What you missed while wishing Ricky Gervais would host the Oscars…
Nuggets 120, Wizards 109: This was the dreaded fourth game in five nights for the Wizards, usually the night every team mails it in. The good news is that Andray Blatche didn’t — he hustled. Didn’t see that coming, did you Flip? It was certainly not perfect play from him, but there was effort.
John Wall got taken to school by Chauncey Billups and Ty Lawson (Wall’s defense needs work). That combo started to wear down the Wizards, as the Nuggets pulled away for good in the second quarter. And that was without supersub J.R. Smith, who was late to shootaround and got benched for the first half.
Arron Afflalo can play on my team any time.
Celtics 112, Cavaliers 95: Kendrick Perkins returned for this glorified Celtics scrimmage. Boston started to pull away late in the first quarter behind Paul Pierce and in the second quarter they just overwhelmed the Cavaliers. Paul Pierce 8-11 in the first half for 24 points. The Celtics were controlling the paint and getting shots inside on offense while Ray Allen was coming of screens for wide open looks. We’re at 18 straight Cavaliers losses and counting.
Mavericks 112, Clippers 105: This is a game where Dallas started out slow on offense and the Clippers were up 10 quickly, putting up 33 points in the fist quarter. But you knew the Mavericks run was coming. What you didn’t expect is that J.J. Barea (25 points) and Tyson Chandler (21) would lead it. Dirk Nowitzki was 6-of-15 shooting and still is struggling since his return.
I wonder if we will see a lot of with the Clippers on the road more — them not able to hold leads.
Bobcats 94, Kings 89: You can say the Bobcats were playing good defense or that this game was sloppy. Either way you’d be right. The Kings shot 36 percent and were 1-of-12 from three. You don’t win doing that.
Lakers 120, Jazz 91: The Lakers on three days rest — all the time hearing from Jerry West and reporters about how they can’t play defense — taking on a struggling Jazz team. Not a shock the Lakers were up 15 after one and 66-38 at the half. Nothing much to say here, the Lakers are good and were focused, the Jazz have lost five straight (with the Spurs on tap for Wednesday).