HOU @ MIN: If you’re gonna miss, miss big. I loved the T-Wolves and predicted a high-scoring game. Instead, Kevin Love shot 3-for-14 with five turnovers, and Nikola Pekovic was under the weather. The Rockets got 30 from James Harden and 17 rebounds from Omer Asik to win their second road game in 24 hours. It was ugly, but they’ll take the W.
BRK @ MIL: Whatever has gone awry for the Nets, coach Avery Johnson is beginning to take some heat. As predicted, Brandon Jennings (25 PTS, 6 AST, 4 REB) and Monta Ellis (20 PTS, 7 AST, 6 REB, 6 STL) took over the game early. It was easier because Deron Williams sat out with a sore wrist and emergency starter C.J. Watson missed ten of his 12 shots. The ‘good’ Ersan Ilyasova made an appearance (17 PTS, 11 REB, 3 STL) while Luc Richard Mbah a Moute came dangerously close to a 19-billion.
PHI @ MEM: The Sixers were without Jason Richardson (back), but Dorell Wright (28 PTS, 6 REB, 2 BLK) was a more-than-capable replacement. Again, my Predict-o-Matic 9000 device was on the fritz, as I liked the Grizzlies and the under. Mike Conley had a miserable shooting night (3-of-17) and in one of those too-well-kept secrets that frustrate fantasy owners (and gamblers), Rudy Gay was a no-show. It was called a personal absence, but why not make the news public a few hours earlier?
TOR @ SAS: Coach Dwane Casey gave Jose Calderon an endorsement as his starting PG, but Kyle Lowry (triceps) will be back very soon and if he stays healthy, will win the job back eventually. Calderon’s contract is expiring, he’s older and his trade value has recently soared. The Spurs toyed with the Raptors like a bored cat with a dying mouse. There were no great fantasy lines because no player on either team got as much as 30 minutes.
GSW @ UTA: We loved Stephen Curry (23 PTS, 9 REB, 8 AST) against Jamaal Tinsley (scoreless in 21 minutes) and were not surprised to see the Warriors win another road game, which seems to be their specialty. David Lee added 18 points and 9 rebounds, while Al Jefferson (18 PTS, 10 REB) led the Jazz.
LAL @ DEN: Six Nuggets scored in double figures, led by Corey Brewer (27) as two teams that played the previous night combined for 240 points in regulation. Steve Nash (15 PTS, 8 AST) and Pau Gasol (19 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST, 2 BLK) handled the back-to-back just fine, and Kobe Bryant (40 PTS, 6 AST, 4 REB) was superb, but Dwight Howard (12 PTS, 7 REB) was ejected in the third for a flagrant-2 foul on Kenneth Faried, who got the last laugh with 21 points, 15 assists and a satisfying win.