Okay, short version today. I worked in the office all afternoon and night yesterday and didn’t get home until just after 12 a.m. I was home to catch Grizz/Lakers, but that’s it. And, I didn’t even really see that because I was arranging a few interviews I’ve got coming up. Tuesday/Wednesdays kill me!
We had the Cuse game on at work and then a whole bunch of hockey. I honestly, didn’t even miss the games I was so into what I was doing. Feels kinda funny to not know what’s up. It also feels wildly strange to know that it is the NHL trade deadline and to actually know some of the names that are being tossed around. This world of sports is an interesting one, that’s for sure.
So, Cavs are getting Joe Smith and Spurs are taking Drew Gooden.
Line of the night (shout out goes to my co-worker Suppa for picking up on this): “Spurs officials …. envision Gooden as a backup to Matt Bonner”
Bless Bonner’s soul, but how did we get to a place where Gooden is Bonner’s backup? I. Love. It. The Red Rocket will always have a place in the hearts of us Canadians. If Steve Nash is our golden boy, Bonner is a shiny silver.
While I didn’t see any of the action, I was lucky enough to have some of the SLAM-fam and the blogosphere’s finest keeping me in the loop thanks to Twitter, email and text messages.
I do love technology.
From Justin Walsh: “something surprising- Grant Hill was booed most of the game. Why would the Magic boo Grant? Sure his six seasons had a fair number of injuries, but Grant was a great guy in the community.”
This does disappoint me but doesn’t surprise me. I’m pretty sure I remember Grant being booed in Orlando before. Too bad because, personally, I feel warm on a cold winter’s day every time I see Grant get up and slam one home, or rise and drain a pretty jumper. It’s always bittersweet with him, because it makes me think of what could have been.
One more thing from Walsh (and this is just one more reason, why I really don’t know what to think about the +/- stat):
Rafer Alston registered a +15. for one night at least. In the +/- stat, Rafer is +27 over Nash.
seriously though. 20 points 8 assists 7 rebounds 4 steals is a -12, albeit with 7 turnovers. Alston 15 points 6 rebounds 6 assists 2 steals and 4 turnovers…+15. I just don’t see how Rafer is +27 on Nash looking at the game or the numbers.
Thanks to Justin for those little gems, but really, what are your thoughts on that stat? I get that it can make sense, but more than not it just makes me say hmm.
Okay, onto the games that we go. Big night in the L tonight. Looking forward to it.
So, the Warriors played all of their main guys and slaughtered the TWolves, 118-94 after going up by as many as 31 points in the first half. Things were so bad at the end of the game that Coach Nelson went over to Coach McHale to give some words of encouragement. Stephen Jackson scored 23 points to go with 7 rebounds and 6 assists, Andris Biedrins scored 13 points to go with 10 rebounds and Corey Maggette added 16 off of the bench. Kevin Love led the Wolves with 18 points and 14 boards while Randy Foye scored 19 points and Mike Miller added 11 points and 13 rebounds.
The Raptors did their normal Raptor thing and faded in the second half aganst the Rockets, falling 107-97 as Luis Scola had 20 points and 16 boards while Yao Ming had 20 points and 11 rebounds and Carl Landry added 22 off of the bench. Andrea Bargnani and Chris Bosh scored 25 points apiece to lead Toronto while Shawn Marion had 18 points to go with 10 rebounds.
The Magic were victorious over the Suns with a 111-99 victory in Orlando, spoiling Steve Nash’s return from an ankle inkury Nash finished with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists, but it wasn’t enough as the Magic pulled away in the second half thanks to the sharp shooting of Rashard Lewis who finished with 29 points to go with 12 rebounds, outshining both Dwight Howard (21 and 8), and Shaquille O’Neal (19 and 11). Jason Richardson had 27 for the suns as Hedo Turkoglu scored 22 for Orlando. The Magic attempted 38 free throws to the Suns 17.
The Bobcats sucked the life out of the Bulls, rolling to a 96-80 victory as Chicago managed to top 20 points in just one quarter of the game. The Bobcats led by 13 at the break and easily went on to the win from there. All five Charlotte starters finished in double-figures, led by an 18-point, 9-assist effort from Raymond Felton, to go with 18 points from Raja Bell. Emeka Okafor scored 14 points to go with his 10 boards and Boris Diaw added 14 as well. The Bulls got a 14-point, 12-rebound night from Tyrus Thomas, 14 points from Ben Gordon and 13 from Derrick Rose.
Chauncey Billups received a rousing ovation in his return at the palace last night and then the game began and his old teammates took him and his current Nugets squad down. With all five of their starters finishing in double-figures, the Pistons took the game 100-95, despite a 34-point effort from Billups. Antonio McDyess had a 67-point, 12-rebound night, Rip Hamilton scored 21 points, Tayshaun Prince, 23 and Rasheed Wallace, 16 points to go with 10 rebounds. Nene scored 20 points for the Nuggets who were without leading scorer Carmelo Anthony, who was serving a suspension.
The Nets took down Milwaukee, 99-95 thanks to a late three-pointer from Jarvis Hayes that broke the backs of the Bucks. Outscoring Milwaukee 38-28 in the fourth, the Nets won despite giving up 19 offensive rebounds and being outrebounded 52-42. Rookie Brook Lopez led te Nets with 24 points while Devin Harris had 14 points and 11 assists and Vince Carter scored 15. Hayes finished with 14 on the night. The Bucks were led by Charlie Villanueva, with 24 points and 15 rebounds. Ramon Sessions scored 19 points while Richard Jefferson added 20.
The Pacers defeated the Kings in Arco, 117-109 after topping 30 in the first two quarters and opening up a 14-point lead at the half. Troy Murphy had 23 points and 10 rebounds while Jarrett Jack scored 26 points and Travis Diener and Marquis Daniels each added 18. The Kings were led by Rashad McCants 20 points off of the bench as he connected on all six of his field goal attempts. Kevin Martin scored 21 points and Spencer Hawes added 19 in the loss.
