0031 points, 50-plus from the field.
01:02That is a match-up I'm keying in on.
01:04Two premier perimeter players.
01:06Donovan Mitchell, we know how talented he is, how efficient he's been.
01:10Getting to the foul line, knocking down threes.
01:12He's going to have to have a big night for the Cavaliers to have a chance
01:15to get this win against a really talented Houston team.
01:18Well, Coach, I'm going in the trenches, right?
01:20And that's the knock on the Cavs.
01:21They're too soft.
01:22They're too soft.
01:23And when you look at Evan Mobley, you look at Jared Allen, you look at their rebounder,
01:27neither one of those guys are averaging double 50 rebounds.
01:30Well, they're going against the best offensive rebounder team in the league,
01:33led by Steven Adams, who's, by the way, sixth in NBA history in offensive rebounding.
01:38And so when you look at the growth of Alfred Shangoon, we call him baby Jokic for a reason.
01:4523 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists.
01:48And so when you look at the way he's able to dominate, I'm trying to see is Evan Mobley going to protect his career, right?
01:56Or are you going to let him walk in there with dirty shoes and kick his feet up on the coffee table?
02:00And you mentioned Steven Adams.
02:01I don't know about kicking his feet up, but I do know that he's going to be in the starting lineup for this one, Brian.
02:05Yeah, Steven Adams averaging five offensive rebounds in 21 minutes a game.
02:09My God.
02:10Watch for the Cavs tonight to maybe make a little adjustment for Evan Mobley.
02:13They are really trying to get more out of him.
02:15During this season, they've been playing him in the first and third quarters,
02:18the first seven or eight minutes, and they're giving him a break.
02:20Last year, they played him about five minutes and brought him out.
02:23So they're going to, I would not be surprised if we see a little rotation switch tonight
02:27to try to get a little bit more energy from Evan Mobley late in the game.
02:30I got one question.
02:31I'm going to ask it to you as a big man.
02:32The thing I noticed watching Evan Mobley this year, he's settling and taking a lot more threes.
02:37So his three-point attempts are up, his layups and dunks are way down.
02:41How do you feel that as a big?
02:43Are you comfortable with your starting power forward shooting as many threes and primitive jump shots?
02:47I'm not.
02:48And I think the problem is that Evan Mobley got to go back to remembering he's a big with guard skills.
02:54We're seeing him too much isolation on the wing, bringing the ball up.
02:57I think when you talk about the two-man game, go back to that two-man game.
03:01I want to see more pick and roll with him and Donovan Mitchell.
03:03They also missed Darius Garland.
03:05Darius Garland gets him a couple easy baskets a game.
03:07But Donovan Mitchell could do the same.
03:09We'll see if we can do it against this Houston Rockets team.
03:11The last thing they're missing, Ty Jerome.
03:13Cavaliers bench this year is bottom five in almost every category.
03:17They don't have a lot of juice off that bench right now.
03:19That's going to do it for us for now.
03:20Hey, Jonesy, I hope you sound better than me.
03:22Take it away.
03:26Malika, you can almost feel the heightened expectations in the gusting winds coming off of Lake Erie these days for the home team.
03:34Last year, the Cavaliers started off perfect 15-0 for the first three weeks of the regular season.
03:40This year, a little bit of a different story as tonight, Kevin Durant of the Houston Rockets come calling.
03:46The Rockets, one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now.
03:49They've won four straight games.
03:51Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell and his Cavalier teammates, they've won two straight on this six-game homestand.
03:57They insist that they are poised and ready for the challenge.
04:01Welcome, everyone, to NBA Courtside presented by Michelob Ultra here at Rocket Arena.
04:08We've got some fast-tastic bump for you tonight.
04:12Mark Jones, Courtside, along with Doris Burke, Katie George joining us in just a moment.
04:17Doris, let's start with the Houston Rockets.
04:19Last year, 13th in offensive rating, and they really stalled out in the playoffs, especially when it came to closing.
04:26But Kevin Durant seems to be the perfect panacea for their problem.
04:30If the question's late game, the answer typically is right if you're talking Kevin Durant.
04:35And what Houston did down the stretch of a nip-and-tuck ballgame against Orlando that went to overtime.
04:41You put your two best players at the top of the floor.
04:43Watch this defender dance with the efficient footwork of Kevin Durant.
04:48Just gains the necessary separation.
04:50Then out of a timeout, this one to send it to overtime.
04:53The middle of the floor is going to clear.
04:55The timing of this execution was perfect.
04:57It's straight isolation.
04:59Amen throws a rocket to Alperin Schengen.
05:02And Mr. Amen Thompson is oozing with talent.
05:06But that is Kevin Durant at the top of the floor.
05:08He waves that young gun off and says, I've done this before, my friend.
05:12The mid-range to ice that basketball game.
05:14Those two young men have been brilliant for Houston.
05:17Those two guys have been really spectacular here in the early part of the season.
05:22And Katie George, Schengen had some interesting comments about his newest teammate.
05:26Yeah, he did.
05:27Mark Dorris, Alperin Schengen said for a guy that's averaged 27 points his entire NBA career,
05:32he just assumed Kevin Durant took a bunch of shots.
05:35But that's far from the case.
05:37He said he's so efficient, he makes things look so effortless.
05:40When he goes for 25, 30 points, we shoot more than KD does.
05:44He also said that he's incredibly unselfish.
05:47KD recognizes that he came to a young team with young talent.
05:51Every time he passes up a shot and gives his ball to his teammates, he instills confidence.
05:55Schengen says he absolutely loves playing with KD and it's been a great, great fit so far.
06:00His influence and impact on his teammates goes well beyond the basketball court as well.
06:05Let's talk about the Cleveland Cavaliers.
06:07They've won two straight games.
06:08They have had eight different starting lineups, a host of injuries to deal with.
06:13The good news is that despite the expectations, they still have Donovan Mitchell.
06:18Been a little bit of a scuffle team wide, but anything but a scuffle if you're Donovan Mitchell.
06:22He has been at a career high scoring and he's flexing into what has become the greatest strength of his game.
06:28This shot chart is going to tell you all you need to know.
06:30He's taking 10 threes per game.
06:33All that downhill drivability, this is as modern and perfect a shot chart as you can hope.
06:38It is hard to imagine they have 10 wins if they don't have this young gun right there.
06:43Donovan Mitchell leading from in front and sometimes leading from behind.
06:48He has been the consummate leader this year for the Cavaliers, imbuing his teammates with much confidence.
