OKC @ DEN: How good are the Nuggets at home? Well, Russell Westbrook (38 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST , 2 STL) was superb and Kevin Durant (25 PTS, 14 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 3 BLK) did all he could, but the Thunder could not catch up. Credit wily old coach George Karl for going ‘small’ and Wilson Chandler for making it pay off. At 6’8”, Chandler can play (or guard) the 2, 3 or 4 spot. He hit six triples among his 35 points as the Denver bench outscored OKC 71- 11. Ty Lawson (11 PTS, 7 AST, 3 REB, 2 STL) was relatively quiet, but Andre Miller (14 PTS, 7 AST, 6 REB) picked up the slack.
March 2 Previews
BRK @ CHI: After that tough loss at home, the Nets face Joakim Noah and company. Noah had a 20-20-10 on Thursday, Carlos Boozer is playing well again and Kirk Hinrich has been healthy and productive for two straight games. The Bulls can vault over Brooklyn in the East playoff seedings with a victory, so there’s plenty of motivation. Luol Deng took an elbow to the face on Thursday that loosened some teeth; he’s famous for pain tolerance. Derrick Rose is looking good in practice, but there’s still no timetable for his long-awaited debut.
GSW @ PHI: The Warriors ran out of gas in Boston last night and now must suit up for their fourth road game in five nights. Steph Curry had a sensational week; he might be too tired to do it again. The Sixers are better rested, but their season is fading fast. The playoffs are a distant memory and the Andrew Bynum news keeps getting worse, with a shutdown looming. Jrue Holiday and Thaddeus Young are the best fantasy plays, and Evan Turner might have a big night.
TOR @ MIL: In the fourth quarter of a home defeat, Rudy Gay was lying on the floor trying to stretch a sore back. He’s no sure thing tonight. The entire Raptors team has taken a huge step backward the last two games and they should pose no threat to the resurgent Bucks, who swept a pair of games in Texas last week. Monta Ellis is scorching hot and newcomer J.J. Redick has already cut into the minutes of Brandon Jennings. In the frontcourt, Larry Sanders and Ersan Ilyasova are must-starts.
MIN @ POR: It’s a must-win for Portland, now two games back of the Lakers for ninth place in the West. Their healthiest bodies are LaMarcus Aldridge, J.J. Hickson and Damian Lillard. The rookie PG might have trouble with Ricky Rubio, but the big men should dominate. Andrei Kirilenko (calf) is out and Nikola Pekovic (abdominal strain) is highly doubtful, so Hickson will be matched up against Greg Stiemsma, Chris Johnson and/or Dante Cunningham, none of whom is too scary. Aldridge can use his height and experience against Derrick Williams, who has been a bright spot lately for the snake-bit Wolves. Although Nicolas Batum (wrist) and Wesley Matthews (ankle) are banged up, they remain capable of big numbers at any time.