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Jose Alvarado · By the conclusion of the second-highest scoring game of his NBA career — on near-perfect efficiency at that — Jose Alvarado’s box score would’ve commanded enough attention to draw “five stars.” Given that said time hadn’t arrived just yet, there remained the opportunity for November 6, 2024’s storyline to incorporate a well-known alter ego: “Grand Theft Alvarado.” Avalanche-like in his opening-half statement, Alvarado catches the then-undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers unprepared — and reeling from a nine-point deficit — by crouching into a trademark far-corner stance during an inbounds, ultimately creeping in for a stealth mission-like steal. Supercharged, already, by the energy of the New Orleans Pelicans’ crowd, Alvarado doubles Cleveland’s chaos with a smooth 3-point release, bringing the lead to a dozen. As one video game protagonist once halfway said, “You forget a thousand things everyday,” but Alvarado’s early-November performance, even in defeat, wouldn’t be one of them. Elevated in play from every level, Alvarado offered 27 points (on 10-of-14 shooting), two rebounds, five assists, three steals, and a squeaky-clean seven-of-seven from downtown. · State of Mint · State of Mint