NOH @ UTA: Full credit to New Orleans for hanging tough without Eric Gordon, who sits out the second half of back-to-backs. Greivis Vasquez (17 PTS, 13 AST) and Robin Lopez (15 PTS, 9 REB, 4 BLK) kept them in the game all the way. For Utah, it was a return to form by Al Jefferson (22 PTS, 5 REB) and Paul Millsap (25 PTS, 10 REB, 2 BLK) that made the biggest difference, though Randy Foye (14 PTS, 8 AST) also played well. Gordon Hayward (shoulder) missed his second straight game.
LAL @ PHO: So far, new coach Lindsey Hunter has the Suns playing with more intensity, and whatever he has done with Michael Beasley is working. The always-frustrating Beas scored 27 points in 34:25 off the bench, adding six rebounds and five steals, to spark a well-earned victory. Steve Nash (11 PTS, 4 AST) was quiet in his return to Phoenix, Kobe Bryant (17 PTS, 9 AST, 5 REB) missed ten shots and turned it over six times, and Dwight Howard (9 PTS, 14 REB) left in the fourth after re-injuring his chronically sore shoulder.
CHI @ MIL: Without Carlos Boozer (hamstring) and with Taj Gibson (14 PTS, 9 REB, 2 BLK) in the starting five, the Chicago bench still came up huge. OK, Nate Robinson (24 PTS, 4 AST, 3 STL, 4-4 from downtown) is tiny, but the numbers were big for him and Jimmy Butler (18 PTS, 6 REB, 2 STL), whose fine recent play continued. Larry Sanders (illness) didn’t play, allowing Samuel Dalembert (14 PTS, 13 REB, 4 BLK) to make the most of a rare start; he and Ersan Ilyasova (18 PTS, 7 REB) led the tired Bucks.
January 31 Game Previews
MEM @ OKC: The opener of the TNT doubleheader comes at the worst possible time for Memphis; Gay is gone, their new players won’t be available and journeyman Chris Johnson may get the start at SF against Kevin Durant, in a complete mismatch. Mike Conley (ankle) won’t be 100% if he does return; he and Jerryd Bayless might have a long night against Russell Westbrook. Once Tayshaun Prince arrives, he will be a good fit. Zach Randolph has been critical of the new Grizzlies management; it wouldn’t shock me if Z-Bo gets moved next.
DAL @ GSW: Likely the higher-scoring game, the nightcap is of more interest in daily leagues. If only we knew who was going to play. Carl Landry (shoulder) and Harrison Barnes (knee) both missed Tuesday’s win, and Stephen Curry (ankle) is questionable; Jarrett Jack is a must-start either way. Andrew Bogut won’t appear in back-to-backs for a while, but should be worth using tonight as Dallas has a revolving door at C, where Bernard James has become the latest ineffective starter. David Lee figures to lose a few rebounds to Bogut, but he will gain more room to operate. Dirk Nowitzki may be heating up for the Mavs, and Darren Collison was also sharp vs. Portland.
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