NBA Week In Preview 3/19/10
TNT’s Dynamite Performers- After blowing a 12 point lead, Orlando went into overtime to defeat division rival Miami 108-102 behind 27 points and six assists from Vince Carter and 24 points and 11 rebounds from Rashard Lewis. Dwayne Wade did all he could to help the Heat to a big win, scoring a game high 36 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, but the story of the season has been the lack of a go-to number two option for Eric Spolestra’s Miami outfit. Jermaine O’Neal had 14 points and five blocks and Carlos Arroyo had 11, but it was not enough as Michael Beasley shot 3-11 from the field in defeat. Orlando has clinched a playoff spot with the win.
-Denver led New Orleans 62-37 at halftime and cruised to a 93-80 win over the Hornets at the Pepsi Center. Carmelo Anthony led all scorers and rebounders with 26 and 18 and Nene had a Swiss Army game with 20 points, six rebounds, five assists, five steals and three blocks. Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton each had 15 to lead New Orleans but it wasn’t enough.
Robert Frost Report
Fire- Cleveland, LA Lakers, Portland, Houston, March Madness, Christine Amanpour, South Park, Karl Rove’s Rap Career.
Ice- Minnesota, Washington, New Jersey, Chicago, Detroit, Georgetown, The Northeast Storm, Census Scams, Health Care.
How Can The Bulls Melt The Ice?
“The only thing the Bulls can do is to get healthy.” Said ESPN Chicago’s Nick Friedell. “The bottom line is that they don’t have enough talent to compete every night right now. Until they at least get Rose and either Noah or Deng back they won’t be able to win much, if at all.” And until they break their nine game losing streak, they’ll surely be destined for the lottery.
SprungOnSports’ Friday Top 10
1) Cleveland (54-15) (1)- The Cavaliers are rolling through the month of March and their schedule remains easy throughout this week with games against Chicago, Detroit and New Orleans. It doesn’t look like this team is slowing down any time soon.
2) LA Lakers (50-18) (3)- Their four game winning streak includes a nice win at Phoenix last Friday night, and a game in San Antonio will be the team’s lone challenge in a week that features games against Washington and Minnesota.
3) Orlando (49-21) (2)- Orlando moves down in the rankings after a loss to Charlotte last Sunday, but they had nice wins over playoff teams San Antonio and Miami to clinch the playoffs. A win at Atlanta next Wednesday could be enough to seal things in the Southeast.
4) Denver (47-22) (5)- The Nuggets move up despite a close loss to Houston because they’ve won six of seven to move into the second spot in the west. Next week is a tough one with road games against Eastern contenders Milwaukee and Boston.
5) Dallas (46-22) (4)- A 34 point loss to the Knicks broke their 13 game winning streak and moved them down in the rankings. Boston, New Orleans and Portland are up next week as the Mavs try to leapfrog Denver again.
6) Utah (44-24) (6)- A 2-2 week keeps the Jazz barely in the 6th spot, but the rankings could quickly change over the next week with a lot of teams on the rise. Phoenix, New Orleans, Boston and Toronto are up next week.
7) Boston (43-24) (9)- They fell at Cleveland on Sunday, but won three of four to get back into the third spot in the east. The Celtics have a really tough week at Houston, Dallas and Utah before hosting Denver.
Eight) Atlanta (43-24) (7)- A loss at Toronto could be a sign of things to come with the week ahead. Playoff teams Charlotte, San Antonio, Orlando and Milwaukee are up next week and they could move out of these rankings next week.
9) Phoenix (42-26) (10)- The Suns won two in a row since their loss to the Lakers last Friday, but their 152 point effort gets them extra points in my book. Utah, Portland and Golden State should be at least two wins for this team.
10) Oklahoma City (41-25) (8)- A loss to Charlotte will always move a team down in the rankings, and it certainly did for the Thunder. Luckily, OKC has an easy road next week against Toronto, Indiana and Houston.
Week In Preview
Friday
-Both Boston and Houston are on hot streaks as the Rockets need help to make the playoffs and the two teams meet up at the Toyota Center at 8 eastern on NBATV. Oklahoma City plays at Toronto, Atlanta plays Charlotte in a Southeast battle and Utah battles Phoenix in a big game to determine home court in the western playoffs.
Saturday
-Everyone loves it when Chris Paul’s and Deron Williams’ clubs get together, but the Hornets will have to do it in CP3′s absence at 9 eastern on NBATV. Charlotte-Miami, Boston-Dallas and Milwaukee-Denver are other important games.
Sunday
-Tim Duncan and the Spurs battle Al Horford an Atlanta to start an ESPN doubleheader at 8 eastern, followed by Brandon Roy and the Blazers visiting Steve Nash and the Suns.
Monday
-Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks take it to the Big Easy, where they’ll play David West and the Hornets at 8 eastern on NBATV. Houston-Chicago, Atlanta-Milwaukee and San Antonio-Oklahoma City are other important games along with the Celtics continuing their road trip in Utah.
Tuesday
-Four locally televised games include Charlotte in Washington, New York hosting Denver and Dallas hosting the Clippers.
Wednesday
-An ESPN doubleheader starts at 8 eastern with Chauncey Billups and the Nuggets taking on Rajon Rondo and the Celtics followed by Kobe Bryant and the Lakers visiting the Spurs. Orlando plays Atlanta in a huge game, Utah plays Toronto, Cleveland is at New Orleans and Houston visits Oklahoma City.
Thursday
-TNT will be dynamite as Dwayne Wade and the Heat come to Chicago to play Derrick Rose and the Bulls in the race for the east’s final playoff spot followed by Jason Kidd and the Mavericks taking on Mister Thursday Night Brandon Roy and the Blazers. Clippers-Rockets is the other game.
