MIL @ PHO: If you haven’t seen the ‘original’ Larry Sanders Show, a fabulous ‘90’s HBO comedy starring Garry Shandling, all of my Hank Kingsley jokes will fall flat. Get the DVDs just to watch Jeffrey Tambor and Rip Torn. There’s nothing funny about the Bucks’ Larry Sanders (19 PTS, 15 REB, 2 BLK) who has emerged from obscurity in his third season and handled Marcin Gortat (7 PTS, 5 REB) with ease. Monta Ellis (24 PTS, 6 AST, 4 REB, 3 STL) enjoyed his best game of 2013 and Mike Dunleavy (16 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST, 3 BLK) led the reserves. Sixth man Shannon Brown (20 PTS, 5 REB, 4 STL) led the Suns, Jared Dudley (13 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL) returned from a sore wrist and Luis Scola (16 PTS, 8 REB) helped make the score close.
January 18 Game Previews
CHI @ BOS: Nobody knows what happened to the Celtics last game. They missed free throws, settled for jumpers and were embarrassed at home by New Orleans. Meanwhile, the Bulls are getting superb play from Carlos Boozer — nine double-doubles in his last ten — and PF is a revolving door for Boston. This one figures to be intense, with Rajon Rondo the man to watch, as Kevin Garnett will have his hands full with Joakim Noah. If Avery Bradley (ribs) can’t go, Courtney Lee might get a start.
HOU @ IND: The schedule has been most unkind to Houston lately, and they have lost five straight. The Pacers have won ten in a row at home. James Harden and Paul George are must-starts every night; this game will come down to the lesser lights. If Omer Asik handles Roy Hibbert and Jeremy Lin can solve George Hill, the Rockets will score. However, the Indiana D is capable of taking over against almost anyone.
CHA @ ORL: Only overconfidence can derail the Magic this evening. Nikola Vucevic should have a field day and Glen Davis is back; they face a Bobcats frontcourt that most NBA fans outside Charlotte couldn’t name. If Jameer Nelson cancels out Kemba Walker and J.J. Redick is at least as productive as Ben Gordon, this should be no contest.
TOR @ PHI: If you own Jose Calderon, be patient. Slowed by a sore hip and a sore calf, he can’t possibly keep up with Jrue Holiday. Not only is Kyle Lowry on fire, despite an ankle sprain, he was born in Philly and starred at Villanova, so this is a homecoming game. The Sixers should win against a Toronto club decimated by injuries. DeMar DeRozan might be the safest Raptor to use, as Ed Davis will have a tough night against Thaddeus Young.