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Feb

9

Slam Dunk Central NBA Power Rankings

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA POWER RANKING
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Cavaliers maintain top spot

This week found that as of right now, the Cleveland Cavaliers are unquestionably the team to beat, despite their loss of Mo Williams. The Cavs are what a championship team is all about. Fortunately for them, they don’t have to face the Los Angeles Lakers until possibly the NBA Finals.

Utah made a leap this week and are on a hot streak, while the Miami Heat went 0-for-the week. Without further adieu, here’s this week’s edition of Slam Dunk Central’s NBA Power Rankings:

Cleveland Cavaliers (1). They’ve won 11 straight and are without on a roll. It looks like Shaq is heating up as he has shot 65% in the last 10 games. That development doesn’t bode well for Cleveland’s opponents this week.
Los Angeles Lakers (2). While they were 2-2, they were somewhat offensively challenged. They won without Kobe, so that hs to count for something. They face the Utah Jazz Wednesday before going into the All-Star break.
Denver Nuggets (4). They swept the Lakers, which may prove to be huge at the end of the regular season. This week, they host a Texas pair: Dallas and San Antonio. They need Melo and Chauncey back like yesterday.
Utah Jazz (5). Winners of 8 straight, the Jazz are getting some welcome offense from AK-47 – and it couldn’t have come at a better time. They face the Clippers and Lakers this week.
Oklahoma City Thunder (9). They’re a team not to be messed with, folks. Not only is Kevin Durant scoring like crazy, but Russell Westbrook is stepping it up, contributing to their current 5-game win streak. They can increase it to six as they face Portland Tuesday.
Orlando Magic (3). Yeah, Vinsanity ruled last week, but don’t let the 2-1 week fool you. Offense was hard to come by for the Magic, hence the drop. This week finds Orlando visiting Chicago and Cleveland before the break.
Atlanta Hawks (6). Josh Smith stirred the Hawks’ drink this week as he nearly notched a triple-double, and they played some top-shelf defense vs. the Bulls, allowing only 81. Scoring only 98 points for the week isn’t going to cut muster, however.
Boston Celtics (7). Is there a sense of urgency? After scoring only 11 in the third quarter against Orlando, one must wonder. If they can just get everyone healthy and in uniform – which seems like a tall order these days. Just one game for them this week: the slumping New Orleans Hornets.
Toronto Raptors (12). Save for a 130-115 thrashing by the Pacers, the Raptors have won seven of their past 8. They’re the benefactor of the Eastern Conference being weak. Make it 8 of nine as they get Philadelphia Wednesday.
Portland Trail Blazers (11). They get a pass from me because with the injuries they’ve incurred, they still find ways to win. Yet, they need a center and also need Roy to return ASAP.
San Antonio Spurs (13). Parker’s back, but there is also an APB out for Richard Jefferson. It doesn’t get any better for the Spurs when they face Denver Thursday.
Phoenix Suns (14). Impressive was their four road wins during their current 5-game win streak, and Amare Stoudemire is giving the Suns reasons not to trade him. They get Portland at home on Wednesday. Oh, did I mention that Steve Nash is having a heck of a half-season?
Houston Rockets (18). Interesting week for the unpredictable Rockets. they spank the Warriors and Grizzlies, but lose to the Sixers. they play Miami Wednesday. Their fortunes should rise after the All-Star break.
Memphis Grizzlies (10). They’ve fallen, and they’ve haven’t gotten up – yet. They allowed the T-Wolves to light them up for 109; but to be fair, they did beat the Lakers at home. The rest of the month should give the Grizzlies hope.
Dallas Mavericks (8). They’ve lost 4 of their past five, which is no help to them in the West. And they lost to the T-Wolves, for Pete’s sake. They get to face Denver Tuesday – not a good way to enter the break.
New Orleans Hornets (17). Although you’ll never hear it from them, they miss Chris Paul. They can only hope that CP-3 can return sooner than expected. Maybe they can grab a ray of sunshine as they host the Celtics Wednesday.
Milwaukee Bucks (20). Their defense has been their saving grace as they won 3 of four this week. They catch a break as they face Detroit and New Jersey this week. Lucky Bucks.
Charlotte Bobcats (15). February hasn’t been too kind to the Bobcats, losers of three straight. Once again, the offense was MIA; they should be able to recover as they get Washington and Minnesota this week.
Chicago Bulls (16). Save for the Bucks, a bad week for the Central Division, including the Bulls. they lost 3 of four and Tyrus Thomas was suspended for a game. Is there a Vinny-watch on the horizon?
Miami Heat (19). The Heat should be lucky they’re percentage points ahead of the Bucks for the #8 seed in the East. It doesn’t look good for them as they face Houston and Atlanta.
Philadelphia 76ers (24). It isn’t every day you see Philadelphia and winning streak in the same sentence, yet that’s what they’ve done. their defense has manned up and they’ve inserted Jrue Holiday into the starting lineup. This week finds the Sixers taking on the T-Wolves and Raptors.
Washington Wizards (22). They went 2-2 this week (a postponed game vs. the Hawks at home is as good as a win). Other than Caron Butler, the Wizards’ offense has been non-existent. Only one game this week: the Bobcats.
Indiana Pacers (25). Curious week for Indiana as they rack up 130 vs. Toronto, but only 81 vs. Milwaukee. Jeff Foster is lost for the year, so Roy Hibbert will get more floor time. The remainder of February for Indiana is downright brutal.
Los Angeles Clippers (23). New coach Kim Hughes has his work cut out for him, now that Mike Dunleavy has been booted to the front office. Hughes’ baptism-by-fire continues as they play Utah and Golden State this week.
Minnesota Timberwolves (27). Stop the presses, everyone – the T-Wolves have won four straight! They shot 53% for the week, which is newsworthy. Can they get out of the West basement? Hard to say as they get Philadelphia and Charlotte this week. But it looks good.
New York Knicks (21). Good news: Nate Robinson’s doing well. Bad news: the Knicks’ defense is regressing. Tyreke Evans and the Kings visit MSG Tuesday.
Detroit Pistons (28). Two wins vs. New Jersey ( a recurring theme with the Nets) kinda helped the Pistons. But they face Milwaukee and Sacramento this week, so that bit of prosperity should come to an end.
Sacramento Kings (26). As soon as K-Mart gets his shooting touch back, the Kings should win some games. Francisco Garcia is expected back soon, so they should improve after the All-Star break – if not sooner. After all, they get New York and Detroit this week.
Golden State Warriors (29). The Western Conference’s equivalent of the New Jersey Nets, Golden State catches a break this week as they get the Clippers at home.
New Jersey Nets (30). Looking at the month of February, there’s only one game they can steal: Miami Heat on the 17th. Other than that, more of the same.