06:54As for the reigning defensive player of the year, Evan Mobley, he says, Mark, why not?
07:00Let's go back to back with that award.
07:02He'll have a tough task tonight against some big size on that Rockets front line.
07:06Back with the opening tip in just a moment.
07:09NBA Courtside is presented by Michelob Ultra Zero.
07:17Zero alcohol, just 29 calories.
07:20Back to NBA Courtside presented by Michelob Ultra.
07:23So the Houston Rockets have made a change to their starting lineup for this game against the Cavaliers to combat Cleveland's double bigs here, Brian.
07:30Yep, they're going with Steven Adams.
07:32Look at the huge lineup there.
07:34Look, I know in the modern NBA, everybody plays small, shoots threes, plays fast.
07:40Not Eme Udoka.
07:41He's going old school.
07:42He plays big.
07:43He plays slow.
07:44And they get their points with second chance points.
07:47Look at all of these misses.
07:48These are Steven Adams grabbing all of these misses.
07:52These are not isolations.
07:53These are not turnarounds.
07:54These are not drives.
07:55These are putbacks.
07:57He averages almost four offensive rebounds a game in his career.
08:00That's more than Shaq.
08:02And it's not just the ones he grabbed.
08:04It's the impact he has on winning, right?
08:06Look at this play right here.
08:07This is Azale Hardenstein.
08:09Opening night.
08:10Look how he just creates space, right?
08:12Just being a load.
08:14The strongest guy in the NBA opens up this lane to let Alfred Shangoon be able to get the offensive rebound at a crucial time while taking out Alex Caruso and Azale Hardenstein.
08:25That's one of two times they've played this lineup so far this season.
08:28Number three is on the way.
08:29Welcome everyone to NBA Wednesday presented by State Farm from Cleveland on the banks of Lake Erie here at Rocket Arena.
08:46It's the first meeting of the season between the Rockets and the Cavaliers.
08:51A couple of teams that figured to be in the picture come late May, early June.
08:56As we take a look at the starting lineups brought to you by T-Mobile.
09:00First up, Rockets starting their fourth different starting lineup going supersize big tonight.
09:06Durant, Smith, Jr., Shengun, and Adams.
09:10Average height close to seven feet and then Thompson clocking in at 6'7".
09:15Meanwhile for the Cavaliers tonight, they'll start their ninth different starting lineup.
09:20Naquan Tomlin making his first start of the season on the front line with Moblin Allen.
09:25DeAndre Hunter and Donovan Mitchell doing the heavy lifting in the backcourt for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
09:31Cleveland coming off a nice win a couple of nights ago against the Milwaukee Bucks here at home.
09:37Game in which Donovan Mitchell had another strong offensive showing with 37 points.
09:44The Rockets, meanwhile, playing the first game of a road trip.
09:49And they're coming off a win at home in Houston against the Orlando Magic.
10:00Houston rolled out this exact lineup first two games of the season.
10:04They were 0-2.
10:05They made a lineup switch, but it wasn't because of that.
10:09They're going this lineup because, obviously, they're looking opposite a team that starts a double big with Jared Allen and Evan Mobley.
10:15And they love the minutes of this group together.
10:18Is small ball dead, Doris?
10:20It kind of feels that way tonight.
10:22As we get underway, Mitchell will bring it across for the Cavaliers.
10:27Here's Tomlin.
10:29He has been starring at a bench role, getting his first start tonight.
10:34Boundless energy coming off the bench most nights.
10:37Mobley back to Tomlin.
10:39Got his feet set for three.
10:40And it comes off to Smith.
10:42Get a look at tonight at Ben Thompson and his primary ball handling role.
10:50Got a work in progress for him.
10:53Shen Goon trying to walk down Tomlin already down to seven on the shot clock.
10:59Thompson from the wing.
11:02Loose ball.
11:03There's an offensive rebound, and I'm guessing that's going to be one of the themes of the night for Houston.
11:09So you've got to look at two themes there.
11:11Obviously, isolation play for Alper and Shen Goon in the post.
11:15He is crafty.
11:16He's got excellent footwork and his ability to playmate for his teammates around him.
11:20And, yes, the best offensive rebounding team in the game.
11:24Sometimes it feels like their second shot is their best offense.
11:28Throw it up and go after it.
11:30Adams knocks down the first free throw.
11:32A 74% foul shoot around the season.
11:35Coming off a three-point performance to go along with a couple of rebounds against Orlando a couple of nights ago.
11:43When you look at the size, not just that front line with Adam Shen Goon and Durant,
11:49but in the backcourt, Jamari Smith Jr. clocking in at 6'10".
11:54Here's Mitchell.
11:55They run two at him.
11:56Get him to blitz, and Allen misses the shot.
12:01Well, with the way Donovan's playing, I love the blitz early.
12:04You make a decision-maker in the middle of the floor out of Jared Allen.
12:07I'll take that on every defensive possession.
12:10Shen Goon cross-court.
12:12Smith for three.
12:13And he knocks it home.
12:15Jabari Smith Jr.
12:16Shooting 37% from deep on the season.
12:19He's really made a nice leap early in the season.
12:24Hunter on the drive.
12:26Well defended, and they get the turnover.
12:28Thompson in transition.
12:31Missed the layup, but Adams with his second offensive rebound.
12:39Shen Goon against Hunter.
12:40Good screen by Adams.
12:42And Adams with his third offensive rebound, but they're going to call that.
12:46Baskin interference.
12:48Take it off the board.
12:50He just rolls to the cup every time.
12:55Is it in the cylinder?
12:56Ooh, that's not good.
12:57That's outside the cylinder.
12:59Are they going to challenge this?
13:01We have that new technology now.
13:03In fact, they are.
13:06Yep.
13:07Great look by Ime Udoka to challenge that call on the floor.
13:14Rockets out to a 5-0 lead.
13:16When do we come back?
13:17Welcome back, everyone, to Rocket Arena in Cleveland here.
13:19They adjudicated the call, and with the aid of NBA court IQ technology,
13:25they rule the basket good.
13:27And here's a wonderful look at it outside the cylinder.
13:31So they counted the bucket by Steven Adams.
13:35That's three offensive rebounds.
13:37This is the team number one in the league at second chance points.
13:4019 and a half per game off those second chance opportunities.
13:457-0 lead for the Rockets.
13:47Into the corner.
13:50Mobley.
13:52Tomlin driving the closeout.
