MEM @ PHO: Among his other skills, Zach Randolph recovers quickly from the flu. Not only did Z-Bo have 21 points and 8 rebounds, he held Luis Scola to 3-for-12 shooting. Marc Gasol (10 PTS, 12 REB, 5 AST, 3 BLK) was strong in the middle and Rudy Gay scored 20 in the low-scoring, methodical Grizzlies win we predicted. The Suns shot 39.2% and let Memphis connect at a 53.6% rate. When P.J. Tucker (a career-high 17 PTS, 5 REB, 3 STL) is your best player, you won’t win many games.
CHA @ DET: Six Bobcats scored in double figures, led by Kemba Walker (20 PTS, 7 AST and Ben Gordon (18 PTS, 4 AST, 3 REB, 3 STL) as they earned an overtime win on the road. Tyrus Thomas (13 PTS, 5 REB) played 38 minutes at PF and Bismack Biyombo (10 PTS, 17 REB) crashed the boards. In a lineup shuffle, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (11 PTS, 8 REB) started at SG, with Jeffery Taylor at SF and Gerald Henderson coming off the bench, a bad omen for his owners. Greg Monroe (18 PTS, 14 REB, 6 AST) was outstanding in defeat and Tayshaun Prince (21 PTS, 7 REB) was hot, but the Pistons scored just 36 points in the second half and five in OT.
January 7 Games
OKC @ WAS: The Thunder rolled over Toronto yesterday and should have no trouble making it three straight victories. The Wizards will be even more tired after getting trounced in Miami. It wouldn’t surprise me if Nene plays sparingly this evening, and we don’t know what happened to Jordan Crawford — a 1-for-7 disaster in just 15 minutes, with Cartier Martin (13 PTS in 25:34) taking over his role.
BOS @ NYK: Off back-to-back wins, the Celtics have at least some of their mojo back. Rajon Rondo is younger and quicker than Jason Kidd, and Paul Pierce can still fill it up against anyone. Kevin Garnett can’t bang with Tyson Chandler, but he can shoot over him. The Knicks need 40+ from Carmelo Anthony and 20+ from J.R. Smith, which seems fairly routine these days; they could win MVP and Sixth Man awards. This divisional battle is the game of the night by a wide margin; enjoy.