The playoff race in the West got even tighter on Thursday and there are some critical games this evening. On the fantasy side, many Head-to-Head playoff matches will be decided this weekend; the whole season may come down to what happens tonight and tomorrow.
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Thursday Results
LAL @ MIL: Nothing unfolded according to plan last night, for me or the Lakers. Kobe Bryant (30 PTS, 2 REB, 3 AST) missed 11 of 17 shots, committed six turnovers and suffered a foot injury. Steve Nash (16 PTS, 6 AST, 3 REB, 2 STL) looked good for 23 minutes until sidelined with back and hip pain. Dwight Howard (15 PTS, 15 REB, 3 BLK) was a horrid 3-for-10 from the free-throw line. Meanwhile, the Brandon Jennings situation was temporarily resolved and he played well — 20 PTS, 7 AST, 3-6 from deep — as the Bucks finished strong. Larry Sanders (21 PTS, 13 REB, 2 BLK) and Monta Ellis (18 PTS, 9 AST, 7 REB) were essential to the victory.
IND @ DAL: Maybe the Mavericks like their beards. With their goal of a .500 record within reach and a chance to gain ground on L.A. in the playoff race, they came out flat and stayed that way. Dirk Nowitzki (21 PTS, 7 REB) was the only Dallas starter in double figures, as the Pacers held them to 39% shooting and took complete command in the third quarter. Paul George (24 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST, 3 STL) was brilliant, Roy Hibbert (16 PTS, 11 REB) continues to play well and David West (7 PTS, 7 REB) eased back into action after missing six games.
SAC @ PHO: If only DeMarcus Cousins would play like that more often. Sure, it was against the woeful Suns, but 34 points and 14 boards (in a back-to-back) is always impressive. Isaiah Thomas (23 PTS, 8 AST) hit three 3-pointers as the Kings had 64 at halftime and cruised home. Luis Scola (25 PTS, 7 REB) couldn’t stop DMC, so he tried to outscore him. Kendall Marshall (9 PTS, 10 AST) started again at PG as Phoenix has benched Goran Dragic for two games. Although tanking to improve your lottery odds is nothing new, it’s rarely been more obvious.