Where The Hawks Fall (Day 13)

The Hawks finally lost for the first time this season, falling to the Suns, 118-114. But it didn't stop Al Horford (30 points on 13-16 shooting, 4-5 free throws, with 10 boards, 5 assists, a steal and 2 blocks, with only 1 turnover), Joe Johnson (34 points on 15-27 shooting, with 7 boards and 6 assists, with only 1 turnover), and Josh Smith (19 points on 6-10 shooting, 7-8 free throws, with 9 boards, 4 assists, 3 steals and a block) from producing amazing lines. But the Suns were led by a brilliant Steve Nash (19 points on 7-11 shooting, 1-1 trey, 4-4 free throws, with 5 boards and 15 assists), who destroyed Horford one-on-one every time they were matched up off the pick-and-roll. Nash scored at will, either crossing Al over or stepping back and draining a shot in his face. Nash also got teammates Jason Richardson (21 points on 9-15 shooting) and even Jared Dudley (15 points on 5-8 shooting) and Grant Hill (14 points on 5-10 shooting) to post some solid lines.

 The Lakers rolled past the Blazers for their 7th straight win, 121-96. Pau Gasol (20 points on 9-13 shooting, 2-2 free throws, with 14 boards, 10 assists, and 3 steals with no turnovers) led the way with a triple-double , Lamar Odom contributed 21 points on 10-15 shooting, 1-1 trey, with 12 boards and 3 assists, and Matt Barnes added 13, 6 and 4, on 6-7 shooting off the bench.

Kevin Durant (34 points on 11-22 shooting, 2-3 treys, 10-11 free throws, with 6 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals) and Russell Westbrook (16, 4 and 10, with 4 steals and 2 blocks) did what they could, but from how the C's handled the Thunder tonight, 92-83, it still looks as though OKC isn't one of the elite teams in the NBA just yet. For the Celtics, the backcourt of Rajon Rondo (10, 5 and 10, with 3 steals, on 5-8 shooting) and Ray Allen (19, 5 and 2, on 8-16 shooting, with 3 treys) caused all kinds of fits for the Thunder defense.

The Detroit Pistons are on a winning streak folks. The Pistons beat the Warriors tonight, 102-97, for their second straight victory of the season. They were led by the backcourt of Rodney Stuckey (21 points on 7-15 shooting, 1-2 treys, 6-6 free throws, with 5 boards, 9 assists, and a steal) and Richard Hamilton (27 points on 10-17 shooting, 2-4 treys, 5-5 free throws, with 5 boards and 2 assists), while Monta Ellis (24 points on11-23 shooting, 2-2 free throws, with 6 boards and 2 assists) and Dorell Wright (19, 4 and 5, with 3 treys and 2 steals) led the Warriors.

The Sixers beat the Knicks, 106-96, behind a balanced attack from Jrue Holiday (19, 5 and 8, with 4 treys), Elton Brand (20, 7 and 2, on 7-11 shooting, with a steal and 2 blocks) and Evan Turner (14, 10 and 3, on 6-11 shooting). For the Knicks, Amare Stoudemire (21 and 15) had a double-double, and that's about it.