Bobcats 94, Cavaliers 87

You know what Shaq, you can sit out the rest of the season.

For the first time in six games, Shaquille O’Neal returned to the floor from a shoulder injury – and for the first time in six games, the Cavs didn’t look like a championship contender. The Bobcats kept LeBron James in check, mostly due to the play of Gerald Wallace. Apparently Michael Jordan was giving Wallace tips on how to play against LeBron, and boy I bet LeBron is embarrassed.

Wallace helped Charlotte extend their winning streak to three games (after a seven game losing streak) with 31 points and 14 rebounds, while he repeatedly took on James 1-on-1 in the post. Huge game for the Bobcats as they picked up their first sell out of the season (due to LeBron of course).

Stat of the Season: Cleveland’s record w/ + w/o  Shaq
With Shaq – 6-4
Without Shaq – 5-1

Hawks 100, 76ers 86

When you’re a good team on the road, you can break the game down quarter by quarter and just hope to win each. At no point on Friday did the Hawks overwhelm the Sixers in Philadelphia, but they won each quarter, leading to a 14 point win on the road.

Many wondered how the young Hawks would respond to a two-game losing streak as one of the best teams in the league – well, they won a road game to end it, even if it was just Philly. Jamal Crawford led all scorers with 24 points off the bench for the Hawks. Meanwhile, the Sixers are obviously missing Lou ‘I’m Ill’ Williams, as his replacement Jrue Holiday shot 1-8 with only 2 points. Things are not sunny in Philadelphia.

Shooter of the Game: Mike Bibby. The savvy veteran shot 8-14 from the floor with 5-7 from three-point range for a total of 21 points. His shots were just rolling off his finger tips without even forcing the issue.

Wizards 94, Heat 84

Defense can win in the NBA, especially when you keep a superstar to just 18 points. That was the key to victory for the Wizards in Miami, as the Wiz Kids kept Dwyane Wade to just 18 points on 6-19 shooting.

Antawn Jamison dropped 24 with 13 rebounds for Washington, who was also carried by Nick Young, who shot 10-23 to gather 22 points in a rare start. This is the Wizards first win against the Heat in their last seven tries.

Stat of the Game: Don’t ask me how, but Udonis Haslem played 27 minutes and scored zero points. There is no doubt in my mind this guy was hungover from Thanksgiving (on turkey of course) because I don’t think I’ve ever seen a big guy of his potential go 27 minutes without a single point.

Celtics 116, Raptors 103

If the Celtics want to look back at one game from the first 16 games of the season as a template for winning, Friday night against the Raptors might be it.

Down one point at the half, the Celtics turned it on from both ends of the court in the third quarter to coast to a victory in Boston. The C’s outscored Toronto 33-17 in the third after their coach challenged the team to play some defense after allowing 55 points in the first half.

Speaking of scoring, the Boston shot 63% from the floor! That includes 33 assists! Honestly, that is exactly what this team should be doing…

Shooter of the Game: I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but Rasheed Wallace is my shooter of the game. Despite a 36% FG mark on the season (including 27% from three-point range), Sheed shot 6-11 from the field and 3-6 from three for 15 points. I am speechless.

Clippers 104, Pistons 96

It was a total team effort for the Clippers on Friday night. Wait a second, I don’t know if that line was ever used – a total team effort for the Clippers. But that truly was the case at The Palace of Auburn Hills as the Clips won by 8 over the Pistons.

Chris Kaman dropped 26 and Al Thornton scored 12 of his 19 in the fourth quarter to help the Clip Show. Not only did the Clippers bring the scoring, but they brought the defense too, as they blocked 9 shots and forced 11 turnovers by the Pistons.

Shooter of the Game: Who else, but Baron Davis. Mr. Clipper (that was mean to call him that) scored 25 on 6-9 FG, 2-3 3PT, and 11-11 from the line! Nice scoring tilts all the way across.

Mavericks 113, Pacers 92

Guess what team is quickly becoming one of the best in the NBA. Well, I’ve pretty much narrowed it down for you from the scored above – the Dallas Mavericks! Since their surprise road win over the Lakers a few weeks ago, they’ve just been coasting along to a 12-4 record.

Dirk Nowitzki led all scorers with 31 points on 10-14 shooting, and he didn’t even have to take any threes! He was pretty much free to do anything he wanted on the floor – which was mostly focused on driving to the basket and scoring or getting fouled. As a result, he only missed four shots and he shot 11-13 from the line.

-Shooter
I may not make all the shots, but that doesn’t mean I’ll stop taking them.