13:55And he draws the foul on that deceleration step.
13:59Naquan Tomlin will go to the free throw line for a couple of shots.
14:039 out of 10 from the line on the summer.
14:06From the season, pardon me.
14:10Out of Memphis, that foul going against Jabari Smith.
14:14His first.
14:17Tomlin getting his first start of the season.
14:20And Doris for Cleveland, their ninth different starting lineup.
14:23It kind of is a small miracle that they're 10-5 coming into this game,
14:27all things considered.
14:29The miracle is Spider Mitchell.
14:3135-5 he's given you every single night.
14:37Adams out top.
14:38They throw it into Shen Good and knocked away.
14:40Here's Durant, who has yet to attempt a field goal.
14:42Working against Mobley, the defensive player of the year.
14:47Stayed down.
14:49And Mobley won that battle.
14:51Got the miss.
14:52He was one of the best in the league in terms of defending, contesting shots.
14:56They put two on Mitchell again.
14:59Here's Hunter, trying to get going from downtown.
15:02And that might get him sparked a little bit.
15:04And I like the strategy, number one, because Donovan's so hot,
15:06but also because it's been a struggle for DeAndre Hunter to make shots.
15:11Hunter is much better than his 28% from downtown.
15:17High 30s for his career.
15:19Remember, he joined the Cavaliers at the trade deadline a season ago.
15:23One of the best moves made by Kobe Altman, the team's general manager.
15:31Ben Thompson working against Mitchell.
15:33On the Nash dribble out to Smith.
15:37That comes off to Mitchell.
15:43Season ago, Donovan Mitchell said,
15:45I'm going to let everybody else eat first.
15:48And Hunter looks like he's ready for a happy meal.
15:52Knocks down his second field goal.
15:54Boy, for a guy who has really struggled shooting the basketball.
16:00He's a good sign.
16:01Last five, he came into this ball game six for 25.
16:04But he looks confident tonight.
16:07Knocked down two in a row.
16:08Sengun working against Mobley.
16:11Mobley got a hand up.
16:12Didn't matter.
16:13Sengun coming off a great summer.
16:15And he continues to improve.
16:19Took the Turkish national team to the finals in Eurobasket.
16:22Making the all-tournament team in the process.
16:26Hunter against Durant.
16:30They got the switch on Sengun.
16:32The middie on the way.
16:33That's three in a row for Hunter.
16:36So somebody else has got to step up their level of aggression, right?
16:39Out of the gates, Houston is saying somebody besides Donovan Mitchell is going to beat us.
16:43DeAndre Hunter looking to get started early.
16:47Thompson, window shopping.
16:49He looks so talented, Mark.
16:53They're asking so much more of him this year in terms of his playmaking, ball handling.
16:58Inside, Allen missed an easy one.
17:01Comes back out to Hunter.
17:04Mitchell from deep.
17:07And rebounded by Durant.
17:08Shengun and Adams with early rim runs.
17:13Durant lost the handle to Allen.
17:16In transition, Mitchell.
17:18What a fake.
17:19Spider time.
17:21Oh.
17:22Oh my goodness.
17:24The triple he took.
17:26Right as soon as he got below the free throw line.
17:28Here's that Chris Paul move made it look like he was going to pass.
17:34Did it himself.
17:35Shengun spinning baseline.
17:38And he stepped out of bounds.
17:39It'll come back the other way off the turnover.
17:45Let's watch Donovan Mitchell.
17:46So he's got a two on one.
17:48Just that little spin.
17:49Then the Euro step across the body of Jabari.
17:53Oh my goodness.
17:55Donovan Mitchell has been sensational this year for the Cavaliers.
17:58And unlike a season ago when he said, I like everyone else to eat first.
18:03This year, he's had to use the self-checkout line a little bit more frequently.
18:08Because of the rotating lineups and personnel.
18:11Mobley with a sweet looking jump hook.
18:14That two is a player.
18:16Who's being asked to do more off the bounce.
18:18Play make for himself for others.
18:21His creativity there.
18:23Approaching the midway point of the first quarter.
18:26Good defense by Tomlin.
18:27Nice handles by Thompson.
18:30Tried to skip it.
18:32And in transition Mitchell.
18:34The walk up three.
18:38And Thompson with the defensive board.
18:40Houston the number one rebounding team in the NBA.
18:46Jabari Smith working the baseline.
18:48Got his man in the air and got the second one to go.
18:51And another offensive rebound for the Rockets.
18:53He looks like a different player to me from a season ago.
18:56Physically, conditioning, the way he's willing to attack.
19:01Mobley with the turnaround.
19:02Knocks down his second field goal.
19:05Doris, how important to get him engaged early in this game?
19:08So, Evan Mobley, a season ago, defensive player of the year.
19:12Because you have two guards in Garland and Mitchell who handle it, he hadn't had that much play making as Kevin Durant gets fouled on three.
19:18But it's huge.
19:21Evan Mobley, if this team's going to take the next step and advance to a conference finals or get to an NBA finals, Evan Mobley has got to take a big leap.
19:31And are they force feeding him a little bit early?
19:34Sure they are.
19:35Darius Garland has missed significant time.
19:37And if you're Kenny Atkinson, you are now setting and designing plays to get Evan Mobley shots in the three.
19:43We hear you, Kendrick Perkins.
19:45You want a little more balance in Evan's game?
19:47We'll talk about that perhaps on the other side of this break.
19:49Obley with a career high 19 points per game on 47% shooting from the field as you alluded to the fact that his efficiency has taken a little bit of a hit with the increased volume.
20:03And they're going to look at this foul call to see if it will be potentially upgraded to a flagrant penalty one for a reckless closeout.
20:19I think that that could be, Mark.
20:22Couldn't see the feet.
20:23Well, just watch this angle and watch how he turns and his forward motion is going to put him into the landing space of Kevin.
20:29And that's Kevin's natural shooting motion.
20:32So it's close.
20:33I think this could be upgraded here.
20:38McBuchert adjudicating the call at the monitor.
20:40Kevin Durant.
20:42A little bit conspicuous by his silence, albeit early in the ballgame.
20:46One of two from the field.
20:48You can't say enough about his impact on these especially young Rockets.
20:54And speaking with some of the Rockets personnel and players, they all tell me that Kevin's the line.
20:58They all tell me that Kevin's the last one to leave the practice facility often hangs around and plays ones against guys at the end of the bench.
21:0810 through 15 and a lot of the G League guys that might be with the team as well.
