NBA RECAP: 11/28/2012
Last night's games included:
Minnesota Timberwolves AT Los Angeles Clippers
MIN 95 LAC 101
Chauncey Billups made his return in LA last night after some thought that he would retire. Chauncey came back and drilled a 3 pointer for the first points for LA. Chaunce and his teammates knew he would come back, though everyone had automatically said he was retiring after his injury last year. The Timberwolves lost a game where they defended poorly at the guard position, Chris Paul continues to have a great year. With Rondo's suspension coming at any minute, look for him to be the best point guard in December, and maybe the best player in the west.
Stats: Chris Paul had 23 pts, 11 ast and 3 steals. Blake Griffin had a good night following a bad performance, with 18 points and 6 rebounds on 9/17 shooting. Kevin love had 19 pts and 12 rebs in a losing effort. Alexy Shved continues to have a surprising year with 17 points and 2 rebounds. Pekovic had 11 points and 10 rebounds for the T-Wolves.
Charlotte Bobcats AT Atlanta Hawks
CHA 91 ATL 94
Al Horford was the story tonight as he hit the clinching free throws to seal the victory for the Hawks vs. the Bobcats. Ben Gordon had drilled a 3 to cut it to 92-91 but the Cats turned the ball over and all Horford needed to do was hit the FTs. Atlanta pulled off the close victory at home.
Stats: Kemba Walker had 15 pts, 5 rebs, 5 ast. Ramon Sessions had 18 pts and 8 ast. Ben Gordon added 26 pts and 4 rebounds for the Bobcats. Al Horford had 17 pts and 11 rebounds. Josh Smith added 17 pts and 14 rebounds.
Portland Trailbazers AT Washington Wizards
POR 82 WAS 84
Break up the Wizards! Break out the champagne! The Wizards finally won a game for the 2012-2013 season. Portland had one of their worst nights of the season. From the start of the 2nd until 2 minutes left in the 4th the Blazers scored only 35 points on 27.7% shooting ( thanks to @basketballtalk on twitter for that stat). The game went down to the wire as Portland made a late push to tie the game up but the Wizards pulled it out.
Stats: J.J Hickson had 15 points, 19 rebounds. Lillard had 20 points and 5 assists on a bad shooting night (6/21). Nicolas Batum added 20 points and 4 rebounds for the Blazers. Joe Crawford had 19 points for the Wizards and Kevin Seraphin had a double double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Nene had 6 points and 6 rebounds. The Wizard's defense held Portland to 34% shooting.
San Antonio Spurs AT Orlando Magic
SAS 110 ORL 89
The San Antonio Spurs continued rolling with a blowout win vs. Orlando. Not much to be said about this game, your basic NBA blowout. The Spurs will take on a tougher task vs. Miami on Thursday.
Stats: Ginobili had 20 points, Gary Neal scored 19. Tim Duncan has found the fountain of youth and poured in 15 points and 4 rebounds on 27 minutes. Highlight for the Magic was Aaron Afflalo, who put in 16 points and 5 rebounds.
New York Knicks AT Milwaukee Bucks
NYK 102 MIL 88
The Knicks went to Milwaukee after losing to the Brooklyn Nets looking to get back to their winning games, and as Clyde Frazier would say: the Knicks were winning and grinning, swishing and dishing. They led by double digits throughout the second half and never really had a problem with the Bucks. Ellis and Jennings were not enough to beat the Knicks defense. Carmelo Anthony continues to play like an MVP.
Stats: Carmelo had 29 pts 8 reb and 1 blk, 1 steal. Steve Novak's homecoming had him grab 19 pts and 4 rebs. Pablo Prigioni added 11 points and 7 assists for the Knicks. Brandon Jennings and Ellis had 18 pts and 17 pts respectively.
Brooklyn Nets AT Boston Celtics
BKN 95 BOS 83
Tempers flared in Boston tonight (Video) when Rondo pushed Kris Humphries after he fouled Garnett. The skirmish moved its way to the front row as Humphries and Rondo went at it, meanwhile Gerald Wallace and Kevin Garnett were slapping away as well. Overall, the quality of the fight was lackluster. What was more lackluster was the Celtics play, because the Nets frustrated them and led by double digits most of the way.
Stats: Andray Blatche had 17pts, 13 rebs. Kevin Garnett had 16 pts, 10 rebounds. Rajon Rondo's double digit assist streak ends as he was ejected with 3 assists.
Houston Rockets AT Oklahoma City Thunder
OKC 120 HOU 98
Kevin Durant improved his chances in the MVP race tonight with a stellar performance vs. James Harden and the Houston Rockets. He put up 37 points and beat up on his old teammate, who had a pretty bad game. Harden only scored 17 points and was 3 for 16 from the field. He was limited by Oklahoma City's stifling defense. Harden missed his first 9 shots.
Stats: Patrick Patterson had 27 points and Omer Asik had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Houston Rockets. Westbrook had 14 points and 9 assists and 5 rebounds. Kevin Martin added 17 points and Serge Ibaka added 23 points and 9 rebounds for OKC.
