While Denver rolls.
Happy day, everyone.
I feel like I’m inaugurated out. Today has been exhausting. The combination of my friend flying in Monday night, getting to bed around 6 a.m., waking up before 9 a.m. and then going nonstop until now, when I write this at 2 a.m. again, whooooop.
Last night was a pretty low-key night in the League and I didn’t catch much of these games. I’m sure you can all agree with me that yesterday really wasn’t about basketball.
Things will be getting back to normal tonight though, huge schedule ahead of us with Phoenix @ New York, Utah @ Houston and Cleveland @ Portland, just to name a few. I’m looking forward to seeing Steve Nash and Mike D’Antoni and of course, as I mentioned the last time the teams met each other, Dan D’Antoni and Leandro Barbosa.
Those two might have my favorite player/coach relationship in the League. Who would each of you pick?
I’m kind of still trying to wrap my head around the fact that not only are the Cavs really, really good and are still undefeated at home, but that the Orlando Magic currently have the best record in the League.
I love the unexpected parts of each season. I love that the Spurs are beginning to round into form and nip at everyone’s heels. I love that I love to hate and hate to love Manu Ginobili and everything he brings to the table. I love the Iverson cover and really, I just want to read my damn piece on Powe because I still have been unable to find a copy of the mag in this city, honestly. My mother has a copy in Nova Scotia and I still can’t find it here in Toronto.
Also, the Ariza/LeBron comments you guys left yesterday cracked me up. Even I, Laker Girl #32, cannot pretend that Riza’s got anything on Bron.
Tonight the Raptors face the Pistons and I’m excited to see a couple of things; first, how the Rip-coming-off-the-bench thing works out, and, second, how AP does at point guard if Jose is still unavailable. Also, can the Raptors please get a trade going? K, thanks, BC, appreciate it.
Okay… Here we go:
Atlanta 105 Chicago 102
The Atlanta Hawks earned their second victory in as many days and this one was as close as the first. One day after taking down the Raptors 87-84, the Hawks escaped with a 105-102 decision over the Bulls thanks in large part, to Mike Bibby and his 31 points. While the game was close throughout, Derrick Rose put the Bulls ahead by one, continuing to show he’s got grit and shines under pressure. Bibby showed that he too, can thrive when the game is on the line as he started a 7-0 run for the Hawks then continued to score nine of his 31 in the final minutes of the game, including a three and a steal as the Hawks closed out the Bulls. Besides Bibby, Zaza Pachulia had 18 points while Josh Smith had 17 points and 14 rebounds. The Bulls were led by Ben Gordon who scored 21 points as Luol Deng had 12 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists.
San Antonio 99 Indiana 81
While the Pacers have been doing a good job of keeping games close (not so good of a job at coming away with W’s), last night was an exception as the Spurs did what they do best and rolled to a victory in a game that was supposed to be close. Thanks to a decisive third quarter that saw the Spurs outscore Indiana 28-17, the game was over before the fourth quarter. The Spurs held Danny Granger to 17 points on 5-15 shooting while Mike Dunleavy added 15 for the Pacers. Tim Duncan had 27 points and 10 rebounds through three quarters to lead the Spurs while Manu Ginobili was a star sub with 26 points. Tony Parker added 13 points in the victory.
Utah 112 Minnesota 107
While the Timberwolves have been on an impressive streak as of late, going 8-2 over their last ten before the game last night, they were unable to slow the Jazz as Paul Millsap had a 28-point, 15-rebound performance and Mehmet Okur pulled out some big three’s to close out the game and get the W for Utah. When the TWolves got to within one in the final minutes of the game, Deron Williams set up Okur on consecutive possessions for three-pointers and he responded. Okur finished with 22 points for Utah while Williams had 17 points and 11 assists. The Wolves were led by Al Jefferson with 25 points and 8 rebounds as Ryan Gomes and Randy Foye scored 19 points apiece.
Denver 118 Sacramento 99
While the Nuggets started out slow in this one, a strong second quarter allowed them to easily roll over the Kings on their way to a laugher, defeating Sacramento, 118-99. With consecutive quarters topping 30 points, the Nuggets led by as many as 30 in the fourth as the Kings couldn’t keep up, even without Carmelo Anthony in the lineup. The Nuggets shot 56% for the game as Linas Kleiza scored 27 points off of the bench and JR Smith added 19 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and Chauncey Billups added 22 points and 8 assists. Nene had another double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. The Kings received 25 points from Kevin Martin as Jason Thompson scored 18 points to go with 11 boards and Bobby Jackson added 15 off of the bench.
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