We tabbed Jrue Holiday (35 PTS, 6 AST, 5 REB) against any configuration of Knicks’ guards, but never dreamed this would be so one-sided. Nick Young (20 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST) was excellent in a start for Jason Richardson (knee) and Evan Turner (20 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL) helped the Sixers shoot better than 50% on the night. As always, Carmelo Anthony (25 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST) led New York, but he shot just 9-for-28 and J.R. Smith was scoreless on eight attempts in this rout. Amare Stoudemire (20 PTS, 4 REB in 26:30 was the lone bright spot, as Raymond Felton (8 PTS, 3 AST, 2 STL) was quiet after missing 12 games with a broken finger.
Other January 26 Game Recaps
CLE @ TOR: That’s the eleventh time Toronto has blown a fourth-quarter lead in their 28 losses. Unmasked at last, Kyrie Irving (32 PTS, 5 AST, 4 REB) beat them with a 3-pointer in the final second. We told you to grab Marreese Speights, who learned some much-needed discipline in Memphis and will be turned loose (17 PTS, 5 REB in 26:32) as one of three Cleveland bigs. It’s too soon to tell about the role of Wayne Ellington (12 PTS in 24 minutes) because C.J. Miles (flu) didn’t play and Daniel Gibson left early with a sprained toe. Amir Johnson led the Raptors (18 PTS, 12 REB) with Alan Anderson (17 PTS, 3 AST, 2 REB, 2 STL) chipping in off the bench. Frustrated owners of Kyle Lowry (6 PTS, 7 AST, 5 REB in 21:42) can only hope Jose Calderon (10 PTS, 5 AST in 26:18) gets traded soon.
CHI @ WAS: Break up the Wizards! John Wall (15 PTS, 7 AST, 3 REB) played 27 minutes in a back-to-back, Emeka Okafor (15 PTS, 16 REB) was a beast and they completely outplayed the listless Bulls. Luol Deng (hamstring) missed a fifth game, and his replacement Jimmy Butler was quiet for once (9 PTS, 6 REB in 45 minutes) as only Joakim Noah (9 PTS, 17 REB, 10 AST, 2 BLK) and Nate Robinson (19 PTS, 4 AST) managed decent fantasy lines.
MIN @ CHA: As predicted, Kemba Walker (25 PTS, 8 AST, 8 REB, 3 STL, 2 BLK) was a great start and Ramon Sessions (23 PTS, 4 AST, 3 REB) stayed hot. Bismack Biyombo (10 PTS, 13 REB, 2 BLK) did a nice job in the middle and Gerald Henderson (15 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST) hit the game-winning three. For Minnesota, Luke Ridnour (22 PTS, 7 AST, 7 REB) led six players in double figures and Ricky Rubio (14 PTS, 8 AST, 5 STL) actually hit a 3-pointer, his first of the year.