Day: November 28, 2012

James Harden is gone, but Thunder still rolling

kevin durant

The Thunder have the third-most effective offense in the league thus far, even with ESPN.com’s John Hollinger tearing at the inefficiency in their starting lineup last week.

“After the trade, it was come in and do your job,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. “We said, ‘This is what we need from you guys,’ and they’ve done that.”

Last season with Harden, the Thunder averaged 107 points per 100 possessions, shot 47 percent overall and were second in the league in getting to the foul line at 26 times per game. Harden and his 16.8 scoring average, 49 percent shooting and 6 free throws per game were a big part of it.

A month after the trade, the Thunder are averaging 109 points per 100 possessions, shooting 48 percent overall and are second in the league in getting to the foul line at 28 times per game. Kevin Martin, Harden’s replacement, and his 15.7 scoring average, 46 percent shooting and 5 free throws a game are a big part of it.

— Reported by Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com

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Turner, Young lead 76ers past Mavericks 100-98

The 76ers won again with Elton Brand having another strong game and earning a hefty paycheck from the organization.

Brand just couldn’t celebrate because his effort was wasted with Dallas.

Evan Turner scored 22 points and Thaddeus Young had 20 to lead Philadelphia to a 100-98 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night.

Brand scored a season-high 17 points for the Mavericks in his first game against the Sixers since they used their one-time amnesty provision over the summer in the new labor deal to let him go. The move meant the $18.1 million Brand was owed in the final season of his $80 million, five-year contract did not count against the salary cap for Philadelphia, though it still owed him about $16 million…

Jrue Holiday had 18 points and seven assists for the Sixers, who snapped a six-game losing streak to Dallas. Philadelphia shot 6 of 14 on 3-pointers and won its second straight game.

Chris Kaman scored 20 points and Shawn Marion also had 17 for the Mavericks. Vince Carter added 15 and was clutch in the fourth quarter in trying to bring Dallas back from a 10-point hole.

— Reported by Dan Gelston of the Associated Press