Friday! Friday! Friday!
My goodness this week has flown by while being very tiring all at the same time. I am thrilled that Friday is here.
Jay Triano’s coaching debut tonight as the Raptors face the Jazz. Welcome to the head coaches spot, Jay! Let’s see how it turns out against Utah at home. Nothing like a challenge to kick things off. What I’d give for the Raptors to steal one tonight.
Jose Juan Barea with the START last night. Yup. Starting alongside Kidd and it worked out well for the Mavericks who rolled over the Suns. Phoenix is just not looking good.
From Chris O’Leary:
Phoenix looks like ass so far.
I miss the D’Antoni Suns. I know you said no more links and I know you can’t check them at work. But star this email and click them both when you get home. Okay? Okay.
The D’Antoni Suns make me think of this noise.
The Terry Porter Suns make me think of this noise.
Sometimes, O’Leary can be a crazy one, but this was dead on. RIP run and gun Suns. I don’t think 
those collages are working.
Was anyone else expecting a good evening of basketball last night? Man, I was disappointed. I didn’t even make it through the whole San Anton/Denver game. The Spurs are ridiculous. They weathered the storm without two of their big three and now they shall resume their coasting until the playoffs hit.
Quiet night NBA-wise besides Dirk erupting for 39. That was fun. Not as much fun as seeing Barea out there making things happen, but still.
Enjoy your weekend, everyone. Tune in to see Triano’s coaching debut tonight if you get a chance. I know I will be watching.
See you here, Monday morning!
Dallas 112 Phoenix 97
Remember when the match ups between these teams used to result in double overtime battles? Me neither. Last night the Mavericks took down the Suns as Dirk Nowitzki scored a season high 39 points. A 21-4 run in the first half put the Mavericks firmly in control of the game and they went ahead by as many as 23 points in the game before the Suns began their push at the end of the third. With the lead cut to ten, Dallas ensured that Phoenix did not get any closer as bench regular and current starting guard J.J. Barea kicked off a 10-0 run to propel Dallas to the victory. Barea finished with 18 points on the night while Jason Terry added 19 points and 6 assists. Steve Nash returned from having the flu to score 20 points and dish 10 assists as Amare Stoudemire scored 28 points and Boris Diaw added 11 off of the bench.
San Antonio 108 Denver 91
The Denver Nuggets have been steamrolling through opponents lately. That stopped last night with the Spurs, thanks to a huge night from Tim Duncan who finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 blocked shots as the Spurs blew out the Nuggets, 108-91. This was one that was over before the half with Denver already trailing by 20. With both Parker and Ginobili in the starting lineup, the Spurs continue to adjust to having their regular starters back. Outscoring the Nuggets 31-15 in the second quarter, the Spurs led by as many as 23 before going in to the win.Parker scored 22 points, Ginobili had 21 points and Matt Bonner added 14. The Nuggets received 16 points and 6 assists from Carmelo Anthony and 15 points and 10 rebounds from JR Smith.