Feb

9

Gasol Steps It Up To Lead Lakers Past Spurs 101-89

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap
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The Los Angeles Lakers started a make-shift line-up Monday night as they hosted the San Antonio Spurs at the Staples Center. The reigning NBA Champions were without All-Star Kobe Bryant and center Andrew Bynum both side-lined with injuries. So big man Pau Gasol took the reins of the club as he recorded a double-double including 21 points and led the Lakers past San Antonio by a final score of 101-89. Ron Artest added 18 points while Lamar Odom also had a double-double with 16 points. Manu Ginobili led the Spurs with 21 points off of the bench.

San Antonio came out of the gate in the first with their offense flowing and it looked like they were on their way to a big scoring night as they would end the quarter on top 34-28. However what ever was working for them during the game’s first 12 minutes stopped being successful the rest of the night. Their offense slowed to a drip in the second as they could only muster 13 points in the period and as they walked into the locker room at the half they now trailed the Lakers with the score 50-47.

Neither team looked very dynmamic in the third but the home team still would add to their advantage and would be on top 73-68 as the period came to an end. Los Angeles opened the fourth with an 8-2 run and the Spurs never were able to recover.

Pau Gasol recorded a double-double with 21 points, 19 boards, 8 assists, 5 blocks and 1 steal in the Lakers victory. Ron Artest knocked down 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists while Lamar Odom also had a double-double as he had 16 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists 1 block and 1 steal. Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar both scored 13 points in the win.

Manu Ginobili had 21 points, 2 assists, 1 block and 1 steal while Tony Parker added 20 points, 8 assists, 2 rebounds and 1 steal. Tim Duncan had a double-double as he scored 16 points, 15 boards, 4 blocks, 1 assist and 1 steal while DeJuan Blair came off the bench with 11 points, 2 rebounds and 1 block. Los Angeles now has a record of 40-13 and will play Wednesday in Utah while San Antonio with a 29-21 mark will play Thursday in Denver.

Feb

9

Vinsanity Reigns At Amway, Magic Rally To Swat Hornets 123-117

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap
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Sean Marks (#4), Vince Carter (#15)

It’s been awhile since Vince Carter was up to his old tricks, skills-wise. Fortunately for the 17,461 in attendance at Amway Arena, they were witness to a rare display of basketball from Carter that they haven’t seen in some time as the Orlando Magic hosted the New Orleans Hornets.

