Around the Association: Jazz Roll On, Lakers Still A Mess, Jokic Goes Wild

Written by

Published on December 10, 2021

Welcome to Around the Association! Five days per week (Monday through Friday), this article will serve as a comprehensive recap of the previous night's NBA action, taking you through all of the biggest performances, notable box scores, injury updates and any other fantasy-relevant headlines from around the league.

It was just a three game slate last night, but here is all you need to know:

Nightly Notables

Mitchell and Gobert push Jazz over 76ers in Philly

Almost quietly the Utah Jazz has now won six straight contests after the team's easy 118-96 over the 76ers. Donovan Mitchell led the way once again, dropping 22 points (8-19 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six assists, two steals and one rebound in 29 minutes. It was a solid game for the All-Star guard, but he actually snapped a four-game streak of scoring 30 or more points. During the Jazz's six-game winning streak, Mitchell is averaging 29.7 points and 5.3 assists per contest.
- Rudy Gobert tied a season-high in rebounds with 21 boards to go with 17 points (6-11 FG, 5-8 FT), one assist and two blocks across 29 minutes. The center's season-long average of 14.7 rebounds per game would set a new career-high for the 29-year-old.
Joel Embiid had a bit of a mediocre outing by Joel Embiid standards as he dropped 19 points (8-18 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, two assists, one block and three steals in 30 minutes. Since coming back from his nine-game absence due to COVID, Embiid has averaged 27.6 points and 12.7 rebounds per game over his first seven showings back with the 76ers.
- Seth Curry continues to be one of the more consistent pieces amongst coach Doc River's rotation as he finished with 18 points (7-12 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds and four assists in 33 minutes. The improved guard has reached at least 14 points in seven of his last eight appearances.

Shorthanded Grizzlies win again, this time over the Lakers

The Memphis Grizzlies may be without star point guard Ja Morant (knee) for the time being and to make matters even worse, Dillon Brooks was recently placed in COVID-19 protocols. However, the team just keeps winning games, defeating the Lakers by a score of 108-95 to mark their sixth win out of their last seven appearances.
- Jaren Jackson led the way with a team-high 25 points (9-18 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 5-6 FT), five rebounds and three steals over 29 minutes. The forward out of Michigan State has been on fire as of recent, averaging 21.7 points on 42.9 percent shooting from deep over his past six appearances.
- Desmond Bane continues to provide for the Grizzlies with Morant out. The sharpshooting wing posted 23 points (9-20 FG, 5-11 3Pt), three rebounds, three assists, one block and two steals in 31 minutes and has topped 20 points in four out his last six showings.
Despite taking the loss, LeBron James continues to absolutely show out in the latter stages of his career. The four-time champion 20 points (7-15 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 5-5 FT), 10 rebounds, 11 assists, two blocks and four steals across 37 minutes. This was no normal triple-double however, as this marked the veteran's 100th career triple-double -- joining the likes of Russell Westbrook, Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson and Jason Kidd as the only players in NBA history to reach that lofty total.
- It was not the prettiest outing for Russell Westbrook as he finished with nine points (3-9 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 1-4 FT), seven assists, six rebounds and one block to go with six turnovers during the loss.

Spurs handle the Nuggets despite another Jokic triple-double

The Spurs had lost their past two contests, but were able to get back into the win column after a 123-111 win over the Nuggets. Derrick White is starting to play at a career-best level as of late. The Colorado product finished with 23 points (9-14 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal in 35 minutes. Over his last four appearances, White is averaging 21.5 points, 4.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game while rankings as the 37th best nine-category fantasy option on a per-game basis over the past week.
- As he has done all season-long, Dejounte Murray came close to finishing with a triple-double as he posted 20 points (7-16 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 3-4 FT), eight rebounds, nine assists and one steal over 35 minutes.
The Nuggets may have taken the loss, but that did not stop Nikola Jokic from dropping his third straight triple-double. The reigning MVP finished with 22 points (8-19 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 13 rebounds, 10 assists, two steals and one block over 34 minutes. In his first six games since coming back from his wrist injury, Jokic has averaged a ridiculous 25.3 points, 12.8 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game.
- Aaron Gordon posted a team-high 25 points (9-12 FG, 7-8 FT), six rebounds, three assists and one block across 35 minutes. Hopefully the forward can start to finish with more games like these as the Nuggets continue to deal with injury problems.

Best and Worst of the Night

Best of the Night: Nikola Jokic -- 22 points (8-19 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 13 rebounds, 10 assists, two steals and one block over 34 minutes
Worst of the Night: Russell Westbrook -- Nine points (3-9 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 1-4 FT), seven assists, six rebounds, one block and six turnovers during the loss.

A Look Ahead to Friday Night

How do the Pacers perform against the Mavericks when Luka Doncic and Co. come to town?
Two of the most talented teams in the Eastern Conference, the Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks, match up in Atlanta.
It should be a great defensive-minded battle between the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors.
Can the Rockets keep their winning streak alive even with Giannis and the Bucks coming to Houston?