21:13And just watching the way that he prepares for games is an education that you can't get in basketball anywhere else.
21:20Well, I think as Emei Odoka described him, he's a basketball purist.
21:25He just loves to play.
21:27And anyone who's been around him, USA Basketball, name a team, they talk about work habits.
21:32Quick contact with the reckless closeout has a potential for injury.
21:35This play has been upgraded to a flagrant foul penalty one.
21:37It will be three free throws for Durant.
21:40It will be their ball on the sideline with 24 in the shot.
21:45So three foul shots for Kevin Durant.
21:48And possession sideline out of bounds in the aftermath.
21:50One more look at it.
21:52Hunter called for the foul and upgraded to penalty one.
21:56Flagrant penalty one.
21:58Not in the landing space.
22:00And KD's a size 14 instead of 15.
22:05That's not a foul.
22:07But it was flagrant.
22:10KD has more on KD.
22:12Well, Mark, you all mentioned his impact.
22:14Alfred Shingun put it like this.
22:16He grew up in Turkey idolizing Kevin Durant.
22:18Now he's playing alongside him, which he thinks is surreal.
22:21Shingun said so many of us on this roster.
22:22We looked up to KD and watched the 2017-2018 finals.
22:26He said in Turkey, kids rarely get the chance to play in this league,
22:29let alone alongside a superstar like KD.
22:32Shingun said he's grateful for this opportunity to learn from KD
22:35and hopes this becomes a very, very successful partnership for this franchise.
22:39It's pretty interesting, KD and Doris, that the assimilation of Kevin Durant seems to be seamless so far.
22:47What did Kevin Durant say?
22:48I think when he maybe joined Golden State, he said,
22:51I can pack my bags, take my game, and play absolutely anywhere.
22:56I just want you to consider that over the long duration of his career,
23:01he's averaged 27 points on 50% shooting, 39% from three, and 89 free throw.
23:09Absorbing the best defender and often multiple on a nightly basis.
23:14That efficiency is crazy.
23:16With clinical precision, Reid Shepard barely got a sweat, put up a three.
23:20He's been earning the trust of head coach Imei Adoka a lot of late.
23:25Averaging in double-digit scoring, Lonzo Ball misfires, rebounded by Smith Jr.
23:29Here's Durant at the elbow, working against Dean Wade.
23:40One dribble pull-up, tipped up and in by Clint Capella and another offensive rebound.
23:46That's the fifth of the game already here in the first quarter.
23:51Greg Porter Jr. sprays it out to Wade for three.
23:57Rockets on the run.
23:59Houston, not a team that plays at a fast pace, 27th in pace.
24:05Durant, off the mark again.
24:08Here's Tomlin.
24:13Josh Akogi has also checked into the ball game.
24:15Reid Shepard almost had a steal, Wade for three.
24:19And that Karam's off.
24:21Out of bounds, it'll come back Houston basketball.
24:24Neither team setting the world on fire from three at this point.
24:28You could say that.
24:30Kenny Atkinson's team without starter Sam Merrill tonight.
24:34He's one of the best three-point shooters at 44%.
24:38Out with a hand injury.
24:41Arius Garland, of course, missing another game, but due back soon, they're hoping.
24:49Capella, on the roll, missed the layup.
24:55Porter Jr. inside, Tomlin.
24:58Durant with great anticipation, back to Tomlin.
25:01And that rims out to Smith Jr.
25:04Good outlet to Durant.
25:06But ball back there in transition.
25:12Smith Jr. with the stare down three.
25:15Drills it.
25:17I mean, how confident and comfortable does he look?
25:20Big time.
25:22Six points in the ball game for him.
25:23An 8-0 run for the Rockets.
25:28Porter Jr. in the pocket to Allen.
25:31And Shepard with the rebound and the push.
25:36Rejects the screen.
25:38Off glass and good.
25:39Reed Shepard forces Kenny Atkinson to call the timeout.
25:43A second-year pro out of Kentucky.
25:47Getting some minutes.
25:50And making them count when we come back.
25:54The NBA on ESPN is presented all season long by State Farm.
25:59Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.
26:02And in part by Walmart Black Friday.
26:05Welcome back.
26:06I'm going to Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
26:07Mark Jones, Doorsburg, Katie George, courtside.
26:10Rockets in the midst of a 10-0 sprint right now.
26:13And their best play has been the missed shot.
26:16They've got five offensive rebounds.
26:18Mitchell trying to stop the hemorrhage.
26:21Porter Jr. with the offensive rebound.
26:27Inside, Wade.
26:29And that rims out to Thompson.
26:31That possession, Houston had gone zone.
26:34So smart, timely cuts from a guy like Wade will go a long way.
26:38Boy, an automatic jump hook by Shengun, Doris.
26:41This guy's got so much game, Mark.
26:43His touch, his feel.
26:45He looks in great condition.
26:47Four points in the ball game for Shengun.
26:50Wade in the corner.
26:53Probably gives it back to ball.
26:57Houston in that zone defense again.
26:58This time fouled underneath.
27:01Wade will go to the free throw line.
27:03But they found a crease there on the baseline.
27:06That's exactly right, Mark.
27:07I was just talking about this.
27:08If you're playing against the zone,
27:10you've got to be opportunistic off the basketball.
27:15You know, they're not matched up one-on-one.
27:16So eyes are not specifically on a player.
27:20This is the second cut D Wade has made against this zone.
27:24And this time gets some free throws out.
27:25It's firing on the first day.
27:26It's time for tonight's NBA national TV schedule brought to you by ESPN Bet.
27:33The official sports book of ESPN.
27:36NBA TV tomorrow night has Hawks at Spurs at 8 Prime Video.
27:39On Friday night has Pacers Cavs followed by Nuggets Rockets.
27:45That will be a great run.
27:49Wade goes 0 for 2.
27:53Off the away action.
27:54Shepard hands it back to Thompson.
27:57Thompson with nice handle.
27:59And an imperious finish by a man.
28:01He's not lurking on the baseline anymore.
28:04He's got the ball in his hands and the defense is looking at him.
28:07And that first guy, he just blows right past him.
28:10That is so special.
28:13There is a gear that a man and a summer Thompson have.
28:18Just watch this.
28:20Splits the defense goes right to the cup.
28:23That happens quick.
28:25That's different.
28:26Oh my goodness.
28:28And he was talking to us when we saw this earlier in the basketball game.
28:30That one play where he got himself below the free throw line.
