Ballin': Better Dunk - Kevin Durant vs. the Clippers or Nick Young on Larry Sanders?
By Jason McIntyre
Oklahoma City 109, LA Clippers 97: Kevin Durant dropped a 32-7-7 plus that dunk; Westbrook added 26, and as usual, Nick Collison was solid in reserve (8 points, 7 rebounds, stellar defense in 40 minutes). The Clippers didn’t have Chris Paul, so save your “Thunder are the best in the West” comments for their next meeting. Blake Griffin got his (31 points, 11 rebounds), but Bledsoe/Crawford combined to shoot 11-for-34.
Cleveland 95, Boston 90: Kyrie Irving scored 40 points (15 in the 4th), and Boston is under .500 at the halfway point (20-21). That’s a scary proposition for the Celtics, who are currently 8th in the East. Could they go 30-11 the rest of the way? Maybe, but that’s unlikely. When do we fire up some wild Dwight Howard trade rumors that involve the Celtics? Also, it looks like age is catching up with 35-year-old Paul Pierce. Sure, he’s still money in the clutch, but he’s only shooting 42 percent this year (49 percent two years ago), which is the worst season he’s had since 2003-2004.
Milwaukee 110, Philadelphia 102: Jrue Holiday struggled (3-of-12, eight turnovers), and the 76ers freefall continues – they’ve lost 15 of 21. Andrew Bynum can’t get here soon enough. Ersan Ilyasova had a career night for the Bucks: 27 points, 16 rebounds. Nick Young served up a facial on Larry Sanders.
Detroit 105, Orlando 90: When are the Magic going to trade JJ Redick? He scored 26 points on 9-of-10 shooting, and he’s never shot this well before in his career (46 percent from the field). He’s also playing more minutes (31) and taking more shots (11) than ever. Who needs Dwight Howard? Andre Drummond watch, because I’m enamored with this rookie from UConn: 11 points, 11 rebounds in 23 minutes. Next year, if he’s playing 35 minutes a night, is he a 20-15 guy?