Before we review what happened in the NBA on Thursday and preview tonight’s games, let me invite you again to join a special fantasy hoops contest just for Sheridan Hoops readers. It’s our first Freeroll of the season at DraftStreet, with $300 in cash prizes ($100 to the winner) and it’s absolutely free to enter. Chris Sheridan will be playing, and I’ll share my picks later this morning. Beat us for bragging rights and win free money — what could be better?
December 13 Games
LAL @ NYK: Very rarely do you see a player in such a zone. Carmelo Anthony scored 22 points in the first quarter on 8-for-9 shooting as his Knicks roared out to a 41-27 lead. It was 68-49 at halftime, but Melo lasted just five more minutes before leaving with an ankle sprain. He finished with 30, and is questionable for Saturday night. Raymond Felton (19 PTS, 8 AST) and Tyson Chandler (18 PTS, 4 REB) made sure the Lakers’ comeback attempt fell short, with solid contributions from J.R. Smith (18) and Steve Novak (12 PTS, 4 AST, 3 REB) off the bench.
Kobe Bryant (31 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST) was helped out by Metta World Peace (23) and Dwight Howard (20), but Pau Gasol (knees) missed another game and L.A. has not been able to replace him. Antawn Jamison (3 PTS, 6 REB in 21:28) looked old and slow. Rarely-used Devin Ebanks (15 PTS, 5 REB) started the second half and played almost 34 minutes to hit the fantasy radar in deep leagues; he might be more than a blip tonight in DC.
CHA @ ATL: I know, it was only the Hornets (losers of ten straight) but the Hawks are a well-oiled machine right now. They rolled to a 17-point halftime lead, gave the starters plenty of rest and won easily. Devin Harris, demoted to the second unit, hit four 3-pointers for a team-high 20 and Ivan Johnson (16 PTS, 8 REB, 2 STL) enjoyed a season-high 28 minutes. Josh Smith (18 PTS, 5 REB, 2 STL) had the best statistical night among the starters. For Charlotte, Gerald Henderson had 17 and Ramon Sessions 16 off the bench, but Byron Mullens was terrible (1-for-8 in just 13:35) and nobody else stepped up.