28:33And threw it to a Cleveland player.
28:35Like you are going to absorb some turnovers if you're Eme Udoka.
28:39As a man works out sort of figuring out that second level of the defense.
28:45He just showed you he's got the first level of the defense figured out.
28:48Yes he does.
28:49It's the second level of defense that that young man is going to process.
28:54It's interesting.
28:55I was speaking with Jeff Green a little bit earlier.
28:57Multi-year veteran who told me he's played with crazy athletes.
29:02LeBron James, Russell Westbrook.
29:04He says that Thompson is in that category.
29:08That dynamic.
29:09Sheppard out to Shingun on the pick and pop.
29:12Five of the shot clock trying to walk down Porter.
29:15Good deflection by Mitchell.
29:17Active hands.
29:18And off the turnover Porter Jr.
29:22Way back to Porter Jr.
29:23Who relocates.
29:25He earned it.
29:26Knocks home the three.
29:28What a great story.
29:29He's been an undrafted free agent in his third year.
29:35Big jump this summer.
29:37His body ready for the season.
29:43Going back on to reach.
29:44Shepard pulls the three.
29:46Got it.
29:47Talk about Jabari coming in with a different mindset.
29:50Shepard hunting shots.
29:52Go to your strength young sir.
29:54You can shoot the ball.
29:56His teammates have often encouraged him to hunt them a few more.
30:02Off the miss, Shingun.
30:04Approaching a minute to go in the opening quarter.
30:05Thompson.
30:07Goes around the world.
30:08Elevates.
30:09And a little bit too high for Capella.
30:11Okoge runs down the loose ball.
30:14Back out to.
30:16Okoge who gets it back.
30:19A sweeping hook shot.
30:22Hustle by Capella.
30:23Couldn't corral it.
30:25It'll come back Cleveland basketball.
30:26That's the kind of play I'm talking about though with a man.
30:29You see the ability to get by that first defender.
30:32He's moving so fast.
30:33Once upon a time Clint Capella might have caught that pass.
30:37When he first came into the league.
30:39Yeah.
30:40But that's the process for a man Thompson.
30:43He's 22 years old.
30:46Mitchell on top off the screen by Mobley.
30:49Drew a little bit of contact.
30:50No whistle.
30:52Two for one opportunity for the Rockets if they choose.
30:57Gotta get it over the midcourt line.
30:59Barely do.
31:04Shengun with a little bit of food on the wing.
31:07With the shorter ball.
31:08Gonna walk him down.
31:10Shepard again from deep.
31:12Cash.
31:13Love that.
31:15Great job relocating into the vision of Shengun.
31:19Shengun's patience pays off.
31:20He's got a couple of assists.
31:21Kick ball with 7.4 to go.
31:28Rich Shepard said that a man Thompson told him in the weight room a couple of days ago.
31:32If you pass up an open shot.
31:34And take two dribbles.
31:36I'm gonna punch you in the face.
31:38Joking with with love of course and affection.
31:42He did his job though.
31:45Came in with the mindset.
31:47If I'm open I'm shooting the basketball.
31:51He's gonna sit down with 7.4 to go as holiday comes in.
31:56Jeff Green the sage veteran coaching up the second year pro there on the sidelines.
32:01Houston putting 33 on the board here in the first quarter.
32:11Mitchell.
32:13Again Smith lost it.
32:15Okoge.
32:17Couldn't get it off in time but.
32:20That is the fewest points Cleveland has had in the first quarter this season.
32:25And Jabari Smith.
32:29Taking a big roll on this Houston squad at both ends of the floor.
32:33He finished the period with 8.
32:36It's time for tonight's access brought to you by Xfinity.
32:39We're on the sidelines with Jabari Smith.
32:41Jabari you got off to a hot start offensively.
32:43Your game looks so smooth.
32:45How would you assess the form you're in right now?
32:47It's just a good flow.
32:48You know I got an easy one early off of Dublin off of Alpi.
32:51So I'm in a good flow right now.
32:52I want to keep it going.
32:53You guys obviously already have five offensive boards.
32:56How much confidence does that give you guys as an offense knowing you're probably going to get another chance at it.
33:00Yeah for sure.
33:01That's our identity.
33:02That's what we want to stand on.
33:03That's what we want to be the more aggressive team.
33:05The team that's getting all the rebounds and winning those aggressive categories.
33:09So that's what we're trying to do.
33:10Trying to keep it going.
33:11Thanks Jabari.
33:12Appreciate you.
33:14Got to tell you the story.
33:15I watched Jabari Smith this summer playing the Rico Hines runs out in Los Angeles for a few days.
33:21In a gym filled with NBA All-Stars for about three days.
33:25He might have been the best player on the floor.
33:28And you could almost see this coming.
33:31Off to a good start this season.
33:33Bryan had it knocked away by Shengun inside.
33:35Rockets defensively rated number seven in the association.
33:42Shepard left that one a little bit short.
33:4814 point lead for Houston.
33:50Just underway here in the second quarter.
33:52See how aggressively that's that big for Houston is coming out.
33:56Donovan Mitchell has it at the top of the floor.
33:58They're trying to make him a passer there.
34:01Inside.
34:02Nice cut by Mobley.
34:04Center with his chest.
34:09Mobley in the ball game was seven.
34:15Looking to get some stops against the number one offensive team in the NBA.
34:19Shengun with that flamingo shot that he likes to take.
34:24That one footer.
34:27Did you name it that?
34:28No, that's what they call it down in H time.
34:30Okay.
34:31I'm not going to make ready for that.
34:33And it kind of does look like a flamingo, but hey, it goes in.
34:37You can call it anything you want.
34:41Fouls against Shengun.
34:43So this is what's happening with Donovan.
34:45He's, he's going to touch the ball at the top of the floor.
34:47Watch the big jump out.
34:49They're just trying to make him a passer.
34:51So if you can get off the ball, which Donovan does,
34:54and you can play a little four on three on the backside,
34:57that would be helpful.
35:01Mobley at the free throw line.
35:04Mobley is 63% free throw shooter so far this season.
35:08His scoring is up by about three points per game.
35:13Increased volume.
35:15Looking to take more three pointers this year.
35:21As you mentioned, Dorsen looking to go to him a lot more.
35:24More play calls for him so far this year as well.
35:27His shot profile, his scoring is drastically different from a season ago.
35:3227% of his points coming from that three mark.
35:37As opposed to some of the paint work he has done in the past.
