Chicago 104, Houston 97

One team is on the rise as the other is on the decline.

Houston (24-19) has not played their best ball in January. The Rockets are 4-6 after starting 20-13, and a loss at home to the Chicago Bulls (20-22) is a clear cut sign of a troubled team. However, let’s not take away from the Chicago Bulls. After Vinny Del Negro was publicly announced to be bamboozled, the Bulls have been great and Derrick Rose is playing like we thought he would. Rose dropped 20 points, but got a big night from the Great White Hype: Brad Miller. Miller scored 25 points in the victory.

Houston tried to fight back, but shot an anemic 40% from the floor with Carl Landry leading the way with 22 points. Aaron Brooks and Luis Scola both added 20 points, but couldn’t stop the Bulls on the defensive end. The Bulls shot 53% from the floor. Houston needs to gain some momentum going until the all star break or maybe they just need a break… I nominate the latter.

Fantasy Stat of the Night: Rookie Taj Gibson – The man scored 16 points and grabbed 14 boards while shooting 75% on the night. Underrated pick up in a deep league.

Milwaukee 127, Minnesota 94

Brandon Jennings needed a night like this.

Jennings, who has struggle of late, scored 18 points and dished out 13 dimes. A career high for the Rook from Eu-rope. The Bucks point guard was setting up teammates left and right, mainly Carlos Delfino, who has come from nowhere to put up solid numbers (24 points, 8 rebounds, & 8 assists). Deflino has made the Michael Redd injury almost non-existent. Milwaukee (18-24) has been playing well. Back to Jennings though, his shot has really been bad of a late, but last night, he had everything going from him, he shot 50% (8-16 FG) tonight. I am proud of the young Buck. Do your thing man.

Minnesota (9-36) was out of this game from tip-off. They lost every quarter, and by the 4th, they were embarrassed. They gave up 42 points in the quarter. Ouch.

Jonny Flynn scored 20 points and had 5 assists in the blowout loss.

Stat of the Night: Field Goal Percentage
Milwaukee- 58%
Minnesota- 38%

Denver 116, New Orleans 110

What a fun game to be a part of.

This game included either team not having more than 8 point lead throughout the entire contest, big plays by the league’s brightest, and of course, extra fun. With 24 seconds remaining, Chauncey ‘Big Shot’ Billups nailed a 3 point field goal to go up 2 for the surging Nuggets (29-14). Billups had 20 points on the night. The celebration was short-lived. Chris Paul responded with a driving shot to bring it to dead end tie with 18 ticks of the clock. Carmelo Anthony then missed a game winning jumper as time expired. Enter extra-time.

In overtime, it started of with a duel between Paul and Anthony, both of the them scored 5 points in the first two minutes of the extended game, trading baskets, making the game even more exhilarating. It was first rate stuff. I wish it only lasted. It was until Denver starting playing defense on the exhausted Hornets (23-20) squad. The Nuggets went on a 8-2 run to end the game. New Orleans had no answer to the continuing onslaught of team that has now won 6 games in a row. The Nuggets are finally acting like the number 2 seed.

Paul ended the game with 26 point and and 10 assists in the loss.

Anthony supplied a game high 30 points and ripped down 10 boards.

Fantasy Player of the Night: Kenyon Martin – 20 points and 14 rebounds for the Cincinnati alum.

Phoenix 112, Golden State 103

If Phoenix losses to Golden State again, they’ll be shooting for lottery pick in June.

With the Suns (26-19) down 5 at halftime to Monta Ellis-less Warriors (13-29), somebody had to step up. Who better than Steve Nash. Nash, who struggled from from the 3 point line (3-10), kept on shooting and decided to take initiative for a team that is descending quickly in the Western Standings. Nash ended with 23 points and 6 assists to lead his team to victory. His back-up, Goran Dragic added 20 points to support the past 2-time MVP. It was needed. The Suns outscored the Warriors, who were led by Corey Maggette (27 points & 6 rebounds), 33-23 in the 4th to finish the comeback trail.

Golden State simply has no defense whatsoever. I can’t even mention that word with them. They are so terrible. However, they are so much fun to watch. It’s like a track meet with an alternative. The Warriors give run-n-gun a whole new meaning.

Rookie Stephen Curry added 25 points and 5 rebounds in the loss, but increases his first year worth for a team that have more guards than fans.

Stat of the Night: Free Throws Made
Phoenix-29
Golden State- 13

Utah 116, New Jersey 83

The Nets suck. They have 40 losses. It’s embarrassing. I would rather watch the Jersey Shore than waste my time with this team.

The Jazz (26-19) shot 61% from the floor with Carlos Boozer leading all scorers with 22 point and 9 rebounds. Paul Millsap and Mehmet Okur scored 20 a piece to aid in the blowout. The Nets (3-40) deserve no mention of anything good in this game. I can’t even state of how much I love the Nets Senior Dance Team. They were away.

This is The Ref signaling I’m out until next time and remember: We miss calls, you miss lay ups.