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Sunday, 6:30PM
vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
TV: FS West
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Tuesday Nov 24 7:30PM
vs. New York Knicks
TV: FS West
Lakers Standings
Lakers Record: 9-3, ½ Games Back In Division. Playoff Seed #3 In Conference. |
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Post subject:
 Posted: Oct 28, 2009 - 11:14 PM PST
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Laker GM
Joined: Sep 29, 2007
Posts: 2739
  
votes: 20
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| Not that I believe the Cavs will win it all, but I'm not gonna write the Cavs off just yet. Plenty of teams have come back after losing their first couple of games. But, if this losing streak continues, I honestly believe they will try and trade Shaq before the deadline. I mean, the Cavs need to do something before the season is over and Lebron leaves. |
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"you know what would look good on you?"
"Me..." --- Lakerbloke '09
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ReliveThe3PEAT
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Post subject:
Posted: Oct 28, 2009 - 11:26 PM PST
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Lakers Topbuzz Hall of Famer
Joined: Jul 19, 2008 Age: 18
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^ Yeah I remember last year they also started off slow and lost to the C's too.
So far, that Shaq experiment is looking to be a bad one. They give him way too many touches and it seems like they're stubborn and think he's the same Shaq. |
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"I just wish more people would celebrate Kobe. I really do. We spend so much time trying to tear him apart and I think we're missing how great he is" - Doc Rivers
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VujacicSlovenia
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Post subject:
Posted: Oct 28, 2009 - 11:43 PM PST
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Lakers Topbuzz Hall of Famer
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Man...terrible night for basketball so far. With the exception of Minnesota-New Jersey everything seems like a blowout.
Anyway, Cleveland does look pretty average so far. Didn't see the game, but they shot 35%. That tells me enough. Losing to Boston isn't that big of a deal to me, because Boston just looks awfully good. But losing to Toronto is somewhat surprising; Toronto was well-rested, but still, Bosh and Turkoglu didn't have great offensive nights. It just looks like they're relying on James too much like they been have for years.
Cleveland needs another scorer (and maybe that's Delonte West), and a better offensive system. Mike Brown is a good defensive coach, and that stems from San Antonio, but offensively he's terrible.
Orlando, Boston, and San Antonio looked really good though. The likely conference finals in 2010, if everyone's healthy, might be two absolutely fantastic series.
I mean, this might be the deepest team that the Spurs have ever had. Their perimeter shooting is great, Ginobili seems healthy, and the additions of McDyess and Blair are already paying off. |
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“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” -- William Arthur Ward
"That’s what kings and queens are put on the earth for, to have offspring." - Lamar Odom
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ReliveThe3PEAT
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Post subject:
Posted: Oct 29, 2009 - 12:33 AM PST
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Lakers Topbuzz Hall of Famer
Joined: Jul 19, 2008 Age: 18
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^ Its actually the other way around VS. They feed Shaq way too much in the post, to the extent where they turn the ball over sometimes. It seems like they got Shaq, to become the Shaq of the Lakers-Heat days. I had a chance to see the game since right now DTV is giving a free trial on NBA League Pass....SWEET! 
Anyway, in other news, Ariza has 20 points (7/16, 3/7 from 3), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 4 TOs in 28 minutes heading to the start of the 4th Q. Scola has 19-10, and Brooks has 18-10 assists too. Rockets lead 87-81.
Other standouts:
Brook Lopez: 27 pts, 15 rbs, 5 blocks (Nets lose to Wolves)
Al Horford: 24 pts, 16 rbs, 2 blks (ATL wins)
JO: 22 pts, 12 rbs, 4 asts. (Great for him and Wade; Win) |
_________________
"I just wish more people would celebrate Kobe. I really do. We spend so much time trying to tear him apart and I think we're missing how great he is" - Doc Rivers
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noam57
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Post subject:
Posted: Oct 29, 2009 - 01:31 AM PST
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Laker GM
Joined: Jul 16, 2007 Age: 23
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| another L for the Cavs... great win for Miami Im happy for Wade |
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08-09 Champs Baby!! Bring On The Celtics!!!
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Post subject:
Posted: Oct 29, 2009 - 10:43 PM PST
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Laker GM
Joined: Sep 29, 2007
Posts: 2739
votes: 20
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| Spurs about to be defeated. Chicago played pretty exeptional tonight. Held SA to only 33% shooting in the second half. |
_________________
"you know what would look good on you?"
"Me..." --- Lakerbloke '09
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Nay511
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Post subject:
Posted: Oct 29, 2009 - 10:46 PM PST
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Die-Hard Laker Fan
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lakerbloke wrote:
Spurs about to be defeated. Chicago played pretty exeptional tonight. Held SA to only 33% shooting in the second half.
Spurs loose tonite!
Spurs 85, Bulls 92
BOX SCORE: http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=291029004 |
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"This is your World Champion Lakers' basketball network!" - Chick Hearn
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PlzOPH3T
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Post subject:
Posted: Oct 30, 2009 - 04:45 AM PST
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Big-Time Laker Fan
Joined: Jun 16, 2009
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| Seems like the Spurs are growing out of Tim Duncan. He carried the offense, but has the work rate of a manual Lawn Mower. Just because it effective doesn't mean it has the efficiency of a John Deer. |
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Oct 30, 2009 - 05:30 PM PST
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Laker GM
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Trail Blazers-Rockets Preview
The Toyota Center has been a house of horrors for the Portland Trail Blazers since it opened for the 2003-04 season.
The Trail Blazers’ only win there in 14 tries came when the Houston Rockets didn’t have Tracy McGrady(notes) and Yao Ming(notes), and that will be the case Saturday night.
Portland will try to end a seven-game losing streak at Houston and spoil the Rockets’ home opener as the teams meet for the second time in five days.
Houston (1-1) eliminated Portland (1-1) in six games in the first round of the playoffs last season, wrapping up the series with a 92-76 home victory. The Trail Blazers lost all five games at the Toyota Center last season.
Portland’s lone victory in the arena was an 85-78 win April 6, 2007, with Yao and McGrady both sitting out.
That will be a familiar sight for Rockets fans in 2009-10. Yao is out for the season after undergoing foot surgery in May, and McGrady had microfracture surgery on his left knee last February and is sidelined until midseason.
These teams opened the season Tuesday in Portland with the Trail Blazers winning 96-87. Reserve Travis Outlaw(notes) scored 23 points and All-Star guard Brandon Roy(notes) shook off 5-of-18 shooting to add 20 as Portland overcame 26 turnovers - higher than any total it had last season.
The Rockets bounced back to gain a split of their season-opening road trip with a 108-107 victory over Golden State on Wednesday. Houston rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit as Luis Scola(notes) and Aaron Brooks(notes) each had double-doubles.
“We’re trying to find out who we are,” coach Rick Adelman said. “We’re trying to find out how we’re going to win. To come back and have a great third quarter, hopefully our team learned a lot.”
Trevor Ariza(notes) heads into his home debut for Houston after scoring a team-high 25 points Wednesday. He bounced back from a 12-point effort in the loss to Portland.
Ariza was the biggest offseason acquisition for Houston after Ron Artest(notes) left to join the Lakers.
Portland fell 97-94 to Denver on Thursday. Roy scored 30 for the Blazers, who gave up 35 points in the fourth quarter.
“We felt we had control but it was one of those games where we were playing their pace and we just couldn’t seem to separate,” Roy said. “They made the plays down the stretch that they needed to to get the win.”
Roy said he would speak to center Greg Oden(notes) on Friday after Oden missed two big free throws down the stretch.
“The biggest thing is to let go,” Roy said. “We all miss shots, you’ve got to forget about it.”
The Blazers also allowed the Nuggets to shoot 49 free throws after Houston attempted 29 in the opener.
“The free throw line - 49 free throws is a ton of free throws and we knew this was a team that was going to be attacking out there and getting to the free throw line and they did,” coach Nate McMillan said.
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid ... mp;prov=ap |
_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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ReliveThe3PEAT
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Post subject:
Posted: Oct 31, 2009 - 10:10 PM PST
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Lakers Topbuzz Hall of Famer
Joined: Jul 19, 2008 Age: 18
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Ariza having himself a great game!
21 points (8/10, 3/4 from 3), 2 rbs, 3 asts, 2 steals 1 TO in 19 minutes! 5:05 in the 3rd left to play. |
_________________
"I just wish more people would celebrate Kobe. I really do. We spend so much time trying to tear him apart and I think we're missing how great he is" - Doc Rivers
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Harry
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Post subject:
Posted: Oct 31, 2009 - 10:59 PM PST
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Lakers Topbuzz Hall of Famer
Joined: Aug 07, 2006 Age: 17
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votes: 28
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| ^^^those are some krazy numbers Relive. very surprised. 21 points in 19 minutes??? this is Trevor Ariza we're talking about??? wow. |
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 01, 2009 - 02:18 AM PST
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Laker GM
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Ariza scores a career-high 33 points for Rockets
HOUSTON (AP) -No Yao Ming. No Tracy McGrady. No problem for the Houston Rockets.
Trevor Ariza, making the move from the Lakers this season, scored a career high 33 points, Aaron Brooks added 28 points and the Rockets held on to beat the Portland Trail Blazers at home for the fifth straight time in regular season, 111-107 Saturday night.
``I know it was an important game for us,'' Ariza said. ``They (Portland) are one of the better teams in the West with a lot of talent, too. It was bigger for us to win at home tonight.''
Yao is out for the season following foot surgery and McGrady is recovering from knee surgery, leaving the Rockets to find ways to win games without their big guys.
``We've got a pretty young team and we've got a bunch of new faces on this team so the scouting report is not that big,'' Carl Landry said. ``We've got guys that are hungry who are going out there every night and fighting hard to get us in the 'W' column.''
Houston had to overcome a 42-point performance by Brandon Roy and a determined Trail Blazers offense that kept the game close to the end.
``Ariza and Brooks did whatever they wanted,'' Portland coach Nate McMillan said. ``They controlled the ball and made their shots.''
Ariza's previous career high was 26 points last March 15 for the Los Angeles Lakers against Dallas.
The Rockets hit 12 of 24 3-point baskets and shot 50.6 percent overall for the game. Ariza was 5 for 8 from 3-point range.
Ariza started 20 games for the Lakers last season. He expects to see more playing time with the Rockets. He already likes the fast pace.
``If that's what it takes for us to win then that is how we need to play,'' Ariza said. ``No matter how tired we are, no matter what the situation is or what the odds are. If we want to win, we have to play that way every night.''
Houston led 59-54 at the half and never lost the lead. Portland got to 87-84 early in the fourth quarter but never could push ahead. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 27 points for the Trail Blazers and Andre Miller had 15.
Brooks' 28 points missed his career high of 30 last March 6 against Phoenix.
The Rockets led by 11 early in the second quarter and they were up 54-44 with 2:20 remaining in the first half. Roy had eight second quarter points, including a pair of 3-pointers down the stretch to keep it close at the half with the Rockets leading 59-54.
``Right from the start, we were in trouble giving up 33 points in the first quarter,'' McMillan said. ``Our transition game is important and we never controlled the ball. Houston got to the basket and made their shots.''