35:40Cleveland playing a little bit of the long game with Mobley.
35:44Holiday from Dayton.
35:46Comes off to the Cavaliers.
35:48One and done.
35:49No offensive rebound that time.
35:50Proctor over to Mobley.
35:52Punishing the paint.
35:53Mobley.
35:55Turned up the base.
35:57That's tough, folks.
35:59You know, I'm not sure where his go-to's are going to be, but that move right there, that is big time.
36:06He's up to 10.
36:07Mark, he just punished a defender in the paint.
36:09First contact made.
36:11He won the battle.
36:12Defending Cengun here.
36:15Cengun draws the foul.
36:17Bryant came over and helped defense.
36:20And the foul is going to go against Thomas Bryant, his first.
36:23Let's watch Evan Mobley work.
36:25There's times where he's off the ball, times where he's on, but look at the contact.
36:29He sends Mr. Holiday a step or two off and then gets his balance.
36:34Exactly what you want to do.
36:36And then the adjustment at the end as Clint Capella comes over.
36:39I mean, there's so much growth and upside.
36:42Is it going to, you know, be bumpy at times?
36:44Yes.
36:45Is his efficiency what it was a season ago?
36:48No.
36:50But this is about growing and landing the plane when the playoffs happen.
36:54Certainly puts the work in with Cavaliers coaches and a skills trainer in Los Angeles.
37:01Holen Simplis.
37:03You know, Mobley actually had his teammates and they had full attendance.
37:06Cavaliers flew out to Los Angeles this summer and attended in an informal training camp that he put together for the entire week.
37:15They had two-a-day workouts, some team bonding, played some dominoes, and played some good five-on-five.
37:22All to empower him and give him a little bit more equity, say, in the team.
37:27Here he is on cue, Mobley.
37:29A little bit strong and rebounded by Thompson.
37:35Cleveland down by 11.
37:37They empty out the side for Shingun.
37:41One-on-one against Mobley.
37:43Porter digging on help.
37:45And Shingun scores it.
37:47Big-time move, he's got eight.
37:48His patience in the post is really special, Mark.
37:51He doesn't let the physicality bother him.
37:54He has a low, wide base in the post.
37:57His handle, he keeps the ball away from any defensive help.
38:01Mobley is a terrific defender, folks.
38:05One of the best in the league opponents field goal percentage against.
38:07But look at the touch, turning over that shoulder, that is so good.
38:12Shingun seconded the NBA in points per game in post-ups.
38:17As Kevin Durant comes back into the ballgame, Shingun would get a breather.
38:21His numbers, there's two guys in the league averaging 23 points, double-digit boards and seven assists.
38:29He's one of them.
38:30Who's the other one?
38:31Joker.
38:32Exactly right.
38:33The reason they call him Baby Joker.
38:35I don't know, man.
38:36If you saw him play against Joker in Eurobasket,
38:39you'd probably call him Joker Baby Shingun.
38:42Because Turkey won that game and Shingun put up numbers.
38:45Don't be mad at me.
38:47Look at the video.
38:49Thompson downhill.
38:51In rush hour traffic, couldn't get it to go.
38:54And off the grab and go, it's Mobley.
38:57Great spin move inside Mitchell.
39:00And a foul prior to the pass.
39:03Yeah, but he's showing you some stuff now.
39:06Evan Mobley, you can rake and take.
39:09Or catch and transition.
39:11You got a small guy on you who's gonna get up in pressure.
39:13He gets that pass off.
39:15I mean, think about the handle and how much work he put in to be able to absorb that pressure.
39:21Big time move.
39:23And off the block, here's Durant.
39:26Houston still up double digits.
39:31Adams out to Shepard.
39:33Snakes the screen.
39:35Reed Shepard in full effect.
39:37He's up to double-digit scoring with ten.
39:39You know what his mindset came into tonight?
39:41It was like, I'm putting the ball in the basket.
39:43They're gonna run him off the three now, so if you can get that defender on your back hip, look out.
39:48Oh, Thompson took Mobley's cornbread there with the hand and the steal.
39:53Durant with the rip through.
39:57Back out to Holiday.
39:59He touches paint, tough move, and draws the hit.
40:02So Aaron Holiday going to the free throw line.
40:07Remember, this is a team playing without one of its most valuable players, of course, Fred Van Vliet, who suffered that torn ACL this summer back in mid-September.
40:24But Van Vliet is healing extremely well.
40:27We had a nice visit with him a little bit earlier today at Shootaround.
40:31And think about a guy that, as you alluded to, the fact, Taurus, when guys draw double teams, he gets those end-of-shot clock grenades.
40:39He's able to knock down those shots a lot of times.
40:43I mean, to me, he would have changed the equation.
40:46Whether he's able to make it back in April, we'll see.
40:49But think about the Toronto Championship and the equity earned early with DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry.
40:55That ball found him late shot clock, and he was willing to stand in and deliver.
41:02He gets your offense into sets.
41:04He gets the ball where it is, where it needs to be.
41:07Now, listen, I do think that his absence is accelerating the growth of him in Thompson, so maybe long-run you're better off for it.
41:14But you will miss him.
41:15Tomlin off the Allen screen.
41:20Spins, pulls, got it.
41:22Iquan Tomlin making his first start of the season.
41:26Looking comfortable there.
41:32He back up to 13.
41:35Hunter good tonight defense on Sheppard.
41:38Holliday got to the rim, finishing with the lefty lane.
41:40Four points in the ball game for Aaron Holliday.
41:48Houston caught in rotation.
41:53Tomlin, let's say that he called that, okay?
41:57We'll give him credit for that, Doris.
41:59Shot it off the side of the backboard, got his rebound, and put it home.
42:03He put the H in horse and Houston.
42:07That was a...
42:09I mean...
42:13Grant on top.
42:15Adam's playing out of the pocket.
42:17Grant says, I got this.
42:19Slight work for KD.
42:21He's got five in the game.
42:24High-scoring contest.
42:26Houston, the number one scoring team in the NBA.
42:30The double teaming again.
42:32They help out Sheppard.
42:34Allen lays it home.
42:36Every time you put two on the ball, if you execute properly, you should get a good shot.
42:43Good decision there by Allen.
42:45That's his first field goal in the game.
42:46Sheppard off the screen.
42:48KD drives it on Hunter.
42:50Good help by Tomlin.
42:52Seven on the shot clock for Sheppard.
42:55He sees two, gets it to KD.
