Lakers 102, Suns 96

Show of hands: how many people here thought the Lakers were washed up and falling fast after their three-game losing streak last week?  Ok, now how many people here hate the Lakers?

Yeah, I’d bet it was the same people keeping their hands up for both, and boy are they disappointed; because the Lakers are focused and back on track after a big road win against the Suns.

Guess who stepped up for the Lakers in their big road win. Who else, but Kobe (yes, I am going to highlight Kobe for the rest of the year – take that G!). Kobe racked up 20 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists in a very balanced game for the Lakers. Each starter scored at least 15 points, in a game that the Lake Show led by 15 in the second half.

Oh yeah, and Ron Artest shaved his head from that monstrosity that he had earlier in the week. Thank God.

Heat 108, Bulls 95

I just want to disclose that I am NOT a believer of the Bulls. They are a bad team that wins games when they feel like it and have not proved to have any winning consistency all year. They do not deserve to make the playoffs, not even in the East.

This game against the Heat was a grind it out battle between two teams fighting for the playoffs. Dwyane Wade got hit in the head by Brad Miller in the fourth quarter which resulted in a flagrant foul on Miller, an ejection on Kirk Hinrich, and technicals around the horn. Nevertheless, the Heat owned this game, maybe because the Bulls didn’t have Derrick Rose, but probably because the Bulls are stinky.

Jermaine O’Neal had a season-high 25 points and Q-Rich had 23 for the Heat. As for the Bulls, they are now two games out in the playoff hunt in the East. Get out and stay out Chicago!

Bucks 95, Jazz 87

Beat the NBA-leading Cavs. Check.
Beat the Eastern Conferencing surging Magic. Check.
And now, beat a Western Conference powerhouse. Check.

It’s been a busy seven days for the Milwaukee Bucks, who have now won five straight, including 11 of their last 12 games. They are now 22-9 at home, which is rather impressive for the boys at the Bradley Center. This game was all about the guards for Milwaukee, who got 24 from John Salmons and 23 from Brandon Jennings. It certainly helped that their big man Andrew Bogut, who has to be considered for most improved player, had 16 points and 12 boards. I’m feelin’ this team!

Grizzlies 119, Knicks 112

The young Grizz Pack have to learn how to close games. No, not how to close games that are tight down the stretch, but they need to learn how to close games that are BLOWOUTS early in the game! For the second time this week, Memphis has nearly blown 20-point leads to the Nets and now the Knicks, whom they led by 29 at one point.

Big Z had 24 and 11 for the Grizzlies. OJ had 22 and Rudy had 20 points. I guess the point I’m trying to make here is that the Grizzlies bench is really bad. But they can’t keep the starters in all game!

-Shooter