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Feb

5

76ers Mount Late Rally, Jet Past Wizards 101-96

?????????????????????????????????? Thaddeus Young?s 17 points on 8-for-10 shooting helped the Philadelphia 76ers rally from a 12-point deficit Tuesday to beat the visiting Washington Wizards, 101-96. ?

It initially looked like the Philadelphia 76ers were going to collapse against the Washington Wizards Tuesday; they managed to do two things instead?- they shot 56.9% from the floor and they mounted a monster comeback late in the fourth quarter, enabling the Sixers to overtake the Wizards, 101-96 at Wachovia Center.

The first quarter was nondescript as Washington managed to gain a 25-23 lead going into the second quarter; the Wizards’ Roger Mason capped a 13-2 run with a 3-pointer, enanling Washington to? take a 56-49 lead into halftime.? The Wizards’ DeShawn Stevenson sank 3 straight treys in the third quarter that helped Washington strecth their lead to 83-73 at the end of the quarter.? When the Wizards’ Antonio Daniels made a 3-point play, giving the Wizards a 90-78 advantage, it appeared that the game was well in hand.

Instead, they collapsed, going a terrible 5-of-20 from the field and committing 7 turnovers in the fourth quarter; they missed 10 straight shots in one stretch that allowed Philadelphia to take over.? The Sixers would then go on a 17-0 run, capped by a dunk by Rodney Carney and a free throw by Lou Williams – giving?Philadelphia a 95-90 lead that would not be challenged again.? Philadelphia was led by Andre Iguodala with 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and 2 blocked shots; Thaddeus Young scored 17 with 9 rebounds, while Carney added 16.? Andre Miller recorded a double-double with 11 and 14 assists.

Washington’s leading scorer was Stevenson with 19 points – including 5 treys, while Brandon Haywood scored 18 with 8 rebounds; Antawn Jamison chipped in with 16 and 14 rebounds, while Mason contributed 15.? Philadelphia (19-30) continues their homestand by hosting the Miami Heat on Thursday, while Washington (24-23) returns home to host the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.

Feb

5

Spurs’ Second-Half Defense Shuts Down Pacers 116-89

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???????????????????????????????????????? San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (#21) puts up a shot over Indiana Pacers center Jeff Foster during the first quarter of their game, played Tuesday night. San Antonio beat Indiana 116-89. ?

Tuesday’s game between the San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers was a game of contrasts.? The first half was relatively close for both squads; the second half not so much.? With the Spurs’ Tim Duncan dominating in the paint and their defense playing lights-out, the Spurs left Conseco Fieldhouse with an impressive 116-89 win over the Pacers.

Both teams shot very well in the first quarter, especially Indiana (78.6% from the floor); the Pacers scored four points late in the first period to take a 31-25 lead, but the Spurs started a 7-0 flurry near the end of the quarter to take the lead, 34-33.? Indiana would go into the second quarter with a slim 36-34 lead.? The second period was back-and-forth; San Antonio?scored 5 straight points?to take a 59-54 lead with 1:17 left in the half, but Indiana closed the half with 5 straight points of their own which tied the game at 59.

The second half saw a completely different Spurs squad than the one that was on the floor in the first half; with Duncan anchoring the middle and reserve Jacques Vaughn and Manu Ginobili roaming the perimeter, San Antonio opened the first half with the first 8 points?and finishing up with a decisive 18-2 run to make it 77-61 Spurs with 4:18 to go in the third quarter.? The Pacers couldn’t make a serious run for the remainder of the game, as the best they could do was close to within 11 at the start of the fourth quarter.

San Antonio, with 7 players in double-digits,?was led by Duncan with 19 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists and a blocked shot; Vaughn scored 16 with 5 assists, while Ginobili added 15 – including 3 treys.? Bruce Bowen chipped in with 14, while Damon Stoudemire – starting his first game for the Spurs – pitched in with 11.? Indiana was led by Danny Granger with 16, while Troy Murphy scored 15 – including 3 three-pointers.? Travis Diener and?Mike Dunleavy added 14 apiece in a losing effort.? San Antonio (30-16) now travels east to D.C. to face the Washington Wizards Wednesday, while Indiana (19-30) flies to New York City to take on the Knicks – also on Wednesday.

Feb

5

LBJ Just Misses Triple-Double Cavaliers Hold On To Beat Boston 114-113

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LeBron James just missed a triple-double, as he scored a game high 33 points, a game high 12 assists, 9 rebounds, a game high 5 steals, and 2 blocks, as the Cleveland Cavaliers held on to defeat the Boston Celtics 114-113 Tuesday night. Cleveland held on despite a fourth quarter surge by the Celtics who shot a scorching 56.9% from the floor (42-74) 50% from outside the arc (9-18) and 90.9% from the line. The Cavaliers shot 50.6% from the floor (40-79) and hit 10 treys, in the win. Boston was without All-Star forward Kevin Garnett for the fourth straight game as he was out with a?an abdominal strain. The “Big Ticket” was hurt on January 25, as the Celtics defeated Minnesota.?