42:59Up and over Hunter.
43:00And ball with the rebound.
43:03The Cavaliers trying to string together a few stops here.
43:11Hunter, high arcing three.
43:13Tomlin inside, doing heavy work.
43:15What you like about this unit right here is there's more energy, there's more pop.
43:21And Tomlin's a big part of that, right?
43:24What about that, Doris?
43:25A guy that was discovered by Cleveland scouts playing at the Rucker up on 155th Street in New York.
43:32Duran from deep, got the three.
43:38And Tomlin and Jabari Smith Jr.
43:41Having words.
43:43Having an impassioned conversation.
43:45With that goal result, an ejection, and possible arrest.
43:55Farrie Smith Jr. pushed Tomlin.
43:59Didn't see the entire sequence, so not gonna arrive at any kind of judgment right now.
44:07But I know the officials did see Smith pushing.
44:10Let's take another look here on the entire sequence.
44:13Well, words aren't supposed to be able to hurt you.
44:27Tomlin said something to Smith.
44:30And Smith seemingly responding as you saw on your screen with a shove.
44:37Did Smith feel like he got him in the back?
44:40Is that what the initial objection was?
44:44So the officials at the monitor went to Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
44:51Mark Jones, Doris Burke, Katie George.
44:52Here's a look at the sequence a moment ago.
44:55We're gonna get the call here in a second.
44:57On that little dust up, a little chin check.
45:05First illegal contact by Smith Jr.
45:06It's been upgraded to a flagrant foul penalty one.
45:08Subsequently, both players are also pushing each other and get in each other's face.
45:11Those are offsetting technical fouls.
45:12We'll put the ball in play with the flagrant foul with two free throws.
45:16And then it'll be Cleveland's ball on the side with 24 on the shot clock.
45:21Nick Buecher getting a lot of face time tonight.
45:24That's a lot going on.
45:26So offsetting technical fouls and the flagrant penalty one against Jabari Smith Jr.
45:30Cavaliers will get a couple of free throws.
45:34Tomlin will shoot them.
45:36We were just talking about Smith's improvement in the early part of the season.
45:43If there was ever a team whose brazen, audacious attitudes reflected the competitiveness of their coach.
45:58Oh, yes.
46:00You fill in the blank.
46:01You fill in the blank for everybody.
46:02It's that guy right there.
46:05The Houston Rockets are in town.
46:06The game's gonna run a little bit long.
46:08There's gonna be a dust up and a chin check or two.
46:11Don't be fooled by the easy smile on his countenance right there.
46:1613-point lead for Houston.
46:21Pocket pass to Allen.
46:22One more weight on the short roll.
46:25Everything but the bucket for the Cavaliers.
46:28Hunter partially blocked by Adams.
46:31Thompson on the run with KD.
46:33Ball back defensively.
46:34Thompson on the slow step layup.
46:37Boy, it just could put so much pressure on you with that speed, right?
46:41You get Amin running downhill in transition.
46:44He's gonna make something special happen.
46:46Got six points of the ball game, Doris.
46:48Tomlin working against Shingun.
46:50Pulls the three.
46:52Rebounded by Durant.
46:53One and done for Cleveland.
46:55Donovan Mitchell on the bench.
46:57Getting a rest right now.
46:58Shingun cross court.
47:00Adams with the catch.
47:01Shot clock at 10 and the turnover.
47:06Ball to Allen.
47:11Swings through.
47:12Great footwork for the jump hook.
47:15Garrett Allen.
47:17Who's averaging 15 a game on the season.
47:23Brings Cleveland to within 13.
47:29And Gun spins on ball.
47:32Good help by Allen.
47:35That baseline feed never made it.
47:38Not the turnover.
47:41Cleveland ball.
47:43Consecutive turnovers for Houston.
47:46He may a little bit frustrated.
47:48And that's a straight Shingun wave off.
47:50He felt like he had the advantage on Lonzo ball.
47:53Lonzo's long.
47:54He's smart.
47:55And he will battle you on the defensive end.
47:58Six turnover for the Rockets.
48:00Thompson fights over the screen.
48:01Gets back to Wade.
48:03Seven on the shot clock for ball.
48:06Three ball.
48:08They can't buy one.
48:10Donovan Mitchell on the bench.
48:11One of five.
48:12They missed 14 of their last 15 threes.
48:15I mean they're third in the league in threes made.
48:17They just cannot find it.
48:19This line drive jumper was short.
48:22Ball with a little bit of pace into the front court.
48:26Back out to Wade.
48:27One more to the corner.
48:33Ball inside.
48:35Allen had the shorter Thompson on him who commits the foul.
48:38It's gonna be the second personal foul against Thompson.
48:41They found the right guy.
48:43And got the desired result as Donovan Mitchell gets ready to
48:47come back into the ball game for the Cavaliers.
48:49Just two points so far for the fifth leading scorer in the NBA.
48:54They've made a concerted effort to take the ball out of his hands.
48:57Lonzo checks out or is Lonzo back in and Wade out?
48:59Yeah, Lonzo's gonna play with Donovan Mitchell.
49:03They're keeping Lonzo right about 20 to 23 minutes.
49:08He looks healthy.
49:09He's moving well, but I feel like they're just being super conservative.
49:13Why not?
49:15You alluded to the fact it's all about how they land the plane in April.
49:19Ball.
49:21Off the mark for three.
49:23Lonzo has actually undergone three different procedures on his left knee since 2021-22.
49:28He ran out front guarded by Hunter.
49:34Oh, it's gonna be an offensive foul.
49:38Adams hits you with a ball screen. You're gonna feel it sometimes.
49:42A little overzealous that time. That's his first.
49:45Cleveland not making any inroads, but the Rockets are trying to give him some help.
49:49I mean, he doesn't allow Hunter any space whatsoever as a defender.
49:55But multiple turnovers here.
49:58They close the half strong if you're Cleveland.
50:01Mitchell off the flare guarded well by Smith.
50:05The cross.
50:06The kick.
50:08Ball passes on the three.
50:10Mobley with the turnaround.
50:13And it's been that kind of offensive night for the Cavaliers.
50:18Shooting just 37% from the field.
50:22Sometimes you just get stuck in neutral.
50:24And don't forget, coming up next, Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks in Dallas taking on the Mavericks.
50:32Back after this break.
50:34It's Star Watch brought to you by Co-Pilot.
50:38So Evan Mobley on the defensive end.
50:40You're looking at the defensive player of the year.
