GSW @ MEM: Despite tremendous efforts by Stephen Curry (32 PTS, 8 AST, 5 REB, 3 STL) and David Lee (26 PTS, 6 REB), the Warriors are now 0-3 on this trip, with another game tonight. My theory that Tayshaun Prince (6 PTS, 5 AST, 4 REB, 3-for-12) would improve with the playoff-contending Grizzlies seems to be well off the mark, but five other Memphis players hit double figures, led by Marc Gasol (20 PTS, 11 REB, 5 AST) and Tony Allen (17 PTS, 4 REB, 2 STL). Though he’s still not a happy camper, Zach Randolph (16 PTS, 12 REB) had a double-double and Austin Daye (12 PTS, 4 REB, 3-of-4 from deep) paid his first dividends since the trade.
POR @ HOU: Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’, keep those Rockets rollin’ — James Harden (35 PTS, 11 AST, 7 REB) is always the headliner, but his unheralded teammates are pretty good. Omer Asik (9 PTS, 13 REB, 4 BLK) does the heavy lifting, Chandler Parsons (20 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL) is versatile and Patrick Patterson (16 PTS, 6 REB, 2 BLK) continues to reward my patience now that he’s healthy again. It was no surprise that LaMarcus Aldridge (31 PTS, 11 REB) led the Blazers, but very encouraging that Nicolas Batum (24 PTS, 3 AST, 3 BLK) hit four 3-pointers, suggesting his wrist is feeling better.
NYK @ MIN: As expected, Carmelo Anthony (36 PTS, 9 REB) was unstoppable, especially when it counted. The Knicks also got 41 points from their bench, with J.R. Smith (15 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST) feeling better and Amare Stoudemire (11 PTS, 5 REB) needed for only 21 minutes. Our colleague Mitch McClure nailed it last Sunday when he told everyone to start Ricky Rubio (18 PTS, 11 AST) this week, and Nikola Pekovic had a double-double (16 & 11) but the Wolves have been decimated by injuries. Derrick Williams (19 PTS, 6 REB) had one of his better nights and Luke Ridnour (20 PTS) was sharp to build an 11-point lead with seven minutes left. Then Melo took over the game.
CHI @ UTA: OK, I got Al Jefferson right (32 PTS, 13 REB, 2 STL, 2 BLK) and Paul Millsap (21 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST) played well enough, but this was a shocking upset. The Bulls were blown out in Denver 24 hours earlier, and have too many injuries to list. Joakim Noah (12 PTS, 11 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL) is battling plantar fasciitis, Carlos Boozer (19 PTS, 5 REB) has a tender hamstring and Kirk Hinrich (elbow) has missed five games. Nate Robinson (18 PTS, 9 AST, 4 REB) played a terrific 46 minutes, Taj Gibson (14 PTS, 8 REB, 2 STL, 2 BLK) was strong off the bench and Chicago dug very deep for the W.
February 9 Game Previews
DEN @ CLE: Tied for the best home record in the league, the Nuggets are just 10-15 on the road. However, the early schedule was brutal —they lost all three in a season-opening trip East, three more in the last week of November, then went 4-6 away from home in December. Now they are scorching hot as they kick off a four-game trip that includes two back-to-backs in five days. This should be high-scoring and entertaining, with Kyrie and Ty Lawson setting the pace. Denver has more (and better) weapons, including a very deep, talented bench.