Mavericks 95, Magic 85

The Dallas Mavericks haven’t been about defense since the 80s – one trade later, they may have that mentality back.

The old Wizards tandem of Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood combined with the rest of the Mavs to play a heck of a defensive game after the Magic came out hitting everything in the first quarter. Orlando only scored 52 points in the final three quarters, including only 16 points in the fourth – a quarter that Dallas used to come back and take the game.

Butler scored 16 with seven rebounds and Haywood dropped 15 points with nine boards for the Mavs. They are now 2-1 since the trade, but this win solidifies the idea that this trade will make them a better team. Only time will tell what their peak is, but it’s the confidence that will scare other teams.

Dwight Howard had 29 points and 16 rebounds in a monster game, but the Orlando bench combined for only six points. That kind of production will not work for a team that wants to make it deep into the playoffs.

Celtics 96, Blazers 76

Welcome to Portland Marcus Camby! (Please don’t think you’re still with the Clippers)

The Celtics spoiled Camby’s first game with the Blazers as they won for the second straight night on the west coast. Ray Allen lead all scorers with 21 and Rajon Rondo picked up 10 points with 11 assists.

The Camby Man was 1-5 from the field for only two points and seven rebounds. Hmm.. I think Juwan Howard could have continued putting up that kind of production.

I think something is really wrong with Brandon Roy. He was 3-8 from the field with only nine points. If he’s still hurt, he should not be playing. This guy is the face and the future of this franchise.

Bulls 100, Timberwolves 94

Normally when a team shakes up their roster, for better or for worse, there is a bit of a learning curve to get the team to gel. I guess the Bulls overlooked that curve and just jumped into the win column right away.

Newbies Hakim Warrick (10pts, 9rebs) and Flip Murray (8pts, 3rebs) played key roles in this road victory in Minnesota. However, it was the guy who didn’t get traded that made a difference in the win. Kirk Hinrich (Kansas!) scored 20 points to lead all players in scoring, in a rare big game for Chicago.

Suns 88, Hawks 80

Looks like Amare Stoudemire has finally put all those trade rumors behind him in order to withstand his spot on the Phoenix Suns roster. Amare scored 22 points with eight rebounds in the first game since he WASN’T traded after the deadline. This thought just ran through my head: does Amare have a nickname? I wanted to use one in this wrap-up but I couldn’t recall any…

Craziest thing about this game – the Suns won with only 88 points! Sounds like a missed opportunity by the Hawks.

Hornets 107, Pacers 101

Once again, Darren Collison was the man. Stepping in for CP3, Collison recorded his first career triple-double with 18 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists. I didn’t see this game, so I’m still trying to figure out how Collison picked up 13 rebounds against a team with Troy Murphy, Danny Granger, and Roy Hibbert – so I’ll give the little guy credit! Only problem was he had eight turnovers – only two more from a quadruple-double, haha.

Jazz 100, Warriors 89

Right off the bat this game was completely owned by the Jazz. They held an 18 point halftime lead on the road and the Warriors came back in the fourth just to make the score respectable.

Carlos Boozer stayed in Utah and had a HUGE game to prove his dedication to the team with 30 points and 16 rebounds. BOOZER SO STRONGGG!

Meanwhile, Monta Ellis, possibly in response to post-trade rumors, was only 2-14 from the field in 28 minutes. Also, Stephen Curry was only 4-9 and had 10 turnovers. Certainly an ugly game by these two – hence the loss.

-Shooter