Ariza broke loose with 16 first quarter points to get the Rockets started. He was 6 for 6 from 2-point range and hit both 3-pointers, and the Rockets eased to a 33-28 first quarter lead.
Aldridge hit his first five shots, and the Trail Blazers took the early lead, hitting 12 of their first 14 points in the paint.
The Rockets knocked the Trail Blazers out of the playoffs last year with a 4-2 series win in the first round.
``Our defense was not very good, right now we're not giving much effort on the defensive end and that's where it starts,'' Roy said. ``It doesn't seem like our effort is there. I see a team that's stinking too much right now.''
NOTES: Rockets coach Rick Adelman still ranks as the second winningest coach in Trail Blazers history (291-154) behind Jack Ramsay. Portland's loss to Denver on Thursday came despite a 43-42 halftime Trail Blazer lead. Portland was unbeaten (26-0) last season when leading at halftime at the Rose Garden. Portland plays 19 back-to-backs this season. They were 23-4 last year in the second game of back-to-backs.
Link: http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/200 ... /910312132 |
_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 01, 2009 - 02:21 AM PST
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Laker GM
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Mavericks beat 0-4 Clippers 93-84
LOS ANGELES (AP)—The Dallas Mavericks were the team the Los Angeles Clippers beat for their first victory last season. Dirk Nowitzki(notes) and his teammates were intent on not letting it happen again.
Nowitzki had 24 points and nine rebounds, leading the Mavericks to a 93-84 victory on Saturday night and handing the Clippers their fourth straight loss to start the season. Last year, Los Angeles started out 0-6 before beating Dallas at Staples Center.
“The Clippers are a much better team than their record reflects,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. “We were in this exact situation last year—they were winless, but they got us and it sent us into a bad stretch. Tonight we were able to make the plays down the stretch to get it done.”
Rockets beat Blazers West returns, Cavs win Sixers outlast Knicks
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Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki(notes) of Germany, center, goes up for a shot as Los Angeles Clippers forward Craig Smith(notes), left, and center Chris Kaman(notes) defend during the second half of their NBA basketball game, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, in Los Angeles. The Mavericks won 93-84.
The Mavericks, coming off a victory over the NBA champion Lakers on Friday, could do no better than a 55-all tie with the Clippers at halftime.
“There was no letdown,” Carlisle insisted. “Our concentration and our attitude was great coming into this game. Our guys knew that this was going to be a tough game. Look, it’s hard to win in this place, whether we’re playing the Lakers or the Clippers. To get out of here with two is an accomplishment.”
The Clippers made only one field goal over the final 7:12, a seven-foot hook shot by Chris Kaman(notes), who led them with a career-high 27 points on 12-for-19 shooting. He also grabbed 11 rebounds.
The 7-foot center, in his seventh NBA season, has scored at least 20 points in three consecutive games for the first time in his pro career after getting 22 on Wednesday against Phoenix and 21 on Friday at Utah. Only four other times had Kaman he recorded 20 or more in back-to-back contests.
Kaman’s previous career high was 26 points. The Clippers have lost 11 of the last 14 games in which he’s had at least 20.
“I played the same as I always try to,” Kaman said. “I got to post up a lot tonight and I had good looks throughout the game. I was patient, and my teammates helped me get good shots.”
This is only the fifth time in the Clippers’ 40 years of operation that the club lost its first four games. They got off to an 0-16 start in 1994-95, and lost their first seven in 1982-83 when the team was based in San Diego. The Clippers also lost their first 17 games of the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, which was 50 games long.
“We need to start playing harder in the fourth quarter,” Eric Gordon(notes) said. “We also need to do a better job of stopping the other team on defense. We had a couple of good runs and a few leads, but they made big plays and made the tough shots in the end.”
Jason Terry(notes) scored 16 points off the bench for the Mavericks, including a 3-pointer that put them in front to stay with 5:07 left.
“We felt like we just had to come out with some energy and keep ourselves in the game,” teammate Jason Kidd(notes) said. “We did that in the first half, then we got the lead in the third quarter. We couldn’t score there for a while in the fourth, but we found out last night that we can play defense, and that carried over to tonight.”
Leading by nine points after three quarters, the Mavericks missed nine of their first 10 shots in the fourth and committed three turnovers as the Clippers went on an 11-2 run that pulled them into an 82-all tie with 7:12 to play. Gordon hit a 3-pointer during the rally and Craig Smith(notes) capped it with a layup.
But Terry answered the Clippers’ run with the Mavericks’ third 3-pointer of the game and Erick Dampier(notes) helped seal it with an alley-oop dunk with 2:15 left. Dampier had 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Kidd had 10 assists along with three points and six rebounds.
“The game came down to us getting 11 stops in the last 12 possessions. It’s just great evidence of what’s going to help us win—and that’s activity at the defensive end,” Carlisle said.
Neither team led by more than six until Nowitzki made one of two free throws with 4:22 left in the third to give Dallas a 69-62 advantage. The Mavericks took their biggest lead, 74-62, on a 16-footer by Nowitzki that capped a 17-3 run with 2:47 remaining in the quarter.
Dallas played without reserve forward Drew Gooden(notes), who strained a muscle on his right side early in the fourth quarter against the Lakers and will undergo an MRI when the team returns to Dallas. The Mavericks also were missing Josh Howard(notes), who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle and left wrist in May; and Tim Thomas(notes), who had surgery on his right knee last month.
NOTES: Nowitzki scored 20 or more points for the 28th consecutive game, the league’s longest active streak. His longest such streak is 31 games. … The Mavericks have won 13 of the last 16 meetings overall against the Clippers, and are 14-6 against them at Staples Center since the arena opened in October 1999.
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2 ... mp;prov=ap |
_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 01, 2009 - 02:22 AM PST
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Laker GM
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Parker, Ginobili and NBA Spurs bat Kings aside
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (AFP) - Tony Parker(notes) scored 24 points and Manu Ginobili(notes) added 13 points and a Halloween holiday treat for Spurs fans Saturday as San Antonio notched a 113-94 NBA victory over Sacramento.
The Spurs, coming off a disappointing loss to Chicago, got a big night from Parker, who also contributed seven assists.
"We wanted to bounce back," Parker said. "The Bulls outplayed us last game. So we wanted to make sure we came out tonight with a lot of energy. And that's what we did."
San Antonio led by 16 at the half, and stretched that lead to 21 with one quarter remaining thanks in large part to Parker's eight points in the third period.
But Ginobili was the talk of the night. He scored 13 points off the bench, but his most impressive feat was catching a bat that swooped toward the court and disrupted the game.
"That was amazing," Parker said. "The legend continues with Manu. Unbelievable. … He's always doing crazy stuff."
The bat appeared late in the first quarter. As players dodged out of the way, officials halted play before the bat circled away.
When it returned, Ginobili swatted it down with his hand, then carried it off the court.
The crowd cheered, and even a few Kings players clapped.
"When you can't dunk anymore, you have to find a way to make it into the news," said Argentina's Ginobili, who was limited last season by an ankle injury. "So that's what I did. I grabbed a bat. I didn't think it was a big deal."
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich called it a classic Ginobili moment.
"He never ceases to amaze me and he just did it again," Popovich said. "The legend grows. It's incredible on Halloween night. You would call someone a liar if they told you that story."
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=a ... ;type=lgns |
_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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KBLakers24
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Post subject: Ariza scores a career-high 33 points for Rockets
Posted: Nov 01, 2009 - 03:02 AM PST
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Big-Time Laker Fan
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Trevor Ariza(notes), making the move from the Lakers this season, scored a career high 33 points, Aaron Brooks(notes) added 28 points and the Rockets held on to beat the Portland Trail Blazers at home for the fifth straight time in regular season, 111-107 Saturday night.
“I know it was an important game for us,” Ariza said. “They (Portland) are one of the better teams in the West with a lot of talent, too. It was bigger for us to win at home tonight.”
Yao is out for the season following foot surgery and McGrady is recovering from knee surgery, leaving the Rockets to find ways to win games without their big guys.
“We’ve got a pretty young team and we’ve got a bunch of new faces on this team so the scouting report is not that big,” Carl Landry(notes) said. “We’ve got guys that are hungry who are going out there every night and fighting hard to get us in the ‘W’ column.”
Houston had to overcome a 42-point performance by Brandon Roy(notes) and a determined Trail Blazers offense that kept the game close to the end.
“Ariza and Brooks did whatever they wanted,” Portland coach Nate McMillan said. “They controlled the ball and made their shots.”
Ariza’s previous career high was 26 points last March 15 for the Los Angeles Lakers against Dallas.
The Rockets hit 12 of 24 3-point baskets and shot 50.6 percent overall for the game. Ariza was 5 for 8 from 3-point range.
Ariza started 20 games for the Lakers last season. He expects to see more playing time with the Rockets. He already likes the fast pace.
“If that’s what it takes for us to win then that is how we need to play,” Ariza said. “No matter how tired we are, no matter what the situation is or what the odds are. If we want to win, we have to play that way every night.”
Houston led 59-54 at the half and never lost the lead. Portland got to 87-84 early in the fourth quarter but never could push ahead. LaMarcus Aldridge(notes) scored 27 points for the Trail Blazers and Andre Miller(notes) had 15.
Brooks’ 28 points missed his career high of 30 last March 6 against Phoenix.
The Rockets led by 11 early in the second quarter and they were up 54-44 with 2:20 remaining in the first half. Roy had eight second quarter points, including a pair of 3-pointers down the stretch to keep it close at the half with the Rockets leading 59-54.
“Right from the start, we were in trouble giving up 33 points in the first quarter,” McMillan said. “Our transition game is important and we never controlled the ball. Houston got to the basket and made their shots.”
Ariza broke loose with 16 first quarter points to get the Rockets started. He was 6 for 6 from 2-point range and hit both 3-pointers, and the Rockets eased to a 33-28 first quarter lead.
Aldridge hit his first five shots, and the Trail Blazers took the early lead, hitting 12 of their first 14 points in the paint.
The Rockets knocked the Trail Blazers out of the playoffs last year with a 4-2 series win in the first round.
“Our defense was not very good, right now we’re not giving much effort on the defensive end and that’s where it starts,” Roy said. “It doesn’t seem like our effort is there. I see a team that’s stinking too much right now.”
NOTES: Rockets coach Rick Adelman still ranks as the second winningest coach in Trail Blazers history (291-154) behind Jack Ramsay. Portland’s loss to Denver on Thursday came despite a 43-42 halftime Trail Blazer lead. Portland was unbeaten (26-0) last season when leading at halftime at the Rose Garden. Portland plays 19 back-to-backs this season. They were 23-4 last year in the second game of back-to-backs.
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2 ... mp;prov=ap |
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Hey Kobe, that Dream shake is a Nightmare for the opposition. Keep sleeping!
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noam57
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Post subject: RE: Ariza scores a career-high 33 points for Rockets
Posted: Nov 01, 2009 - 09:39 PM PST
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| the Celtics remain unbeaten.. |
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08-09 Champs Baby!! Bring On The Celtics!!!
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 02, 2009 - 02:46 PM PST
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Wizards-Cavaliers Preview
The Washington Wizards are still unable to play their three All-Stars on the floor at the same time, but they’ll happily settle for having Gilbert Arenas(notes) and Caron Butler(notes) available against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cleveland, meanwhile, seems to be back at full strength.
