Despite losing to the Miami Heat by five points today, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, the NBA's leading scorer, led all scorers in today's game with 33 points.
In fact the trio of Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook outscored the trio of Dwayne Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh by two points, 77-75. Then again, the Thunder trio shot only 38 percent (24 of 63) while the Heat trio made 57.1 percent (28 of 49) of their shots.
Bosh, who returned from a four-game absence, scored 20 points for the Heat and drew some criticisms from Durant for an incident that occurred in the first quarter.
“I was talking to my teammate and [Bosh] decided he wanted to put his two cents into it,” Durant explained, per NBA.com's Art Garcia. “I am a quiet guy, laid-back guy, but I’m not going to let nobody talk trash to me. He’s on a good team now so he thinks he can talk a little bit. There are a lot of fake tough guys in this league and he’s one of them.”
Per Darnell Maybury of The Oklahoman, Durant, who is a mild-mannered guy, called Bosh a "cool dude" when saying that he and Bosh don't have a history of bad blood.
“He was telling Harden to dunk on me,” Bosh said (via Maybury). “He said dunk the next one. I expressed that, no, he’s not going to dunk that. And he expressed, yes he is. We just kind of went back and forth. I don’t think it was anything to get a tech over. It was just talking.”
These two teams will meet one more time in the regular season: Wednesday, March 16th in Miami.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Spurs first NBA team to 40 wins this season
After beating the Rockets last night, the Spurs earned their 40th victory of the season. (The next closest team is Boston, who has 35 wins.)
Last night's win was the team's 18th consecutive home victory and the Spurs are 25-2 at home this season.
Through 47 games, the Spurs are 40-7 and have a seven-game lead over the Lakers in the Western Conference and an 8.5-game lead over the Mavs in the Southwest Division.
This is the fastest the Spurs have reached 40 victories in a season.
Last night's win was the team's 18th consecutive home victory and the Spurs are 25-2 at home this season.
Through 47 games, the Spurs are 40-7 and have a seven-game lead over the Lakers in the Western Conference and an 8.5-game lead over the Mavs in the Southwest Division.
This is the fastest the Spurs have reached 40 victories in a season.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Mike Miller sets Heat record, scores 22 in second quarter
Before last night's game against the Raptors, Miami's Mike Miller scored a total of 15 points all season (ten games).
Now Miller has 47 points.
With both Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh out, Miller scored 32 points last night including 22 points in the second quarter, which set a Heat franchise record. In the second quarter, Miller knocked down five three-pointers.
"I got it going a little bit," Miller said. "Which is fun. ... Obviously, I've shot a lot of basketballs in my day, and I always say confidence ain't going to be an issue. I'm going to miss. I'm going to make. But as long as you stick with it, you're getting opportunities. Guys found me in the second quarter, I got some opportunities, and I made them."
In the process, the Heat ended their four-game skid.
Now Miller has 47 points.
With both Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh out, Miller scored 32 points last night including 22 points in the second quarter, which set a Heat franchise record. In the second quarter, Miller knocked down five three-pointers.
"I got it going a little bit," Miller said. "Which is fun. ... Obviously, I've shot a lot of basketballs in my day, and I always say confidence ain't going to be an issue. I'm going to miss. I'm going to make. But as long as you stick with it, you're getting opportunities. Guys found me in the second quarter, I got some opportunities, and I made them."
In the process, the Heat ended their four-game skid.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Tyrus Thomas to miss eight weeks with a torn meniscus
Before Thursday's game against the Sixers, Bobcats forward Tyrus Thomas was a last-minute scratch due to swelling in his knee.
The team sent Thomas for an MRI and the results aren't good.
Thomas, who has a torn meniscus, will miss up to the next eight weeks with the injury.
On the season, Thomas was averaging 11.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game this season.
With the injury to Thomas, both Kwame Brown and Nazr Mohammed should see their minutes expand.
The team sent Thomas for an MRI and the results aren't good.
Thomas, who has a torn meniscus, will miss up to the next eight weeks with the injury.
On the season, Thomas was averaging 11.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game this season.
With the injury to Thomas, both Kwame Brown and Nazr Mohammed should see their minutes expand.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Chris Douglas-Roberts has 54 points in past two games off bench
Bucks G/F Chris Douglas-Roberts scored a season-high 30 points off the bench in yesterday's loss to the Miami Heat on 12-for-19 shooting.
In tonight's win over the New Jersey Nets, CDR had 24 points on 9-for-14 shooting.
