Taking The Bet - the NBA lands in Las Vegas

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Beal, Porter's late game heroics lead Vegas past Denver

December 20, 2015
By: Ray Porter
NBA.com reporter

GAME RECAP

Instant classic! What a game this was! Vegas started out strong at the Pepsi Center and were up by 7 after the first. Denver however bounced back in the second, erased the deficit and went up by 1 just before halftime. They continued their hot streak troughout the third and looked well on their way to secure the W. But the 4th quarter was a shocker.

Wall and Beal were on fire come crunch time and shot the Jokers back in the game. Wall put up 27, but there was no stopping Bradley Beal this game. Beal poured in a season high 31 points. With the game up for the taking, in came the hero of the night. Otto Porter, who is on fire lately, exploded out of nowhere. He put on a show, going on a 10 straight points streak all by himself. Driven by momentum, the Jokers cruised their way to victory. The Nuggets were left stunned. They tried fouling Beal late in the game, but he kept his cooled, nail his free throws and secured the W. Game over.

BOX SCORE

Las Vegas Jokers at Denver Nuggets
Jan 1,	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Las Vegas (4-6)	31	22	24	30	107
Denver (5-8)	23	31	29	19	102

Las Vegas Jokers
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
B. Beal	27	12-18	3-5	4-7	5	6	2	0	5	31
J. Wall	32	11-16	1-3	4-4	0	5	2	3	3	27
O. Porter	21	7-9	0-1	1-3	4	6	0	2	0	15
M. Gortat	30	4-5	0-0	0-0	13	6	0	3	4	8
Nenê	19	3-5	0-0	1-2	2	3	2	0	0	7

Denver Nuggets
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
D. Gallinari	28	11-22	1-3	1-1	4	2	0	0	1	24
W. Barton	32	7-17	1-5	3-4	1	3	3	0	2	18
G. Harris	14	7-10	1-1	0-0	3	0	0	0	1	15

OTHER GAMES

PHX 105 - 102 LAL
TOR 74 - 111 HOU
MEM 79 - 89


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Phoenix Suns @ Las Vegas

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Showtime in Vegas: Jokers win 3rd straight in wild finish vs Suns (100-106)

December 23, 2015
By: Ray Porter
NBA.com reporter

GAME RECAP

Las Vegas has been feeling it lately. They now extend their winning streak to 3 straight against the Suns. The Suns, currently a top 3 team in the West, weren't particularly bad in this game. They brought their A-game. It just wasn't enough.

John Wall has been outstanding this season and has proven himself to be an elite point guard in this league. This game was no different. Wall dropped 35 on the Suns, dished out 5 assists and also blocked 3 shots. Joined by his partner in crime, Bradley Beal (who scored 19 pts), they went head to head against a thriving Suns team. Neither team was able to really pull away until the last 2 minutes.

That's when things got crazy in Vegas. With the score tied at 100, Jared Dudley nailed a wide open deep 2 on an assist from Wall. The Suns tried to answer back, but missed. Otto Porter grabbed the rebound and went coast to coast, to give the Jokers a 4 point lead. The crowd was on their feet, chanting. The Arena was buzzing.

To finish things off, the Jokers had a little extra up their sleeve. John Wall blocked a desperate three point attempt from Brandon Knight and dished the ball out to Beal, who threw down a monster dunk. The Suns just stood there powerless and watched it happen, as Sin City secured the W. This is what Vegas brought the NBA here for. Moments like this. NBA showtime in the City of Entertainment.

BOX SCORE

Phoenix Suns at Las Vegas Jokers
Dec 23, 2015	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Phoenix (8-5)	22	25	29	24	100
Las Vegas (4-5)	23	22	31	30	106

Phoenix Suns
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
E. Bledsoe	32	10-25	1-3	5-6	4	12	2	1	3	26
T.J. Warren	28	7-11	0-1	1-2	7	2	1	0	0	15
B. Knight	34	6-26	0-3	2-3	6	11	0	1	3	14

Las Vegas Jokers
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
J. Wall	31	16-28	1-7	2-3	6	5	0	3	2	35
B. Beal	24	7-18	2-8	3-3	3	3	2	0	1	19
O. Porter	23	6-6	1-1	1-1	3	6	1	0	4	14
G. Neal	16	2-4	2-3	1-4	2	0	1	0	1	7
M. Gortat	29	3-6	0-0	0-0	13	5	2	2	1	6

OTHER GAMES

MIN 71 - 81 SAS
MIA 92 - 99 SAC


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Las Vegas Jokers @ LA Clippers

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Jokers acquire Joe Johnson in three-team trade w/ Brooklyn, Houston



January 3rd, 2016
By: Jrue Nalist
Journalist

REPORT - A rather surprising trade shocked many today, after team owners announced a three-way deal was agreed upon between the Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets and Las Vegas Jokers. The trade package includes big names such as Brazilian PF Nenê, Brooklyn's Joe Johnson and Jarrett Jack and Houston's problem child, PG Ty Lawson.


A lot of players are swapping teams with this trade. Here's who's moving where:

Las Vegas receives: Joe Johnson (BKN), Andrea Bargnani (BKN)

Brooklyn receives: Nenê (LAV), Otto Porter (LAV), Ty Lawson (HOU), 2017 1st Round Pick (HOU)

Houston receives: Jarett Jack (BKN), Jared Dudley (LAV)

Grading The Trade

At first sight, taking on Joe Johnson's massively overpayed 24,9 mill contract seems like a downright crazy thing to do for just about any team. Especially when you have to give up so many players to match his salary, and lose a young prospect like Otto Porter, who has become a fan favorite lately, in the process. This trade does ultimately benefit all teams involved though. Here's why:

Las Vegas Jokers

Joe Johnson isn't a 24,9 million worthy superstar anymore, but he is still a solid scorer at the small forward position. A position in which the Jokers lack some firepower. While Johnson may not be the high volume scorer he used to be, on the court with Wall and Beal, he doesn't have to be. Johnson gives the Jokers the strength they were lacking at the SF position.

