Wednesday, March 13th, 2013 at 9:00 am  |  112 responses

Post Up: Welcome Back

Dwight dominates in his return to Orlando.

by Peter Walsh

Bobcats 100 (14-50), Celtics 74 (34-29)

Surprisingly, last night was the second time the Celtics have lost to the Bobcats this season. Charlotte beat down on Boston behind Gerald Henderson’s career-high 35 points. Charlotte opened the second half on a 12-3 run that eventually led to a Boston timeout. After the T.O., the Bobcats pushed the lead to as many as 28 and the C’s never got closer than six the rest of the way. Ben Gordon scored 17 off the bench and Josh McRoberts finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Jeff Green led Boson with 14 points.

Lakers 106 (34-31), 97 Magic (18-47)

After being welcomed by a chorus of boos during introductions, Dwight Howard went out and completely dominated his old team to the tune of a season-high 39 points (25-39 from the stripe) and 16 boards as the Lakers won their fourth straight game. Los Angeles was in control for much of the contest and pushed the lead to as many as 16 early in the fourth to cruise to the finish. Jameer Nelson had 21 and Tobias Harris grabbed a career-high 15 boards to go along with 17 points.

Cavs 95 (22-42), Wizards 90 (20-42)

Dion Waiters scored 12 of his team-high 20 points in the fourth quarter, Alonzo Gee finished with 17 points and Tristan Thompson had a 13-point, 14-rebound double-double as the Cavs bested the Wiz. After giving up 33 points in the opening quarter, Cleveland buckled down defensively and outscored D.C. 56-32 over the second and third quarters to build their lead. The Wizards now own the league’s worst road record at 5-24. John Wall finished with 27 points, 14 dimes and 7 boards in the loss.

Nets 108 (38-27), Hornets 98 (22-43)

The Nets and Hornets battled back and forth over the first three quarters before starting off the fourth with a 10-3 run that turned a two-point lead into a nine-point lead and gave the Nets full control down the stretch. Deron Williams continued his hot streak with 21 points and 13 assists, Brook Lopez scored 26 on 10-15 shooting and reggie Evans grabbed 13 boards. Greivis Vasquez scored 15 and dropped 14 dimes, Eric Gordon scored 24 and Ant Davis finished with 17 points and 11 boards in the loss.

Heat 98 (48-14), Hawks 81 (34-29)

Miami led wire-to-wire and blew out the Hawks to extend their franchise-best winning streak to 19 games. Atlanta cut the deficit to one point in the second quarter but the Heat closed out the half on a 16-4 run and the Hawks were left in the dust. DWade led all scores with 23 points and 6 dimes and LeBron finished with 15 points, 7 boards and 7 assists as the Heat used a balanced attack to dominate.

Mavs 115 (30-33), Bucks 108 (32-30)

Down 14 in the fourth quarter, the Bucks scored seven straight to cut Dallas’ lead in half with 6:30 left. But over the final half of the fourth quarter, Vince Carter was cookin’. Carter nailed three 3-pointers down the stretch and each one killed the Bucks momentum every time they got within striking distance. After Monta Ellis cut the deficit to six with 2:47 left, Carter hit a dagger 26-foot 3-pointer to finally bury the Bucks. Carter finished with 23 points and Dirk finished with a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double. Monta Ellis led all scorers with 32 points and 9 dimes.

Timberwolves 107 (22-39), Spurs 83 (50-15)

Watch highlights from Ricky Rubio’s 21-point, 13-rebound, 12-assist triple-double below. Safe to say he is finally 100 percent back.

 

Grizzlies 102 (43-19), Blazers 97 (29-34)

The Grizzlies have quietly won 12 of their last 13 games and got a tough road win over the Blazers last night. Up 71-65 with nine minutes to go in the game, the Grizzlies ended all hopes of a Portland comeback with an 8-2 run that sealed the win. Zach Randolph finished with 19 points and 10 boards and Mike Conley had 14 points and 15 dimes in the win. Dame Lillard scored 27 and LaMarcus Aldridge went for 28 and 10 boards.