If you remember the Vince Carter from his days with the Toronto Raptors and New Jersey Nets, then just assume that the Vince of old was on display Friday night as he exploded for a season-high 48 points, enabling Orlando to rally and get past New Orleans 123-117.

The Hornets trio of Peja Stojakovic, Darren Collison and David West were shooting lights-out, making baskets both in the paint and from the outside, finishing the first half with 16 points apiece at halftime. As quickly as the Magic had reduced their 14-point deficit to six, New Orleans had extended their lead even quicker. West closed the first half with two consecutive 3-point plays, his last one giving the Hornets a 70-55 lead at the break.

Fast-forwarding to the fourth quarter, Darius Songaila was whistled for a flagrant-one foul for throwing Dwight Howard to the ground; Howard converted the free throws, then Carter hit a jumper and a step-back three-pointer, tying the game at 106. Carter followed that with another 3-point play; he would then hit another trey – his 6th of the game.

He wasn’t quite finished yet. Carter would add a fall-away jumper to extend Orlando’s lead to 116-110 and would later nail a pair of free throws to seal the victory for the Magic.

Carter led all Magic players with a season-high 48 points (including six treys), 7 rebounds and 2 assists while Howard added 25 with 12 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and 4 blocks; Rashard Lewis chipped in 18 (including 3 three-pointers) with 4 rebounds and 2 steals.

Stojakovic led the Hornets with 29 points (including five treys), 9 rebounds and 5 assists while West and Collison added 27 apiece – with West grabbing 4 rebounds and dishing out 3 assists along with 2 steals while Collison grabbed 3 boards and dished out 9 assists along with 4 steals.

Orlando (35-17) plays again on Wednesday when they visit Chicago to take on the Bulls while New Orleans (27-25) returns home to host the Boston Celtics – also on Wednesday night.

Feb

8

Clippers Kaman Will Play On West All-Star Team Replacing Roy

Posted by Jeff Sack under 2010 NBA All-Star Game, NBA Injuries
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The “Los Angeles Times” reported Monday that NBA Commissioner David Stern named Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman to take the roster spot of Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy on the Western Conference squad for the NBA All-Star Game that will be held Sunday. Roy who was named as a reserve announced last Saturday because of problems with his right hamstring he would miss the contest.

This will be the first appearaance in the NBA All-Star game for the big man from the Clippers. Kaman now in his seventh campaign in the Association has averaged 20.2 points and 9 boards per game this season. He played a big role in the Clippers scoring some huge upset victories over some of the most elite teams in the NBA.

Feb

8

LBJ, Westbrook Selected NBA Players Of The Week

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Players Of The Week
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Russell Westbrook (#0), LeBron James (#23)

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James and Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Feb. 1-7.

James paced the league in scoring, averaging 35.0 points and was second in assists (10.3 apg), leading Cleveland to a 3-0 week. James also averaged 7.0 rebounds in 43.0 minutes. On Feb. 6, James scored a franchise-record 35 points in the first half and had a season-high tying five steals in the Cavaliers win over New York. James recorded his 19th double-double of the season with 22 points and a career-high tying 15 assists in a win over Memphis on Feb. 2. This is James’ fifth Player of the Week award this season.

Westbrook led Oklahoma City to a 3-0 week, including two wins on the road, averaging 19.7 points, 9.7 assists, 8.0 rebounds and 3.3 steals. On Feb. 6, Westbrook had an NBA season-high tying and career high eight steals in a win at Golden State. Westbrook increased his season averages by 3.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists while increasing his field goal percentage by 6.3 percent. This is Westbrook’s first Player of the Week award this season.

Here is a recap of the week for James and Westbrook:

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Feb. 2 vs. Memphis: Recorded 22 points, 15 assists, six rebounds, one block and one steal in a 105-89 win over the Grizzlies.

Feb. 4 vs. Miami: Scored 36 points and added eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals in a 102-86 win over the Heat.

Feb. 6 vs. New York: Poured in 47 points and added eight assists, eight rebounds and five steals in a 113-106 win over the Knicks.

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Feb. 2 vs. Atlanta: Posted 12 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and two steals in a 106-99 win over the Hawks.

Feb. 3 @ New Orleans: Scored 26 points to go along with 10 assists, eight rebounds and one block in a 103-99 win over the Hornets.

Feb. 6 @ Golden State: Totaled 21 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and eight steals in a 104-95 win over the Warriors.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Joe Johnson, Boston’s Rajon Rondo, Charlotte’s Stephen Jackson, Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, Orlando’s Dwight Howard, Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala, Phoenix’s Amar’e Stoudemire, and Utah’s Andrei Kirilenko and Deron Williams.

