by Peter Walsh / @goinginsquad
Raptors 103 (6-19), Rockets 96 (11-12)
Jose Calderon must have had this one circled on his calendar for a minute, especially after what happened the last time he squared off against Jeremy Lin in Toronto. Calderon was sensational, picking apart the Rockets defense with ease to finish with 18 points, 14 assists, 10 boards and 0 turnovers to earn the second triple-double of his career. The two teams battled back and forth throughout the whole contest. At the half the game was tied at 49 apiece. The Raptors were able to pull ahead 77-71 after three thanks to a 13-point quarter from Ed Davis. In the fourth, the Raptors maintained their lead until Carlos Delfino hit two back-to-back buckets late to pull the Rockets within two with just over a minute to go. From there, the game came down to free throws. First Calderon hit two to put Toronto back up by four. After that, James Harden stepped to the line and hit two then Alan Anderson–who finished with a career-high 24 points–hit the deciding two free throws with 13.9 seconds left to hand Houston their seventh straight road loss.
Quick Hitters:
— Calderon’s 14 assists matched Houston’s team total. The Raptors had 29 assists on 39 made field goals and only turned the ball over 7 times. They also blocked 13 blocks.
— DeRozan scored 19 and grabbed 7 boards.
— James Harden scored 28 on 7-18 shooting.
— Marcus Morris scored a career-high 19 points.
Lakers 111 (11-14), Sixers 98 (12-12)
Behind 34 points from Philly native Kobe Bryant, the Lakers made light work of the Sixers with a 13-point win to give them their second straight victory. Los Angeles was on fire from three, shooting 14-34 and hitting 10 in the first half which broke the record for most three’s in one half at the Wells Fargo Center. L.A. took a 14-point lead into the fourth quarter but the Sixers cut the deficit to nine with eight and a half minutes left. The Lakers responded with a 9-3 run that made the score 100-85 with five and change to put this one away for good.
Quick Hitters:
— Ron Artest scored 19 and grabbed a career-high 16 boards.
— Jrue Holiday missed his second straight game with a foot injury.
— Nick Young scored 30 on 23 shots.
— Ev Turner scored 16 points and dropped 6 dimes.
Nuggets 122 (13-12), Kings 97 (7-16)
The Nuggets smacked the Kings last night in Sacramento for their fifth straight victory. Denver built a comfortable 16-point cushion in the first quarter and only built on their lead from there on, going up by as many as 34. Seven Nuggets scored in double-figures, including JaVale McGee who led the way with 19. Free the entire Kings roster.
Quick Hitters:
— Gallo scored 18, and Iguodala chipped in with an efficient 11-8-8.
— Isaiah Thomas led the Kings with 20 (13 from the stripe) off the pine.
Blazers 95 (11-12), Hornets 94 (5-18)
Dame Lillard is a problem.
