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Indiana Pacers – Back on Track, Maybe
A rough stretch for the Indiana Pacers which also cost them the top spot in the Eastern Conference might be coming to an end with a 101-94 win over the Detroit Pistons, in which Paul George finally played like the superstar he hinted he might be at the beginning of the season.
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Miami Heat – LeBron James Appreciates an Easy Game
Things haven’t been going in the smoothest or easiest way for the Miami Heat this season, so LeBron James and the NBA champions are understandably happy to face a team like the Milwaukee Bucks and beat them 96-77, helping them recharge their batteries and keep their lead in the Eastern conference intact.
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New York Knicks – Almost a Playoff Team
The New York Knicks, a playoff team. Considering all that’s happened this season, that doesn’t make too much sense, but Carmelo Anthony, along with some newly found fighting spirit within the team and some smart changes from Mike Woodson, have led them to a 110-81 win over the Brooklyn Nets and a step closer towards ending up in the postseason.
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Portland Trail Blazers – Damian Lillard & LaMarcus Aldridge Carrying the Load
One of the goals this season for the Portland Trail Blazers was to improve as a team, which meant a better bench and obviously making the playoffs. Despite offseason changes and the postseason they’ll finally be back to, they’re still overly dependent on Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge, which isn’t such a bad thing against bad teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, coming away with the 124-112 win.
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Golden State Warriors – Stephen Curry Clutch, Jermaine O’Neal Cheats
Some might say the Dallas Mavericks were robbed of a win or at least another overtime as Jermaine O’Neal illegally blocked Monta Ellis in overtime, which led to a Golden State Warriors possession that Stephen Curry made the most of, hitting a game winning shot, claiming the 122-120 victory.
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Houston Rockets – Jeremy Lin Can’t Help & James Harden Can’t Defend
If missing three players from the starting lineup isn’t enough, the Houston Rockets continue to play the wrong kind of basketball for their situation, which means Jeremy Lin is being used in all the wrong ways on the floor, while James Harden has another awful performance when it comes to his defensive capabilities, and doing all that much on offense as well.
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Los Angeles Clippers – Sharing the Load
Not having Blake Griffin on the floor didn’t stop the Los Angeles Clippers from running all over the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 114-104 win that wasn’t that close, with Chris Paul making everyone feel involved, and especially Darren Collison, leading both teams in scoring.
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San Antonio Spurs – Focused on Championship, Not Streak
As nice as it is for the San Antonio Spurs to extend their winning streak with a 103-77 win over the Indiana Pacers with a big night from Tony Parker, it probably doesn’t mean all that much to them with their focus more on finishing the job they couldn’t at the end of last season, while also changing rulers in the Eastern conference.
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New York Knicks – Playoffs Just Within Reach
Making the playoffs isn’t just about the New York Knicks winning, but for now they’re playing their part, beating the Utah Jazz 92-83, getting a huge night from Carmelo Anthony who despite his murky future with the franchise is doing everything he can to make sure there’s some postseason basketball for his teammates this season.
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Miami Heat – Back Where They Should Be
The basketball hasn’t been tremendous from the Miami Heat of late, but results of their rivals and LeBron James taking over against the Toronto Raptors in a 93-83 win moved them back on top of the Eastern conference.