The Wizards hope Butler will be back from a one-game absence Tuesday night at Quicken Loans Arena, where the Cavaliers look for a third straight win after being boosted by Delonte West’s(notes) season debut their last time out.
Washington (2-1) thought it was on the verge of being an annual contender in the Eastern Conference after losing a hard-fought six-game series to the Cavaliers (2-2) in the first round of the 2006 NBA playoffs. Instead, injuries to Butler and Arenas hampered the Wizards the next two seasons, which both ended with opening-round exits against Cleveland.
Arenas has averaged 28.0 points in his first three games after missing all but two games of the 2008-09 season due to knee injuries, but this time the team’s other two All-Stars have been hurt. Antawn Jamison(notes) won’t play for at least two more weeks after suffering a shoulder injury while trying to contest a shot from Cleveland’s Zydrunas Ilgauskas(notes) in the preseason, and Butler missed Saturday’s home opener against New Jersey with a bruised left knee suffered Friday.
Thanks to Arenas and Andray Blatche(notes), Butler and Jamison weren’t missed. Arenas scored 32 points and Blatche added a career-high 30 on 15 of 18 shooting in a 123-104 rout of the Nets.
“We’ve been waiting for this for four or five years now,” Arenas said of the fifth-year big man, who scored 10.0 points per game last season but has averaged 21.0 through three games. “He finally decided this year was the year. He put in the work and it’s showing.”
Blatche might not have to step up as much Tuesday if Butler can return, and after an X-ray and an MRI were performed on the knee injured in Friday’s loss to Atlanta, coach Flip Saunders says there’s a “pretty good chance” Butler will be back.
The Cavaliers began the season 0-2, looking out of sync on both ends of the floor in losses to Boston and Toronto while trying to adjust to new additions Shaquille O’Neal(notes), Anthony Parker(notes) and Jamario Moon(notes).
They looked better in a 104-87 win at Minnesota on Friday, and West made an impact Saturday. The troubled guard’s return ended more than a month of drama that included personal problems, legal issues, and an unexcused absence, and he scored 12 points in 24 minutes off the bench in Cleveland’s 90-79 victory over Charlotte.
“I’ve said it before that Delonte is one of those guys that doesn’t need to do anything,” said LeBron James(notes), who was held to 14 points in 37 minutes. “He can sit out for two weeks and he comes back in and he’s right in the flow. I’ve said it before, he is just that type of guy.”
West’s return also coincided with the best game of Mo Williams’(notes) first week. Limited to 16.0 points per game on 35.1 percent shooting in Cleveland’s first three games, Williams was 9 of 14 and scored 24 on Saturday.
The Wizards split four meetings with the Cavaliers last season, with each team protecting home court twice. Arenas had 11 points and 10 assists in a 109-101 win at the Verizon Center on April 2, one of the two games he played.
James has averaged 28.4 points in leading the Cavaliers to 10 wins in their last 11 home games against Washington, including the postseason.
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid ... mp;prov=ap |
_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 02, 2009 - 06:04 PM PST
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Celtics-76ers Preview
Rajon Rondo’s(notes) emergence for the Boston Celtics has earned the point guard a five-year extension. The Philadelphia 76ers, meanwhile, are pretty happy with their new starter at that position.
Rondo and Philadelphia’s Lou Williams form an intriguing matchup of talented young floor leaders Tuesday night as the Sixers try to hand the visiting Celtics their first defeat of the season.
After an impressive postseason and a strong start during which Rondo is averaging 11.8 assists per game, the 23-year-old signed an extension just before the Monday deadline after which he would have become a restricted free agent this summer.
Rondo will hope to make headlines for his on-court performance one game after gaining attention for a strange feud with star New Orleans point guard Chris Paul(notes). The two got tangled under the basket during the second quarter Sunday, and Paul followed Rondo toward Boston’s locker room after the Celtics’ 97-87 victory.
Paul said after the game that Rondo is a “lucky guy” to play with Paul Pierce(notes), Ray Allen(notes) and Kevin Garnett(notes).
“We have different styles based on what each team needs,” Rondo said of Paul. “He has to do a lot more than what I have to do. My job is easy playing with these guys.”
Still, Rondo has been one of the reasons Boston (4-0) has had few problems during the season’s first week. After opening with a 95-89 victory at Cleveland, the Celtics won three home games by an average of nearly 25 points.
Pierce scored 27 while another strong defensive effort buoyed Boston against the Hornets. With Garnett back after missing the end of last season and the playoffs with knee problems, the Celtics’ first four opponents have all scored 90 or fewer, shooting a combined 39.1 percent from the field.
“That’s what I’m in there for,” Garnett told the league’s official Web site. “I’m in there trying to wreak havoc on defense and then trying to make it easy for everybody else.”
The Sixers (2-1) will likely have a tougher time offensively than they did during a 141-127 overtime win at New York on Saturday night. Behind impressive efforts from Andre Iguodala(notes) (32 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists) and Williams, Philadelphia shot 60.7 percent from the field.
In his third NBA start after taking over for departed point guard Andre Miller(notes), Williams had 27 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, shooting 10 of 12 from the field. He scored six of his points and grabbed four rebounds in overtime as the Sixers outscored the Knicks 19-5.
“We just continued to attack and attack,” first-year coach Eddie Jordan said.
After losing in the first round of the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, Philadelphia is hoping to make strides under Jordan, and a win over the Celtics would certainly help. Boston swept the Sixers in the 2008-09 season series and is 4-0 at the Wachovia Center since trading for Garnett and Allen in 2007.
The Celtics’ two victories in Philadelphia last season - both without Garnett - came by a total of three points, with Pierce averaging 30.0 in those games.
Allen hit a 3-pointer in the final seconds of a 100-99 win Feb. 3, while Pierce’s clutch shot put Boston ahead for good with 2 minutes left in a 100-98 victory April 14.
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid ... mp;prov=ap |
_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 03, 2009 - 03:00 AM PST
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Clippers beat Wolves, end winless season start
LOS ANGELES (AP)—Rasual Butler(notes) and the Los Angeles Clippers lost their first four games and their injured No. 1 draft pick during an opening week that could only be described as horrific—or maybe Clipperific.
At least they capped that week with a tenacious final quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves to remove themselves from the list of the NBA’s winless teams.
Chris Kaman(notes) had 25 points and 11 rebounds, Eric Gordon(notes) hit the go-ahead layup with 1:32 to play, and the Clippers surged in the fourth quarter to a 93-90 victory Monday night.
Butler’s first start for the Clippers was an echo of this tumultuous start to Los Angeles’ season. The new forward went 3 for 15 from the field and managed just 12 points, but still coolly hit four free throws in the final 19.4 seconds to hold off the Wolves’ final rally.
Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Kurt Rambis claps and smiles to his team during the second half of their NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Los Angeles on Monday, Nov. 2, 2009. The Clippers won 93-90.
“It took a lot of resilience and toughness to finish like that in our fifth game in seven days,” Butler said. “We didn’t want to use that schedule as an excuse. That’s what we talked about in the huddle before the game, and we lived up to it.”
Gordon scored 17 points and Baron Davis(notes) had 13 points and eight assists for the Clippers, who also snapped a three-game home losing streak to the Timberwolves.
“We all felt a sense of urgency to get ourselves out of this situation,” said Davis, who went 2 for 10, but hit a key 3-pointer midway through the fourth quarter. “Five games in seven days, that’s a tough way to start. We knew this win would be hard to come by.”
Gordon’s basket in traffic put the Clippers up 88-86, and the clubs traded scores until Ryan Hollins’(notes) dunk with 13.2 seconds left trimmed Los Angeles’ lead to 91-90. After Butler’s last two free throws, Corey Brewer(notes) badly missed a well-guarded 3-point attempt at the buzzer.
Al Jefferson(notes) scored 24 points and Brewer had 14 for Minnesota, which never reclaimed the lead after losing it midway through a surprisingly tense fourth quarter in which neither team went ahead by more than four points.
“We haven’t yet gotten to the point where we know what play we’re going to run with a low-clock situation and no timeouts when you’ve got to get the ball up the floor,” new Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis said. “That’s my fault that we haven’t had the time to work on plays in that situation, but I like the fact that they got back in the ballgame and gave themselves a chance to win.”
The Clippers didn’t match last season’s 0-6 start, and their roster seems to possess ample talent even without college star Blake Griffin(notes), who’s out until at least mid-December with a broken kneecap. That talent finally was on display against Minnesota, led by another strong game from Kaman, who tapped a loose ball in the final moments to prolong a key Clippers possession.
Coach Mike Dunleavy’s only change after the Clippers’ awful opening week was a swap in the starting lineup. Butler replaced Al Thornton(notes), who shot poorly in the first four games.
The Clippers’ victory and Sacramento’s win over Memphis left New Jersey, Indiana and Golden State as the NBA’s only remaining winless teams—and the Pacers and the Warriors have played only two games apiece.
Rambis returned to Los Angeles for the first time since leaving his assistant coaching job with the NBA champion Lakers in the offseason to oversee the rebuilding project in Minnesota.
“It’s going to take some time,” Jefferson said. “Maybe it’ll take the whole year for us to just get it down pat, the triangle offense and the way he wants to run it. So we’ve just got to be patient. We’re still in games. We had a good one last night (in Phoenix), and we had a chance to win this one tonight.”
The Clippers led by 13 points in the third quarter, but Minnesota tied it late in the period during a 14-4 run. A lead change or a tie occurred on each of the first 10 scoring plays of the fourth quarter until Davis hit his only basket of the final three quarters to put Los Angeles up 84-80.
Rambis, the longtime Lakers player who also briefly coached the club in 1999, had never been in Staples Center’s visitors’ locker room, which he pronounced “adequate,” and he was taken aback by new wood paneling in the hall outside.
“It’s always nice to be home,” Rambis said. “Got the chance to sleep in my own bed. Got to see the sun shine.”
NOTES: Oleksiy Pecherov(notes) scored 13 points—just two shy of his career high— after Minnesota declined to pick up his contract option for next season earlier in the day. … The Timberwolves return to Staples Center to play the Clippers again in three weeks. … Craig Smith(notes) and Sebastian Telfair(notes) faced the Timberwolves for the first time since the Clippers acquired them in July in a multiplayer deal sending Quentin Richardson(notes) to Minnesota.
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2 ... mp;prov=ap |
_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 03, 2009 - 03:02 AM PST
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Laker GM
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Martin leads Kings past Grizzlies 127-116 in OT
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)—Paul Westphal has been involved in hundreds of wins in the NBA as a coach and a player. That didn’t take away from his excitement after his first with the Sacramento Kings.
Kevin Martin(notes) scored 48 points and Beno Udrih(notes) hit a game-tying layup in the closing seconds of regulation to give the Kings a 127-116 overtime victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in their home opener Monday night.
“That was a special experience for our team,” Westphal said. “It’s a night I’ll never forget.”
As ecstatic as Westphal was with his first win with the Kings, Allen Iverson(notes) was as upset after his first game with the Grizzlies. After missing the first three games while recovering from a partial right hamstring tear, Iverson played only briefly as a reserve, scoring 11 points in less than 18 minutes.
