A season-high 30 points from Blake Griffin was the difference in the best game of the night. Down 14 points late in the third, the Clippers made a strong comeback. Mo Williams (20 PTS, 12 AST) had a big night for the Jazz against his former team and Randy Foye (19) was almost the hero in the dying seconds. After hitting a three with 1.2 seconds left and stealing the inbounds pass, Foye missed a potential game-winner at the buzzer. Although Chris Paul (14 PTS, 9 AST) had a relatively quiet night, Jamal Crawford (20 PTS, 4 AST) picked up the scoring slack. For the Jazz, it was their first home loss of the season. Al Jefferson (16 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST) had a nice line against DeAndre Jordan (3 PTS) and Gordon Hayward (17) continues to be a productive sixth man. As expected, Marvin Williams (concussion) and Derrick Favors (foot) didn’t play.
Other December 3 Games
CLE @ DET: Already shorthanded, the Cavs had to play without Dion Waiters (ankle) and inserted Omri Casspi (10 PTS, 4 REB) into the starting five. Anderson Varejao was stellar again (17 PTS, 18 REB, 3 STL) but nobody else could find the basket. Greg Monroe (9 PTS, 14 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK) was strong in the middle and the Pistons won with a balanced attack. Brandon Knight (17 PTS, 5 AST, 5 REB) and Kyle Singler (15 PTS, 6 REB) outplayed the makeshift Cleveland backcourt, Jason Maxiell (12 PTS, 6 REB) blocked five more shots and rookie Andre Drummond (7 PTS, 12 REB, 3 BLK) had a busy 19:31 off the bench.
POR @ CHA: Another huge effort fell just short for the Bobcats, who lost in overtime. Ben Gordon was on fire, hitting eight 3-pointers among his 29 points, and Kemba Walker (22 PTS, 7 AST, 5 REB, 3 STL) certainly held his own against Portland rookie sensation Damian Lillard (24 PTS, 9 AST, 3 REB). It took a remarkable comeback from 18 points down in the final quarter just for the Blazers to force the extra frame; LaMarcus Aldridge (25 PTS, 13 REB, 5 AST) led the way, with Nicolas Batum (17 PTS, 13 REB, 7 AST) another critical contributor. Wesley Matthews, playing with a painful thumb injury, added 19 and for once, the subs came through. J.J. Hickson was invisible in 12 minutes — no word of an injury — so Meyers Leonard and Joel Freeland combined to play 30 minutes off the bench. For Charlotte, Gerald Henderson returned after missing 13 games with a foot injury; he played just 15 minutes but will soon be up to speed. Though Jeffery Taylor (11 PTS in 26:49) may go back to the second unit, he has made a positive impression. Byron Mullens (12 PTS, 12 REB) grabbed his own long rebound and threw down a monster dunk over LMA in the best video highlight.
MIL @ NOH: Yesterday I called Ryan Anderson the MIH — Most Important Hornet — and he scored a team-high 22, but Robin Lopez (21 PTS in 23 minutes) was also outstanding in this ridiculously easy win and Greivis Vasquez (11 PTS, 9 AST) was solid. Milwaukee got 25 from Brandon Jennings, 17 from Monta Ellis and not much from anyone else. As usual, Larry Sanders (8 PTS, 7 REB, 7 BLK) was the best big man. Mike Dunleavy returned from a bruised knee with six points in a quiet 20 minutes; temporary starting SF Marquis Daniels (2 PTS in 16 minutes) is not the answer. Scott Skiles seems determined to mess up the mind of Ersan Ilyasova (2 PTS in 18:43) and it’s working.
Even if Foye’s shot would’ve went in it was too late. There were only 0.7 seconds on the clock and he didn’t get it off fast enough. Still a great game.
kent ill wait for the diary and check back occasionally
please update me when you make your picks for tonight and nice analysis of last night 🙂