Clippers 92, Celtics 90

Don’t take things for granted. That was the theme in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

Going into the game, the Celtics, coming off a big road win on Christmas in Orlando, had a nine-game road win streak – with only one road loss all season. The Clippers are a perennial sub-.500 team which you would think the C’s would be able to easily handle. Don’t take any road game for granted.

The Celtics held a lead for most of the fourth quarter until Rasual Butler sank a big three-pointer with only 8.5 seconds left to tie the game at 90-90. The Celtics ended up with a surprising chance to take the lead right back when Baron Davis made a poor shooting foul on Rajon Rondo as he drove for a layup with only 1.5 seconds left. But Rondo, who came into the game shooting 53% from the foul line, missed both free throws and a chance to ice the game. Don’t take free throws for granted.

The Clippers took a time out to move the ball to half court, where Butler looked to get the ball in to their main man, the Baron – Baron Davis. He was able to get the ball into Baron, who dropped a turnaround J at the buzzer for the Clippers to win the game. What an incredible shot! Davis’ turnaround came from 23-feet with Rondo in his face, but he calmly nailed it just in time. Oh, yeah: don’t take Baron Davis for granted.

Davis finished the game with 24 points and 13 assists in a very inspired performance against one of the best teams in the NBA. As a result, Boston’s nine-game winning streak on the road ends, and they are handed only their second road loss of the season.

Shooter of the Game: Baron Davis. BANG BANG!

Mavericks 104, Nuggets 96

In a battle between two of the Western Conference’s best teams, the Mavericks were able to give the Nuggets only their second home loss of the season.

The Mavs came out to start each half with some big quarters. They outscored the Nuggets by seven in the first quarter and eight in the third. Those two quarters added up to be the difference for the game. The Nuggets were down five in the final minute, but Dirk Nowitzki provided the dagger (shocker) with a 3-pointer.

But it was all about the bench for Dallas on Sunday night in Denver, in which their three bench boys provided the top scoring on the team. Drew Gooden scored 19 points to lead the Mavs in scoring, along with Josh Howard’s 17 and Jason Terry’s 13 points. Gooden also added 10 boards and Howard with nine. Incredible production on the night from the only three guys off the bench.

The Nuggets lost this game mainly because of Chauncey Billups having the night off to get some extra rest for his groin strain. They simply aren’t the same without him as a floor general, leader, defender, and scorer. Although, we all know the Nuggs will make the playoffs, so rest him all he needs now.

Shooter of the Game: Juan Jose Barea. I’m still trying to figure out where this guy came from, but he shot 6-10 with a three-pointer for his 13 points.

Spurs 95, Knicks 88

The Knicks may not be a good team overall, but it’s becoming more and more prevalent that they will battle game after game with the league’s best. No, they didn’t beat the Spurs on Sunday in New York, but they did keep it close throughout the whole game against a tough team.

It was the original big-three that carried the Spurs in their win, which is good because the newbies haven’t really jelled yet. Tony Parker scored 22, Manu Ginobili dropped 17, and Tim Duncan added 13 points for San Antonio. Each of them played a big roll to preserve this win in the final minutes of the game.

In the loss, David Lee had another big game as he shot 11-13 for 28 points to go with his 10 rebounds. Chris Duhon also had 13 assists to lead all players.

Stat of the Game: Fast Break Points – Don’t ask me how, but the Spurs outscored the Knicks 16-4 in this category. You’d probably expect the Knicks to do this over the old Spurs, but that wasn’t the case.

-Shooter