Even if Dirk Nowitzki is feeling as good as he did against the Jazz on Saturday when he scored a season high 40 points in just under 29 minutes, defeating the best home team in the league will be a tall task for the Dallas Mavericks. Nowitzki and the Mavericks (22-16) visit Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder (29-8) for their final meeting this season in Monday night’s best game. The Thunder has won two of the three meetings this season
Over the flu and with no apparent ill effects from sore ribs, Kevin Love torched the Blazers for 42 points on 15-27 shooting, including 5-8 from downtown, as the T-Wolves won on the road. Ricky Rubio had only six points but chipped in a dozen assists. With Wesley Johnson in foul trouble, Martell Webster was terrific in 34 minutes off the bench. Nicolas Batum had 29 and Gerald Wallace 23 for Portland, but recently demoted Raymond Felton shot a brutal
When Josh Smith is in the right frame of mind, meaning attack the basket and not settling for perimeter shots, the Atlanta Hawks are a difficult team to beat. In fact, when Smith scores at least 20 points, the team is undefeated. They improved to 11-0 in such situations as Smith scored 30 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder — the team with the NBA’s best record coming into the game — 97-90 Saturday night. It was an
It was a Thunder-ous statement in Orlando. Kevin Durant had 38 points, Russell Westbrook 29 as OKC rallied to win. KD poured in 18 in the fourth quarter alone. Dwight Howard, the subject of countless trade rumors, scored 33 in defeat. I’m chalking up a quiet night for Serge Ibaka to his covering Ryan Anderson on the perimeter. It’s hard to block a 3-pointer. Elsewhere MIN @ PHO: Kevin Love was back with a double-double (23 & 10) and Luke Ridnour had
Kobe Bryant, wearing a mask to protect his broken nose, had 31 PTS, 7 REB and 8 AST as the Lakers trounced Minnesota. We know that Mamba is also playing with a sore wrist and maybe even a mild concussion. He’s one of the few athletes in any sport who seems impervious to pain. Kevin Love did not play, due to sore ribs and the flu, so this one was no contest. Anthony Randolph got 19 minutes and played well;
The 76ers are 12-2 with Spencer Hawes in the lineup and 9-13 without him. The Thunder are now 15-1 at home this season. Kendrick Perkins earned his 12th technical foul, leaving him one away from suspension. Hawks C Al Horford has been cleared to begin rehab from surgery for a torn left pectoral muscle. Rajon Rondo has 3 of the leagues 9 triple double’s this season, and the 10th of his career. The second-half of the Detroit Pistons game was delayed due to the lights
The Los Angeles Lakers make their first trip to Dallas this season tonight, looking to prove they can win on the road as both teams’ stars are heating up for All-Star weekend. Kobe Bryant (32.3 over his last three games, league-leader at 29 ppg) and Dirk Nowitzki (29.3 points, 11 rebounds, 31-of-66 shooting over last three) face off in Dallas’ last game before a much-needed breather. L.A., 14-2 at home, beat Dallas 73-70 on a late 3-pointer by Derek Fisher January 16th
James, Durant Earn Weekly Honors The Miami Heat?s LeBron James and the Oklahoma City Thunder?s Kevin Durant today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Feb. 13, through Sunday, Feb. 19. James led Miami to a 4-0 week, averaging 27.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.0 steals. Durant helped Oklahoma City to a 3-1 week which included wins over the Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets. Durant averaged 32.0 points and 8.0