Sacramento Kings coach Paul Westphal, left, huddles with his team during a timeout against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Nov. 2, 2009. The Kings won in overtime 127-116.
He said he had no problems with his hamstring, but had a big problem with the playing time he got from coach Lionel Hollins.
“Go look at my resume and that will show you that I’m not a sixth man,” Iverson said. “I don’t think it has anything to do with me being selfish. It’s just who I am. I don’t want to change what gave me all the success that I’ve had since I’ve been in this league.”
After starting the season with three straight losses on the road, the Kings came through late to delight a rare sellout crowd in Sacramento. It was a back-and-forth game down the stretch with both teams delivering big shots on a night little defense was played.
The two biggest for the Kings were Udrih’s layup with 1.6 seconds left in regulation and Martin’s career-high tying seventh 3-pointer, that gave Sacramento a 116-112 lead with 1:45 remaining in overtime.
After Rudy Gay(notes) missed two free throws and Andres Nocioni(notes) blocked a driving attempt from Mike Conley(notes), Omri Casspi(notes) dunked in transition to put the Kings up six. Nocioni’s 3-pointer with 48 seconds left gave Sacramento a 121-112 lead, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
“It wasn’t a must win, but it was a much needed win,” Martin said. “We had great fan support tonight. You always want to show what kind of team you have on opening night.”
Spencer Hawes(notes) added 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Udrih scored 16 for the Kings, who struggled who gave new coach Paul Westphal his first win with the team.
Zach Randolph(notes) had 30 points and 16 rebounds before fouling out in overtime. Gay added 21 points and 12 rebounds and O.J. Mayo(notes) scored 22 for the Grizzlies, who fell to 2-26 all-time in Sacramento.
“Defensively we just broke down tonight and Kevin had a hot night shooting the ball,” Mayo said. “That happens sometimes. That’s why this is the NBA.”
Randolph had given Memphis the lead with a fallaway jumper over Kenny Thomas(notes) with 6.1 seconds left for the ninth lead change in the final 4 minutes of regulation. But Udrih answered for the Kings off a nice pass from Hawes.
Udrih did not play at all in the season opener but got the key minutes in this game ahead of rookie Tyreke Evans(notes). He scored nine points in the fourth quarter, delivering key passes and running the offense efficiently. Evans had three points, missing all four shots from the field, as he struggled with a sprained right ankle.
“He made great decisions down the stretch,” Martin said. “He’s a traditional point guard. He’s going to make the right plays and find the open players and take a shot when he needs to.”
The Kings gave the fans little to cheer about early, falling behind 17-4 on a dunk by Gay midway through the first quarter as they were outhustled for rebounds and loose balls.
Martin quickly got the Kings back into the game, hitting a 3-pointer just before the first-quarter buzzer that was part of a 17-2 run that gave Sacramento a one-point lead early in the second.
NOTES: Memphis was not called for its first foul until 1:31 remained in the opening quarter, prompting Westphal to exclaim, “Finally!”. … Memphis C Marc Gasol(notes) tied a career high with 16 rebounds. … The Kings got 67 points from their reserves, while getting only 10 from the four starters other than Martin. … A few fans waved Israeli flags after each basket by Casspi, the first player from that country to play in the NBA. He scored 15 points.
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2 ... mp;prov=ap |
_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 03, 2009 - 03:03 AM PST
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Budinger leads Rockets over Jazz 113-96
SALT LAKE CITY (AP)—Missing stars Tracy McGrady(notes) and Yao Ming(notes), the Houston Rockets are counting quite a bit on their 3-point shooting early in the season.
So far, it’s only gotten them off to a 3-1 start.
Rookie Chase Budinger(notes) scored a career-high 17 points and was one of four Houston players with multiple 3-pointers as the Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 113-96 on Monday night.
“We have to manufacture points. We have good shooters on this team, so we’re going to be really aggressive,” said Shane Battier(notes), who hit three 3-pointers and scored 13. “Some nights it’s going to backfire and we’re going to look terrible but some nights we can get it rolling and really score a lot of points from beyond the arc.”
Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer(notes) (5) puts a shot over Houston Rockets forward Chuck Hayes(notes) (44) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 2, 2009, in Salt Lake City.
The Rockets made 10 of 19 3-pointers while winning their third straight.
Houston was 25-58 on the road against the Jazz entering Monday and hadn’t won in Utah since spoiling the Jazz’s home opener two years ago. The Rockets led by just three entering the fourth quarter, then blew open the game with a 13-0 run early in the final period.
“All I have heard of is how tough it is to win here,” said Budinger, a rookie out of Arizona whose previous high was 11 points. “People are just amazed how bad we kind of beat them just because that doesn’t happen here.”
It happened Monday because Rockets were playing like the Jazz intended to. Houston outrebounded Utah 46-38 and had 29 assists to the Jazz’s nine. It was the Rockets, not the Jazz, who were passing the ball around for open shots, then kicking it outside.
“I thought tonight we had maybe the best ball movement we’ve had all year,” coach Rick Adelman said. “The 29 assists could have been a lot more. Everyone was moving the ball well.”
Eight Houston players scored in double figures.
Aaron Brooks(notes) had 19 points and nine assists and Luis Scola(notes) added 14 points and 15 rebounds for the Rockets (3-1), who made eight of their first 12 shots in the fourth quarter to blow open a three-point game.
Chuck Hayes(notes) had 12 points and nine rebounds, Trevor Ariza(notes) scored 15 and Carl Landry(notes) and Kyle Lowry(notes) added 10 points each for the Rockets, whose reserves outscored Utah’s 40-13.
“If you’re not going to defend, it’s pretty tough to have a chance to win,” Utah coach Jerry Sloan said. “They got on top of the basket, they drove around us, they went up to the ball on the boards and they passed the ball.”
Deron Williams(notes) had 18 points and eight assists and Andrei Kirilenko(notes) added 18 points, seven rebounds and three blocks for the Jazz (1-2).
Mehmet Okur(notes) scored 21 and Ronnie Brewer(notes) had 19 points for the Jazz.
Utah was just 13 for 35 in the second half, going more than 7 minutes without a field goal late in the third quarter. Carlos Boozer(notes) went 1 for 6 while scoring seven and Williams was just 6 for 20 from the floor for Utah, which was 13 of 35 in the second half.
The Jazz, who said throughout the preseason they wanted to improve defensively and avoid another late-season collapse, have allowed 325 points in three games—an average over 108.
“We’ve just got to have more determination to come out and get stops and not let people score,” Williams said. “We’re just picking up right where we left off. We haven’t played a good game of basketball yet.”
The Jazz went without a field goal from Okur’s layup with 7:14 left in the third until Kirilenko hit a 22-footer at the buzzer cut Houston’s lead to 79-76 heading to the fourth. Utah had just regained possession with 3.4 seconds left when Williams drew an offensive foul on Ariza as he took the ball up court after yet another miss by the Jazz.
The Jazz took a short-lived 80-79 lead, then Houston started scoring. Budinger banked in a shot to give Houston the lead for good at 82-80, then followed that with a 3-pointer.
The Rockets led 89-84 when they pulled away with 13 straight points. Budinger hit another 3-pointer and a layup during the run, which Lowry capped with a 3 that put the Rockets up 102-04 with 5:02 left in the game.
Jazz fans started booing and leaving the building, not wanting to see any more. and Battier hit again from beyond the arc to put Houston up
Notes: Okur missed the Jazz’s home opener Friday with a sprained ankle. … Utah rookie Wes Matthews scored his first NBA points on a layup with 10:08 left in the second quarter to put Utah up 32-26. … The Rockets made exactly half their shots (42-84).
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2 ... mp;prov=ap |
_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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noam57
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 03, 2009 - 12:36 PM PST
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Joined: Jul 16, 2007 Age: 23
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| im happy for Ariza! lets hope the 76ers beat the C's tonight... |
_________________
08-09 Champs Baby!! Bring On The Celtics!!!
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 03, 2009 - 04:48 PM PST
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Grizzlies-Warriors Preview
Allen Iverson(notes) seemed to have a positive attitude about joining the Memphis Grizzlies, but it took one game for him to express discontent over being left out of the starting lineup.
As he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, Iverson is expected to remain a reserve as the Grizzlies face the winless Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.
The 10-time All-Star guard signed a one-year contract with the Grizzlies on Sept. 10, 2008, and wrote on his Twitter page, “God chose Memphis as the place I will continue my career. … I feel that they are committed to developing a winner and I know that I can help them to accomplish that. I feel that I can trust them.”
At his introductory press conference, he expressed his desire to be a starter after saying in April that he would “rather retire” than come off the bench with Detroit.
However, he also stated to reporters afterward, “Whatever coach (Lionel) Hollins wants me to do, give me the assignment and I’ll go out and do it.”
With Iverson playing his first game since suffering a partially torn right hamstring, Hollins’ assignment for him was to come off the bench as part of a three-guard rotation with O.J. Mayo(notes) and Mike Conley(notes).
Iverson had 11 points in 18 minutes in a 127-116 overtime loss at Sacramento on Tuesday, going 5 of 9 from the field, and proclaimed unhappiness with his role afterward.
“Go look at my resume and that will show you that I’m not a sixth man,” he said. “I don’t think it has anything to do with me being selfish. It’s just who I am. I don’t want to change what gave me all the success that I’ve had since I’ve been in this league.”
Hollins said he plans to ease Iverson, six points shy of 24,000 for his career, back into playing after he missed the team’s first three games.
“In this situation we are trying to win the game but we also want to get him back and fit him in,” Hollins said.
Hollins’ greater concern is fixing a defense that has allowed opponents to score 115.8 points per game and shoot nearly 50 percent. The Grizzlies (1-3) couldn’t stop the Kings’ Beno Udrih(notes) from hitting a tying layup with 1.6 seconds left in regulation and were outscored 17-6 in overtime.
“Defensively we just broke down tonight,” Mayo said. “That happens sometimes. That’s why this is the NBA.”
Memphis faces a Warriors team that also struggled to stop opponents in back-to-back losses to open the season. After a 108-107 defeat to Houston last Wednesday, Golden State allowed Phoenix to shoot 53.6 percent and make 12 3-pointers in a 123-101 defeat Friday night.
“They dominated the whole game,” guard Stephen Jackson(notes) said. “We were real soft out there.”
After publicly requesting a trade in August, Jackson was booed regularly during the team’s home opener against the Rockets. He averaged 15.0 points in his first two games, a mark bested only by Monta Ellis’(notes) 22.5.
With 22.3 points per game, Mayo leads four Grizzlies averaging 18.0 points or more.
After losing seven straight to the Warriors, Memphis swept the three-game series in 2008-09, winning twice in Oakland.
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid ... mp;prov=ap |
_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 03, 2009 - 11:34 PM PST
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Nowitzki’s 29-point fourth quarter fuels Mavs
DALLAS (AP)—Dirk Nowitzki(notes) scored a club-record 29 of his 40 points during a frantic fourth-quarter comeback and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Utah Jazz 96-85 on Tuesday night.
Nowitzki broke the franchise record of 24 points in any quarter set by Mark Aguirre against Denver on March 24, 1984.
Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki(notes) (41) from Germany goes to the basket against Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko(notes), right, from Russia, and Jazz center Mehmet Okur(notes), bottom, from Turkey in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. The Mavericks won 96-85.
