Ballin': Was Xavier Henry's Dunk on Jeff Withey That Good?
By Jason McIntyre
LA Lakers 116, New Orleans 95: Yes, it was. I don’t think it’s in the same galaxy as facials from DeAndre Jordan or Blake Griffin. Kansas rookie Jeff Withey tried to draw a charge. He got put on a poster, but without having his hands up, it’s more about Henry’s hangtime than Withey getting dunked on. The game? Austin Rivers actually played: 15 minutes, seven points, two assists, two fouls.
Miami 118, Milwaukee 95: LeBron scored 33 points in 30 minutes, and let the bench clean up most of the 4th quarter. Michael Beasley, who they’ll need bench scoring from in the playoffs, scored 19 points. Eighteen-year old Bucks rookie Giannis Antetokounmpo: “I was excited to guard LeBron.” Miami’s 5-3 while the lottery-bound Bucks fell to 2-4.
Dallas 105, Washington 95: Dirk scored 19, and more importantly, passed Jerry West on the NBA’s career scoring list. Oddity: Dirk and West have the same number of NBA titles (1). The Wizards, a sexy preseason playoff pick, are just 2-5. A reminder that Bradley Beal is still young: 2-for-10 in 37 minutes, but at least he’s getting to the foul line (5-of-6). Fun facts: John Wall had 10 assists and he’s now 3rd in the NBA (9.6) in that category. Second, surprisingly, is Atlanta’s Jeff Teague (10.1).
Golden State 113, Detroit 95: The Pistons went with the Drummond-Monroe-Smith frontline and it failed miserably early and the Warriors rolled. Over/under games Golden State will lose at home this season: 3. I’ll take the under. Jermaine O’Neal sighting – 7-of-8 shooting, 17 points off the bench. Save it for the postseason, big guy.