The NBA: where two beloved and eccentric Eastern Europeans can trade game-winners on national TV in the middle of the night to no one’s surprise.
Nikola Jokic one-ups Luka Doncic
We have that and more in Friday’s NBA newsletter.


Here’s the set-up: it was a tight game all night, with the playing-for-pride Mavericks keeping up with the playing-for-the-top-seed Nuggets in Denver. The Mavericks trailed 98-97 with 20 seconds left. Luka Doncic — presumptive Rookie of the Year and future MVP — wound the clock down a little. The Nuggets got caught out a little bit on a switch, so Luka attacked the lane ... and dunked over Mason Plumlee and Paul Millsap!
Millsap got hit with a foul too, but Luka missed the free throw, putting the score at 99-98.
Luka also left five seconds on the clock. After a timeout, the Nuggets gave the ball to Nikola Jokic near the foul line and he ... well, he proceeded to do whatever the heck this is.
Let’s call it a fake spin move to 10-foot fading one-hand push shot? Or we can just call it GAME.
Denver wins, Jokic picks up his first career buzzer beater, and wow this would be a really nice rivalry to develop over the course of time.
Scores
Thunder 106, Pacers 108
Cavaliers 91, Magic 120
Kings 120, Celtics 126
Lakers 98, Raptors 111
Timberwolves 100, Jazz 120
Mavericks 99, Nuggets 100
Schedule
Here’s the weekend national TV schedule. All times Eastern. Full schedule can be found here.
Friday
Bucks at Heat, 8, NBA TV
Bulls at Clippers, 10:30, NBA TV
Saturday
Warriors at Thunder, 8:30, ABC
Sunday
Sixers at Bucks, 3:30, ABC
Timberwolves at Rockets, 9, ESPN
Links
Kristaps Porzingis practiced fully with the Mavericks. #FreeKristaps
Jared Dubin on the other offensive revolution: never turning the ball over.
Jazz franchisee Gail Miller gave a speech to fans before Thursday’s game, essentially telling them to chill on the racism and heckling. Good on her. Jazz GM Dennis Lindsay also discussed national sin with USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt, which is something we should absolutely discuss.
Berlin is big and awesome, but it’s no guarantee to build a Euroleague powerhouse.
And finally: Shaq cries eating hot wings.
Be excellent to each other. Find peace and love in times of tumult.