Dallas was down 72-56 after Utah’s Wes Matthews hit a layup with 9:51 left. The Mavericks then trailed by 13 before Nowitzki’s three-point play triggered a 19-6 run capped by his layup with 2:41 remaining to tie it at 83.
Nowitzki’s inside basket on Dallas’ next possession put the Mavericks in front for good, 85-83 with 2:05 left.
Deron Williams(notes) scored 22 points and Mehmet Okur(notes) added 14 points and 14 rebounds for Utah.
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2 ... mp;prov=ap |
_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 03, 2009 - 11:36 PM PST
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Pierce keeps Celtics undefeated
PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Rasheed Wallace(notes) keeps making his hometown his stomping ground.
Wallace rooted on the Phillies at Game 5 of the World Series and he popped by to watch Philly boxing great Bernard Hopkins train for an upcoming bout.
Boston’s top reserve didn’t stop having fun just because it was time to play. Wallace hit six 3-pointers as part of a 20-point effort and the Celtics remained unbeaten with a 105-74 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night.
“It’s home,” Wallace said. “A lot of friends and family don’t get the opportunity to see me play. Everybody can’t get that league pass and all that stuff. It’s always fun to come back here and play.”
Boston Celtics guard J.R. Giddens(notes), left, battles for a rebound in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, in Philadelphia. Boston won 105-74.
Wallace, who wore a black Phillies jacket to the game, easily had his best game in his short stint with the Celtics. He pretty much caught the ball, let it rip and watched it sink through the net. Wallace made 6 of 8 3-pointers and sank each long attempt about as easily as a layup in the paint.
Wallace was about the only Celtic who had his normal night, even getting whistled for a technical foul for arguing with the refs in the third quarter. His fuse burst late in the quarter when he appeared to be fouled on a shot. The ref called a foul, he just didn’t call it a shooting foul and denied Wallace a trip to the free-throw line.
Wallace kept badgering the refs over the perceived blown call until he was hit with the T with 4.5 seconds left in the third.
“I just wanted to get my point across,” Wallace said. “I wasn’t going to get thrown out.”
Paul Pierce(notes) scored 21 points as the Celtics improved to 5-0 even without the usual standout performances from Kevin Garnett(notes) and Ray Allen(notes).
“We’re going to win because of our defense no matter how good our offense is,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said.
Allen didn’t score his first field goal until the third quarter and had five points. Garnett made just one basket on seven shots and scored three points when he was yanked with the game out of hand.
By the time Wallace got his technical, the game had spiraled into a blowout. Allen scored his first basket and Pierce hit a 3-pointer in a 14-2 run to open the quarter that shook off the Sixers for good.
Eddie House(notes) made four 3s off the bench for the Celtics and scored 12 points. Shelden Williams(notes) added 11 points, helping the Celtics bench to a productive night after the starters and Wallace made this one a rout.
Boston went 14 for 20 from 3-point range. The Sixers failed to hit a 3 until Jrue Holiday(notes) made one with 1:28 left in the game. The basket only cut Boston’s lead to 102-71.
Andre Iguodala(notes) led the Sixers with 17 points. Philadelphia missed 15 of 16 3-point attempts.
Thaddeus Young(notes) was the only other Sixer in double digits, scoring 11 points as they snapped their modest two-game winning streak.
The Sixers have struggled in two losses against the elite teams in the Eastern Conference (Orlando, Boston).
“They are veterans and we know they know how to play together,” Young said.
Wallace, friends with Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins, didn’t offer a World Series prediction. The Yankees hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
“We’ve got the bats for it, we’ve got the pitching for it,” Wallace said.
He was also smart enough to stay out of Hopkins way during an afternoon visit at a local boxing gym. Hopkins, who attended the game, will fight Enrique Ornelas in a light heavyweight bout on Dec. 2 at Temple’s Liacouras Center.
“Nah, I didn’t get in the ring with him this time,” Wallace said. “He’s got a fight coming up and I didn’t want to damage him or nothing.”
Instead, he saved his blows for the 76ers.
Notes: Rivers said he did not expect to hear from the NBA over a postgame incident in Boston involving New Orleans guard Chris Paul(notes) and the Celtics’ Rajon Rondo(notes). Rondo didn’t want to talk about it. … The Celtics swept the season series (4-0) last season. … The biggest cheer came for Phillies World Series highlights.
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2 ... mp;prov=ap |
_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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ReliveThe3PEAT
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 04, 2009 - 12:50 AM PST
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Lakers Topbuzz Hall of Famer
Joined: Jul 19, 2008 Age: 18
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votes: 58
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| 24 points, and 20 rebounds for Luol Deng tonight. |
_________________
"I just wish more people would celebrate Kobe. I really do. We spend so much time trying to tear him apart and I think we're missing how great he is" - Doc Rivers
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Harry
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 04, 2009 - 01:21 AM PST
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Lakers Topbuzz Hall of Famer
Joined: Aug 07, 2006 Age: 17
Posts: 5319
votes: 28
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NOWITZKI HAD A 29 POINT 4TH QUARTER     
that Dirk guy still has it. He's still balling.
Man, looking at the NBA.COM scores, i'm stinging with envy. The Celtics dominated the 76ers at literally everything (they were 14/20 from 3 point land. Imagine them vs. the Lakers getting all those great looks we constantly give up), and the Nuggets blew out the Pacers behind STRONG BENCH PLAY.
Man the Lakers just look behind. The Nuggets seem to have improved behind a Carmelo Anthony 2.0, the Celtics are as good as ever playing the type of defense rarely seen (as long as i've been watching), and the Magic are gelling with VC and winning games despite the absence of Rashard Lewis.
The Lakers, on the other hand, are playing atrociously bad defense, giving up great looks virtually every other time down the floor, the bench is virtually nonexistent, and each of the starters is having his own problems (Kobe with his shooting %, Bynum with his movement on both ends and his below average rebounding, Artest with his shooting and overall comfort, LO committing stupid fouls)...
i'm just frustrated. Maybe all we need is a good dose of Gasol on the court to help put everything in its place...but we still shouldn't be playing this bad without him. Whats bothering me the most is that the opposition is getting great high % shots whenever they want. A simple quick move by whoever, and all of a sudden some shooter gets a nice look.
And the turnovers tonight....Jesus Christ....
Good thing we're just getting started and the schedule is relatively easy and at home. For now, all i can say is "PAU!!!! WHERE ARE YOU!!!" |
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 04, 2009 - 01:54 AM PST
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Laker GM
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Suns-Magic Preview
With Steve Nash(notes) once again playing like a two-time MVP, the Phoenix Suns have been one of the league’s biggest surprises through the first week of the season.
Nash looks to help the Suns open with five consecutive wins for the first time in 25 years Wednesday night when they visit the Orlando Magic, who return home after suffering their first loss.
After finishing ninth in the Western Conference last season and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2004, Phoenix is one of three remaining undefeated teams in the league in 2009-10. The others - Boston and the Los Angeles Lakers - are the last two NBA champions.
The Suns posted a 104-96 victory over previously unbeaten Miami on Tuesday to improve to 4-0 for the first time since 2004-05. Phoenix hasn’t opened a season with five consecutive victories since 1984-85.
“We don’t read anything into being 4-0. We really don’t,” coach Alvin Gentry said.
A big reason for the fast start has been the play of Nash.
Last season, the 35-year-old point guard averaged 15.7 points and 9.7 assists - his fewest since averaging 8.8 assists for Dallas in 2003-04 - but he’s averaging 12.5 assists and 21.5 points on 54.2 percent shooting in 2009-10.
Nash, winner of consecutive MVP awards in 2004-05 and 2005-06, scored 30 points, shot 11 of 15 from the field and added eight assists against the Heat. He was clutch down the stretch, scoring 25 after halftime and making 10 of his final 11 shots over the last 27 minutes.
“He came out in that third quarter and put on a clinic,” Suns forward Grant Hill(notes) said. “It was really fun to watch.”
Nash averaged 20.5 points and 9.0 assists in two games against Orlando last season, when each team won on its home court.
To extend their winning streak, Nash and the Suns may want to employ the same strategy Detroit used in its 85-80 victory over the Magic (3-1) on Tuesday.
The Pistons went right after Orlando’s Dwight Howard(notes) and frustrated him into fouling out in just 17 minutes. The three-time All-Star center finished with eight points and five rebounds, and along the way he re-aggravated a shoulder injury sustained in Sunday’s 125-116 victory at Toronto.
“It’s just very, very sore, but it is hard when you get hit so hard every night,” said Howard, who averaged 21.7 points on 62.9 percent shooting and 16.0 rebounds in the first three games. “I’m a big guy, but it still hurts when I’m getting hit this much. It’s getting worse, but I have to keep my composure and try not to complain. The last two games, though, I’ve been very close to going off.”
Howard averaged 20.0 points and 7.5 boards against the Suns in 2008-09. After trading Shaquille O’Neal(notes) in the offseason, the Suns will now rely on Channing Frye(notes) and Amare Stoudemire to adequately defend Orlando’s center.
If Frye and Stoudemire succeed, the Magic may need guard Jameer Nelson(notes) to pick up his production - especially considering Vince Carter(notes) is being slowed by ankle problems.
Nelson finished with seven points, six assists and five turnovers Tuesday after scoring 30 with five assists and two turnovers against the Raptors. He had 16 points in his only game against the Suns last season, a 113-112 loss Dec. 12 in Phoenix.
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid ... mp;prov=ap |
_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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Harry
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 04, 2009 - 09:10 PM PST
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Lakers Topbuzz Hall of Famer
Joined: Aug 07, 2006 Age: 17
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votes: 28
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| ANYBODY WATCHING AN INJURED MIKE MILLER BALLING? |
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noam57
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 04, 2009 - 11:39 PM PST
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Laker GM
Joined: Jul 16, 2007 Age: 23
Posts: 3754
votes: 6
Status: Offline
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| the Celtics get another W... |
_________________
08-09 Champs Baby!! Bring On The Celtics!!!
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 05, 2009 - 12:06 AM PST
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Laker GM
Joined: Aug 12, 2009 Age: 23
Posts: 3093
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votes: 14
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Wade scores 40 to lead Heat past Wizards, 93-89
WASHINGTON (AP)—Dwyane Wade(notes) wasn’t about to take himself out of this game.
The Miami Heat star played every minute of the second half on his way to a 40-point game, including a jumper with 25 seconds left that gave Miami the lead for good on the way to a 93-89 win against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.
A day after playing nearly 38 minutes and scoring 23 in a fast-paced game against Phoenix, Wade didn’t even think about taking a rest. At one point in the second half, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra looked to his star to ask if he wanted a breather. Wade made eye contact and shook off his coach’s suggestion.
“I ain’t going nowhere,” said Wade, explaining his thought process after the game.
Miami Heat guard Quentin Richardson(notes) (5) shoots over Washington Wizards guard Mike Miller(notes) (6) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, in Washington. The Heat won 93-89.
His coach thought about it and knew he was fine leaving his star on the court.
“I decided they probably weren’t going to take out their guys, either,” Spoelstra said.
It was the first time Wade scored 40 points since getting a career-high 55 in April against New York. Quentin Richardson(notes) had 19 points and nine rebounds for Miami (4-1).
