PHI @ MIA: Ho-hum, 17 in a row. LeBron James (25 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST, 2 BLK) and Dwyane Wade (22 PTS, 4 AST, 3 STL, 2 REB) went about their business against an inferior team. Jrue Holiday (9 PTS, 13 AST, 4 REB) is tiring but Thaddeus Young (25 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL) had a good game and Spencer Hawes (13 PTS, 10 REB, 2 BLK) double-doubled to keep the score respectable. The Sixers tried Charles Jenkins (2 PTS in 15:43) as the starting SG with predictable results.
MEM @ CLE: Not only is Kyrie Irving slowed by a sore knee, he has the flu. You wouldn’t know it by his 24-point, 3-assist effort. Dion Waiters (3 PTS) missed all four shots in his return from the same illness. Marc Gasol (22 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 2 BLK) was a force for Memphis and Mike Conley (17 PTS, 11 AST, 5 STL) was sharp. Ed Davis (12 PTS, 9 REB) did a decent job filling in for injured Zach Randolph (ankle), especially during a decisive 16-3 run to begin the second half.
DAL @ DET: Seven Mavericks scored in double figures, led by O.J. Mayo (22 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST) as their faint playoff hopes remain alive. Dirk Nowitzki (12 PTS, 7 REB) was relatively quiet, and Mike James (12 PTS, 3 AST) was again the starter at PG, with Darren Collison (11 PTS, 8 AST, 3 REB) getting 29 minutes off the bench. The Pistons tried hard, with Greg Monroe (14 PTS, 10 REB, 4 AST) less than 100% due to a sore ankle. Brandon Knight (21 PTS, 3 AST, 3 REB) hit a couple of threes and rookie Khris Middleton (14 PTS, 5 REB in 20 minutes) had his best game as a pro.
UTA @ CHI: The return of Al Jefferson (23 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST, 3 BLK) from an ankle injury was almost enough to turn the tide, but the Jazz guards were terrible. Mo Williams (2 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST in 27 minutes) missed six of seven shots and committed four turnovers. Derrick Favors (11 PTS, 10 REB, 6 BLK) and Marvin Williams (14 PTS, 10 REB) played well enough off the bench to make it close. Carlos Boozer (22 PTS, 10 REB) and Marco Belinelli (22 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST) led Chicago; the Italian’s fourth 3-pointer with six seconds left was the game-winner.
ATL @ BOS: Depleted by injuries, the Hawks started career mediocrity Johan Petro at C but nearly won. Al Horford (22 PTS, 13 REB, 5 AST, 2 BLK) and Josh Smith (32 PTS, 8 REB, 9 AST) were superb, while Jeff Teague (26 PTS, 9 AST, 3 REB, 2 STL) continues to impress. The Celtics blew a 12-point lead in the final seven minutes but prevailed in overtime. Paul Pierce (27 PTS, 7 REB, 7 AST, 2 STL) is their MVP, Kevin Garnett (17 PTS, 8 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL) battled all night and Jason Terry (19 PTS, 5 AST, 4 REB, 2 STL) was key off the bench.
PHO @ SAC: 80% of the Suns’ starting five changed. Luis Scola (14 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST) is the center until Jermaine O’Neal returns, Markieff Morris (9 PTS in 22 minutes) was at PF, with brother Marcus Morris (12 PTS, 5 REB in 28 minutes) at SF. Wesley Johnson (19 PTS, 4 REB, 2 STL) is your new SG, bumping Jared Dudley (11 PTS in 15:29) to the bench. It didn’t help, as DeMarcus Cousins (22 PTS, 14 REB, 7 AST) was one of four Kings to score 20+; Isaiah Thomas (27 PTS, 6 AST, 5 REB, 5 STL) was brilliant and they shot 55% as a team. Marcus Thornton (23) stayed hot off the bench with five 3-pointers.
Wow, thanks for the freeroll Sheridan. I’m going to Disney Land!