Set in Stone: With the win over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night, the San Antonio Spurs extends their NBA record of 50 or more wins to 14 seasons. After a slow start, going 1 for 7 from the field, Tim Duncan would finish with 28 points on 12 of 20 shooting, and 19 boards to become the oldest player to get such a line since 1992. The Spurs, still without Tony Parker, got their other scoring punch from Gary Neal. He had 16 points (6 of 13), including a few critical threes down the stretch. The Mavericks, who were on the last of their 4 game trip hung in for the most parts of this game. Down 3 with less than 30 seconds remaining on the clock, Dirk (21 points, 11 rebounds) would drain one from the elbow to cut the lead to 1. With a chance to win it after a Manu miss on the other end, the Mavs would come out of their time out with a Vince Carter (10 points, 4-12) fade way three that just rims out.
Yep, braids are cool again.
Bright Lights: In the dreaded return to Portland after spending a whole season at the Rose Garden slightly overweight, Raymond Felton, after insinuating that he would drop 50 points against his former team, had only 11 points on 12 shots. The rest of his teammates weren’t of much help either, with the exception of J.R. Smith, who went off for 33 points on 11 of 21 shooting. The game was close in beginning, but after Portland closed out the second quarter with a 13-0 run, the Knicks would only come as close as 4 points in 4th, where J.R. Smith made three straight threes. In his second national television debut, Blazer’s rookie, Damian Lillard erupted for 26 points (11 of 18), and 10 dimes, joining LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry as one of the 4 players in this season with at least 1,200 points and 400 assists. LaMarcus Aldridge added 22 points (8 of 15), 10 rebounds and 5 blocks, while playing with a migraine.
Knicks’ Stoudemire, Chandler and Anthony were all out due to injuries. Stoudemire will go under season ending knee surgery. Neither Chandler or Anthony have been confirmed for the next game.
He may or may not have traveled on this one.
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