Wade outdueled Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas(notes), who scored 32, in a game that was deadlocked down the stretch until the final minute. With the game tied at 89 and a minute left, Wade made plays when he needed to and Arenas couldn’t answer.
“This was one of those games where you have to will your team to victory as the leader,” Wade said. “As the guy they look to, I took it upon myself to get the job done.”
Wade got the job done on 14 of 26 shooting. Despite his point total, Arenas shot 9 for 27 from the field.
Arenas lost the ball on a layup with 17 seconds left after Wade’s jumper, falling hard to the ground after driving through traffic. After a Wade free throw to put Miami up 92-89, Arenas attempted to lob a ball to Brendan Haywood(notes) that bounced off the basket to end Washington’s chances.
“It hit the rim,” Arenas said. “That’s it. It’s not rocket science—it hit the rim.”
DeShawn Stevenson(notes) missed two free throws with 44 seconds left to set up Wade’s jumper.
Haywood had 16 points and 11 rebounds and Caron Butler(notes) had 13 points and 10 rebounds for Washington.
The tight final minutes came after Miami opened up a point early lead. Haywood opened the game with a dunk, but the Wizards didn’t hold the lead again until Haywood’s hook shot at 6:28 left in the third quarter gave Washington a 57-56 edge.
The rest of the quarter belonged to the team’s dueling stars. Arenas scored nine of Washington’s final 13 points in the third quarter. Wade outdid him, tallying Miami’s final 10 points, including a last-second layup to tie the game at 66 entering the fourth quarter.
“At one point during the game, I told him, ‘This is what you do,”’ Richardson said. “‘We’re right here. Now, you take us home.”’
Miami had led by as many as 19 in the opening quarter, going up 27-8 with 3 1/2 minutes left in the first. The Heat led 50-41 at halftime.
“It’s amazing as bad as we were in the first quarter they only scored 93 in the game,” Washington coach Flip Saunders said.
The Wizards finished the game without starter Mike Miller(notes), who left in the fourth quarter with a left shoulder sprain. Saunders said he is expected to be out seven to 10 days.
NOTES: Miami G Daequan Cook(notes) sat out his third straight game with a right shoulder strain. … This was the first of three meetings between the teams in November. They play again in Miami on Nov. 10. … Miami swept the series (4-0) last season. … Haywood was given a technical foul for hanging on the rim after a third-quarter dunk.
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2 ... mp;prov=ap |
_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 05, 2009 - 12:18 AM PST
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Laker GM
Joined: Aug 12, 2009 Age: 23
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Howard shines as NBA Magic set down Suns
ORLANDO, Florida (AFP) - Dwight Howard(notes) scored 25 points and Ryan Anderson(notes) added 20 with 10 rebounds as the depleted Orlando Magic handed Phoneix their first loss of the NBA season.
Even without injured Vince Carter(notes) and suspended Rashard Lewis(notes), the Magic built a 23-point lead in the third quarter en route to a 122-100 victory on Wednesday.
Amare Stoudemire finished with 25 points and 14 rebounds for Phoenix, who erased deficits in the first half but couldn't rally when it mattered.
Howard scored 17 of his points in the third quarter. The Magic, leading by six at the interval, scored 25 of the third period's first 33 points to take an 83-60 lead.
The Suns trailed by double-digits for all of the fourth quarter.
Jameer Nelson(notes) added 16 points, and France's Mickael Pietrus(notes) had 15 points for the Magic.
Pietrus returned to the lineup after missing two straight games with flu-like symptoms.
Carter, meanwhile, missed the contest with a sprained left ankle that coach Stan Van Gundy said did not appear to be serious.
Lewis is suspended for the first 10 games by the National Basketball Association after testing positive for an elevated level of testosterone.
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=a ... ;type=lgns |
_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 05, 2009 - 12:22 AM PST
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Laker GM
Joined: Aug 12, 2009 Age: 23
Posts: 3093
Location: Pasadena, CA
votes: 14
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Garnett helps Celtics remain undefeated
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—Even when Kevin Garnett(notes) isn’t scoring at a high level, he can find so many other ways to affect the outcome of a game.
For 12 seasons, the Minnesota Timberwolves were the beneficiaries of that all-around brilliance. On Wednesday night, they fell victim to it.
Garnett had 12 points and 11 rebounds in his third game back in Minnesota since he was traded in 2007, helping the Boston Celtics remain undefeated with a 92-90 victory over the Timberwolves.
Rajon Rondo(notes) scored 14 of his 18 points in the third quarter for the Celtics (6-0), who join the Denver Nuggets as the only two teams in the league without a loss.
Minnesota Timberwolves' Ryan Hollins(notes), left, defends as Boston Celtics' Kevin Garnett(notes) lines up a shot in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, in Minneapolis. Garnett scored 12 points and had 11 rebounds in the Celtics' 92-90 win.
Garnett’s former team gave his current one all it could handle. The Wolves had a chance to tie in the final 10 seconds of the game. But Garnett made two beautiful interior passes for layups earlier in the final period, then forced a jump ball with Corey Brewer(notes) on an amazing defensive play with 3.6 seconds to play to seal the win.
“I’m so numb when I come in here,” Garnett said. “I sort of put my face on as I say. I get so intense.”
Oleksiy Pecherov(notes) scored a career-high 24 points and Al Jefferson(notes) added 18 points for the Timberwolves, who led throughout the first three quarters before Eddie House(notes) hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to tie it going into the final period.
“We didn’t get too excited, didn’t get too frustrated when we were playing awful,” Boston coach Doc Rivers said. “I think that’s good. That is a sign of experience. I don’t think anybody panicked.”
Garnett came to Minnesota straight from high school in 1995, growing up from a skinny kid into a dominant force on both ends of the floor. He owns nearly every franchise career record worth having, but the Timberwolves decided to part ways with the only star they have ever had.
In just his third game back in the arena that he essentially built, it would be hard to imagine Garnett even recognized the franchise that he put on the map.
Every player from his final season in Minnesota is gone and so is the architect of the Garnett years—Kevin McHale. Owner Glen Taylor fired McHale this offseason, hiring David Kahn as president of basketball operations and Kurt Rambis as head coach.
“It’s easy to come in here and focus because I don’t have any of my old teammates here anymore,” Garnett said.
The novelty of Garnett playing for another team in Target Center may have worn off, but it’s clear he is still missed by basketball fans in Minnesota. A near sellout crowd came out to see him, with thousands wearing Celtic green or a Garnett jersey—both the Boston and Minnesota varieties—to cheer their departed star.
Garnett received a standing ovation during introductions and was cheered throughout the game, but these young Timberwolves also took it as an opportunity to introduce themselves to a fan base that has turned indifferent in the years since KG left.
“We played hard, we played with a lot of energy,” Pecherov said. “We just have to learn how to finish these games. We’ve been playing the last three games with great effort. To lose at the end of the game is kind of hard. It’s what we need to learn about.”
The Wolves (1-4) led by eight at halftime and three with 6:44 to play, but couldn’t hang on against the battle-tested Celtics. They have lost the last three games by a combined 13 points.
“They battled once again,” Rambis said. “I like the way our guys are fighting. I like the way they’re competing. They just don’t quit. They keep believing they can win. I admire that about them.”
NOTES: Wolves PG Jonny Flynn(notes), a Syracuse alum, said he’s been inundated with jabs since the Orange lost to Division-II Le Moyne. “I’m getting phone calls, text messages, they won’t stop!” Flynn said sheepishly. … Celtics F Rasheed Wallace(notes) was in midseason form, picking up a technical foul from the bench for jawing with officials after being whistled for a foul on Pecherov.
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2 ... mp;prov=ap |
_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 05, 2009 - 02:08 AM PST
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Laker GM
Joined: Aug 12, 2009 Age: 23
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Location: Pasadena, CA
votes: 14
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Spurs-Jazz Preview
San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili(notes) has admittedly lost a step, but he can still find ways to help the team. No matter how unconventional those ways can be.
Ginobili and the well-rested Spurs open a two-game trip Thursday night at EnergySolutions Arena, where they’ll face a Utah Jazz team off to its worst start in seven seasons.
After missing 38 games and the playoffs in 2008-09 due to ankle injuries, Ginobili has played well coming off the Spurs’ bench this season, averaging 13.7 points and 3.7 assists.
He had 13 points in Saturday’s 113-94 victory over Sacramento, but received his loudest cheers from the San Antonio crowd when he swatted a bat out of the air with his bare hand in the first quarter, before scooping it off the court so play could resume.
“When you can’t dunk anymore, you have to find a way to make it into the news,” said Ginobili, who posted a message on his Facebook page Monday saying he had to be vaccinated for rabies. “So that’s what I did. I grabbed a bat. I didn’t think it was a big deal.”
The Spurs (2-1) didn’t feel that way about Ginobili’s clutch performance in their last game in Utah - a 106-100 victory on Jan. 27.
Ginobili scored 10 of his 13 in the fourth quarter, including a 6-of-6 effort at the foul line in the final 24 seconds, as San Antonio snapped a four-game slide in Salt Lake City.
“Until that horn goes off, you’re worried about whatever may happen,” Tim Duncan(notes) said after scoring 24 points with nine rebounds and eight assists in the Spurs’ first victory in Utah since April 4, 2006. “Luckily enough, Manu was great down the stretch hitting free throws and giving us the lead we needed.”
Utah (1-3) felt its 16-point fourth-quarter lead against Dallas on Tuesday was enough, but the Jazz collapsed in the final 8-plus minutes and lost 96-85.
Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki(notes) scored 29 of his 40 points in the fourth - many against Mehmet Okur(notes), who was forced into the difficult defensive assignment with Carlos Boozer(notes) playing with five fouls.
“Obviously, there wasn’t anything we were able to do with Nowitzki,” said Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, whose club looks to avoid its slowest start since opening 1-4 in 2002-03. “He was sensational. He made every basket and got to the free throw line, but the most important thing he did was he was able to take the ball to the basket.”
Jazz point guard Deron Williams(notes), who leads the team with 22.3 points per game and 8.8 assists, averaged 22.0 and 11.5 in two games versus the Spurs last season. Williams missed the 119-94 loss in San Antonio on Nov. 21 with a left ankle injury.
Spurs guard Tony Parker(notes) was also sidelined in that game due to an injured ankle. In the final two matchups with Utah last season, Parker averaged 27.5 points and 6.5 assists as San Antonio swept the season series for the first time since 2005-06.
First-year Spur Richard Jefferson(notes), acquired from Milwaukee in the offseason, hit 7 of 8 shots and scored a season-high 21 on Saturday.
He is averaging 21.7 points in six career games in Utah.
The Spurs have won four straight and 29 of 35 against the Jazz.
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid ... mp;prov=ap |
_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 05, 2009 - 03:53 PM PST
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Laker GM
Joined: Aug 12, 2009 Age: 23
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Location: Pasadena, CA
votes: 14
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Nuggets-Heat Preview
Carmelo Anthony(notes) has cooled off since his red-hot start, but the Denver Nuggets keep winning.
As they continue a season-high six-game road trip, the Nuggets look to match the best start in franchise history by extending their dominance over the Miami Heat on Friday night.