His career-high was 31 points in a game against the Bucks last season.
He's had two of only three 20-point performances of the season in his two most recent games and he's shooting 63.6 percent (21 for 33) in the past two games.
In tonight's win over the New Jersey Nets, CDR had 24 points on 9-for-14 shooting.
His career-high was 31 points in a game against the Bucks last season.
He's had two of only three 20-point performances of the season in his two most recent games and he's shooting 63.6 percent (21 for 33) in the past two games.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Caron Butler likely done for year
After having surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right knee, Mavericks forward Caron Butler is likely done for the season.
As ESPN's Jeff Caplan points out, the injury could cost Butler, who is in the final year of his contract, millions of dollars when he hits free agency.
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle says that surgery "went extremely well, from what I heard.''
In the month of December, Butler averaged almost 17 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.
With Butler (and Dirk Nowitzki) out on Jan. 2nd, Shawn Marion, who is available in one-third of Yahoo! fantasy leagues, scored a season-high 22 points on 11-of-16 shooting.
As ESPN's Jeff Caplan points out, the injury could cost Butler, who is in the final year of his contract, millions of dollars when he hits free agency.
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle says that surgery "went extremely well, from what I heard.''
In the month of December, Butler averaged almost 17 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.
With Butler (and Dirk Nowitzki) out on Jan. 2nd, Shawn Marion, who is available in one-third of Yahoo! fantasy leagues, scored a season-high 22 points on 11-of-16 shooting.
Triple-Double for Hedo Turkoglu
Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu had his first triple-double since he was dealt back to the Magic.
Turkoglu finished with ten points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in last night's win over the Warriors.
“I’m glad I finally did something to help this team win,” said Turkoglu, who has been steady in nearly every game since his return to the Magic. “When I have the ball in my hands, I’m able to do the things I’m good at. My strength is to be the guy who is a facilitator, get my shot or find one for my teammates.”
It was the third triple-double of his career.
Turkoglu averaged 16.5 points per game in his last full season with the Magic (2008-09).
Since then, he's averaged only 11.3 points per game with the Raptors last year and 9.5 points per game with the Suns earlier this season.
In eight games with the Magic, he's averaging 12.5 points per game in addition to 6.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists (both of which would be his highest average) per game.
Turkoglu finished with ten points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in last night's win over the Warriors.
“I’m glad I finally did something to help this team win,” said Turkoglu, who has been steady in nearly every game since his return to the Magic. “When I have the ball in my hands, I’m able to do the things I’m good at. My strength is to be the guy who is a facilitator, get my shot or find one for my teammates.”
It was the third triple-double of his career.
Turkoglu averaged 16.5 points per game in his last full season with the Magic (2008-09).
Since then, he's averaged only 11.3 points per game with the Raptors last year and 9.5 points per game with the Suns earlier this season.
In eight games with the Magic, he's averaging 12.5 points per game in addition to 6.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists (both of which would be his highest average) per game.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Dirk Nowitzki won't play Sunday vs. Cavs
Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, who did not play in Saturday's loss to the Bucks, will miss Sunday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, per Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News.
It will be the fourth consecutive game that Nowitzki will miss.
"Yeah, hopefully we can get these two games on this trip and then next week sometime I'll be able to go," [Nowitzki] said. "I really like the way the guys have responded. (Brian) Cardinal was great, playing tough and giving out hard fouls. (Alexis) Ajinca came in and did a good job. It's going to be tough without Shawn, but we got guys who can get it done."
Next week, the Mavs have three home games: Portland (Jan. 4th), Oklahoma City (Jan. 6th) and Orlando (Jan. 8th).
Nowitzki is averaging 24.1 points (three-year low) and 7.5 rebounds (lowest since 1999-2000 season) per game this season.
It will be the fourth consecutive game that Nowitzki will miss.
"Yeah, hopefully we can get these two games on this trip and then next week sometime I'll be able to go," [Nowitzki] said. "I really like the way the guys have responded. (Brian) Cardinal was great, playing tough and giving out hard fouls. (Alexis) Ajinca came in and did a good job. It's going to be tough without Shawn, but we got guys who can get it done."
Next week, the Mavs have three home games: Portland (Jan. 4th), Oklahoma City (Jan. 6th) and Orlando (Jan. 8th).
Nowitzki is averaging 24.1 points (three-year low) and 7.5 rebounds (lowest since 1999-2000 season) per game this season.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)