Watch two games of the NBA 2021-22 regular season each week LIVE on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.
Luka Magic
One of the most electrifying players to watch since he entered the NBA, Luka Doncic is in the midst of another incredible regular season, and his last showing against the Pelicans was no different.
The Slovenian put up 28 points and a huge 14 assists in the blowout win, and his playmaking shone through in the scoring with three teammates tallying double figures as big man Kristaps Porzingis poured in 20, followed by sharpshooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr (16) and sixth man Jalen Brunson (17).
The Mavs look to be finding form after a disappointing slump and against a team they just beat with such a short turnaround, expect some serious Luka magic to again be on display, this time in front of a rapturous home crowd.
Can Valanciunas save the Pels?
Star wing Brandon Ingram carried the scoring load as his Pelicans were embarrassed against the Mavericks, doing all he could with an efficient 29 points on 11-17 shooting from the field, but if there’s any chance of a win on the road in Dallas, he’ll need more effort from his supporting cast.
Enter Lithuanian centre Jonas Valanciunas, who this week showed he can be that spark in the Pelicans’ clinical 123-104 win over the Clippers.
Valanciunas put up an incredible stat line of 39 points and 15 rebounds; punctuated by an insane 7-of-7 three pointers, becoming the only player along with Steph Curry to tally 35 points, 10 rebounds and 7 threes this season.
If that doesn’t tell you Valanciunas has the keys to be in elite company, watch him in action tomorrow for further evidence as the Pelicans look to turn the tide on the Mavericks.
NBA: New Orleans Pelicans v Dallas Mavericks
12:30pm - 3:00pm AEDT
LIVE on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand
Chef Curry, MVP in waiting?
We’ve known it all along, but Steph Curry has shown he is among the greatest basketball players of all time, with this season being no different.
Curry has been playing at an MVP level, leading all players in scoring with his Warriors boasting the best record in the league at 18-3 and sitting tied for top of the cut-throat Western Conference along with the Phoenix Suns.
Whether it’s his devastating three-point shooting, crafty shot-making inside the paint, constant running or amazing playmaking abilities, number 30 is nigh impossible to guard this year, so expect him to put on another dazzling performance on Sunday against the Spurs.
Landale back to fight for minutes in San Antonio
After leading Melbourne United with a Grand Final MVP showing in last year’s NBL season, it’s been a tumultuous start to life in the NBA for Boomers big man Jock Landale.
The 26-year-old only played for the San Antonio Spurs 4 times before entering the league’s health and safety protocols in early November, causing him to miss multiple games and rob Aussie fans of seeing what he could do at the top level.
But there’s good news for said fans, as Landale returned to action in the Spurs' 124-106 loss to the Atlanta Hawks last week, looking lively as he got open for a dunk in his five minutes on the hardwood.
And with a quarter of the regular season now in the rear view, he’ll have to make the most of his chances to impress coach Gregg Popovich - starting with an important game against the Warriors.
NBA: San Antonio Spurs v Golden State Warriors
12:30pm - 3:00pm AEDT
LIVE on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand
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