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New York Knicks – The Playoffs Continue to Get Closer
We mentioned another misleading streak beginning yesterday. It seems it’s not over yet, as the New York Knicks came away with a 107-97 win over a direct rival for the final postseason spot, the Cleveland Cavaliers, after another impressive scoring performance by Carmelo Anthony and generally the offense-oriented lineup doing its job.
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Houston Rockets – James Harden on Fire, Jeremy Lin Makes the Most of his Time
There’s no getting around it: The Houston Rockets are the best team in the NBA since New Year’s, and their 112-86 win over the Indiana Pacers, with another excellent performance from James Harden and Dwight Howard while Jeremy Lin made the most of the limited minutes he’s been getting.
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Memphis Grizzlies – Beating Their Twin From the Windy City
There are quite a few similaraties between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Chicago Bulls, most of them having to do with the defensive foundation and the game revolving around a versatile big man in Marc Gasol or Joakim Noah. The second best team in the Western Conference since the beginning of 2014 turned out to be a bit too much for their Eastern counterparts.
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Brooklyn Nets – Beating the Best, Losing to the Worst
The Brooklyn Nets are the most impossible team to read this season, capable of beating the best teams in the West before losing to the worst teams in the East. Paul Pierce was awful once again upon his visit to his former home arena, while Rajon Rondo, in a mistake filled night, pulled the Boston Celtics wagon forward in a rare moment of actually being proud of the work that’s done there this season.
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New York Knicks – Another Misleading Streak Begins
Every now and then Mike Woodson makes a desperate change in his lineup which starts a winning streak that creates the illusion of a good team come together again. The New York Knicks beating the Utah Jazz 108-81 with another big game from Carmelo Anthony is another one of those moments when it seems this dysfunctional team might actually make the playoffs.
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Clippers vs Lakers – Total, Complete Humiliation
Remember when the season began and the Los Angeles Lakers actually won the opening game against the Los Angeles Clippers, by double digits no less? A lot of things have changed since then, with the Lakers looking worse and worse with every month that goes by. Their 142-94 loss to the Clippers under their championship banner might have been the lowest point of all.
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Suns Over Thunder – A Team Better Than Just Two Players
As good as Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant can be, and they were against the Phoenix Suns, there will be some nights that these individual efforts without going in a different way won’t be enough, resulting in a 128-122 loss during an excellent game, with Gerald Green starring on the other end.
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Spurs Over Heat – Proving a Point, Again
Every year the San Antonio Spurs are cast aside by many when the championship contender list is drawn up. The Miami Heat? Never. But in the second NBA finals rematch of the season, the losers handed the champions their worst loss this season, with Tim Duncan leading the way and LeBron James disappointing big time.
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Portland Trail Blazers – Nicolas Batum Turning Into a Monster Rebounder
Seeing the Portland Trail Blazers play well and return to their good form isn’t surprising. So their win over the slipping Atlanta Hawks, coming quite easily, is mostly expected. But watching Nicolas Batum becoming their best player on the glass? That’s a bit more unexpected.
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Golden State Warriors – Stephen Curry Can Take it Easy Again
After beating the Indiana Pacers through a game winning shot by Klay Thompson, playing the Boston Celtics is almost like being on holiday, only with really bad weather, as Stephen Curry could give himself another break en route to a 108-88 win.