A ten game slate after a 12 game evening was kind of rough on me but you know, I love this game so I’m not upset about it. If I can’t watch the games (I do because I love watching basketball and talking about the little things people might have missed), I look at the box score to see what speaks to me (I’m kind of a numbers junkie) and THEN watch the highlights so here’s what I got. Onwards we go!
BOS-WAS
Not really much to this game from a numbers standpoint. Boston’s bench got beaten up, getting outscored 62-27 by the Washington bench. The reason this game was so close was because Washington’s starters only generated 24 points on a miserable 9 of 35 shooting night.
Rajon Rondo with his 12 points 5 rebounds & 12 assists had a few circus plays this game. I’ve got this one where he gets blocked, regathers and gets the bucket too but you should check out his rip and run where he finishes with the reverse layup too
SAC-IND
The Kings were right in it most of the game (obviously because they went to 2 OT) but they shouldn’t have been. Paul George (who had a marvelous night), Roy Hibbert & David West grabbed 45 boards compared to Sacramento’s 47 rebounds as a team.
I’ll keep talking about the Pacers front-court. Big Roy Hibbert had 18 points (6-11 FG) 10 rebs & 6 rejections, Paul George chipped in 16 points (6-15 FG, 2-7 from deep) 17 rebounds, 4 blocks & 2 steals while David West added 18 points (7-21 FG) 18 rebounds (including 5 on offense) and 2 blocks.
DeMarcus Cousins had a nice night even though he was dealing with foul trouble. 21 points (9-27), 13 rebounds (including grabbing more on offense, 7, than on defense, 6), 1 block and 4 steals.
This one I just find entertaining: James Johnson & Jason Thompson had identical stat lines at the end of the night: 4 points, 3 blocks, 1 assist & 2 rebounds.
TOR-BKN
The Brooklyn Nets unveiled their new mascot: the Brooklyn Knight.
Wait…I don’t think this is it.
Kyle Lowry had an impressive evening: 28 points (9-19 from the field, 4-10 from deep, 6-7 from the line), 3 steals, 8 assists & 8 boards.
Reggie Evans does what he is paid to do. 13 rebounds (2 offensive) in just 15 minutes of play.
Speaking of rebounding, if it weren’t for Reggie Evans’ 13, Kyle Lowry’s 8 would have the highest rebounding total for the night. For reference, Brook Lopez & Kris Humphries only brought down 5 boards apiece.
DEN-MIA
Everyone who got on the floor for Denver scored in double digits with the exception of starting C Kosta Koufos.
LeBron James was as LeBron as it got tonight. 20 points (8-17 shooting, 4-4 from the line), 9 rebs, 2 blocks and 11 assist. Bron’s 11 dimes was almost as many as the Nuggets as a team (13).
Despite starting center Chris Bosh (that’s still kinda weird to say) notching 40 points on (15-22 shooting, 1-3 from 3 & 9-10 FTs) & 7 rebounds, the Heat got banged around inside. The Heat manufactured only 40 points compared to the Nuggets 72.
Dwyane Wade had 4 blocked shots last night. That’s made more impressive by the fact that the Nuggets had 3 as a team.
Ray Allen gave the Heat the lead with a clutch 4-point play after getting practically body checked by Corey Brewer.
I don’t want to talk about Ray Allen’s play because everything that needs to be said has been. The 4 point play is a rare one in basketball. Ray’s teammate James Jones actually shares the honor of having the most 4 point plays in a single game (and he did it in a single quarter, also a record). Jamal Crawford, the NBA’s all-time leader in that category, is the other player. Here’s Jones’ play.
NOH-CHI
Al-Farouq Aminu was a bit of a force with his 8 points (4-6 shooting), 6 boards, 2 steals and 2 blocks in a shade under 27 minutes of play.
Here’s a weird one: everyone that started for the Bulls turned the ball over twice.
After dropping 115 on the Cavaliers on 64% shooting the night before, the Bulls could only muster 82 points on 33% shooting. The starters went for 15-53, good for a blistering 28%.
