Ballin': Thunder Obliterate Bobcats by 45 in NBA Rout of the Season
By Jason McIntyre
Oklahoma City 114, Charlotte 69: You know who else scored 69 points in a game once? Charlotte owner Michael Jordan. The Bobcats actually trailed 79-25 in the 3rd quarter. The Thunder went extensively to the bench mid-way through the 3rd quarter, although one could have argued halftime or late in the 2nd quarter would have been appropriate. The Bobacts, though, have seven wins, which already matches last year’s win total.
LA Clippers 98, New Orleans 103: Blake Griffin only scored two points (1-of-9), but at least they looked good. The Hornets won without Anthony Davis, and got solid performances from rookie Austin Rivers (5-of-9, 14 points, six assists) and Greivis Vasquez (25 points, 10 assists). Caron Butler scored 33 points for the Paper Clips, who have lost four in a row, including nine 3-pointers.
New York 89, Brooklyn 96, OT: Fantastic game, terrific atmosphere, but Raymond Felton shot 3-for-18, offsetting strong nights from Melo (35 points, 13 rebounds) and Tyson Chandler (career-high 28 points, 10 rebounds). Jerry Stackhouse, who is 38, scored 14 points off the bench. I was impressed by Brook Lopez (20 points, nine rebounds).
Utah 105, Denver 103: How do you lose when six players score in double figures and the team shoots 54 percent? Well, most of that was built up during an impressive first half. The second half was another story. And Andre Iguodala’s 3rd quarter ejection didn’t help. Al Jefferson led the winners with 28 points.
Detroit 108, Portland 101: The Pistons won their 4th game of the season and Kyle Singler, who is playing very well (16 points, 10 rebounds, five assists) threw this gorgeous bounce pass to Tayshaun Prince for the dunk. Duke to Kentucky! Damian Lillard, the early leader for rookie of the year, shot 4-of-18 going against Brandon Knight (26 points).
Milwaukee 93, Chicago 92: The Bulls led by 27 in the third quarter, then Milwaukee’s bench sparked an incredible 31-4 run and the Bucks won on the road in a comeback that might not be matched this season. Ersan Ilyasova scored 12 points in the 4th quarter; the Bulls scored 12 in the 4th.
[John Wall pic and GIF via Dan Steinberg of DC Sports Bog fame.]