Veteran Game: It just doesn’t matter what father time does anymore, Tim Duncan, at the age of 36, is having none of it, going off for 30 points on 13 of 19 shooting, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 blocks in the victory over the younger Cleveland Cavaliers. Spurs’ sophomore, Kawhi Leonard added 24 points (8 of 16) and 13 boards to take off the offensive pressure on the rest of team in Tony Parker’s absence. The Cavs, still without Kyrie Irving, shot 51 percent from the field compared to their opponents’ 58. Wayne Ellington came of the bench for a team-high 21 points on 4 of 7 from the three. Cleveland just did not have an answer for the Spurs’ big, as they get pounded inside (it is totally not what you are thinking) to lose the battle in the paint, 62 to 46.
ALL MANU EVERYTHING.
EVERYTHING MANU.
Jazz and Blues: In the quest for a playoff spot, the Utah Jazz came out with a huge win over the Memphis Grizzlies to be only half a game behind the Los Angeles Lakers. Up by 5 before heading into the third quarter, the Memphis Grizzlies would suddenly forget how to put the basketball into the elevated orange ring thing, to go 2 for 16 from the field for 9 points, 15 less than what the Jazz put up during the stretch of their opponents’ offensive struggle. The Grizzlies would never quite recover from the hole they dug themselves into, as they watch Gordon Hayward, who led his team with 17 points (5 of 10) and 8 boards, sink the three point dagger in the in the final 17 seconds to seal the game. Zach Randolph of the Grizzles finished with 19 points (7 of 11) and 9 rebounds.
Engines: Blazers’ rookie, Damian Lillard’s 8 game streak with 20+ points, came to an end last night, as his team hold off a late run by the Detroit Pistons in the Portland victory. Lillard had an off night, going 3 of 12 from the field for 14 points and 7 dimes. But he didn’t to worry about the offense much, as his power forward, LaMarcus Aldridge go off for 31 points (13 of 21), and 12 rebounds to join LeBron James and Kevin Durant in the elusive players club with 1,300 points and 500 rebounds this season. The Pistons, on the other side, had Rodney Stuckey, who scored a season high 32 points on 23 shots in the losing effort.
Bearded American: Guys, Spencer Hawes did something last night that no one thought Spencer Hawes would be able to do. The once proud owner of a mullet went off a near quardruple double with 18 points, 8 assists, and a career high 16 rebounds and 5 blocks in the Philadelphia 76ers win. (Let me put this into a perspective for those who are wondering what is so spectacular about that particular line. No NBA player, other than Hakeen Olajuwon came close to those numbers in a game since 1990 and no Sixer has ever came close to it, since Charles Barkley in 1986.) Jrue Holiday chipped in for a game-high 27 points on 12 of 25 shooting and 12 assists to solidify his candidacy for the most improved player award. The Pacers finally got their Roy Hibbert break out game, as the center finally ends his scoring slump with 25 points on a not so efficient 26 shots and 10 boards in the tough loss. Indiana did not have a fun time shooting the ball on this night, hitting only 39 percent of their shots, while their opponents lit it up with 49 from the field and 46 behind it.
A Few Notes: Without Kevin Garnett (rest), the Boston Celtics took on the Charlotte Bobcats to win their 11th straight home game, the longest streak since 2009. This was the first game in about 3 weeks, where all Boston starters were in double figures.
Fantasy Shoutout: Martell Webster erupted for a career high 34 points on 10 of 18 shooting. He went 7 for 10 from the beyond the arc, to make this his franchise record breaking 5th game with at least 4 three pointers made and dished out 5 assists along the way in the 22 point win over the Phoenix Suns.
Follow me on twitter @Leslie_Kam. I am also on The Basketball Machine for more NBA laughs.
