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Arizona Wildcats – Mark Lyons Makes Undefeated Look Easy
There are only five teams in the nation left undefeated, and the number one reason the Arizona Wildcats are still one of them is because of their senior guard Mark Lyons keeps expanding their resume of double digit wins in games that should be a bit tougher.
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Los Angeles Lakers – Can’t See Past the End of His Nose
It doesn’t really matter that Kobe Bryant speaks after every game about getting back this player or the other. This time it was Steve Nash back in the lineup, also hitting the game clinching shot for the Los Angeles Lakers in a rare road win this season, but this game was once again, maybe more than ever, about Bryant ignoring everyone else, regardless of what was happening on the court.
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Houston Rockets – James Harden Improving, Jeremy Lin Learning
There’s no question that the arrival of James Harden has turned the Houston Rockets into more than just a playoff contender, but a nationally relevant team once again. Jeremy Lin is playing second fiddle, but with every game that goes by, it looks like he’s getting better and better in his new role.
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Miami Heat – LeBron James Doesn’t Care About Scoring Titles
A win that was all about streaks. The Miami Heat won their fourth consecutive game, all in double digit margins. LeBron James had yet another game with more than 20 points, not going below that mark once so far this season, and also wasn’t called for a foul in the fifth straight game. Guess which streak impresses him more.
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Los Angeles Clippers – The Best Team They’ve Ever Had
A feeling of something special, something different? It’s been that way from the moment Chris Paul arrived. A conference semifinal appearance last season seems to be only the beginning. Way more than just lob-city and Blake Griffin alley-oop dunks, the Los Angeles Clippers are venturing territory they haven’t been to before, as NBA title contenders.
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Chicago Bulls – Luol Deng Rises Above the Ejections
As much as NBA officials try to make some games about themselves (you know, ego and being human), there was still enough of good basketball from the Chicago Bulls in Madison Square Garden to rise above the ejections and technical fouls, especially from Luol Deng in what was his best game of the season.
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Minnesota Timberwolves – Kevin Love as the Setup Man
Clutch is a term thrown around too loosely. Sometimes setting up the chance by working hard for three quarters is just as important. Jose Juan Barea was the guy who clinched the win for the Minnesota Timberwolves with a huge fourth quarter. Kevin Love, happy or not about his situation, was the guy who made it all possible.
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Miami Heat – LeBron James & Defense Make Winning Easy
The NBA’s big night during the regular season is Thursday, and the Miami Heat are a big part of that scheduling. LeBron James is the biggest piece of that train of thought, but when he and his team are at their best from the first minute they step out onto the floor, these contests aren’t that interesting for the entire 48 minutes.
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Charlotte Bobcats – Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is the Real Deal
There’s isn’t too much to be happy about for the Charlotte Bobcats this season, currently in the middle of a 13 game losing streak. Bright spots? Not too much, but rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, despite his inconsistency, seems to be one. With his 25 points, 12 rebounds game in yet another loss, he becomes the second player to post those numbers twice before his 20th birthday, joining LeBron James.
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Houston Rockets – Jeremy Lin Following James Harden
An equal partnership between two players in an effort to lead a team can’t work. Someone has to be the number one guy, some has to take a step back. With each game and win, it’s clear that James Harden is and should be the man the Houston Rockets follow, while Jeremy Lin takes somewhat of a secondary role.