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  • LakeShow

    More than the Clips…

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    i really really really wish that would happen.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    LAC is a bad match up? As much as CP will torture the Lakers, Dwight has the same chance to torture the Clippers. DeAndre Jordan – Blake Griffin – Lamar Odom is a terrible defensive front line against a real Center.

  • Max

    What I’m thinking is, even when they hack Howard, and he shoots just 50% that’s still a good offense.
    I mean, your D is gonna be set up, you get 2 points for 2 trips down the court (same as when you shoot 50% from the field). The only negative thing is you’re less likely to get the offensive rebound.

  • Max

    Hahaha.

  • LakeShow

    I don’t understand intentional hacking. It rarely works. Only Pop should be allowed to deploy it.

  • LakeShow

    haha, that’s cool, didn’t know you would be on board for that.
    I know it’s unlikely, but stranger things have happened in the NBA. (I think?)

  • LakeShow

    That’s what i’m banking on. He’s too smart and seems like too good of a guy to let this hamper him that badly while the team is rolling.

  • Max

    Peak is when this all happens and Lebron and Dwade combine for 50.
    Like in the finals.

  • RayJr

    The difference is that the Spurs cannot affort for TD and Tiago to get into foul trouble like those other teams can with those players. If they do, LA will beast on them in the inside and Kobe will work the outside doing whatever he wants. Also with Pau coming back they are really going to be dangerous even against teams with size. The playoffs might be the first time all year that the Lakers will have a healthy team.

  • LakeShow

    Hmm, someone had told me that McHale came off the bench. He never did? Even in his first few years? Obviously I wasn’t around then haha.

    Having a top 20 player come off your bench is a good thing and we have seen Pau become motivated in the past, who’s to say it won’t happen now.

    He did well off the bench when he came off this year before re-injury.

  • RayJr

    I agree with your SA statement. I dont think any team is worried about them.

  • The Philosopher

    Wasn’t going to do this; Kevin McHale is the greatest 6th man in the History of the League.

  • LakeShow

    Still will be without Hill, but yes, your right.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Junior-Taylor/100003121138419 Junior Taylor

    Will Dwight get enough touches (especially in the playoffs) to dominate like you think he will?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Junior-Taylor/100003121138419 Junior Taylor

    The same Gasol that couldn’t even get into the starting lineup and Antoni still hasn’t figured out how to play him and Howard together?

  • LakeShow

    It comes down to Dwight… Scary thought for such an emotion driven dood lol.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    i don’t at all see it happening. BUT i want it to. I want Kobe vs Dwyane in a series. I want LeBron vs Kobe for a title. I want LeBron vs Dwight again. And i really want Spoelstra vs D’Antoni, because those two coaches have experienced more flak than anyone (other than Mike Brown) over the last 5 years, seeing each of them duke it out above all the other coaches would be quite wonderful.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    I don’t think he will. I was just saying I don’t see LAC as a bad matchup for the Lakers. I see them as almost even honestly. I’d give LAC just a slight edge, because of how they seem to handle the better teams.

  • LakeShow

    Good stuff.

  • LakeShow

    Haha, it was you probably you I was thinking of. You’ve said that before.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    McHale did come off the bench. Just his “coming off the bench” was basically starting. He played 30MPG in ’84, and 40 in ’85. – basically Cedric Maxwell was starting, but McHale was their PF.
    .
    That situation isn’t going to happen for Gasol. If he’s coming off the bench, he sure as hell isn’t going to be playing that many minutes. So i just assumed you were thinking of Walton.

  • RayJr

    ABC wants this more than any of us.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Junior-Taylor/100003121138419 Junior Taylor

    Also, in-case you haven’t heard, Leonard’s one of the best perimeter defenders in the L. So I doubt Kobe will do whatever he wants.