Anthony averaged a league-best 37.7 points on 53.6 percent shooting for Denver (5-0) in its first three wins but shot 34.1 percent over the past two games, scoring a combined 47 points.
Anthony didn’t lead the Nuggets in scoring for the first time Wednesday night, finishing with a season-low 22 points and shooting 8 of 24 in a 122-94 win over New Jersey.
His teammates carried Denver to the victory instead, as five other Nuggets scored in double figures, led by rookie reserve guard Ty Lawson(notes) with 23.
Denver scored 44 points in the third quarter and Anthony shook off a 1-for-11 performance in the first half to score 11 in the period. Chauncey Billups(notes) scored all 12 of his points in the third for the Nuggets, who lead the NBA with 115.4 points per game.
“The first half, we couldn’t it going at all,” Billups said. “There are not many times when ‘Melo and I are off at the same time. But the bench came in and did a great job. Sometimes, the shots don’t go, but we just had to regroup at halftime and get the job done.”
Denver scored at least 110 points in 11 of its last 14 regular-season games.
The Nuggets, who haven’t started 6-0 since 1985-86, play a winning team for the first time Friday in the third game of their trip. They also face the league scoring leader from last season, Dwyane Wade(notes).
The Heat (4-1) bounced back from their first loss as Wade had a season-high 40 points in a 93-89 victory at Washington on Wednesday night.
“This was one of those games where you have to will your team to victory as the leader,” Wade said. “As the guy they look to, I took it upon myself to get the job done.”
Wade averaged a career-best 30.2 points in 2008-09 and is at 29.2 this season. However, he couldn’t score enough to snap the Heat’s lengthy losing streak to the Nuggets last season despite averaging 32.0 points and shooting 55.6 percent in the two meetings.
Denver has won eight straight against the Heat overall and five in a row at Miami. The Nuggets took 12 of the past 14 meetings after losing 18 of 21, including 13 in a row, to begin the all-time series.
Anthony, who has averaged a team-best 28.4 points during the win streak over the Heat, missed the first matchup last season with a fractured right hand. He was 5 of 15 while scoring 19 points in a 99-82 win at Miami on Feb. 10.
Billups averaged a team-leading 22.0 points on 56.7 percent shooting versus the Heat in 2008-09. The point guard is scoring 21.0 points a game this season.
Anthony and Billups will face a Miami club that is among the league’s top defensive teams, allowing 91.2 points per game.
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid ... mp;prov=ap |
_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 05, 2009 - 06:26 PM PST
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Laker GM
Joined: Aug 12, 2009 Age: 23
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Suns-Celtics Preview
Coach Alvin Gentry joked that his Phoenix Suns squandered a chance at an undefeated season following their first defeat this week.
Now they’ll try to cause the Boston Celtics to do the same.
The Celtics go for a second 7-0 start in three seasons and a fourth straight lopsided win over the Suns as Phoenix continues its road trip in Boston on Friday night.
With Kevin Garnett(notes) healthy and Rasheed Wallace(notes) leading a group of contributing newcomers, the Celtics (6-0) join Denver as the only remaining unbeaten teams in the NBA.
They came closest to a defeat Wednesday in Minnesota, winning 92-90 despite allowing the Timberwolves to shoot 52.0 percent from the field - by far the highest mark for a Boston opponent this season.
The Celtics took the lead for good on Rajon Rondo’s(notes) layup with 4:18 left and allowed just two points after that.
“We didn’t get too excited, didn’t get too frustrated when we were playing awful,” coach Doc Rivers said. “I think that’s good. That is a sign of experience. I don’t think anybody panicked.”
Wallace and fellow offseason acquisitions Marquis Daniels(notes) and Shelden Williams(notes) have supplemented Boston’s veteran core of Garnett, Paul Pierce(notes) and Ray Allen(notes) as the team tries to get back to the finals after winning its 17th NBA title in 2008.
Boston began that season 8-0, and it has a favorable schedule for possibly an even better start. The Celtics’ next 10 games are either at home, where they’re 73-12 since the start of 2007-08, or against non-playoff teams from last season.
Despite finishing 10 games over .500, Phoenix (4-1) saw its run of four straight playoff appearances end last season after star forward Amare Stoudemire missed the final 29 games following eye surgery.
Although the Suns lost 122-100 to Orlando on Wednesday - with Gentry lamenting that “dreams of an undefeated season have gone down” - Stoudemire had his best game since his return with 25 points and 14 rebounds.
“I am just trying to get back into it,” Stoudemire said. “I took seven months off and it is not because I wanted to. It was because of the injury. I am slowly starting to get my feel back. I am getting more and more comfortable out there game by game.”
Phoenix was without guard Leandro Barbosa(notes) (wrist) for the second straight game, perhaps slowing the team’s fast-paced attack.
After making at least half of their shots in each of the first four games and averaging 114.0 points, the Suns shot 45.5 percent against the Magic, with Grant Hill(notes) and Jason Richardson(notes) each held scoreless.
It’s uncertain when Barbosa, averaging 15.7 points, will return.
“(Barbosa) can change the course of a game like this in that he gives us so much speed and he just gives us another weapon out on the floor,” Gentry said. “And there’s very few times where you’ll have LB, J-Rich and Grant where they’re struggling. Usually two of those three guys are always playing pretty good.”
The team’s run-and-gun style has not worked well against the Celtics’ defensive-minded system recently. While the Suns won the initial meeting after Boston acquired Garnett and Allen in 2007, the Celtics have won three straight in the series, each by at least 17 points.
In the three victories, Rondo has averaged 23.0 points and shot 64.4 percent from the field, while fellow point guard and two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash(notes) scored 14.3 per game.
Nash had only four assists Wednesday after averaging 12.5 during Phoenix’s 4-0 start.
Stoudemire and Garnett both missed the Celtics’ 128-108 road win Feb. 22, and Stoudemire was held to three points after shooting 0 of 7 from the field in the Suns’ last visit to Boston, a 104-87 loss Jan. 19.
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid ... mp;prov=ap |
_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 05, 2009 - 09:49 PM PST
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Laker GM
Joined: Aug 12, 2009 Age: 23
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Clippers-Warriors Preview
Anthony Morrow(notes) went undrafted in 2008, but his strong play with Golden State’s summer league team earned him an NBA contract.
His shooting touch continues to pay off for him and the Warriors in his second season.
Morrow looks for another strong performance Friday night, when Golden State tries to win its eighth straight at home against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Morrow averaged 14.3 points and shot an ACC-best 44.8 percent from 3-point range as a senior at Georgia Tech in 2007-08, but his name was not one of the 60 called on draft night.
“With me coming out, I was a good player, but nobody thought I could excel at this level,” Morrow told the Warriors’ official Web site during the preseason.
Morrow helped end any of those doubts during a breakout performance in his first career start. Facing the Clippers on Nov. 15, Morrow hit 15 of 20 shots and scored a career-high 37 points with 11 rebounds in a 121-103 victory at Staples Center.
It marked the highest scoring game by an undrafted player in his rookie season.
“I’ve been in the league 30 years, and I’ve never seen a performance like that from a guy that got his first opportunity to start and play consistent minutes,” Warriors coach Don Nelson said. “He had the game of a lifetime, and I hope there’s a lot more like that in him.”
Nelson and the Warriors (1-2) got another look at Morrow’s shooting abilities in Wednesday’s 113-105 victory over Memphis.
Seeing his first action with less than a minute left in the first quarter, Morrow hit all four attempts from 3-point range and scored 19 of his 24 points in the second half to help Golden State overcome a 13-point deficit.
“He’s definitely one of the best shooters in the game, pure shooters,” Warriors forward Stephen Jackson(notes) said.
Morrow averaged 19.8 points on 58.5 percent shooting as Golden State won three of four against the Clippers last season, including both matchups at Oracle Arena.
Golden State has won seven straight at home in this series since a 96-93 loss on Jan. 23, 2006.
Los Angeles (1-4) will try to snap that skid after picking up its first win of the season on Monday - 93-90 over Minnesota.
Rasual Butler(notes), who made his first start for the cold-shooting Al Thornton(notes), scored 12, including four free throws in the final 19.4 seconds as the Clippers avoided their second straight 0-5 start.
“It took a lot of resilience and toughness to finish like that in our fifth game in seven days,” Butler said.
Chris Kaman(notes) posted his second straight double-double with 25 points and 11 boards, while former Warriors point guard Baron Davis(notes) had 13 points and eight assists.
Davis, who averaged 20.1 points and 8.1 assists in three-plus seasons with Golden State, makes his second visit to Oracle Arena since signing a five-year deal with the Clippers last offseason.
He scored 29 points and handed out seven assists in a 127-120 loss in Oakland on March 17, but he missed the 107-92 loss there on Jan. 25 with a bruised tailbone.
After spending the previous eight seasons with the Clippers, Warriors forward Corey Maggette(notes) averaged 17.0 points against Los Angeles in 2008-09.
Maggette hit 9 of 17 and scored a season-high 20 on Wednesday when Golden State shot a season-best 54.0 percent from the field.
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid ... mp;prov=ap |
_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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Nay511
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 05, 2009 - 10:50 PM PST
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Die-Hard Laker Fan
Joined: Jul 18, 2008
Posts: 2027
votes: 17
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Lakers2416
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 06, 2009 - 12:33 AM PST
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Big-Time Laker Fan
Joined: Jul 25, 2008 Age: 21
Posts: 529
votes: 2
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| i watched the game, Thomas and Miller got open shots cause of Shaq not guarding the pick and roll to well. Mo Williams sucked ball sack in that game couldn't get in a groove. Rose came up clutch. if Cavs keep playing like this Lebron will get fatigued because Lebron creates plays and plays 1 on 5 the whole time and there offense changed since Shaq is there . The Lane is so packed with Shaq and Varejao, No room to operate for Lebron cant drive as much. Cavs are gonna get knocked out in the second round or 3rd round gauranteed. |
_________________
"You Know The Rules Hand Down Man Down" - Mark Jackson
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 06, 2009 - 03:31 PM PST
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Laker GM
Joined: Aug 12, 2009 Age: 23
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Spurs-Trail Blazers Preview
The Portland Trail Blazers had one of the best home records in the NBA last season.
It’s been a different story for them at the Rose Garden in 2009-10.
The Trail Blazers look to avoid their third straight loss there Friday night, when they continue their three-game homestand against a San Antonio Spurs team without a road win.
Portland (2-3) went 34-7 at home in 2008-09 - the fourth-best mark in the league behind Cleveland, the Lakers and Boston - while never losing more than two straight at the Rose Garden.
Despite leading by as many as 12 points in the second quarter, the Trail Blazers dropped their second in a row at home Tuesday - 97-91 to Atlanta.
“Regardless of where you are, you’ve got to work,” coach Nate McMillan told the Trail Blazers’ official Web site. “I really felt our level of intensity needed to be better for pretty much all of the games.”
Portland’s last three-game slide at home was March 29-April 6, 2008.
The Trail Blazers had lost five straight at home - and 12 overall - to San Antonio, prior to their 100-99 victory on Oct. 31, 2008.
Spurs guard Michael Finley(notes) missed a shot as time expired and Portland won its first home game in this series since Jan. 24, 2005.
