Phoenix 96, San Antonio 79: How can the Spurs still be the favorites in the West if they can’t crack 80 points in three consecutive games against top teams the West (two losses)? And if these two meet in the postseason, how hot will it get between Amare and Bruce Bowen, who had another brief encounter last night? How’d the Suns dominate this fourth quarter (24-11) on the road, when the Mavs owned them Sunday in Phoenix?

New Orleans 122, Minnesota 90: A night after a stinker against Deron Williams, Chris Paul rebounded with 19 points and 16 assists (just one turnover). How are the T-Wolves, you ask? Probably hoping for that 3rd pick, which they’ll probably use to get Al Jefferson a mate up front, perhaps Brook Lopez or LSU’s Anthony Randolph, who was a diamond in the rough at LSU last season.

Philadelphia 101, Detroit 94: After two scoreless performances following his hook-up with a porn star, Jason Smith added eight points off the bench and the Pistons, still missing Rip Hamilton, and still barely playing their starters, lost for the second night in a row.

Washington 109, Boston 95: It was mentioned during last night’s telecast – how about the idea of Gilbert Arenas coming off the bench in the postseason? Instantly, he’d be the best sixth-man in the league, even if he’s only 95 percent. That first-round series with Cleveland could be some payback for what happened two years ago.

Cleveland 104, New Jersey 83: The sorry Nets led the Cavs by 13 in the third before LeBron (33 points) shrugged off back-spasms and took over to propel the Cavs to victory.