The theme of today’s Power Rankings is springing forward. And, to a lesser degree, falling back. The clock on the wall said 5:15 this morning when the coffee started brewing, but that was an illusion. The actual time was 6:15, meaning sunrise will be coming later, sunset will be doing the same thing … and the NBA playoffs are that much closer. Oh, and the Lakers are going to be in them. This much we can say with quite a degree of
Refuse to lose. The amazing Kobe Bryant (41 PTS, 12 AST, 6 REB) willed his team to another victory despite fatigue and sore shoulders. Dwight Howard (24 PTS, 13 REB, 5 BLK, 3 STL) was also heroic and Steve Nash (22 PTS) hit four triples as the Lakers rallied from down 15 to force overtime. [Read more…]
We thought that Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams had the most spectacular night on Friday. He did, after all, break the all-time record for most 3-pointers made in a single half with nine total (he finished with 11 for the game) and scored a season-high 42 points on 15-of-24 shooting. And then Kobe Bryant happened. [Read more…]
Note to all NBA players: a punch against your opponent won’t get you suspended, as long as it’s below the belt and you’re not a repeat offender. That’s the impression the league left most of us with after making the decision to not suspend Serge Ibaka for taking a shot at Blake Griffin’s jewels, fining him $25,000 instead. [Read more…]
“Scintillating Kobe!” Lakers play-by-play analyst Bill MacDonald exclaimed as Bryant weaved in and out of Hornets’ defenders, as he continued to eat away at New Orleans’ 25-point second half lead with bucket after bucket. [Read more…]
The 2012-13 regular season is heading into the home stretch, and three of California’s four teams are neck deep in postseason intrigue (leaving only Sacramento, a city and franchise dealing with plenty of intrigue even without any playoff hopes). What does the landscape look like with about 20 games to play? [Read more…]
It was almost a Magical upset, but LeBron James (26 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST) drove to the hoop for the winning layup and Miami has won 16 straight. Dwyane Wade 24 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST, 4 STL) and Chris Bosh (17 PTS, 10 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK) also played well against their inspired visitors from up the Turnpike. [Read more…]
With 14 games on the NBA schedule Wednesday night, there was plenty to look out for and a lot to miss. No worries, SherdianHoops’ nightly feature Five Fast Facts has you covered. The Miami Heat looked to extend their franchise record 15-game win streak and the Los Angeles Lakers looked to get back to .500. Who went for 40 and who couldn’t buy a bucket? Let’s take a look at the facts: [Read more…]