This game was like an amusement park ride as the two teams were tied 46 times, and the lead changed hands an incredible 56 times! Cleveland’s largest lead was 6 points, while the Celtics never led by more than 3 points, at any time during the game. The Cavaliers had a paper thin lead at the end of the first quarter as they led 36-35, Boston took a slightly larger 66-64 lead as the two teams hit the half. Cleveland had taken back the lead and had pushed it to five points at the end of the third, as they led 92-87. The Cavaliers got the lead up to 6 points, as they led 97-91 with 9:55 left in the game, but the Celtics scored the next five points to cut he lead back to 1 point, 97-96. Each time Cleveland would surge ahead?Boston would roar back. Cleveland actually led 114-110 as Zydrunas Ilgauskas made two at the line, but a James Posey trey at the buzzer would make the final margin of victory just 1 point.

James had one of his most complete games of the year leading his team in almost category. The two that he did not lead the team in Big “Z” did, as he recorded a double-double, 21 points, a?game high 10 boards, a game high 5 blocks, and 2 assists. Larry Hughes scored?18 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, Ira Newble stepped up big time scoring 15 points, 2 rebounds. Daniel Gibson came off the?bench scoring 11 points, 2 steals, 2 rebounds, 1 assist.

Ray Allen scored 24 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, to lead Boston. Rajon Rondo scored 20 points, 7 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal, Paul Pierce scored 19 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal. Tony Allen scored 14 points coming off the bench, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, Kendrick Perkins scored 12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists. The Cavaliers are only the second opponent to beat the Celtics twice this season, as they join?Orlando.?Cleveland improves to?27-20 with the win, Boston is now 36-9.??

Feb

5

Reports From Miami Say Shaq Could Be Headed To Suns

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The “Miami Herald” reported Tuesday that there could be a trade in the works between the Miami Heat and the Phoenix Suns on the horizon. The paper is reporting a trade sending Shaquille O’Neal to Phoenix in exchange for forward Shawn Marion, and guard Marcus Banks. The paper states that a representative for O’Neal had been informed that talks were going on between the two teams and they were “serious.”

Although the deal makes sense for the Heat, who are going nowhere this season, at least at first glance this would be at best a risky proposition for Phoenix. The Suns are currently in first place in the Pacific Division, with a record of 34-14, second best in the Western Conference. Although Marion had made statements before the season, saying he wanted to be traded, his teammates seemed to convince him that Phoenix was a good spot for him. He has played in 47 games this season, averaging 15.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, per game. O’Neal has been injured since December 22, when he slid into the scorers table diving for a loose ball banging his left hip. Shaq has not played since January 21, as Miami coach Pat Riley decided to shut him down for two weeks. O’Neal will be 36 years old and is in his sixteenth season in the Association.

Feb

5

All-Star Game To Be Chock Full Of Big Easy Entertainers

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The NBA announced Tuesday?that the Association’s All-Star?Game on February 21, held in New Orleans, will have a real Cajun feel.?Harry Connick Jr. &?Branford Marsalis, will be musical directors for the event? featuring:?Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Marc Broussard and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Art?& Ivan Neville, Rebirth Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins, Amanda Shaw, Davell Crawford, Stephanie Jordan, Jonathan Batiste, Jonathan Dubose, Ellis Marsalis, Trombone Shorty. Marsalis will be the musical director during the player introductions, while Connick will be musical director for the half time show.

Feb

5

Swift Happy With Shift In Teams

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The New Jersey Nets introduced their newest player to the media on Tuesday as forward Stromile Swift talked with reporters after the Nets Tuesday morning shoot around. Swift who was acquired Monday from the Memphis Grizzlies for center Jason Collins, and cash considerations said he was happy to be with New Jersey. The Nets website quoted Swift as saying “It always feels good to know that somebody wants you and they’ve given me that feeling before and I feel that now. I’m happy to be here.”

Swift also said although he will miss his?former teammates, and the Grizzlies organization, he is looking forward to playing with the New Jersey squad. Swift had spent his entire career with the Grizzlies being drafted by the franchise in the NBA Draft of 2000, when the team was still located in Vancouver. Nets coach Lawrence Frank said Swift would start out on the inactive list until he gets better acclimated with New Jersey’s playbook.

Feb

5

Shaq Sees Doctors, Will Most Likely Miss Detroit Game

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The “Miami Herald” reported Tuesday that Miami Heat center Shaquille O’Neal was re-examined by team doctors Monday night to see how his injured left hip was progressing. Shaq originally hurt his hip back on December 22, when while diving for a loose ball, he slid into the scorers table. O’Neal then aggravated the hip a few days later in a game against Philadelphia, and ended up being shut down. During that time he traveled to Los Angeles, seeking medical help. O’Neal came back for a few games but was put on the inactive list after the Heat lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers, January 21.

Miami coach Pat Riley said that his veteran center would miss a minimum of two weeks.?Shaq’s first game that he would be eligible to play in would be Wednesday as the Heat travel to Detroit to take on the Pistons. The paper is reporting that it is very unlikely that O’Neal, and forward Udonis Haslem would make the trip. Haslem is out with a sprained left ankle. Although there has been no word, whether O’Neal’s condition had improved,?Riley made it sound like?even in a best case scenario, his center would not be back for a while. O’Neal has only worked on upper body conditioning during his two weeks off. Riley says if the?doctors say he can increase activity,?the next step would be to get Shaq’s lower body in game shape.