Ballin': Lakers Finally Get a Win; Ricky Rubio's Wolves Fall to 0-2
By Jason McIntyre
LA Lakers 96, Utah 71: It’s only one game, but wow do the Jazz appear to be awful. They scored just 31 points in the first half, Al Jefferson shot 2-of-16, and Utah made 1-of-13 three-pointers. Who is going to score for the Jazz? Rookie Enes Kanter shot 1-of-7 and scored five points while collecting 11 rebounds in 20 minutes. Sensing a trend, I wondered if Denver -10 would be a wise play tonight against the Jazz … before Utah had even tipped against the Lakers. The line’s up to 12 and may hit 15 by gametime. Mike “We’re Going to the Playoffs” Brown got his first win as coach of the Lakers (1-2). Also: Josh Roberts has a nickname: McRambis.
Kevin Harlan actually had a very strong game. Listen to his Penguin reference.
Milwaukee 98, Minnesota 95: The Bucks led by 20 points in the 2nd half and it looked like the Wolves – who turned the ball over 25 times – would get blown out … until a spirited rally got them within a basket in the final minutes. Milwaukee’s hero was none other than local star Jon Leuer, who scored a key bucket and the foul shot (he finished with 14 points). Does Leuer even play if Drew Gordon isn’t suspended? Anyway, the line on Ricky Rubio, since he’s who you care about: 6 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 turnovers. He’s not forcing bad shots (yet) and his defense isn’t bad (yet). The svelte Kevin Love was beastly with 31 points (19 of 24 free throws) and 20 rebounds. I found Rubio on the floor more compelling than the first 40 minutes of the next game …
Miami 115, Boston 107: Obviously the Heat are much-improved this year, but the fawning from the media on twitter while this game was going on was hilarious. Then Doc Rivers installed a zone, the Heat had no response, and the Celtics crept within three points. Then rookie Norris Cole (20 points!) came to the rescue, and the rookie from Cleveland State made a clutch jumper to lock the game up. LeBron and Wade combined for 50 points, and perhaps more interesting is neither has attempted a 3-pointer through two games. The Heat never seem to have an answer for Rondo & Allen, who combined for 50 points (Allen was 6-of-8 from three). Boston is 0-2, but when Paul Pierce returns, they’ll be fine.
Portland 101 Sacramento 79: Guess the Kings partied too hard after beating the Lakers? After wasting a 12-point lead late in the 2nd quarter, they had no legs in the 2nd half and the Blazers ran away to improve to 2-0. The Kings shot just 37% and Jimmer was 4-of-10.
Atlanta 106, New Jersey 70: Road teams on the 2nd night of a back-to-back are going to struggle early. Or, perhaps the Nets just spent all their energy Monday rallying from 21 down to beat the Wizards. Six Hawks scored in double figures and the Nets shot a woeful 31 percent.
[Rondo & Artest, Penguin videos via @Jose3030]