What you missed while stunned someone picked the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament perfectly...
Knicks 109, Nuggets 104: In a close game at the end, Denver got what it wanted. Carmelo Anthony had the ball in his hands, made two good drives, got two shots he wanted -- a runner across the lane and a reverse layup. Both contested, but ones the great closers need to make. Ones he usually makes. But it was not Melo’s night and he misses both. With the game almost out of reach he had a good look three and missed that, too
Meanwhile in Bizzaro land, rookie Toney Douglas has the ball with 30 seconds to go, recognizes the mismatch (Nene has switched onto him off a high pick) and drives at him forcing Nene to back up, then Douglas pulls up for an elbow jumper he just buried. Smart play, good shot. Put the Knicks up by three and Melo couldn’t answer.
Denver just does not get up for the games it should win.
Bobcats 95, Wizards 86 (OT): The final three minutes of a close NBA game that made me long for the efficient offenses of the first round of the NCAA Tournament. This was just not pretty (and I’m not even talking about Andray Blatche’s behavior). Mike Miller went 0 for 5 late, Tyrus Thomas committed an offensive penalty, Randy Foye put up an ugly running floater, all just bad. Outside of some hustle rebounds by Gerald Wallace -- including just ripping the ball away from JaVale McGee -- there was nothing impressive.
Maybe the best way to sum it up: The Bobcat’s last shot of regulation with 8.7 seconds. They inbound to Jackson, who literally does not take a step, does not move forward for the full time, then launches a contested three he misses. Ugh.
In overtime, Thornton fouled out, Washington ran out of steam and the Bobcats played like a team that worried about its playoff position.
Pacers 98, Pistons 83: Um, the Pacers have won three in a row and four of their last five. Maybe it’s some guys getting healthy, maybe it’s them getting used to playing at a fast pace, maybe it’s the End Times. Probably the first two, but I’m stocking up on canned goods just in case.
Mavericks, 106, Clippers 96: In the third quarter, Dirk Nowitzki got tossed for saying some magical words to the referee after foul call. Instantly Dallas fell apart and their lead vanished.
Out of desperation, Dallas went to the zone defense late in the third, and you might as well have expected the Clippers to solve the Sunday New York Times crossword in pen. They went 1 for 10 from the floor, plus threw in a few turnovers for good measure, and the Mavericks literally ran away from them. There was the Beaubois alley-oop, the Kidd three, the Haywood and one. And it was over.