....Less eventful blowouts tonight, including:
Dallas Mavericks AT Chicago Bulls: 78-101
Phoenix Suns AT Detroit Pistons: 77-117
Utah Jazz AT New Orleans Hornets: 96-84
Toronto Raptors AT Memphis Grizzlies: 82-103
That's it for last night. Big wins from the Thunder, Nets, Knicks and WIZARDS
Denver Nuggets AT Golden State Warriors 10:30 EST
4 teams will play tonight, heres what to look for:
Big game tonight in Miami. Look for the Heat game to be a high scoring effort, as San Antonio will try to pull off a huge win vs. Lebron James and Miami. The front line for San Antonio has been producing with Tiago Splitter and Tim Duncan, but injuries to Leonard and Stephen Jackson could impair them tonight vs. Lebron James. Lebron will have a huge night but the Spurs have his number, going all the way back to the 2007 finals where the Spurs swept Lebron's Cavs. Obviously, the Heat are a much different team, and this is a much different Lebron James.
EDIT: Popopvich announced that he'll send Parker, Ginobili, Danny Green, and Tim Duncan home for tonight's game, citing "fatigue". Looks like the Heat are blowing out the Spurs tonight.
Finally, here are my predictions for Thursday night's games.
Miami Heat OVER San Antonio Spurs
Golden State Warriors OVER Denver Nuggets
That's it for today's NBA recap.
New York Knicks AT Milwaukee Bucks
NYK 102 MIL 88
The Knicks went to Milwaukee after losing to the Brooklyn Nets looking to get back to their winning games, and as Clyde Frazier would say: the Knicks were winning and grinning, swishing and dishing. They led by double digits throughout the second half and never really had a problem with the Bucks. Ellis and Jennings were not enough to beat the Knicks defense. Carmelo Anthony continues to play like an MVP.
Stats: Carmelo had 29 pts 8 reb and 1 blk, 1 steal. Steve Novak's homecoming had him grab 19 pts and 4 rebs. Pablo Prigioni added 11 points and 7 assists for the Knicks. Brandon Jennings and Ellis had 18 pts and 17 pts respectively.
Brooklyn Nets AT Boston Celtics
BKN 95 BOS 83
Tempers flared in Boston tonight (Video) when Rondo pushed Kris Humphries after he fouled Garnett. The skirmish moved its way to the front row as Humphries and Rondo went at it, meanwhile Gerald Wallace and Kevin Garnett were slapping away as well. Overall, the quality of the fight was lackluster. What was more lackluster was the Celtics play, because the Nets frustrated them and led by double digits most of the way.
Stats: Andray Blatche had 17pts, 13 rebs. Kevin Garnett had 16 pts, 10 rebounds. Rajon Rondo's double digit assist streak ends as he was ejected with 3 assists.
Houston Rockets AT Oklahoma City Thunder
OKC 120 HOU 98
Kevin Durant improved his chances in the MVP race tonight with a stellar performance vs. James Harden and the Houston Rockets. He put up 37 points and beat up on his old teammate, who had a pretty bad game. Harden only scored 17 points and was 3 for 16 from the field. He was limited by Oklahoma City's stifling defense. Harden missed his first 9 shots.
Stats: Patrick Patterson had 27 points and Omer Asik had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Houston Rockets. Westbrook had 14 points and 9 assists and 5 rebounds. Kevin Martin added 17 points and Serge Ibaka added 23 points and 9 rebounds for OKC.
....Less eventful blowouts tonight, including:
Dallas Mavericks AT Chicago Bulls: 78-101
Phoenix Suns AT Detroit Pistons: 77-117
Utah Jazz AT New Orleans Hornets: 96-84
Toronto Raptors AT Memphis Grizzlies: 82-103
That's it for last night. Big wins from the Thunder, Nets, Knicks and WIZARDS
Tonight's Games
San Antonio Spurs AT Miami Heat 8PM ESTDenver Nuggets AT Golden State Warriors 10:30 EST
4 teams will play tonight, heres what to look for:
Big game tonight in Miami. Look for the Heat game to be a high scoring effort, as San Antonio will try to pull off a huge win vs. Lebron James and Miami. The front line for San Antonio has been producing with Tiago Splitter and Tim Duncan, but injuries to Leonard and Stephen Jackson could impair them tonight vs. Lebron James. Lebron will have a huge night but the Spurs have his number, going all the way back to the 2007 finals where the Spurs swept Lebron's Cavs. Obviously, the Heat are a much different team, and this is a much different Lebron James.
EDIT: Popopvich announced that he'll send Parker, Ginobili, Danny Green, and Tim Duncan home for tonight's game, citing "fatigue". Looks like the Heat are blowing out the Spurs tonight.
Finally, here are my predictions for Thursday night's games.
Miami Heat OVER San Antonio Spurs
Golden State Warriors OVER Denver Nuggets
That's it for today's NBA recap.
