NBA Summer League: Day 7

The top performers for Day 7 were: Anthony Morrow (47 pts), Jodie Meeks (29 pts), Chase Budinger (25 pts), Marcus Williams (22 pts), Marcus Thornton (21 pts), DeMar DeRozan (20 pts), George Hill (20 pts, 9 ast), DeJuan Blair (20 pts), Joey Dorsey (20 reb), Blake Griffin (18 pts, 15 reb)

Toronto (3-2) 84 Milwaukee (4-1) 83
Box Score

Jodie MeeksThe Toronto Raptors finished their 2009 SL schedule with an exciting 84-83 win over the previously unbeaten Milwaukee Bucks.

A Quincy Douby mid range pull up with 1.5 seconds left was all that prevented the Bucks from going a perfect 5 for 5 in this year's SL. Douby’s clutch shot came after a Jodie Meeks bomb put the Bucks up 1 with 15 seconds remaining.

The Raptors were without Ekene Ibekwe, who despite being cleared of serious neck damage, was out after yesterday's fall. Teammate DeMar DeRozan created an early buzz around Cox Pavilion as he went up and banged on Joe Alexander in transition. DeRozan converted the three point play which helped set up a Raptors 2 point lead after the first.

The game saw #10 pick Brandon Jennings match up with one of SL’s better point guard defenders, Smush Parker. Parker used his size advantage midway through the first by posting and scoring on Jennings. Quincy Douby then covered Jennings most of the second quarter with Jennings scoring 9 points on him. Jennings had an easier time penetrating against Douby (who is known as a solid defender).

Alexander has looked better with each game finishing with 19 pts, 8 rebs, and 4 ast. He scored a quick 4 points in the first 90 seconds of the third to tie the game.

Bucks leading scorer Jodie Meeks (16.5 PPG) caught fire in the third, making 5-6 field goals including three straight threes, helping to give the Bucks a two point lead heading into the final quarter. He will never be the quickest two guard in the league, but he keeps his man in front of him on defense while his work off the ball keeps his defender busy on offense. Meeks’ (29 points 4 reb 4/8 3FG) approach on both ends of the floor has been impressive all week and he should be a solid rotation player for the Bucks next year.

Parker and Jennings had an exchange after Smush grabbed an out of control Jennings in an attempt to slow him down following a whistle. Jennings took exception. There was no malice involved with Parker repeatedly telling the youngster to relax. The hot shooting battle between Meeks and Douby dominated the 4th. Jennings had an ordinary day finishing with 13 points 7 ast but most alarming was his 8 turnovers. To his credit, he did show good judgment in the last minute of the game by not firing a three when he had a good look, instead choosing to wait for a better option. That better option was Alexander who made a long two, giving the Bucks the lead.

DeRozan finished with his usual 20 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast. He can be lethal in the open court, however his free throw shooting is a concern. He finished at just 50% over the 5 games. He didn’t force much today and also had a couple of nice passes that weren’t converted.

Houston (5-0) 92 LA Lakers (3-2) 77
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Chase Budinger The Houston Rockets finished the SL as the only unbeaten team defeating the Adam Morrison-less Lakers today 92-77 in game 2 at Cox Pavilion. The Rockets were led by 44th pick Chase Budinger (25 pts, 7/9fg, 3/3 3p, 8/8 ft). Without Morrison (20 ppg), David Monds got the Lakers off to a strong start taking a 5 point quarter time lead. Monds was strong this SL averaging 14ppg, 5rpg, showing off his mid range game and ability to attack the basket.

After only playing a few minutes in the first, Budinger went for 11 in the second period. The score was tied at the half after LA’s solid work on the offensive boards was negated by their terrible shooting (33%). Lakers Second round pick Chinemelu Elonu (16 pts, 8 reb, 8 fouls) had his most productive day of the week. He will need work on his touch as he shoots a horrible percentage for a big man (40%). He is without doubt a project, but is active and had some success today.

Joey Dorsey tied Lonny Jones’ SL rebounding record with 20 (7OR) today and also added 11 points and 5 assists. He may not have an obvious position in the NBA, however has proven to be a hard worker in his 5 games here. In one sequence, he deflected a pass, ran the court and finished the play giving the Rockets a 14 point advantage. #32 pick Jermaine Taylor didn’t light up the stat sheet but is definitely a crowd pleaser, following Dorsey’s play with a fierce break away dunk. The athletic Taylor finished with 11pts 3reb 3ast.

The Lakers shooting percentage dropped to 31% after three and they quickly found themselves in a 15 point hole. Without Morrison to provide a scoring punch, reducing the deficit was always going to be a difficult task for Los Angeles. The majority of the 4th was garbage time with the lead blowing out to 20 at one point.

Golden State (4-1) 104 New Orleans 84 (0-3)
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Anthony Morrow With teammate Anthony Randolph sitting this one out with a sprained left wrist, it was Anthony Morrow's turn to light up the Las Vegas strip setting a new Summer League scoring record with 47 points (18-26 fg). The undrafted second year sharpshooter helped the Warriors build on a double digit second half lead to win by 20 to close out their SL at 4-1.

Morrow was unconscious draining 7 of 9 from deep, showing why he was the league's second ranked 3 point shooter (percentage wise) as a rookie last season. Morrow showed a well rounded game as well, getting out in transition and converting on an and-1 in the first quarter. He found a groove and it seemed he couldn't miss.

Stephen Curry had another decent game, running the PG position for most of the game. Nothing too flashy but showed his solid ball handling and ability to get to the rim at the end of the first half with a nifty drive and bucket. He also displayed his tremendous ability to quickly gather the ball, set and shoot, knocking down a 3 pointer early in the second half. He shot 4-10 for 9 points deferring to Morrow in the second half to help him get the record. While his final 2 games in SL were modest, he along with Randolph and Morrow have certainly given Warrior fans something to get excited about going into next season.

