The AP reports: This was not the homecoming Richard Jefferson envisioned. Vince Carter made sure of that. “R.J. was being R.J.,” Carter said. “So we had a good time with him.” Carter had 15 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds for his fifth career triple double, and the New Jersey Nets spoiled Jefferson’s return with a 99-85 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night… Although he started off the night by missing his first three shots, Jefferson finished by hitting 7-of-16 from the field to lead Milwaukee with 27 points… Brook Lopez had 22 points and 12 rebounds to complement Carter, who had his third triple-double with the Nets and first since April 4, 2002, against Washington.
Category: NBA Teams
NBA teams blog
LeBron scores 33, Cavs beat Raptors 101-83
The AP reports: LeBron James scored 33 points, eclipsed 12,000 for his career, blocked Chris Bosh’s dunk attempt during a crucial stretch in the fourth quarter and guarded almost every one of Toronto’s starters as the Cleveland Cavaliers remained flawless on their floor by winning their 23rd straight home game, 101-83 over the Raptors on Tuesday night. James became the fastest player in NBA history to reach the 12,000-point plateau. At 24 years, 35 days, he did it quicker than Los Angeles superstar Kobe Bryant, who was 25 years, 220 days… Chris Bosh scored 29 and Jermaine O’Neal 20 to pace Toronto.
Allen hits game-winner, Celtics beat Sixers 100-99
The AP reports: Ray Allen took a perfect pass from Paul Pierce and buried a baseline 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds left to give the Celtics their 12th straight victory, 100-99 over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night… Pierce scored 29 points, Allen had 23 and Glen Davis had 12 points and 11 rebounds… Andre Iguodala scored 22 points and Andre Miller had 21 for the Sixers.
Foye scores 19, Wolves beat Pacers 116-111
The AP reports: Randy Foye scored 19 points, Sebastian Telfair and Ryan Gomes each scored 16 points and Kevin Love had 15 points and 11 rebounds as Minnesota beat Indiana 116-111 on Tuesday night. Al Jefferson, who averages 23 points per game, had 12 points and 15 rebounds… Danny Granger scored 28 points, Mike Dunleavy scored 20 and Troy Murphy added 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Pacers, who have lost back-to-back home games.
Rockets notes from win over Bulls
The Houston Rockets took a 107-100 win over the Chicago Bulls tonight, extending Houston’s overall winning streak over Chicago to six games.
Houston never relinquished the lead tonight after scoring the first five points of the game. The Rockets have now gone five games this season where they have not trailed in the contest.
The Rockets, who outscored the Warriors by a 48-22 (+26) margin in the paint in the previous game, posted a 48-38 (+10) edge in the paint over the Bulls tonight.
Yao Ming recorded 28 points (9-12 FG, 10-10 FT), eight rebounds and four blocked shots. Yao had gone three prior games played without a blocked shot (1/23/09-1/31/09). Tonight also marked Yao’s second time this season to be perfect from the free throw line with at least 10 attempts: 13-for-13 at Cleveland (12/23/08).
Luis Scola had 13 points and a career-high-tying 18 rebounds (career-high-tying 14 defensive). He now has 17 double-digit rebounding performances this season after notching just 14 over his entire rookie season of 2007-08. Scola set his career high in rebounds with 18 (13 defensive) vs. Minnesota (3/26/08) and equaled that with 18 (career-best 14 defensive) vs. Indiana (11/26/08).
Tracy McGrady returned to the lineup tonight after missing the last game vs. Golden State (1/31/09) with a sprained left ankle. He notched 16 points (7-14 FG) and six assists, ending the longest active streak of consecutive 20-point games against Chicago at 15 straight, which dated back to his time with Orlando. The next closest is Denver’s Carmelo Anthony with eight consecutive 20-point performances against the Bulls.
Ron Artest finished with 10 points (5-9 FG) and six assists. Artest was also 0-for-3 from downtown, ending his streak of contests with at least one 3-point field goal made at 24 straight games he had played.
Aaron Brooks added 18 points (6-12 FG, 3-6 3FG) off the bench, giving him 25 double-digit scoring performances in 2008-09.
Luol Deng, who registered 28 points tonight, began the game with a 12-point first quarter. It marked the best opening-quarter point total by a Houston opponent since a 13-point performance by Josh Smith at Atlanta (1/3/09). Sacramento’s John Salmons also netted 13 points over the opening 12 minutes at Houston (12/19/08), which stands as the most first-quarter points by an opponent at Toyota Center this season.
Tyrus Thomas recorded 14 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and three. Thomas now has eight double-doubles on the season. Thomas also tied his season high in rebounds (previously recorded vs. Philadelphia on 12/2/08).
Kobe Bryant 61 points
Kobe Bryant scored 61 points in Madison Square Garden Tuesday night as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the New York Knicks 126-117.
I was there to witness what was the most fun performance I ever remember seeing in person at an NBA game.
It was magical. And what made it even more awesome was the amount of Laker fans in NY for the game. Chants of MVP erupted repeatedly all throughout the game. And Kobe’s 61 points were created in ways every young basketball player dreams of. He unleashed crazy, absurd moves, and was tossing jumpers in the faces of any Knicks defender who came near him.
Kobe Bryant’s 61 points in MSG is an instant hoops classic.
Below is a video of every shot Kobe made to score his 61 points. Watch and enjoy:
Read fan reaction to Kobe Bryant’s 61-point game in MSG and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.
Chris Paul is day-to-day
Chris Paul underwent an MRI this morning, which revealed a mild groin strain. Paul suffered the injury during the late-third quarter of last night’s loss to Portland. He is listed as day-to-day.
This is good news, as yesterday it was feared he might have a more serious injury. There was some speculation he might even miss the All-Star game, though that appears to not be the case.
Jameer Nelson health update
Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson underwent an MRI on Tuesday morning, which revealed a torn right labrum.
Nelson dislocated his right shoulder with 9:11 remaining during the third quarter of the Magic’s loss vs. Dallas on February 2. The course of treatment for the injury will be determined during the next week. At that point, his playing status will be evaluated.
The information above is from 12:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 3.
Al Horford returns to practice
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Sekou Smith) reports: Good luck trying to figure out who was happier to see Al Horford back on the practice floor. The Hawks’ starting center was ecstatic Monday to be at work full time after missing the last 12 games with a bone bruise in his right knee. His teammates were just as happy considering their recent struggles. The Hawks were 5-7 record without their leading rebounder and best post defender. Horford should play Wednesday at Minnesota, but that is contingent on how his knee responds.
Duncan and Ginobili rock, Spurs beat Warriors in OT
The AP reports: Tim Duncan scored five of his season-high 32 points in overtime and the San Antonio Spurs overcame a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Golden State Warriors 110-105 on Monday night. Manu Ginobili also had a season-high 32 points as the Spurs won their fourth straight, ninth in 10 games overall and third straight on the road. Tony Parker had 23 points. Duncan added 15 rebounds for his 30th double-double. Stephen Jackson scored a season-high 33 points for the Warriors, who were trying to beat the Spurs at home three straight for the first time in 21 years. Monta Ellis, who left the game with a sprained ankle, added 17 points.