He can provide Las Vegas with an extra boost on offense, and take some of the load off Wall and Beal's shoulders. Joe can also provide the team with some veteran leadership and sort of take on Paul Pierce's role with the team, before his departure last summer.

That's not the only reason the Jokers acquired Johnson though. While he can help the team out nicely for the remainder of this season, Joe is unlikely to be a part of Las Vegas' long term future. Most importantly, Johnson's expiring 24,9 mill contract serves as a massive salary dump for Las Vegas by the end of the season.

The Jokers have their eyes on the big price: Free Agency. With superstars such as Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard, Mike Conley and D Wade all set to become unrestricted free agents, and the salary cap increasing to around 90 million, the Las Vegas franchise is poised to make some big moves this summer. Vegas' young wonder boy, Bradley Beal, is also due for a hefty raise this summer. Moving Otto Porter's contract is an extra measure to clear as much cap space as they possibly can.

Getting rid of Otto and Jared Dudley, also clears up a lot more playing time at SF for rookie K. Oubre Jr. The rook has shown flashes of great potential early this season and HC Randy Wittman sees Oubre as a big part of the Jokers' future going forward.

Andrea Bargnani, who has a player option included in his expiring contract, is expected to be waived by Las Vegas.

Brooklyn Nets

For Brooklyn, this trade is a blessing. The team is stuck at the bottom of their conference and has no superstars, no draft picks and no future. Getting rid of Joe Johnson's massively overpaid salary was priority number one for the team, but it seemed like mission impossible. If he wasn't traded, waiving him would have been inevitable.

Instead, Brooklyn now gets a solid young prospect on a rookie scale contract in return. Porter (22) has been playing really well this season and shows a lot of potential. With a lot more playing time available in Brooklyn, he could potentially be the centerpiece of Brooklyn's rebuilding process. Moving Captain Jack to the Rockets is their ultimate and final move that marks the start of their rebuilding era. In return, the Nets get what they so dearly desire: a 2017 first round pick.

Taking on Houston's problem child, Ty Lawson, is a price they'll have to pay for that. It is unclear wether or not Lawson will possibly be waived by Brooklyn. Who knows, perhaps with a fresh start, Lawson could thrive again with the Nets

Houston Rockets

For the Rockets, this deal was a no-brainer. The Harden-Lawson experiment has failed big time, and Lawson's poor play and attitude has been taking it's toll on the team. Getting rid of him was atop their to do list. Giving up a 1st round pick is a price they'll gladly pay for a Rockets team that is in "win now mode", if they can acquire a solid PG like Jarett Jack that can lead and score next to James Harden. As a bonus, they get J. Dudley from the Jokers, who can be a solid rotation player for the Rockets to keep their Playoff dreams alive.

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Las Vegas Jokers sign PF Dorell Wright to 1 YR/4,90 MILL contract

January 4, 2016
By: Jrue Nalist
Journalist

REPORT - After waiving Andrea Bargnani, who the Jokers acquired in the BKN-HOU trade, the team has announced the signing of PF Dorell Wright. Wright (30) was part of the 2006 Miami Heat championship team, led by D Wade. He spent this season playing overseas with the Beykong Fly Dragons in the Chinese Basketball Association.

With the CBA ending on february 5th, the Beykong Fly Dragons are at the bottom of the standings, and they have no hope to make the playoffs. Wright agreed to a buyout with the team for the remainder of his contract, to give him the opportunity to make his NBA comeback this season. Wright signed a 4,9 mill contract for the remainder of this NBA season, with a no-trade clause included.

"Dorell has been there. He knows what it takes. He can teach our guys a thing or two about what it takes to win championships", Jokers head coach Randy Wittman said. "Wright is still an athletic player for his age and is a sharpshooter from beyond the arch. He'll fit in very well as a stretch 4 for us, as we are making moves towards playing small in the future."

Wright will be a starter at the PF position in the line-up for the Jokers, next to John Wall, Bradley Beal, M. Gortat and newly acquired SF Joe Johnson.

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Clippers halt Vegas despite Johnson's 13 in Jokers debut

January 8, 2016
By: Ray Porter
NBA.com reporter

GAME RECAP

Sin City returns home with the L after a visit to Lob City, making an end to their 3 game winning streak. Vegas was still finding it's way, as this was their first game with a mixed up squad on the floor. Having new players in the starting rotation always takes some time to find the perfect rhythm and chemistry. But the Jokers seemed to find their way pretty quickly.

Joe Johnson had a great outing, scoring 13 and dishing out 7 assists, D. Wright also put up 10 on the scoreboard. Things were pretty close the entire game and the W was within reach. The Clippers ended up winning by outrebounding Vegas. DJ and Blake combined for 27 rebounds. A lot of them on the offensive glass, scoring heeps of 2nd chance points. The Clippers look hungry as ever early in the season, they win it 101 - 110.

BOX SCORE

OTHER GAMES

BKN 70 - 88 ORL
UTA 82 - 72 MIL


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Las Vegas Jokers @ Indiana Pacers

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