Hornets 99, Rockets 95

The Hornets have pulled to within 1 game of .500 after a rocky start, a fired head coach and a few tough injuries.  Overall in this game, the Rockets shot a better percentage and made more 3′s but in the end lost the game.  New Orleans won the turnover battle by 9 but it was still close throughout.  Both teams centers proved to be pretty beast on the night with 13 rebounds by Hayes and 16 for Okafor.

Clown of the game: Peja Stojakovic.  Why does this man start?  He plays like he is 49 years old and really has no offensive skills anymore and was never a good defender.  I think Marcus Thorton needs to be slotted into that shooting SF role.

Bucks 103, Thunder 97

The Thunder came into the game riding a 5-game winning streak and were absolutely killing it on the road as well.  Kevin Durant continued his onslaught of scoring and now had score 30+ points in 7 straight games.  Unfortunately for Durant, he had 7 turnovers and their winning streak ended.  Michael Redd led the Bucks in scoring with 27 points and Bogut had 15 rebounds while Ilyasova had 10 of his own.  Jennings had a poor night shooting going 4-15 but the rest of the Thunder team (other than Durant and Westbrook) shot so poorly and no one had more than 9 points.

Clown of the game: Jeff Green.  He shot 3-11 and scored just 8 points in over 40 minutes of play.  When he plays poorly, the Thunder usually lose.

Grizzlies 128, Suns 103

Memphis Grizzlies, 16-16?  Couldn’t be, but yes, they are!  The Grizzlies spanked the Suns in Phoenix tonight and get back to .500.  The Grizzlies are a pretty solid team and I have been extremely impressed with their play this year.  Mayo and Gay have learned to play well together (25 pts., 16pts. respectively tonight) and their reserves like rookie Sam Young and Hasheem Thabeet have been playing very well as of late.  This is a young run and gun team and are like a poor version of the Suns (without a Steve Nash).  The Suns got killed on the boards and allowed the Grizzlies to shoot 53% from the field.

Clown of the game: Channing Frye.  He was 2-13 from the field including 0-5 from 3.  The thing that worries me with the Suns is they rely too much on jump shooters.  Amare is the only real inside presence so when a guy like Frye or Dudley or Richardson is off, the Suns usually lose.

Nuggets 105, Jazz 95

The Nuggets are struggling without their court marshall Chauncey Billups, who has been out with an injury, but they took it to the Jazz in Utah and won convincingly.  Denver didn’t have Melo in the lineup either, so honestly I have no idea how they won.  Ty Lawson stepped his game up with 23 points on the night to go along with 9 assists.  Nene had 22 points and also recorded 6 steals, very un-Nene-like.  Affalo and Graham both started and combined to shoot 7-15 with 20 points, not bad for a couple of fill-ins.  The Jazz continue to underachieve while Boozer had yet another double-double and has been playing to rise his stock for a possible trade all year long.  The Jazz are just 18-15 this year and should definitely be a 20 win team already on the season.  They shot 50% from the field but still managed to lose by 10.

Clown of the game: George Karl.  Even with a limited roster, he still didn’t play Renaldo Balkman which really effects JB’s day-to-day life.  What a shame.

Blazers 105, Warriors 89

Despite the Blazers having just 8 guys who were able to suit up they still won big over the Warriors.  Brandon Roy went off for 37 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists.  Andre Miller stepped up his game with 23 points and Martel Webster added a big 21 points in the start.  Dante Cunningham was big off the bench for the Blazers and provided them with 10 rebounds which is huge since they don’t really have a center.  Monta Ellis continues to score points (30) and turn the ball over (6) while playing full games (47 minutes).

Clown of the game: Don Nelson.  You’re an idiot Don; Ellis can’t handle the ball for 48 minutes a game.  Not because he literally can’t but because he turns the ball over too much.  Stephen Curry needs to have the ball in his hands more and please consider giving Ellis a 5-minute break once in awhile.

Dallas 99, Kings 91

Tyreke Evans was back after missing a few games but shot 6-18 with just 14 points.  Jason Thompson had 15-10 while Omri Casspi is breaking out scoring 22 points (4-6 from 3) and added 11 rebounds.  Despite great play from the Kings’ bigs they lost at home and are 14-19 on the season.  The Mavs took care of business and improved to 23-10 and had 5 scorers in double digits including Josh Howard and Jason Terry who both came off the bench.  Dirk had an “off night” shooting 8-18 but still put in 25 points.

Clown of the game: Spencer Hawes.  He was 3-10 shooting in 22 minutes and recorded just 4 rebounds (granted Thompson and Casspi took some away).  He needs to be a bigger inside presence.

-The Basher