The Post Up: Free Derrick Rose

by Holly MacKenzie

Wow, what a big night in the League. For whatever reason though, it felt like the games got over really early and then I was left with that debacle that was the Portland/Chi whatever you choose to call it, because it certainly was not a game. Not a basketball game, at least.

I’m pretty happy this morning because The Basketball Jones should be back up today, after a few days off because one of their boys was sick. I think that sickness has traveled through Rodney rockin'the internets and I’m struggling through it because I have been dozing off during games lately and just being sort of out of it. My apologies. I’m ready for my dose of TBJ. Especially after last night. Anything after last night. What a disaster. I was honestly, disgusted with that late night game.Let’s talk about happier things.

Sheed coming up big in the end of the game for the Pistons again. They are my pick for the East now. Yup. Sorry, Boston, K.G., PP and crew. I’m going with Iverson, Sheed, Stuckey and the rest of the boys. Speaking of Stuckey, he was funny in the postgame interview with NBATV talking about the foul from Shaq the other night.

Marvin Williams coming up big for the Hawks in the absence of Al Horford. That was good to see. Let’s hope Al will be back soon, but let’s also hope that Marv can continue to build on tonight’s effort. Have to mention Zaza Pachulia and his 18 rebounds, too. Big performances from the Hawks to get that win last night.

I was happy to see Caron put in a big night with 32 points. Felt bad that it had to happen in a loss, though. It’s tough to be a Wizard these days.

While the Raptors ruined a 40-point effort from Chris Bosh the other night, last night the Heat lost a game where Dwyane scored 40, had 11 assists and blocked five shots. Eeek. Bet he was thrilled in the locker room after the game.

I really, really enjoy listening to Eric Snow as an analyst. My ears still hurt from that “Rondo-oooooooooooooo” ish that Webber and GP were going through last night.

I’m still in a little bit of shock about the Kings defeating New Orleans. I don’t get what is going on with the Hornets. They just didn’t look good. It looks like they are working hard, playing hard, hustling, but they just haven’t seemed to look like themselves yet. Salmons sure looked good without Kevin Martin on the floor.

Only two games on the schedule tonight. Check back later for Marcel’s Worth Of Your Attention post to see why you need to be tuning in.

Atlanta 91 Washington 87

With the way they have been racking up losses lately, the Hawks needed to handle the Wizards to get back on track. While it appeared as though Washington was going to escape with the win and while the Hawks certainly did not handle anyone, they were able to come back in their game last night and come away with the 91-87 win, thanks to a late jumper from Marvin Williams. In a game that was close throughout, the Hawks led 70-67 at the start of the fourth and went ahead late in the game thanks to a 15-point quarter from Mike Bibby. With 26 seconds left in the game, Williams knocked down a three to give the Hawks a two-point advantage and when the Wizards were unable to get a shot to go, the victory was Atlanta’s. Williams finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds, stepping up in the absence of Al Horford as Bibby scored 25 points and Joe Johnson added 19 points. Caron Butler poured in 32 points for the Wiz as Antawn Jamison scored 18 and grabbed 11 boards.

Toronto 101 Miami 95

One night after wasting a 40-point, 18-rebound effort from Chris Bosh, the Raptors made it up to him, thanks to the return of Jose Calderon. This time, it was the Heat who wasted a 40-point, 11-assist night from Dwyane Wade as they got down big early and were unable to complete a furious flurry in the fourth quarter that almost had them take the game. While they trailed by as many as 17 points late in the third, the Heat came back in the fourth and trailed by only two before the Raptors put the game away with a three from Anthony Parker to protect the win. Bosh finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds, Jermaine O’Neal scored 16 and pulled down 17 rebounds, Parker scored 19 and Andrea Bargnani led the way with 25 points. In addition to Wade’s 40, Shawn Marion scored 20 points to go with 14 rebounds and Daequan Cook added 10 off of the bench.

Detroit 96 Cleveland 89

While the Cavaliers looked as thought they were going to handle the Pistons easily, leading by as many as 13 points in the third quarter, Detroit stepped up their defense and offense as they outscored the Cavaliers 58-40 in the second half to take the 96-89 victory. In the fourth it was Rasheed Wallace who came up big for Detroit, knocking in back to back threes and then another long jumper to keep Detroit on top after coming from behind as the Pistons continue to get used to Iverson in the lineup. Wallace finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds as Iverson scored 23 points and Rip Hamilton added 15. James finished with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists as Mo Williams also scored 25 points and Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 13.

Sacramento 105 New Orleans 96

While the Hornets appeared to be getting things back on track last night against the Kings, Bobby Jackson and John Salmons took care of business late and shocked New Orleans as the Kings took down the Hornets 105-96. Despite playing without Kevin Martin, the Kings were strong in the final quarter, outscoring New Orleans 28-20 as Jackson hit two three’s late and had a steal to help the Kings pull away. Salmons finished with 29 points while all of Jackson’s 8 were in the fourth. Dontae Green added 15 points for the Kings. Chris Paul scored 20 points and dished 15 assists for NO, as David West scored 22 points and Tyson Chandler added 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Minnesota 102 Philadelphia 96

The Sixers had appeared to have found their groove as of late, but last night it was the Timberwolves who made it happen as they finally found a way to snap their eight-game losing streak, taking down Philly, 102-96. While Minnesota was leading in the fourth, they were unable to stop Philadelphia from coming back, and a three-point play by Andre Igoudala had the Sixers down only one until Al Jefferson went to work, pulling the TWolves ahead and helping to keep the Sixers at bay while Mike Miller knocked down a three-pointer with 30 seconds remaining to put the game away. Jefferson finished with 25 points, Craig Smith scored 21 and Ryan Gomes added 14. Andre Miller had 20 points to lead the Sixers in the loss while Elton Brand had 19 points and 13 rebounds and Iguodala added 17.

Dallas 96 Houston 86

While the Mavericks were without Josh Howard and the Rockets without Yao Ming, the Mav’s were able to take care of business taking down a Houston team with a gimpy Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest. The Mavericks were able to defeat them, 96-86. In the absence of Howard it was Jason Terry who stepped up, dropping in 31 points on the night as the Mavericks led by 11 at the start of the fourth and were able to hold off the Rockets attempt at a comeback. Dirk Nowitzki had 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Mavs while Jason Kidd added 8 points, 9 boards and 7 assists. McGrady and Rafer Alston each scored 16 points for the Rockets with Alston adding 8 assists as well. Ron Artest added 14 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.