The AP reports: Point guard Deron Williams sat out with a contusion above his right knee, joining forwards Carlos Boozer (knee) and Andrei Kirilenko (ankle) on the inactive list. “We’ve got to be used to it. We’ve lost a lot of games due to injury,” said Brevin Knight, who had seven assists as he and Ronnie Price stepped in for Williams… Raymond Felton had 16 points and nine assists to lead the Bobcats, who lost their third straight and went 1-4 on a five-game road trip. They also had 24 turnovers, leading to 32 points for the Jazz… Emeka Okafor added 15 points and seven rebounds, but scored only three after the first quarter as Charlotte couldn’t keep up its starting pace.
Category: NBA Teams
NBA teams blog
Suns beat Kings 129-81 for 48-point destruction
The AP reports: Jason Richardson scored 16 of his 24 points in the first quarter, Amare Stoudemire finished with 25 points and eight rebounds and the rejuvenated Suns ended a three-game home losing skid with their most lopsided victory of the season, 129-81 over the tired Sacramento Kings on Monday night… The Suns had very few problems Monday. They outrebounded the Kings 64-44, including 21 off the offensive boards; they finished with a season-high 30 fast break points; they had a season-high 16 steals, and they outscored the Kings 64-34 in the paint… Grant Hill added 14 points and seven rebounds for the Suns, Leandro Barbosa scored 11 points, Shaquille O’Neal had 10 points and nine rebounds, and Steve Nash had nine points and nine assists. John Salmons led the Kings with 19 points, Kevin Martin scored 13, Jason Thompson 12 and Francisco Garcia 10.
Paul injured, Blazers beat Hornets 97-89
The AP reports: Chris Paul darted into the paint, bounced a pinpoint pass to James Posey under the basket and suddenly dropped to the floor, clutching his right leg as the New Orleans Arena fell silent… LaMarcus Aldridge scored 22 points and the Trail Blazers extended their winning streak to five, erasing a 17-point deficit after Paul’s injury en route to a 97-89 victory Monday night… Outlaw finished with 16 points and Fernandez 15 for the Blazers. Aldridge also had 11 rebounds, Joel Przybilla grabbed 10 and Portland outrebounded New Orleans 52-32. David West scored 25 points for the Hornets and Peja Stojakovic 18, but after Paul left the game, the Hornets were 5-of-21 from the field (24 percent) with only two assists and five turnovers.
Bryant scores 61, Lakers beat Knicks 126-117
The AP reports: Kobe Bryant broke the current arena record with 61 points, and the Los Angeles Lakers looked plenty potent without Bynum in a 126-117 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday night… Bryant teased and pleased a sold-out crowd that took turns booing him and saluting him with “MVP!” chants during an electrifying performance. He passed Michael Jordan’s opponent record of 55 points at the present building, known as “Garden IV,” when he hit three free throws with 3:56 remaining, then bettered Bernard King’s mark of 60, set on Christmas Day 1984, with two more foul shots with 2:33 to play… Pau Gasol added 31 points and 14 rebounds in the Lakers’ first game since losing Bynum, their starting center, for eight to 12 weeks with a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee.
Wade scores 32, Heat beat Clippers 119-95
The AP reports: Dwyane Wade had 32 points and nine assists, Michael Beasley added 18 points and Miami scored its most points in a home game since March 14, 2006, on the way to snapping a two-game skid. Mario Chalmers scored 15 points, Udonis Haslem added 13 and Shawn Marion— in his first game back after missing five straight with a strained left groin— finished with 11 points and seven rebounds for the Heat, who improved to 15-3 when scoring more than 100 points this season… Zach Randolph, back after missing 19 games with a sore left knee, scored 21 points for the Clippers, who’ve lost six straight and 20 of 22. Marcus Camby and Eric Gordon each added 12 for the Clippers, who had beaten Miami by a single point in each of their last two meetings.
Mayo scores 33, Grizzlies beat Wizards 113-97
The AP reports: Memphis Grizzlies rookie O.J. Mayo had done more scoring than losing at every level of play until he reached the NBA. On Monday night, he used his ability to score to help the Grizzlies end a 12-game losing skid, matching his career high with 33 points in a 113-97 win over the Washington Wizards… Rudy Gay scored 23 and Marc Gasol added 22 points and 11 rebounds for Memphis, which ended the team’s longest drought since dropping 13 in a row to start the 2002-03 season. The Grizzlies had not won since beating Dallas 102-82 Jan. 4… Antawn Jamison had 29 points and 13 rebounds and Caron Butler scored 21 for Washington, which failed to record its second two-game winning streak of the season.
Nowitzki scores 29, Mavericks beat Magic 105-95
The AP reports: The Dallas Mavericks are slowly creeping back up the Western Conference standings. Dirk Nowitzki had 29 points and six rebounds, Jason Terry had 23 points and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Orlando Magic 105-95 Monday night for their third straight win… Josh Howard and Jason Kidd added 13 apiece for the Mavericks, who held Orlando to 3-for-20 shooting from 3-point range. Dwight Howard had 35 points and 11 rebounds, and Hedo Turkoglu scored 18 as the Magic ended their three-game winning streak. But that wasn’t the worst news of the night for Orlando.
Jameer Nelson dislocates right shoulder
The Orlando Sentinel reports: Magic all-star point guard Jameer Nelson dislocated his right shoulder playing against the Dallas Mavs on Monday night. Nelson left the game with nine minutes, 11 seconds left in the third period, either fell or ran into Mavs center Erick Dampier. He ran off the floor in a bent-over fashion after appearing to injure his right shoulder.
Kobe putting on show in NY
Monday night in New York the Knicks are hosting the Los Angeles Lakers.
With 2:47 left in the first half Kobe has 29 points, and he’s doing it in mind-blowing fashion. Los Angeles leads 56-45.
Watch Knicks in 60 on MSG later tonight if you get the channel. It’s worth it.
2009 All-Star Skills Challenge participants
A new PlayStation Skills Challenge champion will be crowned as the New Jersey Nets’ Devin Harris, the Orlando Magic’s Jameer Nelson, the San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker and the Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose will take the floor on Feb. 14, as part of NBA All-Star Saturday Night at US Airways Center in Phoenix.
My initial prediction is that Jameer Nelson will win it.
Why? Because he has the most to prove.
This is the season that Nelson put himself on the map. He has faced years of doubt and was often considered to be more suitable as a backup than a starter.
Devin Harris is having a breakout season too. But he hasn’t faced years orf criticism and doubt like Nelson has.
Rose and Parker can win it, too. If they want.
Anyone can take it. But even though it’s a minor event I bet Nelson wants it the most.