Kobe Bryant (30, 10 and 12, with 3 treys, a steal and only 1 turnover) recorded a ho-hum triple-double as the Lakers beat the Kings, 112-100, to start the season 5-0. Pau Gasol (22, 11 and 2, on 7-15 shooting, 8-10 free throws, with 2 blocks and only 1 turnover) and Lamar Odom (18 points on 8-12 shooting, 2-2 treys, with 8 boards, 2 assists and a block, with only 1 turnover) were brilliant, as expected. The Kings' backcourt of Tyreke Evans (21 points on 10-17 shooting) and Beno Udrih (17, 5 and 8, on 7-11 shooting, with no turnovers) produced above average lines, while Francisco Garcia (17, 5 and 2, on 6-10 shooting) was solid off the bench. I watched this game, and as much as DeMarcus Cousins (11 and 6 on 3-13 shooting) is immature, emotional and quite volatile, he got absolutely no love from the refs. There was one play when Cousins was fouled blatantly by Gasol as he attempted a shot. He got his own offensive rebound then was fouled again. He got the next offensive rebound, and Gasol under-cutted him to the floor. All three fouls were not called. Then on the next possession, when Cousins beat Gasol on a post-move, Gasol flopped on a slightest contact, which earned Cousins a foul. (By the way, I am of those who believe that the NBA is a conspiracy).
Tim Duncan (25 points on 11-13 shooting, 3-3 free throws, with 17 boards, 2 assists, a steal and 3 blocks) and Richard Jefferson (28 points on 9-13 shooting, 4-5 treys, 6-6 free throws) led the way for the Spurs, as they beat the struggling Suns, 112-110. The Suns were led by Steve Nash (19, 6 and 7) and Jason Richardson (21 points on 8-18 shooting, with 3 treys), while Hakim Warrick (19 and 5, on 7-9 shooting, 5-6 free throws) played well off the bench.
Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavs over the Nuggets, 102-101, with 35 points on 15-31 shooting, 5-6 free throws, with 12 boards, 3 assists, and a steal. For the Nuggets, Carmelo Anthony had 20 points, 15 boards and 3 assists.
Elton Brand (25 points on 9-15 shooting, 7-7 free throws, with 12 boards, 4 assists, a steal and 2 blocks, with no turnovers) led the Sixers to their first victory of the season, a 101-75 stomping of Indiana. Brand has looked very good thus far this season. His coach likes to give him the ball (unlike his coach last year), and he finally looks healthy for the first time in three years.
Chris Paul (25 points on 7-12 shooting, 1-1 treys, 10-12 free throws, with 7 boards, 8 assists, 4 steals and a block, with only 1 turnover) led the Hornets over the Rockets, 107-99, by carrying his team's offense late in the fourth to pull away from Houston, all the while denying them their first victory of the season.
The other great point guard of the NBA, Deron Williams, led his Jazz to a resounding victory over the Raptors,125-108, to the tune of 22 points on 7-14 shooting, 8-9 free throws, with 8 boards, 14 assists, and 2 steals. His running mates, Al Jefferson (27, 6 and 2, on 12-20 shooting) and Paul Millsap (21, 6 and 5, on 10-16 shooting) also posted productive lines tonight. For the Raptors, Andrea Bargnani (26, 9 and 3) was the only reliable offensive option, and it looks like it's going to be that way for the rest of the season. Tragic.
The self-proclaimed best point guard in the league, Rajon Rondo, continued his record-breaking start with 17 points on 7-10 shooting, 3-4 free throws, with 8 boards, 15 assists, 3 steals and a block to lead the Celtics over the Bucks in overtime, 105-102. Paul Pierce chipped in an efficient 28 points on 8-17 shooting, 11-11 free throws, with 5 boards and 4 assists. For the Bucks, Andruw Bogut had 21 and 13.
Josh Smith broke out of his offensive funk to score 22 points tonight on 8-12 shooting, with 11 boards, 4 assists, a trey, a steal and 2 blocks, with only 1 turnover, as the Hawks beat the Pistons, 94-85. The Hawks are the first 5-0 team this season, and the Pistons are the first 0-5 team. The Pistons are in a real mess right now. Supposedly, everyone's blaming everyone for the team's struggles. The players are tuning out the coach, and the coach is pointing fingers. I smell a coach being fired coming up pretty soon. Oh, and I can't believe I forgot- they have Tracy McGrady (an okay 9 points on 4-7 shooting, with 4 boards, 3 assists, and 3 steals off the bench).
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