PHI @ LAL: I have no idea how Dwight Howard (1-for-7 from the floor, 5-for-10 from the line) could get outplayed by Spencer Hawes (13 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST, 4 BLK) and Lavoy Allen (10 PTS, 6 REB) but apparently it happened. Pau Gasol going 2-12 didn’t help, as the Lakers shot 39.4% to waste a 36-point night by Kobe Bryant. It wasn’t just Jrue Holiday (26 PTS, 10 AST, 2 STL) after all — Evan Turner bounced back from three poor games with 22 points, 13 boards and 5 assists as the Sixers used youth, energy and speed to beat a bunch of old guys with reputations.
ATL @ NOH: That was an all-star effort by Josh Smith — 23 PTS, 13 REB, 7 AST, 3 STL, 4 BLK — on the road, in a back-to-back. Al Horford scored 20 and Zaza Pachulia added a double-double (12 & 10) in just 20 minutes off the bench. For New Orleans, Eric Gordon (11 PTS in 24 minutes) didn’t have quite the same impact in his second game, though his presence helps Ryan Anderson (23 PTS, 6 REB, 5-of-10 from deep) get open looks. Greivis Vasquez just missed a triple-double (17 PTS, 10 AST, 9 REB) but the Hornets couldn’t slow down J-Smoove.
January 2 Games
POR @ TOR: Addition by subtraction? The absence of Andrea Bargnani (elbow) has coincided with the Raptors hot streak, winning seven of their last eight games. Tonight, they open a long homestand against a tired foe. Jose Calderon leads the first team, with Kyle Lowry now coming off the bench, but they will often play together in close games. Toronto is going very small — using 6’7” Landry Fields at PF — and it’s working. DeMar DeRozan is a must-start, rookie Terrence Ross is emerging and Ed Davis has averaged 11.5 PTA and 7 REB as a starter.
SAC @ CLE: The Kings lost last night and are 1-13 on the road. Even if the Cavs don’t get Anderson Varejao (knee) back tonight — he’s officially ‘questionable’ — they can ride Kyrie Irving to a win. Meanwhile, rookie Tyler Zeller has responded well to his extra time on the court.
CHI @ ORL: On Monday night, Joakim Noah was terrible (he played through an illness) and Nikola Vucevic was sensational — 20 PTS, 29 REB — making that the key matchup this evening. Both PG are hurt; Kirk Hinrich (knee) and Jameer Nelson (hip) may give way again to Nate Robinson and Ish Smith, respectively. Magic rookie Andrew Nicholson will have his hands full with Carlos Boozer; look for Josh McRoberts to get extra minutes if that doesn’t go well.
MEM @ BOS: The Celtics can’t play any worse than they did on that western trip, so we’ll assume they will be better. I’ll continue to bash Doc Rivers for starting Jason Collins, who is the problem, not the solution. Memphis is the better team, but if Rajon Rondo destroys Mike Conley, Boston has a chance.