The Lakers extended their winning streak to six against Memphis defeating them 100-99. Kwame Brown made a foul shot with 9.2 seconds remaining to give the Lakers the lead. Kobe Bryant scored 37 points to lead the Lakers. Odom, Farmar, and Bynum added 10 points each.
The Lakers may have lost Center sensation Andrew Bynum for a few games due to what looked like a sprained ankle. X-rays were negative but an MRI will be taken on Monday to see how much damage was caused.
The Detroit Pistons lost to the NY Knicks 89-65. Perhaps this was Detroit’s worse performance of the season. The Big Apple was the last stop of a four-game road trip for the Pistons. So perhaps if was fatigue that set in for this contest.
Isiah Thomas said after the game, “We knew they would be pretty tired and we tried to play with as much energy as we possibly could and I think we caught them on a good night. They were a little flat and we played a good basketball game.”
Zach Randolph led the charge with 25 points and eight rebounds. Nate Robinson added 13.
Leading scorer Richard Hamilton was 1-of-7 and was held to a season-low three points. Tayshaun Prince missed all 10 shots and was scoreless, and Rasheed Wallace had six points on 3-of-9 shooting.
Hopefully the Pistons can shake this loss off and regroup.
Phoenix is trying to separate themselves from the pack. They still want people to believe they are title contenders. I know that got the Denver Nuggets attention by stomping them 137-115. Or maybe it was GM’s Steve Kerr message at the shoot-around that sparked the Suns. Shawn Marion scored a season-high 27 points, had six blocked shots. Marcus Banks, made a career-high seven 3s - in eight attempts. In total the Suns connected on 20 3-pointers. Grant Hill added 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Amare Stoudemire had 20 points and 10 rebounds as six Suns reached double figures.
A day after scorching the 76ers. Allen Iverson poured in 32 points, but it wasn’t enough to keep up with the Suns. Carmelo Anthony added 20 points in Denver’s second loss in eight games.
Many think the Suns have chemistry problems. But Mike D’Antoni said, “too much has been made of the team’s perceived chemistry problems, and he blamed himself for “over-exaggerating. It’s a matter of everybody just going after it. Let’s get after it. let’s go win rather than ‘Woe is me, I hope we don’t lose.”
The Lakers fresh off the honor roll took down the Pacers 112-96. Kobe Bryant scored 26 points. Andrew Bynum had 23 points and 13 rebounds. Derek Fisher recorded 22 points, Lamar Odom had 13 points and 13 rebounds, and Luke Walton added 10 points and seven assists to help the Lakers past the Pacers.
Mike Dunleavy led Indiana with 17 points. Danny Granger added 14 points, Jermaine O’Neal scored 13 and Kareem Rush had 12 for the Pacers.
The Lakers are now 1.5 games behind the Suns the division leader. At some point I look for the Lakers to actually lead the division. They may even be able to win it. The way they’ve been playing shows that they have the ability to do so. They just have to go after it and really want it. Overall they’re looking for a championship. But the momentum of winning the division can be the spark setter and boost their confidence.
Maybe LeBron didn’t like his teams’ report card grade and decided to improved. LeBron James scored 39 points, to help the Cleveland Cavaliers rally for a 93-90 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. 24 of LeBron’s point came in the fourth quarter. Now that’s signs of a leader.
Cleveland coach Mike Brown said after the game, “In the fourth quarter, he was amazing. He just took the game over and put us on his back. What a tremendous, tremendous performance.”
Toronto had no answer for LeBron. Jamario Moon couldn’t believe it. After the game he said, “When he started hitting (shots), we knew it was going to be a long quarter. I thought we were going to hit some shots, build the lead back up a little bit and pull the win out, but he kept hitting them and they pulled it out.”
I was sitting at home thinking about my grade school days, and how nervoous I use to get around report card time. Sure I use to goof off every now and again but what kid didn’t? And with that I deceided to give out some grades for the 1st half of the NBA season:
1. Boston Celtics - This club has new life, and is in a class all by themselves right now. The addition of Kevin Garnett has made the Celtics instant contenders for the title. Now that’s progress. (I’ll also give Boston an extra star for nearly a perfect home court record).
