Nets 103, Clippers 87

A congratulations is in order for the New Jersey Nets!  It only took 27 days for the Nets to win their first game in 2010 and I am sure Shooter could not be happier at this moment.  They were able to overcome not playing with Devin Harris and Courtney Lee due to injuries.  In Harris’ place, Keyon “The Combo Guard” Dooling stepped up with 18 points and 8 assists.  Kris Humphries (this is not a typo) abused the Clippers shooting 10-13, finishing with 25 points and 8 boards.  Brook Lopez led the Nets with 19 points as the Nets opened the game with a three point lead after one quarter and never look back.  It was also nice to see Terrence Williams play the game that most fans have expected from him (7 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists).  Chris Kaman posted a double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds, and Craig Smith added 18 off the bench.  Baron Davis’ 2 for 10 shooting night did not help as the Clippers lost to the cellar dweller Nets.  Hopefully the Nets will not wait as many days before they pick up their second win in the new year.

Grizzlies 99, Pistons 93

There has been excitement amongst some of the NBAtoday staff members as they are jumping on the Grizzlies bandwagon trying to feverishly catch up to Thundercat’s bandwagon, that which I have been driving since before last season.  While tonight was not a big time win, the Grizzlies won on the road and continue to beat teams they should beat.  If they want to sneak into the playoffs this year, they will have to continue to do this for the remainder of the season.  Big men Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph put a major hurting on the Pistons front line.  The two combined for 49 points and 25 rebounds!  Rudy Gay (16 points) struggled going 4-13 but went to the line nine times, hitting eight of those.  I am really starting to feel sorry for all the Detroit Pistons fans out there.  This mishmosh team of 20 points scorers who each rarely score 20 points in a game is falling apart.  The real only bright spot for this team has been Rodney Stuckey.  Stuckey (17 points tonight) has improved as continues to try and fill one the biggest shoes left in Detriot, those of Chauncey Billups.  Rip Hamilton was right being him scoring 16 points.  The Pistons need to find an identity along with finding five players on their roster that can play cohesively together.  Good Luck with that Detroit.

Raptors 111, Heat 103

The Velociraptors are now one game ahead of the Heat in the playoff race after winning at home 111 to 103.  This was the seventh time the Heat have lost to the Raptors in their last nine tries.  Miami was able to cut the lead to two points with 1:30 left to play, but a nice dish from Andrea Bargnani to Chris Bosh put Toronto up four with 1:30 to play, and they never looked back.  Bargnani led the Raptors with 27 points, but it was Chris Bosh who’s performance was good enough for him to be in Jurassic Park.  Bosh put up 24 points, 18 rebounds, and 4 assists in the win.  When you think of the Heat the first name that comes to your mind has to be Dwayne Wade.  Tonight is no different.  Wade led all scorers with 35 points as he dished out 10 assists.  Michael Beasely fell awkwardly on his knee int he first half.  He tried to make a return late in the second quarter with a knee brace on, but Beasely failed to play in the second half.  No word yet on the severity of the injury.

Here is a brief recap of three other games played on this busy Wednesday:

Cavs 109, Timberwolves 95

We all knew what the outcome of this game was going to be.  Corey Brewer stayed hot scoring 22 points, but it was JJ Hickson, not LeBron (12 points, 11 assists), stealing the show with 23 points and 8 rebounds in the win.

Lakers 118, Pacers 96

Another game where there was no doubt who the victor would be.  The Lakers’ “Big 3″ (Kobe, Gasol, Bynum) combined for 77 points as they Lakers held Danny Granger to 14 points.  Ron Artest struggled (1-6 FG, 2 points) but Lamar Odom (12 points, 11 rebounds) had typical Lamar Odom type performance.  I am more disappointed the DJ Mbenga was inactive for this game than anything else.

Bucks 91, Sixers 88

The Elton Brand (26 points, 10 rebounds) was not enough as the Bucks were able to squeeze out a victory at home, defeating the Sixers.  Brandon Jennings played fairly well with 18 points and 7 assists.  Hey G, I do not watch the Sixers enought to know what is going in on, but I have a question.  Why is Jrue Holiday getting the starting nod over my boy Lou “I’m Ill” Williams?

-JB