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Detroit Pistons – Making the Boston Celtics Look Awful
When making the playoffs doesn’t look like a realistic goal, making other teams look awful becomes more than just a bonus. The Detroit Pistons nearly blew an 18-point lead against the surging Boston Celtics, but eventually came through with the 103-88 win led by Andre Drummond off the bench.
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Dallas Mavericks – Helping Out Dirk Nowitzki
Now that Dirk Nowitzki is back in the lineup, the next step is getting him to play like an All-Star again. Until that happens, with the playoffs still a very manageable target (only three games behind the Houston Rockets), players like Shawn Marion, O.J. Mayo and Vince Carter are going to have to help the Dallas Mavericks bridge that gap.
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Toronto Raptors – A Little Bit of Jose Claderon Awesomeness
There’s been a lot of talk regarding trades and Toronto Raptros players, Jose Calderon among them. The Spanish point guard has been part of a losing tradition for the franchise, making the postseason only twice in his career. A win over the Los Angeles Lakers is one of the bright spots for him this season.
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Thunder vs Nuggets Predictions
When the team with the best record in the NBA comes to play, they’ll be considered the favorites. But when the 32-8 Oklahoma City Thunder come to visit the Denver Nuggets, with one of the best home records in the NBA, it suddenly isn’t such a guaranteed thing.
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Los Angeles Clippers – Chris Paul Doesn’t Miss a Beat
First it was the huge three pointer by Chris Paul to give the Los Angeles Clippers a five point lead. It was followed by some slick ball handling, showing John Wall he has a long way to go before challenging the best point guard in the NBA, who looked a tad rusty, but still better than anyone else, returning from his injury-forced absence.
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Milwaukee Bucks – Brandon Jennings Enjoying Basketball Again
It happens every time – Scott Skiles gets fired, and the team he leaves starts flourishing. Since Skiles left the Milwaukee Bucks and Jim Boylan took over, the Bucks have won five of their last seven, the latest coming with a big Brandon Jennings performance in a 110-104 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers.
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Minnesota Timberwolves – Andrei Kirilenko Turns the Tide
It’s been rough for the Minnesota Timberwolves lately – injuries to Kevin Love and other players; Ricky Rubio not having the easiest time on his comeback. Andrei Kirilenko has been one of the positives constants this season in Minnesota, and facing a Houston Rockets team in terrible form, along with its struggling superstar James Harden, helped get back to winning ways.
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Golden State Warriors – Klay Thompson Gets His Chance to Shine
David Lee wasn’t playing, and Stephen Curry, back from yet another ankle injury, was far from his best, Klay Thompson doesn’t usually get too much attention, or not as much as he deserves. The New Orleans Hornets regretted that in the end, as the Golden State Warriors shooting guards torched them with his scoring.
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Memphis Grizzlies – Marc Gasol Too Good to Handle
Usually, when it comes to scoring, Zach Randolph or Rudy Gay are in charge of the task for the Memphis Grizzlies. Trying to find their way back to winning streaks, going in other directions, like relying on Marc Gasol, different courses of action are being taken.
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San Antonio Spurs – Tony Parker Gets a Solo Show
Sometimes, only one third of something great is all you need. Tony Parker didn’t miss Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan as he led the San Antonio Spurs to a 98-93 win over the Atlanta Hawks, pouring more misery on a team that’s losing players to injury at the same pace they’re losing games.