Austin Rivers still hasn’t broken double figures. He had 9 last night.
Greivis Vasquez continues to play well in this young season with 18 points (6-18, 2-4 from deep, 4-4 from the line) with 4 boards and 6 helpers.
Taj Gibson played well in his 21 minutes: 12 points (4-7 FG, 4-4 FT), 5 boards (3 offensive) and a team high 3 blocked shots.
POR-HOU
I’ll say it like I have been to anyone been willing to listen, Damian Lillard is my pick for ROY. He’s been a favorite since I saw Weber State play at some sports bar I can’t even remember. 20 points on 8-15 shooting, 3-6 from deep with 6 boards & 9 dimes. He was CLUTCH too, 2 threes, a layup and 2 assists in OT.
Nic Batum was a monster with his 17 points (5-11 shooting, 4-6 from deep, 3-4 from the line), 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 6 steals and 2 blocks.
James Harden started off HOT, getting 15 points on 6-9 shooting but cooled off dramatically, finishing 8-24 from the floor. He did add 6 rebounds and 5 assists.
LaMarcus Aldridge played like the all-star that he is, leading the Blazers with 27 points (13-29), 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks.
Omer Asik pulled down 15 rebounds today including 4 on the offensive end. That brings him to 5 offensive rebounds per game. I’m gonna go ahead and predict he’ll hover around that mark the rest of the season.
CLE-MIL
Mike Dunleavy had the line of the game: 29 points (10-12 FG, 6-7 from 3, 3-5 FTs), 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and 1 block.
Andy Varejao is back to form in this game: 20 points (10-13 FG) and 17 rebounds.
The Bucks bench OBLITERATED the Cavs bench 62-15.
Brandon Jennings had 13 points (5-13 shooting), 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 13 assists. Jennings had missed his 6 attempts from the field when he finally nailed that 3 pointer to win the game.
There’s a great moment where Monta Ellis has his arms up in celebration while Jennings’ shot is in the air. I love little things like that.
CHA-DAL
Chris Kaman made his Mavs debut to the tune of 16 points on 8-9 shooting.
Former Maverick Brendan Haywood brought it against his old squad with 14 points (7-13 FG), 1 block and 11 rebounds (including 7 on offense).
The Mavs shot an impressive 64% from the great beyond, making almost as many triples (16) as the Bobcats attempted (17). Dallas was +39 from three.
Ramon Sessions came off the bench to lead the Cavs with 22 points.
Dallas fans were treated to some vintage Vince Carter last night.
UTA-SA
Old Man River Tim Duncan is still getting it done. 19 points (7-14 FG, 5-6 FTs), 11 rebounds, 2 steals and 3 rejections.
Tony Parker had 14 points on 6-8 shooting at the half but went just 3-12 the rest of the way. He finished with 24 points and 10 assists.
Paul Millsap chipped in wherever he could: 17 points (5-10 FG, 2-2 from deep, 5-6 from the line), 10 boards, 3 steals and 3 blocks.
GSW-LAC
Carl Landry had 23 points (11-16 FG), 10 rebounds and 1 block off of the bench. He’s averaging 20 ppg as the 6th man in this young season.
Speaking of the bench, another guy that came in and played well for the Dubs was Jarrett Jack: 16 points (5-8 shooting, 6-6 at the line), 7 assists, 6 rebounds and 1 steal.
Steph Curry is really showing that his ankle is all better. 23 points (6-16 FG), getting to the line 10 times (with 9 makes), 4 boards, 4 dimes and 3 steals in 43 minutes.
At the end of that game, for whatever reason, David Lee was on Chris Paul & Blake Griffin had Steph Curry on him. I don’t know why CP drove and all the way to the rim instead of getting his signature side fadeaway J or give it up to Blake to attack Steph in the post but Chris drove & Curry stepped in to draw the charge.
I really dislike the Clippers announcers. I know most (read: all) local commentators are homers but you know, I genuinely don’t think they know the game like they should, or if they do, they don’t act like it. Here’s what I got.
Seven Seconds or More 