Welcome back to the BAE Index.
6’0″ Kyle Lowry rejects 6’8″ LeBron James
The Cavaliers got the better of the Raptors tonight in a showdown between two of the East’s best clubs. LeBron James was one of a trio of Cavs to score at least 20 points, but could’ve had a couple more if not for this gravity-defying rejection by Kyle Lowry (via @Raptors):
NO HOOP FOR YOU.
Professor Miller’s class is back in session
The Timberwolves were humiliated in a loss to the 76ers Monday night, good for their seventh loss in the last eight games. Minnesota has a bright future, though, thanks to a bevy of young talent. One of those young, talented players is noted high-flyer Zach LaVine. One of those young players is definitely NOT Andre Miller, but that doesn’t mean the Professor isn’t still out here teaching the young’uns a thing or two. Let’s watch as Miller finds LaVine on an alley-oop from well beyond midcourt (h/t @talkhoops):
Marcus Smart made his teammates dance
Marcus Smart recently returned from a leg injury that kept him out for several games. Following tonight’s win over the Nets, it’s safe to say the Celtics are glad to have him back. Two of his seven points off-the-bench came on this gorgeous up-and-under layup that threw Boston’s bench into a frenzy (via @CelticsHub):
Marcus Smart has all of your hustle
But that’s not all! Donald Sloan attempted to milk a little shot clock by letting the ball roll halfway up the floor during a possession late in the third quarter. Smart decided he’d kill that possession before it even got started (h/t @CelticsHub):
Willie Cauley-Stein dunked all over…Darren Collison?
The Kings got a big road win Monday night in Oklahoma City. Willie Cauley-Stein returned to the floor after missing 12 games with a dislocated finger, and chimed-in with eight points and three boards in 15 minutes of action. Two of those points and one of those boards came on this ferocious putback throwdown at the right over the back of his own teammate, Darren Collison (via @SacramentoKings):
Steph Curry scared his unsuspecting dad on live television
Stephen Curry’s dad, Dell, does TV analysis for the Charlotte Hornets, who were in Oakland Monday night taking on Steph’s Warriors. Dell was just doing his job, delivering what were surely some groundbreaking basketball points, when Steph decided to have a little fun at the expense of his old man (h/t @HiveTalkLive):