Busy Friday Night For The NBA

Friday night will be chock full of action, in addition, to some intrigue as 11 games are being played in the NBA. Let’s start by traveling north of the border, where the Toronto Raptors take on the Cleveland Cavaliers a contest in which both teams have banged up go to guys. In the Raptors case it’s their forward tandem, Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani who both made early exits from the Raptors win over Memphis Wednesday night. Bosh left the contest in the second quarter, with a strained groin, he told reporters Thursday he expected to play Friday night. Bargnani, collided with Stromille Swift in the fourth quarter, and he injured his knee which immediately swelled up after the game. He is listed as day to day, and is expected to be a game time decision as to whether he will play. Cleveland, already playing without Donyell Marshall, and Larry Hughes who are down with injuries lost their leader in the second quarter of their loss to Detroit. LeBron James was injured by Detroit center Nazr Mohammed, and sprained his left index finger. He is also listed as day to day, but my instinct tells me James will be on the court Friday night with his fingers taped, bringing back memories to us old timers of Bernard King.

During Thursday night’s telecast of the Knicks basically quitting during their game against the Celtics, Charles Barkley talked out New York coach Isiah Thomas. Barkley believes that Thomas is about as safe in his job, as a plate full of cookies would be in front of Sir Charles. In other words he is a goner according to Barkley, and despite Thomas telling New York media members last Friday he was assured by management he would survive the seasaon, Thursday’s game must have?hurt?his status. New York hosts the Milwaukee Bucks at MSG, and Thomas may need around the clock security at the game, due to the venom of irate fans. If Milwaukee who has lost 2 in a row dominates this game, I would have to agree with Barkley and presume Thomas could be gone by the end of the weekend.

The Boston Celtics have lost 2 games this season. Both times they lost were to teams that out performed Kendrick Perkins their starting center and weakest link. If Shaq-Diesel shows up Friday night instead of Old Man O’Neal, Miami will have a shot in this game. D-Wade will get his 30, and Ricky Davis will jack up 40 shots, and get 22 points, but the key to this game for Miami, will be Shaquille. Not one Celtics starter broke the 29 minute mark Thursday night, so they will be well rested in pursuit of their thirteenth win.

Two power houses take each other on Friday as the Orlando Magic with a record of 14-3, and leading the Southeast Division take on the Phoenix Suns who lead the Pacific Division with an 11-4 record. Talk about a contrast in styles! Phoenix dominated by a fast break Steve Nash run offense, complimented by Shawn Marion, and Damon Stoudemire, and former Magic player Grant Hill. Orlando does it with their big men led by Dwight Howard, and his two wing-men Rashad Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu, with Jameer Nelson a major part of the mix. This clash of the titans could be the best contest of the night.

So far this season Utah Jazz power forward Carlos Boozer has played his best basketball of his NBA career, averaging a double-double almost every night. They will jump ball against Kobe and company as the Lakers come to Salt Lake City. In addition to Boozer the other member of the team that has been indispensable has been guard Deron Williams, as Andrei Kirilenko has not been the steady offensive presence at small forward as he has been in the past. Lakers may have found a “diamond in the rough” Thursday night as they went to their bench, and a little used guard may have been a one night wonder,or embarking on a new path. Lakers fourth year player Serbian guard Sasha Vujacic, scored 22 points Thursday a career high against the Denver Nuggets, 19 of which came in the fourth quarter. It will be interesting to see how much action he sees against the Jazz.