LAL @ UTA: Despite Kobe Bryant scoring 29 and Dwight Howard 19, the Lakers couldn’t generate enough offense. Pau Gasol (5 PTS, 7 REB) was never a factor and as we know, the bench is weak. Mo Williams (16 PTS, 7 AST) had another solid game for the Jazz, Al Jefferson double-doubled (18 PTS, 10 REB, 4 STL) and though Gordon Hayward had a rough 2-11 shooting night, Randy Foye found the range with five 3-pointers off the bench.
DET @ SAC: You sure can’t fault the effort by the Pistons. Greg Monroe had a triple-double — 21 PTS, 12 REB, 11 AST — and Brandon Knight added 21 as their comeback bid fell just short. DeMarcus Cousins (21 & 11) led the Kings, Tyreke Evans (15 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL) played better and both PG contributed. Starter Isaiah Thomas had 15 points in 21 minutes; finisher Aaron Brooks scored 11 in 24 minutes. Of note is the growing trust Lawrence Frank has in rookie Kyle Singler (12 PTS in 25 minutes) which may hasten the eventual departure of Tayshaun Prince.
CLE @ GSW: The loss wasn’t the fault of Kyrie Irving (28 PTS, 6 REB, 7 AST) but without Anderson Varejao (knee bruise) and rookie Tyler Zeller (fractured cheekbone) the Cavs were undersized. Tristan Thompson actually started at C — shades of last season — and had a modest (11 & 10) double-double. Despite a touch of the flu, David Lee scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the Warriors. Still on a minutes limit and not looking very mobile, Andrew Bogut was scoreless but Carl Landry (19 PTS, 9 REB in 26:24) had another big night off the bench.
SAS @ LAC: Three double-doubles and strong bench play led the Clippers to a surprisingly easy win. It’s becoming a trend for DeAndre Jordan when the opposition starts an undersized C — 20 points on 10-12 ‘shooting’ from down low, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks. Chris Paul (10 PTS, 12 AST) and Blake Griffin (22 PTS, 10 REB) were the other big reasons L.A. won the first and third quarters decisively. In their first loss, the Spurs got next to nothing from Tony Parker and Kawhi Leaonard, who will have better nights.
November 8 Games
OKC @ CHI: The first half of the TNT doubleheader is a dandy. Kevin Durant may have to take on more of the scoring load, but even if Russell Westbrook (shoulder) is less than 100%, he will be tough for Kirk Hinrich to stop. The Bulls might also have trouble defending Kevin Martin, as their second-unit backcourt of Nate Robinson and Marco Belinelli are not known for defensive prowess.
LAC @ POR: Coming off the first poor shooting night of his promising career, Damian Lillard must face CP3 tonight. It’s not an easy league for a rookie PG. The Clippers, who won big at home last night, are ripe for an upset. Willie Green and Caron Butler could have a lot of the trouble against Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum. Until last night’s quiet 10 points, Jamal Crawford had been unstoppable; he and Eric Bledsoe could have decent lines against the thin Blazers’ bench.