Feb

7

Orlando Plays Like Magic In Third Quarter Leads To Win Over Celtics 96-89

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap
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Back in the early to mid eighties when “CBS” broadcast the NBA they would show one game on Super Bowl Sunday; invariably it was the Boston Celtics against the Los Angeles Lakers. For those of us whose favorite sport is the Association it really was our version of the Super Bowl. Boston was back on the docket Sunday afternoon as they hosted the defending NBA Eastern Conference Champs the Orlando Magic at the “New Garden.” The Celtics had won their last three straight games and for the first time in 2010 they had all their players back active on the roster.

Boston welcomed back Paul Pierce and key reserve Marquis Daniels as the took on Orlando but it was not enough as Vince Carter blew up in the third igniting a 36-11 period for the Magic and they defeated the Celtics 96-89. Carter who had a tough month of January had 9 of his game high 20 points during the Orlando third and Dwight Howard would record a double-double in the victory. Rajon Rondo led Boston with 17 points as the club would fall to 15-9 at their home arena.

The first period would be tight as neither team broke away and the Celtics would find themselves the owners of a paper thin advantage at the conclusion of the quarter on top 24-23. Orlando’s offense would barely register in the second as Boston would hold a 51-40 lead as the game reached the half.

However the Magic came alive in the third and the Celtics looked like they needed a road map to find the basket. With 4:35 left to play in the third Orlando would tie the game at 60-60 as Rashard Lewis drained a trey. What seemed like an instant later and Boston found themselves trailing 70-60 with 1:45 in the quarter as Jameer Nelson drove the lane putting the ball up and in.

When the smoke cleard Orlando would lead at the end of the period 76-62. Boston had one more run left in them and would cut their deficit to 94-89 with 45 seconds to play as Kevin Garnett hit a pair at the line. But they ran out of time and the Magic would hold on for the win.

Vince Carter had a game high 20 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 block while Dwight Howard had a double-double 16 points, 13 boards, 2 blocks and 1 assist. Jameer Nelson scored 15 points while Rashard Lewis added 14 more and Matt Barnes contributed 11 points in the win.

Rajon Rondo led the Celtics with 17 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds and 3 steals while Ray Allen had 14 points, 2 assists and 2 rebounds. Both Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett would score 13 points in the Celtics loss. Orlando improves to 34-17 now in second place the Eastern Conference and will host the Hornets Monday while Boston falls to 32-17 and will take on The Hornets in New Orleans on Wednesday.

Feb

7

Bosh Bash Leads To Raptors Ripping Kings 115-104

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap
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With 11:11 left to play in the Air Canada Centre Sunday the Sacramento Kings led the Toronto Raptors 91-84 after Sean May buried a long range jumper. Exactly 1:08 later Sonny Weems drove the lane putting the ball up and in ad giving Toronto a 92-91 advantage. The two opponents would trade the lead back and forth until the score was 96-96. At that time Raptors big man Chris Bosh took over the contest and put some space between the two clubs which eventually resulted with Toronto winning the game quite handily as the final score was 115-104.

Bosh had a double-double including a game high 36 points. Kevin Martin led the Kings with 24 points in the loss. Sacramento which had captured some attention earlier this season is in the midst of a pre All-Star beak swoon as they have lost six straight games.

Sacramento has not been a competitive team on the road this season as their record away from home is 3-22. The Raptors on the other hand have been very successful at home during the campaign as they are 19-6 overall at their home arena and have won their last seven at Air Canada Centre.

This game was high scoring throughout as the final score indicates. Toronto would hold the advantage at the end the first as they would be on top 31-24. The Kings would find their offense in the second however the Raptors would still lead as they entered the locker room at the half with the score 62-59.

The Kings would keep on scoring as they returned to the court in the third and would head into the fourth leading 87-84. The first few moments of the final period looked like Sacramento would pull off a rare road victory. But Toronto grabbed the lead back about 2:00 into the quarter and then Bosh would lead them to the victory at the end.

Bosh recorded a double-double with a game high 36 points, 11 boards, 5 assists and 1 block while Andrea Bargnani added 22 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block. Hedo Turkoglu and Antoine Wright both scored 16 points for the Raptors in the victory.

Kevin Martin led the Kings with 24 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals while center Spencer Hawes had a double-double with 14 points, 11 boards, 2 assists, 1 block and 1 steal. Donte Green knocked down 13 points while Tyreke Evans and Andres Nocioni each added 11 points in the loss. Toronto improves to 28-23 and will host Philadelphia on Wednesday while Sacramento now sits at 16-34 and will play in New York on Tuesday.