For the Hornets, when he wasn't watching Morrow drain 3 pointers on him, Marcus Thornton had a solid performance putting up 21 points of his own on 6-14 shooting. Earl Calloway came off the bench to score 17 in 20 minutes.

Darren Collison's shot wasn't dropping 14 pts (4-14 fg) but he looked solid running the team, displaying quickness that allows him to get by defenders and find teammates for shots off the drive.

San Antonio (3-0) 85 Oklahoma City (0-3) 76
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DeJuan Blair The San Antonio Spurs improved their SL to 3-0 with a 85-76 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Thomas & Mack Center.

#37 Pick DeJuan Blair (20 pts) got off to a solid start, using his muscle inside scoring an early 8 points. He finished with 20pts 5 rebs. He was effective using his body well to create space on his shots. One of his two turnovers came from an illegal screen early in the second quarter. He had a nice move with good footwork to elude #24 pick BJ Mullens (5pts 1reb 3ast). George Hill combined with Blair to cut the Thunder lead to 1 going into halftime. Hill would end up with 20 pts, 5 reb, 9 ast 3 stt, but also committed 6 turnovers.

Mullens finished 2/8 but did have a few nice entry passes from the high post and picked up three assists. He’s young and will need to work on his strength, as he was bullied out of position a couple of times. He hasn’t got bad hands and his length also cut off some pick and roll options. One rebound in 24 minutes isn’t what you want from a 7 footer however.

Hill had a big 4th quarter pulling the Spurs away from the Thunder and putting the game out of reach. He finished a drive with a big dunk much to the delight of the growing crowd. Malik Hairston (16 pts, 6 reb, 7/13 fg) provided good support to Hill and Blair. Spurs Second rounder Jack McClinton went scoreless in 14 minutes and took some rushed shots going 0/4.

Serge Ibaka (15 pts, 8 reb) was huge on the offensive rebounds collecting 7. He also displayed his ability to hit a mid range jump shot. Teammate Robert Vaden (16pts 3reb 2ast 2stl) shot nicely from deep. He connected on 4 from 5 long balls. DJ White was also very effective (17 pts) in limited minutes.

The Spurs extended their SL record to 3-0 after shooting an impressive 52% from the field.

Cleveland Cavaliers (3-0) 75 Dallas Mavericks (0-4) 62
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Tarence Kinsey and Jawad Williams led the Cavs to victory, outlasting the Mavs 75-62, showing more energy in the final period.

The Mavericks took a 2 point lead into the 4th quarter but things unraveled quickly as Rodrigue Beaubois couldn't throw a beachball in the ocean finishing 2-14 from the field for 4 points.

After a few days off, Beaubois struggled to reach the level he previously was able to play which could be due to a slight knee injury from earlier in the week. Beaubois didn't get much help from his teammates either as the Mavs shot a combined 34% from the floor with just 1 player (Andre Brown) scoring in double figures with 10.

Rookie Christian Eyenga failed to get much going offensively, although he played within himself and other players grabbed the offensive looks. 4 points on 2-5 shooting in 34 minutes isn't much to write home about.

Memphis Grizzlies (3-0) 85 Los Angeles Clippers (2-1) 68
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The final game of day 7 saw the top two picks of the 2009 draft go head to head. The Memphis Grizzlies got the 85-68 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Marcus Williams led the Grizzlies with 22 points on 16-20 ft.

Griffin (18 pts, 8-20 fg, 15 reb, 5 ast) won the crowd over with enough highlights to make a DVD, however Thabeet walked away with the win and kept his perfect SL record (3-0).

Blake Griffin Griffin had a mixed opening quarter getting blocked twice by Greg Stiemsma and turning the ball over twice. He finished the quarter in spectacular fashion by sending down a left-handed follow to tie the game at 14.

The second quarter produced some horrible shooting with both teams struggling to exceed 35%fg. The #1 pick continued his highlight reel in the second quarter, however his team would head in to the halftime break down 32-30. In the final two minutes Griffin first nearly deflated the ball when pinning a Sam Young shot against the backboard. A minute later he sent down a savage dunk off a one bounce dribble then converted a Mike Taylor lob immediately after on his way to a first half double double (12pts 11reb).

Down by 10 points, Griffin had an ugly sequence towards the end of the third when he was blocked, retrieved the ball then lost the handle out of bounds. Griffin dribbling on the perimeter in that situation was a very low percentage play with his team trying to mount a comeback.

Grizzlies draft picks had fairly average performances today. #2 pick Hasheem Thabeet was a non factor, looking tentative when on the block, displaying poor hands and making a few turnovers. He would finish with the unflattering stat line of 7 pts, 3 reb, 7 fouls, and 5 to’s. He did confidently swish a 15-footer in garbage time.

#27 pick DeMarrre Carroll (16 pts, 7-9 fg) showed some flashes of what he’s capable of after a slow first half. Carroll came out of half time and converted on a floater after getting into the paint. He also made an impressive offensive rebound and put back before nicely playing passing lanes to get a steal and breakaway dunk putting his team up 8. The Grizzlies pushed the lead out to 10 by three quarter time.

#36 selection Sam Young showed his outside touch but didn’t have much else going beyond that, finishing with 11pts 6reb.

Griffin’s return with 7 minutes remaining in the final period didn’t result in the Clippers cutting into the Memphis lead. The Grizzlies advantage hovered around 10 points for the remainder of the contest. Turnovers and poor shot selection didn’t allow the Clippers to ever threaten in the final quarter.

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