Happy it’s Friday? I don’t know where this week has gone. Durant/Green/Westbrook and Co. in town tonight and I’m excited.
My hands are also tired of typing. I had two liveblogs last night and those college games took forever! Villanova took down Duke… Well, slaughtered them would be a better way to put it. How many of you had them defeating Duke? How many of you are happy people today?
16-60. That’s what the Blue Devils shot for the game.
And, dammit. Didn’t my heart pull for Paulus when they took him out. I can’t handle the seniors when they finish on the losing end of things. Or when they foul out. It’s such a look of helplessness and despair. Bah.
Speaking of heartbreakers, on Raptors NBATV, which is Canada’s version of NBATV, they’ve got this commercial that they just played as I’m here writing this, going through highlights of all of the Raptors success over the years. PAIN-FUL. How did we get to this point?
I also had Memphis winning, if we’re counting. Oops. Kinda dropped the ball on that one, didn’t I?
If you haven’t read Michael Grange’s article clearing up some details on the Chris Bosh situation, I recommend that you do so. Looks like Bosh was making arrangements to take care of his daughter before she was born and there is more to this story than the side we heard a couple of days ago. Hopefully this situation can get resolved quickly and these parents can love their daughter and respect each other.
One more link for you this morning, amazing piece on Corey Fisher. Written by Dana O’Neil, this is right up there with Jackie MacMullan’s piece on Wade and then the Jenkins article on Lamar. Some fantastic pieces coming out lately. This one really killed me. You know there is room inside of my heart for Fisher!
One more NCAA note: Syracuse plays tonight. While the Raptors play. I will be watching Madness on Demand on this mac of mine while at the game. You know it.
Oh yes, according to Russ, Wade became the first player under 6’4″ to record 100 blocks. Kinda crazy, isn’t it?
Okay, quiet NBA night, Lakers over Detroit 92-77, to snap a nine-game losing streak in Detroit. While the Pistons lead early, the Lakers used a 20-0 run to take care of business and quiet the Palace. With Will Bynum as your leader scoring a career-high 25 points to go with a career-high 11 assists, you know it’s not the normal Pistons lineup out there. Still without Rip Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and of course, Allen Iverson, the Pistons struggled to put points on the board, with Antonio McDyess being the only other Piston to reach double figures with his 14-point 12-rebound double-double. The Lakers were led by Kobe Bryant’s 30 points and 7 assists as Pau Gasol scored 12 points to go with 11 rebounds and Lamar Odom had 12 points to go with 10 boards.
The Bulls rolled over Miami, 106-87 and with that loss, Dwyane Wade took his name out of the running and essentially handed Bron the MVP trophy. Yes, it’s only one game, but I think by now, the award is safely in LeBron’s reach. I don’t think the Heat can come back Didn’t catch any of this one, but it looks like the third quarter was the story as the Heat collapsed, getting outscored 32-14 in the period, as Chicago ran away with this one late. John Salmons led the way with 27 points while Ben Gordon scored 18 and Kirk Hinrich had 15. Tyrus Thomas also scored 15 points to go with 12 rebounds. Wade led the Heat with 31 points while Udonis Haslem scored 13 and Jermaine O’Neal added 12.
One night after getting a big win against the Jazz, the Suns fell to the Blazers. With each game more and more crucial in the Suns race for eighth in the Western Conference, losing 129-109 to Portland doesn’t help Phoenix inch any closer to the Mavs. Tired legs in the third quarter doomed the Suns who were content to try and outscore the Blazers. Getting outscored 35-22 didn’t play into that plan as they gave up 60% shooting to Portland in the game. LaMarcus Aldridge had 29 points and 12 rebounds for the Blazers while Brandon Roy had 26 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Rudy Fernandez had 23 points off of the bench on 8-10 shooting from the floor. The Suns were led by Shaquille O’Neal’s 20 points as Jason Richardson scored 16 and Steve Nash added 15.
