Ballin': Lakers, Clippers, Knicks Win, All is Right in the NBA
By Jason McIntyre
LA Clippers 103, Denver 95: When Chris Paul’s scoring 36 points and Blake Griffin (27 points, 12 rebounds) and DeAndre Jordan (10 points, 16 rebounds) are registering double-doubles, the Paper Clips are going to be difficult to beat. (Possibly related: Did you know deep down, Kenyon Martin was a nice guy?) Then again, one could argue the Nuggets “real” starting lineup was out hurt (Nene, Lawson, Gallo, etc). Hell, Jordan Hamilton even played. The former Texas star looked nice on this drive.
Sacramento 115, Washington 107: The Kings owned the fourth quarter and sent the Wizards to their 4th straight loss. Jordan Crawford scored 32 for Washington off the bench and John Wall was a rebound shy of a triple double (21 points, 11 assists, 9 rebounds). Jimmer got off the bench to score eight points in 12 minutes, then chastised his brother for anti-Keith Smart tweets.
Oklahoma City 119, Boston 104: The Thunder scored 72 points in the first half and the Celtics never made it interesting. Kevin Garnett did return from a 2-game absence to score 23 points and collect 13 rebounds. In addition to the Durant/Westbrook show (61 points), Daequan Cook and James Harden split 34 points. Boston fell to 15-17.
New York 99, Atlanta 82: The Hawks couldn’t hold onto the ball in the first half and a 16-0 New York run ended this one early. With a showdown in Miami looming tonight, D’Antoni got to rest his starters (Amare only played 24 minutes, Melo 27). Jeremy Lin: 17 points, nine assists, only four turnovers. His highlight reel is below. New York’s win plus Boston’s loss gives the Knicks a one-game lead over the Celtics. The Knicks are three back of Philly, which has lost five in a row.
LA Lakers 96, Dallas 91: The Lakers’ front office is a mess, the team’s waiting for Pau Gasol to get traded and … they’re now 20-13 after an impressive road win in Dallas in which LA won the 4th quarter. Kobe was a dismal 4-for-15 shooting, but Gasol’s 24 points and Bynum’s 19 points and 15 rebounds paved the way. Dirk and his “disgusting” jumper led the way for Dallas with 25.
Cleveland 84, New Orleans 89: No way were the Cavs winning this game a night after that incredible 4th quarter rally against Detroit Tuesday. This kid Alonzo Gee can rise.