Bobcats on actual win streak
Bobcats 92, Raptors 90
Your eyes do not deceive you. The Bobcats are a game above .500 and on a two-game win streak. A modest, but actual win streak.
These are not your parent's Bobcats either. This is a team that is playing hard for new coach Steve Clifford and have a decent young core that are growing pretty quickly. And without Al Jefferson too.
The Bobcats are not winning these games cleanly though. Charlotte made only 17 of 30 free throws in this game. The offense still has a different leading scorer each night. This time it was Gerald Henderson with 23 points.
However, Charlotte's defense is where things have really changed. The Bobcats held the Raptors to 44.3 percent shooting. More impressively, Toronto scored only 37 second half points and had more than 20 points in just one of four quarters.
Whatever Clifford is putting in the water in Charlotte appears to be working. It may not last, but the Bobcats finally have something to cheer for.
Pacers still the class of the East
Pacers 97, Bulls 80
A 34-18 fourth quarter propelled the Pacers past the Bulls and established them as the clear superiors in the Central Division in the early going. The Pacers are the only undefeated team remaining in the NBA and they do not appear ready to lose any time soon. Paul George had 21 points and David West added 17 points and 13 rebounds. Even though Indiana fell victim to Chicago's typically strong defense, they found ways around this and blew the doors open in the final 12 minutes.
Vucevic a monster in Magic win
Magic 98, Clippers 90
Magic center Nikola Vucevic scored 30 points and grabbed 21 rebounds for his fifth career 20/20 game, all five coming in the last two seasons, to lead the Magic to another surprising home win. Orlando lost a 19-point lead but blew the game open late in the fourth quarter with an impressive defensive performance. Chris Paul still had 18 points and 10 assists.
Sixers hitting a Wall
Wizards 116, 76ers 102
The warm feelings from Philadelphia might be cooling off now. John Wall and the Wizards gave the 76ers their second consecutive loss. Wall scored 24 points and dished out nine assists to lead the Wizards to the victory and help them snap out of a funk to start the season. It was Washington's first win of the year.
Schroeder could face discipline for low blow
Hawks vs. Nuggets, 9 p.m.
During Atlanta's 105-100 win over Sacramento on Tuesday, Dennis Schroeder committed an interesting foul, that was not called. While fighting around a screen he hit DeMarcus Cousins where no man wants to be hit. That will surely draw the ire of the NBA. Cousins complained about the no call after the game. The NBA is sure to review the play and make the appropriate fine on the rookie. Or maybe a light slap on the wrist.
Spurs survive Suns
Spurs 99, Suns 96
It was not pretty, but the Spurs won. That is all Gregg Popovich cares about in the end. Same with Tony Parker, who scored 20 points and dished out six assists. Danny Green added 19 points. This probably should have been a game the Spurs won by more than three points. Three is as good as thirty when what you care about in the end is winning.
Stevens collects first win
Celtics 97, Jazz 87
The Celtics are finally off the schneid, getting their rookie head coach his first win. The Celtics held the Jazz to eight second-quarter points and cruised to victory. Brandon Bass had 20 points and Jeff Green added 18 points for Boston. Gordon Hayward scored 28 points in a fine individual effort for Utah.
Barclays Center receiving award
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Barclays Center is set to receive the Municipal Arts Society's Neighborhood Catalyst Award. The award is given to beauty in architecture and buildings that have contributed positively to urban developments within New York City. What is funy is the Municipal Arts Society once crticized the Atlantic Yards development which Barclays Center anchors. Quite the mea culpa.
Mayo matches, bests Irving
Bucks 109, Cavaliers 104
O.J. Mayo went toe-to-toe in a scoring contest with Kyrie Irving, and won. That should be rare in Irving's career. Mayo scored 28 points to Irving's 29 points as the Bucks defeated the Cavaliers on a night the team celebrated the end of sharpshooter Michael Redd's career. Gary Neal's 23 points off the bench proved to be the difference. Neal was +12 while on the floor.
Curry injury overshadows Warriors win
Warriors 106, Timberwolves 93
The Warriors won, but they are likely more concerned with Stephen Curry's health. Curry left the game with a bone bruise after seven assists in 24 minutes. Fortunately for Golden State, Klay Thompson scored 30 points and picked up the slack. Andre Iguodala added 20 points on 8-for-13 shooting. And Harrison Barnes scored 14 points in his first game of the season.
Howard: It's not about the Lakers
Lakers vs. Rockets, 9:30 p.m./TNT
Dwight Howard will face his former team the Lakers for the first time since leaving in free agency. Fortunately, he gets that matchup in the friendly confines of his new home, the Toyota Center. The Lakers fans likely will be out with some force. However Howard has gone through this routine before, having played the Magic in front of a loud and angry Orlando crowd. That experience of playing against some of his former teammates and friends was nothing new. Howard said the color of the opposing uniform does not inspire him any more than usual. We will see Thursday.
Little Z-Bo born, Pelicans win
Pelicans 99, Grizzlies 84
Zach Randolph probably cares that the Grizzlies could not come back and get the win. He just might care a little less. Randolph left the game eight minutes in to be with his fiancee who gave birth to the couple's first child. The Pelicans led from teh first quarter onward with Eric Gordon scoring 19 points and Anthony Davis scoring 18 points.
Durant, Thunder push past Mavericks
Thunder 107, Mavericks 93
Life appears to be so much better when Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are back in the lineup together. Durant scored 23 points and added 10 assists. Westbrook had 22 points as he continues to work his way back from a torn meniscus. Oklahoma City won relatively comfortably at home. The biggest fight the Mavericks appeared to put up was Vince Carter's elbow to Steven Adams which got the veteran ejected.
