NYK @ CHI: Without Carmelo Anthony (lacerated finger) on the court, Raymond Felton — playing basically one-handed — hoisted up 30 shots, and missed 21. His game-high 27 points were not enough, as the Bulls rode a strong team effort to victory. Joakim Noah (10 PTS, 11 REB, 4 BLK) turned the ball over nine times (just missing a dubious tri-dub) but Luol Deng and Marco Belinelli each scored 22 to pick him up. Kirk Hinrich (elbow) couldn’t play in the second half, so Nate Robinson (14 PTS, 8 AST, 6 REB) made the most of his 30 minutes. Tyson Chandler (14 PTS, 18 REB) was strong in defeat, but J.R. Smith is in a shooting slump (4-of-14) and committed five turnovers.
DET @ CLE: Behind a career-high 30 from Brandon Knight, the Pistons won a road game. The sophomore PG added 7 REB and 5 AST while nailing 5-of-6 from deep. Jeremy Pargo (24 PTS) and Anderson Varejao (16 PTS, 13 REB, 5 AST, 2 BLK) did everything they could, and rookie Tyler Zeller (13 PTS, 8 REB, 3 BLK) keeps improving, but the Cavs, missing their talented starting backcourt, have now lost five straight.
PHI @ BOS: As expected, the Celtics defended their home court with intensity to earn a split in this home-and-home against a divisional rival. Thaddeus Young (22) was the lone bright spot for Philly. Kevin Garnett led the winners with 19, while Jeff Green (16) had another good game off the bench. Rajon Rondo scored only seven points, but his owners will happily take 11 AST, 9 REB and 3 STL and Boston fans will take the W.
DAL @ HOU: With coach Kevin McHale back on the bench after a family tragedy, James Harden scored 39 points but it wasn’t enough. Omer Asik (6 PTS, 7 REB) was quiet again and Jeremy Lin (7 PTS in 18:05) may be losing his job to Toney Douglas (13 PTS in 34:51) while we watch. O.J. Mayo did harden one better with a 40-point outburst, while Chris Kaman added 20 on a sore ankle. Shawn Marion (groin) sat out and Elton Brand was quiet in 14 bench minutes, so Brandan Wright (8 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST, 2 BLK) took advantage of another start.
ATL @ MEM: The improving Hawks won their fourth straight, handing Memphis just its second home defeat. Josh Smith (24 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL) was the hero and Al Horford (19 PTS, 14 REB) battled Zach Randolph (18 PTS, 13 REB) to a draw. Louis Williams (21) outscored the entire Grizzlies bench, and Mike Conley had a rare off-night with 6 TO and just 3 AST.
SAC @ POR: Yes, it’s a shocker when the Kings win on the road, and a surprise when they win three straight anywhere. DeMarcus Cousins (19 PTS, 12 REB) was solid, John Salmons (19 PTS, 11 AST) played his best game in two years and Francisco Garcia filled in capably (12 PTS, 5 REB, 2 BLK) for Tyreke Evans, who missed another game with a sore knee. The Blazers lost the battle, the war and Nicolas Batum, whose back spasms flared up after 17 ineffective minutes. Wesley Matthews, proud of his “Iron Man” status, suffered a painful hip flexor injury that may put his 250-consecutive-game streak in jeopardy on Monday.