The slumping Celtics have a revenge game at Indiana. The Knicks are visiting the Thunder in what could be a shootout. And Deron Williams is returning to Salt Lake City. All good games Saturday night in the NBA. And none nowhere near as good as the heavily hyped first meeting between the Lakers and Clippers. The locals call this the “Hallway Series” as both teams reside down the corridor from each other in the Staples Center. But this is not a rivalry,
// The Boston Celtics have some serious issues. Friday’s 88-79 home loss to Chicago was the third straight for the Celtics, who fell to 4-6. It is the first time in the “Big Three” era that they have been two games under .500. They are 19-18 since trading Kendrick Perkins. The Celtics simply cannot score, averaging 79.3 points during the slide. Paul Pierce is still looking for his rhythm after getting a late start to the season and is averaging 13.6 points
// Thursday was a painful day in the NBA. Painful for the fans, who had slim pickings from the five-game slate of snoozers and blowouts. Painful for a handful of teams who lost key players to injury. And painful for the purists, who watched Dwight Howard historically distort the sport. Repeatedly sent to the line through intentional fouling, Howard broke Wilt Chamberlain’s 50-year-old record for free throws in a game, attempting 39 and sinking 21 as the Orlando Magic edged the Golden
Action never waned in the NBA on Wednesday night as the LA Clippers knocked off Miami in overtime and LeBron James’ late-game issues continued. That drama may carry over to Thursday when the New York Knicks open TNT’s doubleheader in Memphis against the Grizzlies. After knocking off top-seeded San Antonio in last year’s playoffs and with the return of Rudy Gay, Memphis (3-6) was supposed to be a contender this season. But injuries have sidetracked the Grizzlies, who are desperately missing forwards
Reader Alex set a SheridanHoops record, providing the correct answer to last week’s Bernucca List in a mere five minutes. I know we say this every week, but this list is tougher, simply because it has an additional parameter that must be included in your answer. Think you know it? Send me a Tweet or post it as a comment. Happy brainstorming! The Bernucca List Mike Bibby Kobe Bryant Ronnie Brewer Stephen Curry Mike Dunleavy Al Horford Wesley Matthews
// There’s been a spirited argument over the last several years over who is the best player in the NBA. There is the Kobe Bryant camp, which points to his skill, will and five championships. And there is the LeBron James camp, which points to his freakish athleticism and all-around game. For a couple of years, the argument went back and forth during the regular season, then was settled in the postseason, where Bryant was winning or advancing to championships while
ESPN has a solid opener to its doubleheader as the Boston Celtics host the Dallas Mavericks. But the nightcap should be an alley-oop fest and Wednesday’s best game as the Miami Heat, fresh off their loss to Golden State Warriors in which LeBron James disappeared in the fourth quarter (sound familiar?) visit the Los Angeles Clippers. The game features no less than six players from Team USA’s preliminary roster as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and
// Dwyane Wade came back, but so did the Golden State Warriors. Derrick Rose dueled Ricky Rubio. And Kobe Bryant erupted for 48 points. But they all have to take a momentary backseat to the Washington Wizards, who finally won a game. All it took was an overhaul of their starting lineup, a spark from their previously invisible prized rookie and a visit from the weary Toronto Raptors. The last winless team in the NBA broke through Tuesday night with a 93-78 win