WAS @ PHI: It wasn’t the greatest night for John Wall (9 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST, 5 TO) as he was up against Jrue Holiday (21 PTS, 6 AST, 3 REB, 4 STL, 6 TO). Washington got nothing from the SG position as Bradley Beal (wrist) sat out. Nick Young (18 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL) has done a fine job filling in for Jason Richardson (knee) and Spencer Hawes (12 PTS, 11 REB, 4 AST, 4 BLK) held his own against Emeka Okafor (15 PTS, 17 REB, 2 BLK), who remains a double-double machine — that’s five in his last six starts.
ORL @ NYK: Call it a snakebit season for Glen Davis. After missing 11 games with a shoulder injury, Big Baby was just getting up to speed but suffered a broken foot last night. No details yet on the severity, or if he will need surgery. Orlando played smallball without him; J.J. Redick (29 PTS) and Jameer Nelson (21 PTS, 9 AST) bounced back from a poor game. The Knicks got a more balanced effort than I expected. Raymond Felton (15 PTS, 9 AST) was sharp, Tyson Chandler (21 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST) showed no sign of his sore neck and Carmelo Anthony (20 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST) didn’t have to be a one-man team. Three bench players hit double figures for New York; Pablo Prigioni (11 PTS in 15:31) filled in for Jason Kidd, whose sore back kept him on the sidelines.
SAC @ BOS: Just a methodical performance by all the Celtics, who won’t miss Rajon Rondo as much against weaker teams. Paul Pierce (16 PTS, 10 REB, 4 AST) led six Boston players in double figures. Jared Sullinger left after four minutes with back spasms, so Brandon Bass (12 PTS, 4 REB, 3 STL) played a team-high 38 minutes. Avery Bradley (11 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL) was solid at PG and Jason Terry (12 PTS in 22 minutes) might take on a larger role. Tyreke Evans (19 PTS, 11 REB) was the lone bright spot for the Kings; John Salmons (flu) was replaced by Francisco Garcia, who didn’t do much.
MIA @ BRK: There was plenty of pregame trash talk, as LeBron James (24 PTS, 9 REB, 7 AST) accused the Nets of not trying for departed coach Avery Johnson, and Reggie Evans made some insulting comments about LBJ and the Heat, calling their championship tainted. The game was tied at halftime, then Miami made a 36-14 third-quarter statement. Dwyane Wade (21) and Chris Bosh (16) gave the King all the support he needed. Evans was pointless in 19 minutes, without an offensive rebound. Brook Lopez (21 PTS, 7 REB, 3 BLK) led Brooklyn as Deron Williams (9 PTS, 5 AST, 6 TO) was under the weather.
LAC @ MIN: The Timberwolves are a much better team with Nikola Pekovic (17 PTS, 12 REB) and Alexey Shved (12 PTS in 21 bench minutes) but they still can’t stop Blake Griffin, whose 26-point, 13-rebound effort was the difference in a good game. DeAndre Jordan (16 PTS, 12 REB, 2 BLK) also had a fine night, and Eric Bledsoe (10 PTS, 10 AST, 6 STL) held his own against Ricky Rubio (9 PTS, 4 AST, 3 REB, 2 STL). Derrick Williams picked up five fouls in just 12:33, so Dante Cunningham (7 PTS, 9 REB) got 35 minutes off the bench.
CHA @ SAS: Just like the script. Tim Duncan (knee) got an extra day of rest, Tony Parker (22 PTS, 7 AST) led the way and the Spurs were never threatened in a 24-point romp. Kemba Walker (16 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST) did his best and Ramon Sessions scored 20 off the bench for Charlotte. Tiago Splitter (15 PTS, 4 REB) was backed up by New Zealand rookie Aron Baynes (7 PTS, 9 REB in 18 minutes) as Duncan, DeJuan Blair and Matt Bonner are all nursing injuries. Kawhi Leonard was 4-5 from 3-point range for 18 points.
HOU @ DEN: On a night when James Harden (21 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 6 TO) was hounded by Andre Igoudala (15 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST, 6 TO) and Ty Lawson (16 PTS, 4 AST) was outscored by Jeremy Lin (22 PTS, 6 AST), the Nuggets needed someone else to step up. Danilo Gallinari (27 PTS, 5 REB, 4 BLK) was the hero and Kenneth Faried (19 PTS, 9 REB, 2 STL) played very well in the high-scoring contest we expected. Omer Asik (10 PTS, 18 REB, 4 AST) was strong in defeat, though his seven turnovers were costly.