Category: NBA (Page 517 of 595)

Two of the top teams in the league (record-wise) squared off yesterday when the Lakers visited the Jazz. L.A. had a six-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter, but were unable to hold off Utah’s run, losing the game, 114-108. Carlos Boozer led all scorers with 31 points and also cleared a game-high 16 rebounds. He is displaying an excellent touch around the rim and has added a beautiful fade away jumper to his arsenal. For the Lakers, Kobe dropped 27 while Lamar Odom added 26 in the loss. It looks like Kwame Brown might be taking over in the middle for Andrew Bynum. Brown got 33 minutes to Bynum’s 14. It seems that Phil Jackson will continue to start Bynum for the time being and let his play early in the game determine his minutes…The other big matchup last night pitted the Mavericks against the Spurs, which is arguably the best rivalry in the league right now. The Mavs won a tight one, 95-92, behind 31 points and 10 rebounds from Dirk Nowitzki. Tim Duncan played well for the Spurs, posting 29/6 in the loss. Interestingly, the Spurs decided not to use newly acquired Francisco Elson to cover Nowitzki. Instead, the team used Fabricio Oberto to cover him, and in turn, he got used.

It looks like the Lakers are the best team in L.A. – at least for now. Kobe went for 40/5/5 in the Lakers’ 105-101 win, while Lamar Odom chipped in 18 points and six boards. For the Clippers, Elton Brand posted 20 points and 15 rebounds, while Chris Kaman emerged from his slumber to tally 12 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, his first double-double of the season…It looks like Denver may have finally found that shooting guard that they’ve been looking for. J.R. Smith, who was acquired from the Hornets (via the Bulls) this summer, exploded for 36 points, hitting five threes in the game and shooting 13-24 overall in Denver’s win over Chicago. Methinks Smith was extra-motivated against the team that traded him away without even giving him a look. On the season, Smith is averaging 16.4 points and is hitting an average of three 3PT shots per game (which is exactly what the Nuggets needed)…Meanwhile, his old team (the Hornets) beat the Heat at home by 15. Peja Stojakovic scored 23, while Chris Paul dropped 10 dimes. Tyson Chandler added seven points and 18 rebounds in the win. The Heat dropped to 4-6 and look to be in some trouble early on. They visit the Spurs tonight on ESPN. In another nice matchup, the 10-1 Jazz travel to Sacramento to face the Kings, who are 4-1 at home and 5-4 overall.

The Suns got back on track with a nice 113-110 win over a Golden State team that was 7-3 heading into the game. Unfortunately, the Warriors were playing without Baron Davis who missed the game due to a rib injury. Steve Nash returned to the Suns’ lineup and scored 19 points while dropping 15 dimes in the win…The Magic lost to the Grizzlies, 95-86, in a game that Orlando should win if they want to be considered a contender in the East. Dwight Howard went for 24/23 (after going for 24/21 in his last game), while Grant Hill tallied 16 points, seven assists and six boards in the loss. Hakim Warrick led all scorers with 26 points while also clearing 10 rebounds for the Grizzlies.