Heat 99, Rockets 66

The Heat’s defense looked like the best in the entire universe for one game only… not really.  It was a combination of that and HRBL shooting by the Rockets who shot 30% for the game.  The Rockets highest scoring quarter in this game was 24 points and the other three were 11, 15 and 16.  Embarassing.  Miami’s bench outscored Houston’s 48-24 and the high scorer for the Heat was D-Wade with just 17 points.  Miami hit 41 shots and 27 of them were assisted which is a great ratio especially when the ball was turnedover just 9 times by Miami.  The Heat needed this win and bad, they are slipping out of the playoff hunt (currently 8th) and are just 25-27.

Clown of the game:  Chase Budinger played 35 minutes and had a double-double but was 3-12 from the field and his team was -28 when he was on the court.  He isn’t much of a defender and he proved that one tonight.

Hawks 108, Grizzlies 94

The Atlanta Crawfords won fairly easily against the Grizzlies who are a great home team (18-8) but they ignored that stat as they went on to win by 14.  Jamal Crawford led everyone in scoring with 28 points off the bench as the “All-Star” was 9-14 from the field including 5-7 from 3PT.  The Hawks are now on a 3-game winning steak while the Grizzlies are scuffling and on a 4-game losing streak after being a season high 26-21. 

The Grizzlies shot 40-80 for the game but when you allow the Hawks to make 55% of their shots, it’s unlikely your team is going to win.  The scoring for the Grizzlies was very balanced from their starters but it’s their bench that kills them.  The Grizzlies (other than Tinsley and Williams) have 4 guys come off the bench who are rookies or 2nd year players.  Their inexperience kills them when they lose close games.

Nuggets 127, Mavs 91

There isn’t much to talk about here other than the fact that the Mavs got blown the heck out!  The Nuggets at one point had a 39 point lead in the second half.  The Mavs ALWAYS seem to do this.  Towards the last 1/3 of the year they are going to go on a slide, finish with a 4 seed and get knocked out in the 1st round.  Other than the year they made it to the finals they are a waste of a playoff team.  They remind me of any team who makes it to the playoffs from the AL Central in baseball (they make it because it’s the rules, someone has to).

Clown of the game:  Dallas’ Defense.  They Nuggets shot 60% for the game!  This is the NBA, that kind of defense (or lack of ) should NOT be allowed in professional sports.

Jazz 109, Clippers 99

The Jazz actually found themselves down by 4 points entering the 4th quarter but that didn’t last long.  They held the Clippers so a mere 15 4th quarter points to storm back and win by 10 on the road.  The Jazz are arguably the hottest team in the West right now and don’t appear to be slowing down.  Carlos Boozer had 34-14 for the Jazz to lead the way while newly appointed Clipper All-Star Chris Kaman had 19-7 but also comitted 6 turnovers.  When you win the battle of the bigs, you win ball games.

-The Basher