50:42Just forces a tough shot.
50:43He's just trying to make Kevin force it or make it over the top.
50:47Enough pressure that he turns it over.
50:49This downhill drive, I loved it.
50:51He's four for five in shots in the paint.
50:54If he's off the ball, really good feel for when to cut and be active.
50:58But this is a work in progress.
51:00And I'm not sure what his eventual fully realized game will look like.
51:07Like, what's his go-to move?
51:08It's a playoff game.
51:10It's crunch time.
51:11Where is he going?
51:16He ran out front.
51:20He's been good with the screen.
51:23Thompson inside.
51:25Pristine passing.
51:26Everything but the buck at that time by the Rockets.
51:28Mitchell pulling his way to the bucket.
51:31Couldn't finish.
51:38Durant snakes the screen.
51:40Had it knocked away.
51:41Thompson retrieved it.
51:42Back to KD for three.
51:47Durant two of six from the field.
51:49He's got eight in the ball game.
51:50Ball.
51:52Hunter drives it.
51:53Allen with a good catch in traffic.
51:56With the left.
51:57And he missed five.
52:00Now, Cleveland shooting 35%, Doris, from the field.
52:07Some of that do to Houston.
52:09Which is still a top ten defense.
52:11Adams tipped it up.
52:12Kept it alive on the glass out of bounds.
52:14It'll stay at that end.
52:15Rockets basketball.
52:16Let's go to KD who has more on Mobley.
52:19Well, Doris, you mentioned earlier how Kenny Atkinson is asking Evan Mobley to do a lot right now.
52:23Well, Mobley said pregame.
52:24There's been ups and downs without Darius Garland.
52:26But he said, I think it's been good for us.
52:28It's good for me to have to adapt, especially early in the season.
52:31Mobley said if someone were to get hurt in the playoffs, we'll be more equipped to handle it.
52:35So this has been actually a positive experience for us to figure out different lineups, different skills.
52:41He's shown a variety of his bag so far this year with Garland out.
52:47One of the things that he worked on during the summertime was being a primary ball handler, Doris, in ball screen actions and getting used to that process.
52:58I think that's been on display in moments.
53:00Think about that transition move against pressure that he made.
53:05And good at the free throw line.
53:16Well, coming up at the halftime, the Hyundai, Hyundai halftime report.
53:21Malika, Windy, Perk, and Coach Malone.
53:25The virtual reality breakdown of the first half.
53:30Hyundai halftime report.
53:35Mitchell left it on the front rim and a tough shooting first half for Mitchell at one for seven now.
53:43Boy, and then Thompson getting down in the stance, trying to stay between Donovan and the basket.
53:51Thompson, remember, was first team all-defense a season ago.
53:57The foul is going to go against Hunter, his second.
53:59And is there a technical foul here, too?
54:01Penalty situation.
54:03Technical foul on the Cavaliers' number 12, Deontre Hunter.
54:14Protesting a little too vehemently that time.
54:16Oh, it's a hand wave.
54:18So, Durant shooting the technical foul.
54:25KD with nine points in the game.
54:30Hunter got off to a good start tonight.
54:33So we're shooting the basketball.
54:34He's three of four right now.
54:36What do you see him fitting in with Cleveland when Garland comes back?
54:42And what kind of offensive role or load do you see him having to carry?
54:47First of all, I thought the acquisition a season ago was perfect.
54:50In the Eastern Conference at the time they acquired him, you thought you were going through the Boston Celtics,
54:54and you have two elite wings, or did, with Tatum and Brown.
55:00And so I've always believed there's more on the upside for him on the offensive end of the floor.
55:06I mean, Garland's a player. He's always going to be an add.
55:09I mean, I see there's challenges with his size on the defensive end,
55:12but this offense flows with him for Hunter.
55:15The last stretch of three-point shooting, you wonder why.
55:21Because tonight he looks confident on the catch, ready to go.
55:25I know there's some natural tendencies to be up and down.
55:29Oh, Allen turned up the base!
55:42He brought the whole boombox!
55:44Jarrett Allen rolling hard!
55:52Put the volume on ten!
55:56Just eviscerating Shingun!
56:02Well, he just announced his presence in the paint.
56:12Sometimes the forgotten guy at the offensive end, Jarrett Allen.
56:18Are they reviewing this, Mark?
56:20Because watch the left arm of Jarrett Allen.
56:23See Shingun react immediately.
56:30Is that a flagrant smack across the face?
56:33I don't know if that's a non-basketball move or not.
56:37Somewhere Richard Jefferson is dying.
56:40Because one of his greatest dunks in the history, I think, had a similar feel to this.
56:45And I think it was called offensive foul, wasn't it?
56:48I believe so.
56:49Oh, my goodness.
56:51Oh, my goodness.
56:52Wow, but that was an incredible...
56:54After review, the play calls as stands.
56:56An offensive foul on Allen.
57:01So, just an offensive foul.
57:02First offensive foul of the game.
57:04Go team foul.
57:08Nice to say good in life about it.
57:10He's off the hook.
57:11You know they're giving him the business about being on the poster.
57:14Oh, yeah.
57:15He's off the hook, but not off the highlights.
57:18Court center top ten with one minute to go in the second quarter.
57:25They're laughing about it over there.
57:27And Shingun are still talking about it.
57:29And that's the third foul on Jarrett Allen as a result.
57:35Houston leading by 16.
57:36Allen on the bench.
57:39Story this first half so far is Ivan Mitchell.
57:41Stuck in neutral with just two points.
57:45Averaging over 30 per game on the season.
57:48Durant, low block, light work.
57:5455-37, Durant with 13.
57:59Picture of precision and efficiency.
58:02Mobley out of the pocket.
58:06And here's Shingun.
58:07Grabs it off the glass and goes.
58:11Inside.
58:12Great look.
58:13Shingun with the finish.
58:15Boy, what a pass that time.
58:16Biggest lead of the ball game for Houston.
58:18Now to 20.
58:22Hunter guarded by Smith.
58:23Back out.
58:28Ball against Shepard.
58:29Out to Hunter for three.
58:30That's the third one that he's made tonight.
58:33If nothing else, he's rediscovered his three-point shooting rhythm.
58:37Shot 41% from deep a season ago.
58:40He's got 11 tonight.
58:45Thompson with a tough fade away.
58:47And that's going to do it for the first half.
58:52The Houston Rockets shoot 45% from the field.
58:59Kevin Durant.
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