On a busy night in the League.
by Holly MacKenzie / @stackmack
The one really, really bad part about having a Raptors home game on a Wednesday? I miss the busiest night of the NBA schedule. Got home in time to see Deron Williams lead the Jazz over the Blazers and I’m watching this fourth quarter of the Warriors and Hornets. Someone tweeted it the other night and it’s true: Happy Chris Paul has been replaced by angry CP3.
sidenote: Game is now over. Hornets hang on to get the W after seeing most of their lead evaporate late. Chris Paul may have been angry, but he scored 38 points! He also had six rebounds and nine assists, but seven turnovers. Eeek.
I can’t say I blame him, since it seems like his organization wants to save money before they want to win games, but I kind of miss the old CP3.
Larry Coon tweeted that he is hearing that Zack Randolph made the All-Star team. I do hope so. Who are your picks for the guys who should make it that maybe won’t? Your on the bubble guys. I just want Gerald Wallace in the game. What got me was how Rondo was the obvious no-brainer for the Celtics, but I had to debate over Pierce and KG. Kinda shows his value to his team. Especially since we’re not talking about the Western Conference where there are 80 million amazing guards.
I was disappointed that DeMar DeRozan was left off of the rookie roster. I get that Jonas Jerebko had slightly better numbers, but, man. DeRozan started every single game so far this season and he’s been a part of a team that is currently in fifth in the East. The Raps are currently in fifth place because they got the W against the Heat Wednesday night.
Dwyane Wade was awesome through the first three quarters, but in the fourth, the Raps clamped down on his touches and forced him to give the ball up. That didn’t work out so well for the Heat. Wade finished with 35 and 10 assists, but Miami lost 111-103. They also lost Michael Beasley in the first half with a hyperextended right knee and had he been in the game the result may have been different. Beasley started out the game well, very active and aggressive.
Andrea Bargnani scored 27 points on 13-for-19 shooting. He’s a big man who had 27 points, didn’t attempt a free throw and didn’t even score half of those buckets on layups/under the basket. He’s so much trouble when his shot is on. Chris Bosh had 24 points and a season-high 18 boards.
I was just happy for Sonny Weems who started in place of DeRozan. It was his first NBA career start and his mother was in town and got to see him.
Yes, I’m a sucker for family. You know this.
So, the Lakers won in Indy, the Cavs destroyed Minnesota (or, looking at boxscores, I guess the Lakers did more destroying than the Cavs), Denver won again (without Melo) and the Nets won. Yes, New Jersey won, defeating the L.A. Clippers, 103-87 despite playing without Devin Harris and Courtney Lee. Their leading scorer? Kris Humphries, of course. 25 points and eight boards off of the bench in their fourth victory. Of the season. Dear God. Let’s hope for another one, soon.
The game that disappointed me was the OKC Thunder losing to the Bulls, 96-86. Gotta love the Thunder. Hate that they lost this one after holding the Bulls to just 12 points in the third quarter.
All five of the Spurs starters reached double figures as San Antonio took down the Hawks, 105-90. Josh Smith was fantastic in the loss, scoring 14 points and grabbing 16 rebounds to go with seven assists a steal and a block. Crazy line. He’s on my All-Star list, too.
The Bucks grabbed a close, 91-88 victory over the Sixers and Charlie Bell –one half of my favorite NBA couple on Twitter– had 18 points to lead the Bucks.
Oh, yeah. Ty Lawson. He’s another fantastic rookie who didn’t make the rookie squad.
29 points on 9-for-15 shooting for Kobe. Efficient. I love it. Also love nine rebounds and seven assists. That guy’s great.
Okay. It’s time for me to go to bed. Let me hear your All Star picks, if you’ve got thoughts on the rookie squad and anything else that’s standing out as surprising to you midway through the season.
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