High-flying Hawks silence Jazz
Hawks 118, Jazz 85
The Jazz have had a mixed bag road trip. Look no further than Trey Burke's 8-point, then 30-point performances in Florida.
As a franchise though, Utah had to have this weekend circled on its calendar for some time. Cost-cutting moves for the long-term led the Jazz to let both Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap walk in free agency. That led just about everyone to believe Utah was tanking. That might be so with the team's record the way it is.
The Hawks are decidedly not and were first up in the Jazz's reunion tour with their former franchise cornerstones. They put on an offensive onslaught on the Jazz that was befitting a now 7-22 team.
Paul Millsap scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a typically gritty double-double for the veteran forward. The Hawks had a 55-34 lead at the half and that was really all she wrote for the Jazz in this defeat.
Louis Williams scored 25 points in 24 minutes off the bench and Al Horford had 23 points on 11-for-15 shooting.
No Jazz starter scored in double figures as they struggled to find much offense against the Hawks on the road. Next up is a trip to visit old pal Al Jefferson and the Bobcats in Charlotte. That is another team the Jazz will have to be up for to have a chance at winning.
James welcomes McLemore
Heat 122, Kings 103
The highlight everyone will be talking about coming out of Friday's game was authored by the man who has the NBA's top-selling jersey this Holiday season. Hopefully James gave Ben McLemore a free jersey for his trouble, because the league's MVP put the Kings' rookie guard on a poster of epic proportions, nearly leaping over the 6-foot-5 guard. James ended up with 18 points, six rebounds and eight assists as the Heat coasted to victory. DeMarcus Cousins scored 27 points in the losing effort.
DeRozan and-1
Raptors 109, Mavericks 108
DeMar DeRozan's and-1 in overtime on a wild shot helped the Raptors steal a road victory at the always-difficult American Airlines Center. DeRozan hit a difficult bank shot over Shawn Marion from the elbow with about a minute left and drew the foul to make the final tally in the game. DeRozan had 15 points and nine rebounds for the Raptors, helping them close the game and draw the team into overtime. Jose Calderon had 23 points and Dirk Nowitzki added 22 points for Dallas.
Suns use big 4th to beat Nuggets
Suns 103, Nuggets 99
Phoenix's somewhat stunning start to the season continued wtih a big road victory over the Nuggets, never an easy thing to do considering the altitude and what-not. Phoenix though rallied when the altitude is supposed to affect road teams most. The Suns outscored the Nuggets 31-17 in the final quarter to rally for the win. Markieff Morris scored 25 points off the bench as the Suns starters struggled to produce.
Kyrie Irving is just sick
Cavaliers 114, Bucks 111, OT
It was not clear that Kyrie Irving would play in this one as he sat out practice wtih flu-like symptoms. When Irving stepped on the floor, he just went off. Irving scored 39 points and took over in overtime. Tristan Thompson hit a layup to force the overtime and O.J. Mayo missed two chances to tie the game at the end of overtime as the Cavaliers snuck out a victory. Mayo scored 20 points and Brandon Knight had 17 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists.
Turner wins it in OT
76ers 121, Nets 120, OT
Evan Turner drove to the basket with time winding down in overtime and made a layup as the buzzer sounded to delivers the Sixers an exciting overtime win over the struggling Nets. The loss inspired Paul Pierce to call the Nets as he sees them — a bottom of the barrell team that needs to be up for everyone to get wins. Startling reality indeed. Evan Turner scored 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Sixers. Alan Anderson scored 26 for the Nets.
40-point 4th fuels Cats
Bobcats 116, Pistons 106
Charlotte's scoring troubles have been well documented this season. The Bobcats are not the most efficient team. But every NBA team has an offensive onslaught in them. The Pistons were those unfortunate victims. Charlotte scored 41 points in the fourth quarter and held Detroit to 17 points to power past Detroit for a road victory. Kemba Walker scored 34 points to lead the Bobcats and Brandon Jennings had 26 points for the Pistons.
Pacers back to it
Pacers 114, Rockets 81
A two-game losing streak was not going to keep the Pacers down for long. Indiana dominated the Houston Rockets at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Roy Hibbert won the battle between, probably, the best centers in the league. Or at least his team did. Dwight Howard led the Rockets with 19 points and 12 rebounds, adding five blocks to his tally. Paul George scored 24 points for the Pacers in the easy victory.
Lakers run past Wolves
Lakers 104, Timberwolves 91
In their first game without Kobe Bryant, the Lakers looked freer and looser. They looked like a Mike D'Antoni team again. Pau Gasol was two assists shy of a triple double and young guns like Wesley Matthews, Xavier Henry and Nick Young had the freedom to run and run a flowing offense without Kobe Bryant isolations as the Lakers stormed past the Timberwolves at home on Friday. Gasol recorded 21 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in the win. Kevin Love had 25 points and 13 rebounds.
Amar'e Stoudemire expected back
Grizzlies vs. Knicks, 12 p.m.
The Knicks expect Amar'e Stoudemire to return for this afternoon's game against the Grizzlies at Madison Square Garden. Stoudemire missed Wednesday's game against the Bucks because of swelling in his knee. Fortunately, Tyson Chandler was back for that game. According to Al Ianazzone of Long Island Newsday, that will likely not be the last time Stoudemire sits out to allow his knees to rest. The Knicks, despite it all, are still looking at the long term.
Seraphin trying to regain rhythm
Wizards vs. Celtics, 1 p.m.
At the beginning of the season, Kevin Seraphin looked like he might be a nice surprise for the upstart Wizards. However, Seraphin began regressing back to his mean and has become mainly a defensive player once again. So Seraphin spent much of his practice time working on post moves trying to regain some rhythm and regain some minutes. No word if he has done enough to crack the rotation against the Celtics on Saturday. But the young center is doing what he can.
