Orlando 101, Cleveland 95

If Dwight Howard can play like he did on Sunday in every game, the Magic would be the favorite to win the title.

Honestly, he was that good today. Shaquille O’Neal dominated Orlando’s center in the first two meetings, but today, something different happened. Dwight Howard became Superman. The torch has passed…momentarily. He went after O’Neal relentlessly, constantly attacking the basket, and not backing down for a second. This is the Dwight Howard that needs to come out every night and state that this is his team. Some nights he is a no show and a non factor. He is the captain and he should start acting like it.

Howard was the difference tonight. O’Neal may have a nice night himself, 20 points (9-10 FG), but Howard was incredible. He finished with 22 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

This was a terrific game. It had such a great playoff feel to it. Everyone was emotional. Everyone was making big plays from LeBron’s block and coast to coast finish, to Vince Carter’s Time Machine Dunk, and Rashard Lewis’s dagger trey. It was awesome to watch and it got me so pumped up for the podcast.

LeBron James finished with 33 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists in the loss while Vince Carter, who had a terrific 4th quarter, finished with 11 in the big win.

Stat of the Night: 3 Point Shooting
Orlando- 8-20
Cleveland- 3-16

Denver 114. Boston 105

Well, I’m glad that Denver got over their terrible loss against Washington.

Denver is a team that depicts the definitive example of a team that plays to the level of their competition. They beat Cleveland in a thrilling game, and then lose to Washington the next.

Today, they took it to the Boston Celtics in big time fashion behind JR Smith’s stellar 4th quarter. Smith nailed four 3 pointers in the quarter and finished with 19 points. He caught fire, and Boston couldn’t respond with an answer or a defensive stop.

The Celts fought hard though. They were down 18 in the 1st , but Ray Allen, who has played with a chip on his shoulder since the trade deadline, brought them back within 7 going into halftime. Allen finished with 25 points and 5 rebounds. It looked like Boston had a chance to win the game until JR decided to show. He was 1-6 until the 4th quarter came around.

Denver had amazing balance tonight from there big guys. Nene finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds and one upped Kevin Garnett, who finished with 15 points and 5 boards. Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups combined for 49 points in the victory and set the tone for the rest of the team.

They play so much better against more quality teams. It’s getting to that point where you have to wonder “How is this play going to affect them in the playoffs.” They have to get more consistent because if it was wasn’t for two bonehead inbound plays against the Lakers last year in the playoffs, we probably would be calling them the defending champions. Their that good, but they have to get consistent.

Stat of the Night:Free Throw Shooting
Denver- 25-40
Boston- 13-25

Detroit 109, San Antonio 101

Wow, really San Antonio? We all knew at this point you weren’t contending for a championship, but a loss to the Pistons. That is unacceptable.

In Auburn Hills, the Pistons pull out a solid victory with a total team effort. Rip Hamilton led the way with 27 points and 5 rebonds, and was supported by Rodney Stuckey’s 20 points. Ben Gordon also added 21 as the whole team was firing on all cylinders. The Pistons have played terrible all year, but they pulled out a solid victory tonight.

Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili attempted their best to pull out the W but couldn’t convert the big basket at the end of the game to get the win. Duncan finished with 29 points and 10 rebounds. Ginobili finished with 21 points.

I understand Detroit played extremely well tonight, but there is no excuse for them to beat a solid Western Conference team in San Antonio. They are better than them but couldn’t show it tonight. This is just a clear and cut depiction of how the Reign of the Spurs is coming to an end.

Stat of the Night: Rebounding
Detroit- 49 (16 offensive)
San Antonio- 32 (8 offensive)

Memphis 104, New Jersey 94

Amazing New Jersey, you not only found a way to squander a second half 18 point lead, but you found a way to lose by double digits on top of that. Incredible.

We all know the Nets are terrible, but this is too much. The team allowed a 35-16 run by a struggling Memphis Grizzlies led by Rudy Gay. Gay finished with 29 points as he continually represents himself as a leader and future All Star.

Shooter, Basher, and G attended the game tonight, and they were pretty pumped up to see the Grizz play. Yes, your memory does serve you correctly, and both Shooter and Basher are die hard Nets fans, but they went to this game to see Memphis play. They were not disappointed but had to be embarrassed watch this horrific showing.

In a bright spot for New Jersey, Devin Harris finished with 17 points and 13 assists.

Stat of the Night: If the Nets played in Newark, they would have won this game.

Oklahoma City 109, Minnesota 107

OooO Boy, the Thunder are rolling now.

After this victory against a well below averaged Minnesota team, the Thunder push the winning streak to 9. They have played well and Kevin Durant is the reason. He finished with 32 points and has now passed Allen Iverson in consecutive days with 25+ at 28. He has played so well, and makes it look so easy. He is just effortless when he shoots. It’s a simple flick of the wrist. It’s almost unstoppable. He is going to get better and better as this team gets better.

However, as good as Durant has been, their success revolves around Russell Westbrook’s play. He delivered tonight. For his second career triple double, Westbrook finished with 22 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds. He has the most improvement to conduct out of the big three (Jeff Green had 17 points and 14 rebounds) and can really bring this team to a whole new level. His defense is stellar, but his game management will decipher how far they will go.

Now, before I continue on how much I love the Thunder, the T-Wolves played well tonight. Minnesota was down 15 points in the second half and climbed back to within 2. They fought hard and got some solid performances from Corey Brewer and Damien Wilkins. They both had 18 points respectively. I hope Minnesota can build from this performance and get better. They have solid pieces and Brewer has proved his potential is more than just that. He can score and play some solid defense. The solid young core has something to build on and maybe if Ricky Rubio decides to play with them, that would be nice.

Stat of the Night: We all know about KD’s 25+ performances, but the fact that he has dropped 30+ in 23 of those 28 games is amazing.

This is The Ref signaling I’m out until next time and remember: We miss calls, you miss lay ups.