NBA schedule and results: James Harden scores 44, Bulls outlast Raptors

Still, the fact that Schroder got to the line eight times is a plus in itself, because it highlighted a willingness to get to the basket all game long. Here’s Schroder’s shot chart:

Over half of Schroder’s shots came near the basket and he converted those at a high level. The second-year point guard has done a great job getting to the rim all season, as nearly 47 percent of his shots have come in the restricted area, per NBA.com.

This latest outing was Harden’s most impressive yet. Along with his point and assist totals, he also had five steals and shot the ball efficiently. He shot 14-of-26 from the field, 4-of-9 from the three-point line and went a typical 12-of-13 from the free throw line.

The kicker in all of this? Harden played only 32 minutes, meaning his performance put him in elite company:

Many of the faces are different from the offensively-inept team that lost to the Wizards in five games and the iteration of the Bulls we see now. Chicago knew it needed to upgrade the talent on the roster in order to compete for a championship and made it a point to do that this past offseason.

Rose being at his best always helps matters, and he went 6-of-6 from the field in the fourth quarter. The 2011 MVP scored on three consecutive possessions down the stretch to help give the Bulls some breathing room, and he did it using the mid-range game that was such a huge part of his success at the beginning of his career. He went 4-of-4 from mid-range in the fourth quarter, and although that isn’t sustainable every game, it was a positive to see him go to that instead of launching bad three-pointers.

If you’ve never watched Vince Carter’s 100 greatest dunks, please stop what you’re doing and right that wrong immediately. Just because he’s 37 years old now doesn’t mean he has forgotten how to fly.

Even though Ross still drained the three-pointer, this is another example of why Noah is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. He even defends when he’s not in the game!

Ellis has been terrific lately so we’ll cut him some slack. Still, that ball went a looooong way. Missed dunks are always funny.

It’s unclear what the heck is happening here, but it doesn’t need to be. This is an All-Star GIF if ever you’ll see one. Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson are loving life following a big win over the Nuggets and she’s watching, waiting -- lurking.

h/t @bryan_mears

Woooooo, Manu. That’s pretty. DeAndre Jordan didn’t know what hit him.

Cody Zeller has really come into his own off the Hornets’ bench this season, but don’t mistake that with him with him being smooth.

There are still a few sleeps until Christmas, but Nick Young got his present early on account of the Lakers traveling to Chicago for their game against the Bulls. This 1962 Chevy Impala is absolutely pristine, and the most appropriate car for a dude whose nickname is “Swaggy.”

He’s so fancy now ... sorry ... very, very sorry.

Remember this photo next time you find yourself fighting for position with Bismack Biyombo. That does not look like fun. Mozgov headed off the locker room with “excessive bleeding”. I’d say.

The Cavaliers had a lot of things working against one of the best teams in the league Sunday, running out to a 20-6 lead before the Grizzlies rallied to trim the lead by the end of the first period. Cleveland ended the game shooting 61 percent from the field, including 7-of-14 from three, with several players putting up efficient numbers.

There’s a lot to be excited about in Cleveland after a big win against a Western Conference contender, but the Cavaliers won’t be at their best without Love playing a huge role. He’s shown signs of finding his place with the team at times this season, but still needs to prove he can string that together for weeks (and months) at a time.