Before we take our daily Spin around the Association, be sure to join tonight’s Freeroll. It’s a one-day fantasy contest for Sheridan Hoops readers, with no entry fee and $300 in cash prizes. The winner gets $100 and the next 14 finishers also get paid. My DraftStreet Diary has all the details, or you can click here to enter . Daily leagues are fantastic. I made $66 profit last night on a $13 investment, but you can join for free and play in the Freeroll without a deposit or credit card. Who doesn’t like free money?
December 27 Games
DAL @ OKC: We advised you not expect miracles from Dirk Nowitzki (9 PTS, 6 REB in 26:29) as he gets into game shape. Darren Collison (32 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 4 STL) was miraculous instead, helping the Mavs come very close to an upset.
Kevin Durant (40 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 3 BLK) and Serge Ibaka (19 PTS, 17 REB, 5 BLK) were terrific for the Thunder, and Russell Westbrook (16 PTS, 10 AST, 6 REB, 3 STL) overcame a slow start to lead a fourth-quarter rally that forced overtime. For Dallas, Chris Kaman (17 PTS, 8 REB) and Shawn Marion (14 PTS, 9 REB, 7 AST) also played very well; just having Dirk around has improved everyone else, though O.J. Mayo’s value may take a hit. Mayo has been battling the flu, so toss out last night’s 6-TO, 4-PT disaster.
BOS @ LAC: The old crystal ball saw a vision of fired-up Celtics giving the Clippers a severe test. I’ll take it into the shop for an adjustment. Instead, it was the L.A. bench — again — who turned this into a rout, their 15th straight victory. Jamal Crawford scored 17 points, Matt Barnes had 21 and Lamar Odom was busy (only 4 points, but 13 REB, 5 AST and 4 BLK) in the second and fourth quarters. Kevin Garnett (16) led Boston, but starting Jason Collins at C makes no sense, and I’m expecting another lineup change when Avery Bradley comes back next week, if not before.