On a special Tuesday night the NBA featured two nationally televised games. The Boston Celtics looked to continue their winning ways without Rajon Rondo and the Lakers looked to get over the .500 mark against their rival Oklahoma City Thunder. Russell Westbrook had other plans for LA, though.
Onto the Facts:
1. Kevin Durant has torched the Los Angeles Lakers this season, and that did not change Tuesday night in Oklahoma City’s 122-105 win over LA. Durant has averaged 37.7 points against the Lakers this season on 51.4 percent shooting. He had a modest 26 points — for KD standards — but helped the Thunder send a message to Kobe’s Lakers. Russell Westbrook wasn’t too shabby either, pouring in 37 points to go with his 10 rebounds and five assists.
2. The Thunder pulled away in the final minutes, but not before an injured Kobe Bryant returned to the floor with a vengeance. Bryant scored 30 points after leaving the game in the opening minutes with a right elbow injury, helping the Lakers to nearly erase an 18-point deficit. Pulling within five midway through the fourth quarter, the Lakers went scoreless in the final 6:14 of the game.
3. Jrue Holiday had 18 points and 10 assists, but also 5 turnovers in the 76ers 109-101 loss to the Celtics Tuesday night. It was Holiday’s 20th game with at least 5 turnovers this season. Only three other players have as many games with five turnovers this season: Russell Westbrook (21), James Harden (21) and Kobe Bryant (20).
4. Since Rajon Rondo suffered a season ending ACL injury, the Boston Celtics have been revitalized, winning 12-of-16 games. Boston’s resurgence has been in large part due to the return of Avery Bradley and his outstanding defense. Bradley led Boston in scoring Tuesday night with a season-high 22 points. Paul Pierce played another all-around stellar game with 18 points and 11 rebounds and Kevin Garnett also scored 18 points and six rebounds which helped him pass Hakeem Olajuwon for 11th on the NBA all-time rebounding list. He’s 12 shy of Wes Unseld and the top 10.
5. George Karl’s Nuggets used their depth and talent to take down the Sacramento Kings 120-113 Tuesday night in Sacramento. Behind a 36-point third quarter and 24 points from Ty Lawson, the Nuggets continued to roll. They currently sit one game behind Memphis for the 4th seed in the West.
Ben Baroff is a sports journalist and marketing professional who blogs and writes columns for SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter.