Cavs 105, Hornets 95

Newly acquired Cavalier Antawn Jamison scored 18 points while LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal both put in 20 points as the Cavs snap their losing streak at three games.  LeBron also added 13 assists as the Cavs survived a forty point quarter by the New Orleans Hornets.  Rookie, Marcus Thornton, had 23 of his career high 37 points in that second quarter.  Thornton scored all but four of the Hornets points off the bench.  The Hornets are finding out that they have a solid back up point guard in Darren Collison.  Collison had 22 points and 10 assists in the loss and will provide a spark off the bench when Chris Paul returns from injury.

Celtics 110, Knicks 106

At tip-off I figured this game to be a blowout, especially due to the Knicks playing the second game in their back-to-back.  The Knicks, after only scoring 67 points against the Bucks, hung in with Celtics for the entire game.  Sergio Rodriguez received his second start for New York and really played well.  Rodriguez had 18 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds.  David Lee had another monster night putting up 28 points and 15 boards.  Al Harrington had 18 points off the bench and Wilson Chandler added 19.  Chandler had a chance to tie the game in the final minute but Ray Allen blocked his lay-up forcing a shot clock violation.  

Speaking of Ray Allen, he led the Celtics with 24 points.  Rajon Rondo really set the tone by getting everyone involved early.  Rondo had seven assists in the first quarter, finishing with 16 for the game.  Neither Eddie House nor Nate Robinson (4 points each) did much against their former team.  In the first quarter during a timeout, the Boston Celtics showed a brief Eddie House Tribute.  House acknowledged the Boston crowd which gave him a three minute standing ovation.  As a fan of basketball it was great to see the Celtics fans still showing love to a player who hit some big shots for them in the playoffs.

Blazers 102, Nets 93

Portland almost blew a twenty-five point lead as the Nets shot over 70% in the second half, but were able to hold on for a 102 to 93 win at the IZOD Center.  The Blazers overcame an ankle injury to Marcus Camby and LaMarcus Aldridge picked up the slack by scoring 27 points.  Brandon Roy added 28 points and four steals.  The Nets kept chipping away at the Blazers’ lead in the second half but could not complete the comeback.  Courtney Lee and Devin Harris both scored 28 points as the New Jersey Nets dropped to 5-52 (I still cannot believe this record).

Timberwolves 91, Heat 88

No Dwyane Wade, no win for the Miami Heat.  Daequan Cook’s three pointer at the buzzer clanged off the rim giving the Timberwolves a 91 to 88 victory in Miami.  Kevin Love put up 17 points (3-3 from three) and 12 rebounds off the bench, Jonny Flynn added 16 points in the win.  Dorell Wright led the Heat with 26 points hitting nine of his eleven shots, which included six three pointers.  Jermaine O’Neal had 18 points, but it was not enough.  Dwyane Wade has the case off of his foot, but the Heat need him back as soon as possible.

-JB