Chris Paul is a basketball genius. He leverages every edge, and uses every angle to do it. He sees the entire floor in his sleep and knows each possible defensive reaction. He doesn’t just see and exploit potential openings before anyone else. He sees and exploits the potential openings before the potential openings. As Oklahoma City Thunder fans have learned this season, crunch time is just another simple film session put into action.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is clearly going to be named the NBA MVP again, and deservedly so. He’s the No. 2 scorer in the league on historic efficiency from the floor (approaching 60 percent effective field goal rate, which means he scores about 1.2 points per field goal attempt, which is unreal) and he’s a top-three Defensive Player of the Year candidate. He’s making such an inordinate impact while playing less than 31 minutes per game. The Bucks are so good that there’s garbage time almost every night.

The Raptors went 2-1 this week and it’s obvious what the high and low points of that time were. They semi-casually beat the Suns; then they went out and destroyed the Pacers (and perhaps exorcised the Doug “McDemon” McDermott curse once and for all); and then they played the Bucks — which was fun for a half, and then not fun at all.

There are two questions worth asking about Gary Harris right now. Both are critical for the Denver Nuggets, and their climb towards the NBA title: “What happened?” and “What if he turns it around?”

The Los Angeles Lakers finally made an addition to their roster after a number of buyout market players went elsewhere by signing Markieff Morris.

In Morris, the Lakers get a big wing capable of shooting the three and defending multiple positions and did it without having to give up any assets in a trade.

All eyes were on Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez this evening as the duo made their return to Denver for the first time since being traded earlier this month. In the end, though, it was the Nuggets who would steal the spotlight, exerting their dominance in a 128-116 victory for the season sweep over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Kobe and Gigi Bryant’s celebration of life at Staples Center was a touching tribute to the Lakers legend and his 13-year-old daughter. Beyonce, Alicia Keys, and Christina Aguilera performed, and the arena was packed with those Kobe and Gigi have loved and inspired.

San Antonio concluded its Rodeo Road Trip 2-6 and was unable to take the season series from Oklahoma City (2-2). Rudy Gay (14 points and 6 rebounds) paced the Spurs, while all eight OKC players contributed double digits points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (22 points and 13 rebounds) and Steven Adams (21 points and 14 rebounds) helped the Thunder dominate at both ends from the second period on.