Streakbusters: The Chicago Bulls ends another winning streak in the victory over the New York Knicks to complete a season sweep of their potential second round match up of the NBA playoffs. Carmelo Anthony showed no signs of slowing down on a back-to-back, continuing his offensive dominance with a game-high 36 points on 13 of 24 shooting and 19 rebounds (the most he has ever had as a Knick) to become the first Knick to score 35+ points in 6 straight games. J.R. Smith came off the bench for 28 points (on a rather inefficient 27 shots) and 14 boards. The Bulls were supposed to become the 14th victim of the New York streak. But instead, they fought back from a 15 point deficit in the third to the cut the lead to 2, on 11 of Jimmy Butler’s 22 points, (who also finished with 14 boards) to begin fourth quarter. Where little Nate Robinson took over, exploding for 18 of his total 35 (10 of 18) in the final period. But Nate is not Nate unless he does something stupid, like throwing up a prayer of a floater with the score tied and 14 seconds remaining on the clock. Fortunately, it worked out to his favor, as Carmelo misses the game winner on the other end, and the Bulls take it in overtime.
Top of the West: The Oklahoma City Thunder climbs right to the top of the west in a easy one against the Golden State Warriors. Kevin Durant led the way with a near triple double, going off for 31 points on 10 of 16 shooting, 10 rebounds and 8 assists. Russell Westbrook added 18 points on 17 shots, and 9 dimes. Kevin Martin came off the bench for 23 points (8 of 10) in his most efficient game of the season. The score was still close at half time, but the Thunder went on a scoring barrage in the third to pull away, outscoring the Warriors in every single quarter in the win. Stephen Curry had 22 points (9 of 18), and 7 assists, while his teammates not named Jarrett Jack and David Lee made little to no impact. Especially Andrew Bogut, who left 9 minutes in, after spraining an ankle. Please get better, big fella.
Follow me on twitter @Leslie_Kam. I am also on The Basketball Machine, where I write way too many NBA jokes than I really should.
