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The final season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” begins in February. Time to start your “Curb” rewatch.

Clob(bering) City

Here come the Clippers!

Let’s start with a somewhat shocking statistic: Kawhi Leonard has missed zero of the LA Clippers’ 24 games this season. That marks his best streak to begin a season since 2016-17 with the Spurs. But not only is Leonard playing consistently – he’s been killing.

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The Clippers, as a team, have also been killing. Their 121-113 victory over the Warriors last night marked six straight wins and made them winners of 10 of their last 14 games. They’re third in net rating since Dec. 2 (plus-9.8), trailing only the 76ers and Lakers. This six-game win streak is their longest win streak in the last eight seasons, so we’re seeing a Clippers team that is clicking on most cylinders with room to grow.

During their win streak, Leonard has been out of his mind (28.3 points on 59.6/51.6/93.8 shooting splits). And he’s almost 50-40-90 for the entire season, looking as healthy as we’ve seen him. Last night, James Harden had his best game as a Clipper (28 points, 15 assists, seven rebounds and four blocks). Paul George didn’t play, but it didn’t matter.

The Clippers are rolling. Their defense has been good all season (currently tied for fifth-best with OKC). And their offense is up to 12th overall. Initially, you could have chalked up this winning stretch to an easy schedule. But the Clippers’ last eight wins have come against Dallas, Sacramento (twice), Denver, Utah, Portland and Golden State twice.

The Clippers are currently seventh in the West but only two games behind Denver for No. 2. Let’s admit it: Maybe Harden was right about him/them needing 10 games to figure it all out. That’s exactly what seems to be the case.

More from last night’s action: 

The Latest From Shams

NBA trade market grows

It’s Dec. 15, the unofficial start of trade season in the NBA. Today is the date that many free agents who signed in the offseason are available to be traded, which opens up even more possibilities for front-office executives across the league. It’s also not a coincidence that the G League Showcase is next week in Orlando, where many decision-makers will have the chance to talk shop face-to-face.

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We analyzed the early market in my most recent Inside Pass, and my colleague Sam Vecenie broke down many of those players and their seasons in-depth in his trade big board that was published this morning. We’ll continue to keep you updated at The Athletic, The Bounce and on social media as the rumor mill starts to turn ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline.

Beef Court

Bucks v. Pacers

There are few things in this world I love more than a good, old-fashioned Petty War between two players or teams. The Bucks and Pacers engaged in an all-time night of pettiness after the Bucks’ 140-126 win over the Pacers on Wednesday. Before evaluating, let’s review how we got here:

Then, we got into Game Ball Gate, which we’ll adjudicate right here.

The case for the Pacers

You could argue their IST win was more meaningful than this week’s loss to Milwaukee. In the final minutes of Wednesday’s loss, Oscar Tshiebwe scored his first point as a pro. It’s Pacers tradition to grab the game ball for rookies scoring their first points. (He also actually scored in the NBA Cup final, but those stats don’t count. Tshiebwe scoring one point in that game too makes it much funnier.)

The Pacers claimed they didn’t know Giannis set a Bucks single-game scoring record that night. They played the heartstrings card amid the social media nonsense by posting who Oscar Tshiebwe was and what it meant for him to reach the NBA.

The Bucks didn’t try to ask the Pacers for the game ball back. Giannis just tried to bumrush the Indiana locker room.

The case for the Bucks

Giannis dropped 64 points without making a shot outside of the paint. I find it hard to believe the Pacers didn’t know the historical extent of his efforts. Despite all the game ball drama, we still don’t know if Giannis has the actual game ball. In fact, he admitted he didn’t know, saying it doesn’t feel like the game ball he’d just used to score 64. To be fair, though, Giannis has been known to play dumb about certain things in press conferences or interviews.

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It’s actually quite messed up that Giannis 1) doesn’t know if he has the official ball and 2) didn’t even get the ball for his title-clinching, 50-point Game 6 performance in 2021. The Bucks posted a picture of Giannis holding a ball the next day, which is very funny.

Verdict: We rule in favor of the Pacers. Indy actually had the backup game ball after losing. Milwaukee had the real game ball. The Bucks (not Portis, but mostly Giannis) were very performative and had the game ball the entire time… we think…  👨🏻‍⚖️

Myles Turner Is a Legomaniac

He loves Legos … a lot

Speaking of weird Pacers stuff, Myles Turner is apparently a Lego Maniac. As someone named Zach who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, that term can be quite triggering, but I’m confident in applying this to Turner. According to SLAM Online, the 27-year-old’s Lego obsession runs deep and includes a 9,000-piece scale replica of the Titanic, a poster of him dunking on Giannis and more.

This week, Turner clarified he builds — not plays with — Legos. There is even a picture of him clearly playing with an ‘03 Lego NBA Ultimate Arena Set.

There is also this haunting, life-sized Lego replica of Turner in which he is 1) dressed as Darth Vader and 2) clearly looks like his just peeked into the Ark of the Covenant. It will forever haunt my dreams.

Bounce Passes

John Hollinger busts out the Panic Meter for the Suns and Warriors.

Steve Kerr agrees with Draymond Green’s suspension. 👀

Seth Partnow breaks down everything to know about Haliburton’s rise.

Screen Game (All times Eastern)

  • Main Screen: Knicks-Suns (10 p.m. ESPN). Let’s hope we get everybody playing and see the Suns’ big three get its first win.
  • Second Screen: Lakers-Spurs (7:30 p.m. ESPN). Victor Wembanyama almost led a massive comeback vs. Anthony Davis this week. The Lakers can send the Spurs to their 19th straight loss.
  • League Pass Game of the Night: Magic-Celtics (7:30 p.m.). The Magic smacked the Celtics in their first meeting. The next two meetings are in Boston. Full schedule here.

(Top photo: Adam Pantozzi / Getty Images)