  • LakeShow

    Alright, good, you had me feeling like I was on crazy pills.
    Kevin McHale-lite
    Key word “LITE”
    Pau can be a passing, blocking, scoring big man. It depends on where he mentally and physically is when he comes back. I’m as usual, hoping for the best. If he is at his best, this team will be a big threat. Neither you or I know where Pau will be in 2-4 weeks.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    oh yeah that’s my bad, i didn’t see the “lite” part.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Junior-Taylor/100003121138419 Junior Taylor

    I do agree with you on LAC not having a huge advantage over the Lakers but mostly for different reasons. It would basically be all home games for the Lakers.

  • RayJr

    Yeah thats the one. If Gasol is smart enough, and I think he is, he is going to realize where they need him and embrace coming off the bench by watching the team while he’s been injured.

  • RayJr

    Oh yeah forgot about him. There cannot be any team in the NBA that has gone against so many obstacles this season.

  • LakeShow

    I really wish Ant Davis was getting more PT. This should have been a much more competitive ROY race.

    Per 36 minutes :

    Davis: 17-1-10- 2.4 blks 51% FG’s

    Lillard: 18-6-3-1 steal on 43% FG’s, 35% 3 Pt. FG’s

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Junior-Taylor/100003121138419 Junior Taylor

    Get a room!!!!!!!!

  • RayJr

    Through rebounds he will.

  • RayJr

    Agree with you on Leonard but you can’t be serious about him slowing Kobe. He’s killed SA no matter who is on him for as long as he’s been in the L. Ever heard of Bruce Bowen?

  • RayJr

    lmao

  • Sérgio

    Man, I really think LA can win against the Spurs and the Clippers. This would be ideal, since they would play 7 games at home.

    But OKC, I don’t think they can beat. They are uber athletic, and have two great closers. On the other side, LA had the same problems last year and could have easily gone 3-1 in the western conference semifinals if not for collapsing in crunch time in games 2 and 4, and now the team is better…

  • LakeShow

    Bruce Bowen, Bruce Bowen…. No.
    ……
    ….
    …

    Oh wait, yeah. lol

  • LakeShow

    Technically the Timberwolves… Sorry to keep correcting you lol.

  • bike

    Not only in the playoffs but they go farther than anyone thinks right now. Chemistry issues are becoming nonexistent, Dwight seems to be getting to where we all thought he can be, the role players are stepping it up a notch, and they have the Kobe Motherf’n Bryant factor.

  • RayJr

    Idk…LA went through a coaching change, Dwight coming in and not playing until Dec because of injuries and still healing, no training camp or preseason with a full team, Jamison is new, Steve Blake was hurt, Hill got hurt, Pau got hurt, and not too mention the Kobe/Dwight mini drama that was going on.
    Hey bro, did we just become best friends today? lol

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    That is a terrific point

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk
  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    DJ and Hollins are poor to terrible 1 on 1 defenders. Blake is a horrible help defender. So either you risk getting Blake in foul trouble, or their front line shouldn’t be included in this.

  • LakeShow

    Bestestest ever.

    Your right the Lakers have had the most tumultuous season by far. The Timberwolves have just been more injured.

  • LakeShow

    Nice, thanks.
    Interesting guy that Bean. Terrible teammate at times but a greatly intense motivator also…
    Howard is so fragile. I wish he understood life lol.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    I do too. All the records that guy could probably compete with…smh.

  • playa

    Thing is,kobe is playing very well against whoever spurs throws at him,for a looooong time,year after year,sooo I partly disagree with you

  • http://www.facebook.com/starkpwnsyou Joshua Maria Peter Bautista

    Nah, but yeah that would be like a passing-of-the-torch series as to who the face of NBA is.

  • http://www.facebook.com/starkpwnsyou Joshua Maria Peter Bautista

    …and the Grizzlies.

  • http://www.facebook.com/starkpwnsyou Joshua Maria Peter Bautista

    That’s 2K peak, I just did that recently. I dropped 238pts on the Bobcats and Bosh had 50 as well, Chalmers had 40, Battier and Allen both had 20 and Norris Cole had 8.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    Davis has been the best rookie. Really. Lillard has just been on a better team, and winning + minutes, trumps whose actually been “better”

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