1. Detroit Pistons - The Pistons currently hold the 2nd best record in the league at 26-8. They continue to show why the road to the eastern conference finals must go through them. They display a solid performance day in and out.
2. San Antonio Spurs - This club suffered a setback when Duncan went down with that knee injury. But dispite that they (Parker and Ginobili) have been doing a great job of holding down the fort. League 3rd best at 22-9. And it that’s not enough…..they are the defending NBA Champions!
1. Phoenix Suns - Defense has always been an issue with this club. Points aren’t the problem. Consistency on defense needs to improve. But aside from that I’d say this new Suns team looks good. The addition of Grant Hill is helpful.
2. L.A. Lakers - All the rha rha in the off-season about Kobe wanting to be traded seemed like a disaster for this franchise. But now that all has calmed down this club is rolling. This is a much better club than last year’s team. And the return of Derek Fisher was huge. Downside is the maturity. This club has a lot of young players. But they feel they are ready to help Kobe get a championship….can’t argue with that.
3. Dallas - Same team as last year. But can they survive a 1st round upset again.
4. N.O. - Playing with a lot of confedence. But must stay away from injuries.
5. Denver - WHAT? They are thinking about getting rid of Iverson. Why is his name coming up in trade talks? He just got there. In any event, Denver has the ability to be a contender for the title but needs to remain focused.
6. Orlando - This team started strong in the beginning. But since have been average. Coach Stan Van Gundy thinks his team is scared of contact.
They can play much better than they are playing. But can seem to get out of the slump or bottom half. No one’s failing. I admit Miami, New York, Seattle, Minnesota, and Memphis are looking really bad. But some of these teams can play a lot better or maybe they can’t. But I just didn’t feel like failing anyone this semester. I know how that feels…..Hahaha!
The high scorer of this contest was a rookie….yes a rookie. He out-scored “The Big 3.” Glen Davis scored a career-high 20 points,to help the Celtics get sweet revenge over the Pistons 92-85. Davis led all scorers. Paul Pierce added 19 and Garnett chipped in with 15 points. The Celtics extended their winning streak to nine. They also snapped Detroit’s win streak at 11.
Richard Hamilton led the Pistons with 18 points. Billups added 17.
This game was definitely a confidence builder for the Boston Celtics. The Road to the Finals for Boston will be through the Detroit Pistons. Everyone knows it. Boston has the NBA’s best record at 29-3, and the Piston hold 2nd best at 26-8. These two teams have shifted some of the power back to the Eastern Conference, but one one can reach the Finals.Who will it be?
The New Jersey Nets have seem to turned things around. They have won 5 straight with there win over the Hawks 113-107. I wonder with all the trade rumors on Jason Kidd has finally put some fire under the ball club to win games. Vince Carter’s 29 points led six New Jersey scorers in double figures. But Jason Kidd recorded his 9th triple-double of the regular season: 10 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds. Wow, he is definitely a future hall of famer.
Josh Smith led Atlanta with 34 points. Marvin Williams added 18 points and eight rebounds. Josh Childress had 16 and Anthony Johnson recorded 14 points and 10 assists.
I wonder if any trade talks going on has Jason Kidd’s name involved? The trade deadline is next month. It’ll be interesting to see which team really pursues him.
It’s a great New Year for the Pistons. They have won 10 straight beating the Wizards 106-93. All five starter scored in double digits. Richard Hamilton scored 20 points. Chauncey Billupsand Wallace scored 16 each. Prince added 11, and McDyess added 10.
Wizards were paced by Caron Butler’s 22 points and Antawn Jamison’s 21 points. But it wasn’t enough for the red hot Pistons.
The Pistons are making sure Boston knows the road to the NBA Finals will go thru them. Detroit’s not ready to hand over the East yet. Boston knows the road isn’t easy and they are willing to accept the challenge.
The Utah Jazz defeated the 76ers 110-107, and a big part of that was due to Deron Williams. Boozer scored 22 points and Williams had a season-high 20 assists to help the Jazz. Deron Williams, also scored 15 points.
At certain points in this one I couldn’t help but think about Stockton and Malone. The way they played the pick and roll game was flawless. Team knew what was coming, but no one really could defend it.
The Jazz improved to 18-16.