NOH @ OKC: Imagine what Kevin Durant (18 PTS, 11 REB, 10 AST) might have done if he was needed for more than 27 minutes. Russell Westbrook (29 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST) played only 26 minutes; you were warned it would be a blowout. The Hornets had lost at home on Tuesday, Eric Gordon (knee) still doesn’t play in back-to-backs and Anthony Davis sat out with a sore shoulder. They had no chance, and everyone in the building knew it.
MIL @ HOU: The Bucks now belong to Monta Ellis (27 PTS, 13 AST, 6 REB, 6 STL and a game-winning 3-pointer) as Brandon Jennings (8 PTS, 6 AST, 4 REB remains in the doghouse. Ersan Ilyasova (20 PTS, 10 REB) was solid and three bench players scored in double figures, led by 16 PTS, 6 REB and 4 AST from Mike Dunleavy. I thought the Rockets would cruise, but James Harden (25 PTS, 7 AST, 4 STL) committed seven turnovers and played the second half with a wrap on his left knee. Donatas Motiejunas (13 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST in 25:43) might be starting at PF for a while, as Thomas Robinson (2 PTS) played led than eight minutes. Omer Asik (16 PTS, 22 REB) was a beast in the tough defeat. The ever-unhappy Samuel Dalembert got a DNP-CD for Milwaukee.
DAL @ MEM: For 18 minutes, it looked like a gigantic upset for the tired, desperate Mavericks. They scored 38 in the first quarter and were up by as many as 25 until the hibernating Grizzlies emerged from their slumber. Memphis won the third quarter 26-5 and completed the impressive comeback. Marc Gasol (21 PTS, 12 REB, 5 AST) and Zach Randolph (22 PTS, 10 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL) led the scoring, but the entire teamed turned the defensive intensity dial to 11. Shawn Marion (16 PTS, 8 REB) was the top scorer for Dallas, now five games out of eighth place with 25 left to play and three teams to catch.
PHO @ SAS: When you make dozens of predictions every day, some are spectacularly wrong. Who knew that Jermaine O’Neal (22 PTS, 13 REB, 2 BLK) could still do that? The Spurs were just a bit unfocused in their return home from a 9-game, 25-day road trip. Tony Parker (22 PTS, 8 AST, 4 REB) and Tim Duncan (19 PTS, 11 REB, 1 BLK) were solid, but the team missed all ten shots in overtime and finished at 43% for the evening. Goran Dragic (13 PTS, 13 AST, 4 REB) played a strong 40 minutes for Phoenix and a missed free throw by Manu Ginobili (10 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST) followed by an uncontested three by Wesley Johnson (8 PTS) kept San Antonio from winning in regulation.
ATL @ UTA: The Hawks are terrific right now and Al Horford has never been better, with 34 points on 14-22 shooting, 15 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 blocks. Josh Smith (24 PTS, 14 REB, 7 AST) is a heckuva wing man and Jeff Teague (19 PTS, 7 AST, 3 STL) has put together four excellent starts in this win streak. Al Jefferson (26 PTS, 11 REB) led the Jazz, but Paul Millsap (ankle) was out, so Derrick Favors (17 PTS, 15 REB, 3 BLK) got to show what he can do with 38 minutes at PF. Utah would be so much better if Earl Watson (zero points in 18:38) wasn’t their starting PG.