Phoenix 102, Washington 90

The Suns continue their hot streak with every starter getting into double figures. Jason Richardson continued his hot hand by draining 22 points to lead all scorers, while Amare Stoudemire, Grant Hill, and Channing Frye combined for 48 points and 35 rebounds (all obtaining double-doubles). Steve Nash distributed 17 dimes to get everybody involved. Gilbert Arenas did what he could do to help the Wizards by scoring 20 points, pulling down 6 boards and dishing out 6 assists, but had trouble finding the hole by shooting 7-22. Caron Butler also added 19 but the Suns were too much tonight, playing some good defense for a change. The team trapped the Wizards and acquired 12 steals. If the Suns can add defense to their Number 1 ranked offense, their record will continue to get better.

Stat of the Night: Assists
Phoenix 30
Washington 15

Detroit 88, Philadelphia 81

No one except Andre Iguodala showed up for the Sixers tonight at the Palace, who kept his team in the game with 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals. The Detroit Pistons controlled the entire way with balanced scoring from the starting lineup. Ben Gordon led all Pistons with 23 on 9-19 shooting. Ben Wallace had a typical Big Ben game with this stat line: 2 points, 16 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocks. Only Mr. Wallace could manage those numbers.

Although the score was close at the end, the 76ers were never in the game mentally.

Charlie Villanueva also added 16 to aid Detroit’s new tandem.

Stat of the Night: Rebounds
Detroit 51
Philadelphia 39

Oklahoma City 102, Orlando 74

The Thunder ran away with this game early in third quarter with a 26-13 rout. Orlando struggled from the second quarter on, shooting an abysmal 37% from the floor with Dwight Howard scoring 20 but shot 10-17 from the free throw line. Kevin Durant led all scorers with 28, and Russell Westbrook added 17 points and 10 assists. The game was over by halfway through the third quarter when OKC started the second half with an 8-0 run and then a 9-0 run 2 minutes later. The Magic looked sluggish and flat throughout the game with Ryan Anderson, Vince Carter, and Rashard Lewis out of the lineup.

The Thunder could go on a little bit of a run with Sacramento and LA Clippers coming up on the schedule.

Stat of the Night: The Magic had 34 shots from the foul line but could only sink 21 of them while the Thunder shot 13 from 15 at the line.

-The Ref