by Holly MacKenzie / @stackmack
Kobe Bryant turning into the Lakers all-time scoring chief, scoring 44 to move #44, in Memphis after which arising quick in opposition to the Grizzlies. Fairly certain that’s not how he say that sport going. Giving up the ball to Ron Artest for the ultimate shot wasn’t how I noticed that happening.
Props to the freaking Grizz. They fought arduous, they performed powerful and it was superior to observe Marc go up in opposition to his older bro. It was additionally nice to see Zach Randolph put in one other stable efficiency, scoring 22 factors to go along with 18 rebounds. Mayo going up in opposition to Kobe was additionally enjoyable, considering of how one grew up watching Kobe and the opposite was praising Mayo’s work ethic when he was right here in Tronto final week.
Nice, nice win for the Grizz. Rudy Homosexual’s three was a ravishing shot in entrance of the Lakers bench. Lester Hudson reaching a career-high in simply 6:06 seconds of enjoying time was superior, too.
I really feel like Kobe’s hit a ton of milestones this season and it’s not even the All-Star break.
In Washington, Powerful Juice, Nick Younger and the Wizards hung with the Celtics… for awhile. Within the fourth issues kinda fell aside offensively as they scored simply 10 factors within the quarter, permitting Boston to interrupt away and getthe 99-88 victory. Rajon Rondo had 17 factors and 12 assists, KG scored 19 and Ray Allen added 17 as properly. Caron was stable for the Wiz with 20 and 11 as Antawn Jamison struggled mightily from the ground, scoring simply eight factors on 2-for-17 fgs.
The Milwaukee Bucks took down the Warmth for the second time in every week, defeating Miami 97-81, regardless of opening the sport by lacking their first 10 pictures. Dwyane Wade had 23 factors and 6 assists within the sport, however shot simply 7-for-19 from the ground. The Warmth as a workforce shot simply 36 p.c. Andrew Bogut had the environment friendly form of line that I like a lot. The man scored 22 factors on 10-for-13 discipline targets to go along with 11 rebounds. Carlos Delfino added 16 factors and 10 rebounds for the Bucks whereas Jap Convention rookie of the month, Brandon Jennings had simply 9 factors however eight assists.
In New Orleans, Steve Nash performed by an stomach pressure to guide the Suns to the 109-100 victory. Darren Collison continued to kill it as he steps in for Chris Paul, however the Hornets had been unable to beat a second quarter the place they had been outscored 29-15 by the Suns. Nash completed with 18 factors and 12 assists, however the Hornets rookie had his second straight double-double with 16 factors and 14 assists. Fellow rookie Marcus Thornton scored 25 factors, but it surely wasnt’ sufficient to beat 25 from Amar’e and 20 off of the bench from Channing Frye.
In Denver with out Melo as soon as once more, Arron Afflalo continued to impress in a 112-109 OT victory. Down 17 within the third quarter, the Nuggets stormed again in opposition to the Kings and within the further session, it was Afflalo who hit a jumper with 18.4 seconds remaining to provide the Nuggets the lead and the sport. Spencer Hawes had 23 factors and seven rebounds whereas Kevin Martin added 22. Kenyon Martin led the Nuggets with 24 factors and 12 boards, Chauncey Billups added 23 factors and 9 assists and Afflalo scored 12 factors, none greater than his last two of the evening.
In Utah, the Jazz and Mavs had an in depth sport till the fourth when Dallas form of fell aside and Utah jumped on them, creating turnovers and getting second probability alternatives, crashing the offensive glass. In addition they outscored the Mavs 27-16 within the last quarter to drag away down the stretch and get the 104-92 victory. Deron Williams had 18 factors, seven rebounds and 15 assists to depart Utah. Paul Millsap scored 25 factors and grabbed 9 boards and CJ Miles added 17 factors off of the bench. Dirk had 28 factors for the Mavs whereas Jason Terry added 19 factors to go along with eight assists within the loss.
In Portland, awesomeness was in full impact, regardless of Stephen Jackson and the Bobcats shedding, 98-79. Sure, it was a blowout, but it surely was nonetheless enjoyable. Batum had 15 factors and 9 boards. Andre Miller had eight factors (not fairly 52, hey?) and 9 assists. LaMarcus had 17 and Jerryd Bayless scored 15. Patty Mills even acquired into the sport on the finish! That made me completely satisfied. For the Bobcats, Stack Jack had 23 factors and Gerald Wallace added 17 and 10 rebounds.
Man, the Blazers are only a enjoyable workforce to observe. I like the Bobcats, however Portland simply feels proper. Particularly at residence. Their followers could also be taking on Oracle’s for my favourite within the league.
I nonetheless can’t consider the Lakers misplaced to Memphis. I wasn’t anticipating that. I additionally don’t see Kobe having the endurance along with his teammates to surrender the ultimate shot in one other state of affairs like that. Agh. That one made me really feel torn. I used to be completely satisfied for the Grizz, however wished Kobe to have a W for his massive milestone.