“When he missed the shot, I couldn’t believe it. I was thinking overtime or something because it just didn’t feel right,” guard Brandon Roy(notes) said. “But I looked up and realized that we had finally beaten the Spurs.”
The Trail Blazers won three of four against San Antonio last season - including both meetings at the Rose Garden - after losing 19 of the previous 20 matchups.
Roy averaged 23.0 points against the Spurs in 2008-09, scoring 26 in each of the victories.
Center Greg Oden(notes), who leads the Trail Blazers with 9.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks, was injured for the first three matchups with San Antonio last season.
In his first career game against fellow first-overall pick Tim Duncan(notes), Oden had eight points, eight boards and two blocks in a 95-83 victory on April 8 that snapped Portland’s 11-game skid in San Antonio.
Duncan, averaging 21.4 points and 10.8 boards in 23 career games in Portland, had 15 and 13 in Thursday’s 113-99 loss at Utah that dropped the Spurs (2-2) to 0-2 on the road.
San Antonio hasn’t lost its first three road games since 1993-94.
The Spurs, who held their first three opponents this season to 96 points or fewer, allowed its most points in a loss since a 113-94 defeat at Seattle on Nov. 7, 2004.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do to become a good defensive team and Utah obviously took advantage of that tonight,” coach Gregg Popovich said. “They are always an aggressive club and they do a great job of fighting for 48 minutes.”
Tony Parker(notes) led San Antonio on Thursday with 21 points, four coming in the second half. He averaged 19.5 points and 7.5 assists at Portland in 2008-09.
Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge(notes) had 20 points and a season-high 14 rebounds Tuesday, despite leaving Sunday’s win at Oklahoma City with a bone contusion on his right knee.
Aldridge averaged 24.5 points and 6.0 rebounds as Portland swept its home games versus San Antonio last season for the first time since 1996-97.
The Trail Blazers are scoring 93.7 points per game on 39.9 percent shooting at the Rose Garden this season.
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid ... mp;prov=ap |
_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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Harry
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 06, 2009 - 09:40 PM PST
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Lakers Topbuzz Hall of Famer
Joined: Aug 07, 2006 Age: 17
Posts: 5319
votes: 28
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| I'm crossing my fingers folks...the Nuggets are losing big time in the 4th, but more importantly, the Celtics are losing by like 9 with 8 minutes to go in the game. TO THE PHX SUNS. |
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Nay511
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 06, 2009 - 10:04 PM PST
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Die-Hard Laker Fan
Joined: Jul 18, 2008
Posts: 2027
votes: 17
Status: Offline
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noam57
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 06, 2009 - 10:39 PM PST
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Laker GM
Joined: Jul 16, 2007 Age: 23
Posts: 3754
votes: 6
Status: Offline
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| yes! finally Denver and Boston losed!! |
_________________
08-09 Champs Baby!! Bring On The Celtics!!!
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cuckooroller
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 02:35 AM PST
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Lakers Topbuzz Hall of Famer
Joined: Mar 27, 2008 Age: 59
Posts: 6661
Location: Italy
votes: 65
Status: Offline
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Not to be a stickler, but why is it that nobody knows how to use the word = to lose!
I constantly see people writing, e.g., we will "loose", but what does that mean? Are we taking laxatives? Are we loosening our bowels in preparation to taking a dump?
It is "to lose", not "to loose"!
Likewise, Denver and Boston did not "losed"! They "lost"! |
_________________
Steve
"Sasha Vujacic. The All-Time YWCA Scoring Leader".
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PlzOPH3T
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 03:48 AM PST
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Big-Time Laker Fan
Joined: Jun 16, 2009
Posts: 507
votes: 10
Status: Offline
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Bosten loosed to the Suns! And Denver losed also!
Every team in the NBA has at least 1 lost now. |
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cuckooroller
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 04:59 AM PST
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Lakers Topbuzz Hall of Famer
Joined: Mar 27, 2008 Age: 59
Posts: 6661
Location: Italy
votes: 65
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PlzOPH3T wrote:
Bosten loosed to the Suns! And Denver losed also!
Every team in the NBA has at least 1 lost now.
You're a great help! |
_________________
Steve
"Sasha Vujacic. The All-Time YWCA Scoring Leader".
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 01:29 PM PST
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Laker GM
Joined: Aug 12, 2009 Age: 23
Posts: 3093
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Quote:
Roy scores 24 to lift new-look Blazers over Spurs
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)—A new-look lineup worked wonders for the Portland Trail Blazers, and coach Nate McMillan plans to keep it for a while.
With Andre Miller(notes) joining them in the backcourt, Brandon Roy(notes) had 24 points, Steve Blake(notes) added 15 and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the San Antonio Spurs 96-84 Friday night.
“It was a change of pace, maybe something we need,” Roy said.
Richard Jefferson(notes) had 19 points, Manu Ginobili(notes) had 17, and Tim Duncan(notes) added 14 points and eight rebounds, but San Antonio lost Tony Parker(notes) to a sprained ankle and couldn’t overcome a lethargic first half, playing one night after a loss at Utah.
Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden(notes), left, is fouled while shooting by San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan(notes) during the second half of their NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Friday, Nov. 6, 2009. Oden scored 14 points and blocked four shots as they beat the Spurs 96-84.
The Spurs (2-3) haven’t won on the road yet this season.
In an effort to shake up the Blazers’ stagnant offense, McMillan inserted Miller into the starting lineup, placing him in an expanded backcourt along with Blake and Roy.
“I looked at the schedule,” McMillan said. “With the schedule the next week or two I am going to stay with it and look at it. It was a good unit tonight.”
With 2:36 left in the first half, Parker appeared to come down awkwardly, called timeout and left the floor for the locker room. He did not return.
Portland (3-3) had lost two in a row at the Rose Garden and had struggled on offense, with only Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge(notes) and Travis Outlaw(notes) averaging in double figures. Portland also entered the game 23rd in the NBA in scoring with a 94.2 average.
Greg Oden(notes) had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Blazers, and Miller, who signed with Portland in July, had 10 points and six rebounds and four assists.
The Blazers bench accounted for 23 of Portland’s first 41 points and keyed a late first quarter 13-2 run.
Oden muscled past Duncan for a driving layup to put Portland up 62-47 with 6:56 left in the third quarter. Roy added a jumper to extend the lead to 17. But the Spurs put together an 13-3 run, with Antonio McDyess(notes) hitting a 20-footer to cut the lead to 69-62.
San Antonio went on an 8-0 run, with Ginobili making four free throws, to get to 77-72. Shortly after, Jefferson scored to make it 80-77, but Blake answered with a 3-pointer and Oden converted two free throws for the Blazers.
“We committed too many mistakes from the get-go,” Ginobili said. “It’s too bad. It shouldn’t be happening. We’ve really got to step out and try to play 48 minutes.”
NOTES: Joel Przybilla(notes) had 13 rebounds for Portland. … The Blazers wore for the first time in the regular season their new alternate home jerseys with “Rip City” on the front. … The Spurs started Keith Bogans(notes) at shooting guard, in place of Michael Finley(notes). … Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is 32-17 as a head coach against the Blazers.
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2 ... mp;prov=ap
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_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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lakersfanjeff
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 03:26 PM PST
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Laker GM
Joined: Aug 12, 2009 Age: 23
Posts: 3093
Location: Pasadena, CA
votes: 14
Status: Offline
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Quote:
Suns-Wizards Preview
The fast-paced Phoenix Suns haven’t had any problems putting up points this season, and Jason Richardson’s(notes) impressive offensive effort helped them knock off an Eastern Conference power in their most recent game.
The Washington Wizards certainly didn’t have any answers for Richardson the last time they saw the Suns.
Richardson looks to build on his highest-scoring game since he last faced the Wizards as Phoenix continues a five-game road trip Sunday afternoon looking for a fifth straight win at the Verizon Center.
Richardson was suspended for the Suns’ first two games following his offseason conviction on drunken driving charges, but he came back to average 18.5 points in the next two contests as part of their 4-0 start.
Richardson, though, was held scoreless for the third time in his career Wednesday as Phoenix (5-1) was blown out 122-100 at Orlando in the team’s lowest-scoring game of the season.
It didn’t take long for Richardson and the Suns to bounce back. The two-time Slam Dunk champion finished with 34 points and 10 rebounds Friday in Boston as Phoenix handed the Celtics their first loss, 110-103.
“They could see after the first (quarter) that I had the stroke going,” said Richardson, who was 6 of 7 from 3-point range. “In this offense, every night it’s going to be someone different. It was a feel tonight, like everything you throw up is going to go in. I wanted to come out, be aggressive and take it from there.”
Richardson became the fifth different leading scorer this season for the Suns, whose road trip ends Monday in Philadelphia. Steve Nash(notes) (19.0 points per game) is the only one to be their high scorer in two games, but on Friday, Richardson’s hot hand helped Nash finish with 12 assists.
“He’s such a good player,” Nash said of Richardson. “We’d like to give him every chance to be successful.”
The Wizards (2-4) are very aware of Richardson’s ability to take over a game. He scored a 2008-09 season-high 35 points in a 128-96 home win over Washington on March 21.
Richardson was held to nine points when the Suns visited the Wizards on Jan. 26, but Phoenix won 103-87 for its fourth straight victory in the nation’s capital. Nash has averaged 18.0 points and 16.0 assists in those meetings.
The Suns have won five in a row overall against Washington since Gilbert Arenas(notes) scored 54 points in a wild 144-139 overtime win at Phoenix on Dec. 22, 2006, but Arenas has missed the last four meetings due to injury.
Arenas is healthy this season, but the Wizards are still finding their way without the injured Antawn Jamison(notes). After winning two of their first three games, they’ve dropped three in a row, the latest a 102-86 loss Friday at Indiana.
“I’m very disappointed,” coach Flip Saunders said after his team committed a season-high 19 turnovers. “Our effort was poor. We turned the ball over way too much. I told the guys I’m going to have to take responsibility.”
Washington is shooting 38.7 percent during its three-game skid.
Arenas and Caron Butler(notes) are averaging a combined 42.0 points during that stretch, but Andray Blatche(notes) has been limited to 6.0 per game and was held to one point Friday. The fifth-year forward averaged 21.0 points in his first three games - including a career-high 30 in a win over New Jersey on Oct. 31.
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid ... mp;prov=ap
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_________________
Chick Hearn will always be my favorite Laker. The Lakers are the champions, you don't have to like it, but you have to live with it.
There's no "i" in team, but there is in win.
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ReliveThe3PEAT
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 08:52 PM PST
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Lakers Topbuzz Hall of Famer
Joined: Jul 19, 2008 Age: 18
Posts: 12663
votes: 58
Status: Offline
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| Atl DEMOLISHING Denver, 82-60 in the 3rd with 4:18 left. |
_________________
"I just wish more people would celebrate Kobe. I really do. We spend so much time trying to tear him apart and I think we're missing how great he is" - Doc Rivers
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KBLakers24
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Post subject:
Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 09:02 PM PST
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Big-Time Laker Fan
Joined: Jul 31, 2009 Age: 14
Posts: 586
votes: 2
Status: Offline
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| Hey guys I can't see the game is Iverson PLAYINGG?? 82-60 woww |
_________________
Hey Kobe, that Dream shake is a Nightmare for the opposition. Keep sleeping!
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