MIN @ SAC: Vintage Kevin Love, with 23 points and 24 rebounds a hint of what’s to come for his patient fantasy owners. Nikola Pekovic added 16 points and 8 boards while keeping DeMarcus Cousins (20) in check.
Tyreke Evans also scored 20 for the Kings (plus 7 REB, 6 AST, 2 STL & 2 BLK) but it wasn’t enough, as all five Minnesota starters hit double figures. Andrei Kirilenko played through a sore back (14 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST, 3 BLK) and Luke Ridnour (18 PTS, 5 AST) had his best night in a while, making 8-of-13 shots.
PHO @ CLE: While most Cavs seemed tired, they got a tremendous effort from Anderson Varejao (20 PTS, 18 REB) and a decent line from Dion Waiters (16 PTS, 7 AST). Goran Dragic (19 PTS, 7 AST, 5 REB, 2 STL) was outstanding for the winners, with Michael Beasley adding 15 points. Daniel Gibson (elbow) didn’t play, and nobody else did much off the Cleveland bench.
November 28 Games
POR @ WAS: The Wizards have yet to win a game, and their prospects really don’t look good until John Wall returns. In the meantime, neither A.J. Price nor Shaun Livingston can contain Damian Lillard, and it’s a mismatch at every other position. LaMarcus Aldridge can get 30 against even good teams, and Wesley Matthews has taken over the scoring load recently as opponents try to contain Nicolas Batum.
SAS @ ORL: Although the Magic have played very well some nights, they are no match for the Spurs in talent or depth. Tim Duncan should have his way with Nikola Vucevic and Tony Parker is impossible for Jameer Nelson to stop.
CHA @ ATL: In their latest road game, the Bobcats barely showed up. They will need a much more spirited effort to avoid being blown out again. Al Horford is simply too good for any of the Charlotte big men and Josh Smith is about due for a vintage Smoove performance.
As soon as I heard the media stories and tweets about Kobe bravely playing through the flu, I knew he was going to try and do an MJ and sure enough he shot and shot and shot and shot….
10 turnovers, a poor shooting percentage, and a free throw count inflated by a couple of iffy calls. If writers want to praise that game, go ahead.
The only thing which makes it look halfway decent is how awful his teammates played (and not because Indiana was great; couldn’t believe Gerald Green took a 16 foot jumper when Indiana should have held for the final shot in Q3, among many terrible decisions). On the other hand, Dwight was much more efficient and the Indiana bigs had foul trouble as it was- they couldn’t afford to do “Hack a Howard” much more than they did in the game. If a few more of Kobes touches go inside, the Lakers win despite how poor they were.