KeedaHoops: Lakers and Thunder win, Celtics and Grizzlies lose

A busy day at KeedaHoops

4 game streak ended

The Lakers ended a 4 game losing streak against the Wizards. They won 102-98 in a game where Kobe tipped in a missed free throw by Dwight Howard. An alternate play to develop, when you know your center is going to miss the freebies. Bryant had 30 points and 7 assists.

The Orlando Magic ended a 4 game losing streak at home and defeated the Golden State Warriors 99-85.

The Thunder extend their win streak to 10 games with a 113-103 win over the Sacremento Kings. The biggest win streak in history for the Thunder is so far back that they were not even named the Thunder back then. As the Seattle Supersonics, they won 11 games in a row back in 1996. With Durant in fine form, scoring 31 points today, they should be able to set a new record. But their next opponents are the Spurs and the Hawks. Spurs are on a two game losing streak themselves, so maybe the Thunder can get the elusive 11th after all. The Hawks shouldn’t be too much of an obstacle.

Double Overtime Thriller

The Brooklyn Nets needed double overtime to defeat the Detroit Pistons. Joe Johnson was the hero of the night as he scored the final five points for the Nets including the game winning jumper. Joe finished with 28 points and he was helped by Gerald Wallace who had 25 points and 10 rebounds. The Nets almost gave this one away as they had a 17 point lead which was blown wide open by the Pistons. Even in the second overtime, the Nets missed their first six shots and the Pistons led 103-100, before Johnson came to the rescue.

Trade window opens

Well, the window has been open for a while, but as on December 15, a lot of players who have signed contracts during the past off-season have now become eligible to b e traded, including Gasol and Bargnani. But Bargnani is sidelined with elbow and wrist injuries.

Returns loom

Dirk Nowitzki took some jumpers ahead of his team facing the Raptors. His return looms large, hopefully by new year. Another player expected to be back by that time is Amare Stoudemire. Although the Knicks have been playing well, Carmelo is listed as day-to-day due to his ankle injury and the Knicks could use some help. Rubio and Nash are expected to be in action in the next week too.

Moneyball time in Memphis

Stats guru, the developer of the PER ratings, John Hollinger has joined the Memphis front office as Vice President of Basketball Operations. Currently Daryl Morey made the Rockets a team to be seen as expert stat crunchers. The Nuggets were in the list too. But in one signing, the Memphis Grizzlies have taken over the stat spotlight with the hiring of Hollinger.

Two Wolves

Two Wolves frontcourt players took 18 shots, one finished with 31 points on 14 made shots and the other only made 4 of 18. You guessed wrong, Kevin Love had an off night while Nikola Pekovic finished with 31 points to help lead the Wolves over the Hornets 113-92.

First time all stars

Guess who is leading the league in rebounds? It’s Anderson Varejao with 14.8 rebounds per game. But he is only 12th in the Eastern Conference among frontcourt players in All-Star game voting.

As for players who can make it for the first time, James Harden and Jrue Holiday are two players who are very deserving of their first all star game selections. While Holiday is out with an ankle injury, Harden is rocking the Rockets. He just scored 10 of his 21 points in the third quarter to help the Rockets beat the Celtics 101-89. Noah and Chandler are deserving of all star selections too but may not make it with the centers being clubbed with frontcourt players this year.

“We are pretty much the worst team in the NBA”

Said Andrea Bargnani, opening the door to him being traded away from the Raptors. One article carrying the story was titled “La frustrazione di Bargnani”. He is averaging 16 points per game and the fans in Toronto are clamouring for his trade.

Here are the scores from today’s matches:

Warriors 85-99 Magic76ers 85-95 PacersLakers 102-96 WizardsRaptors 95-74 MavericksNets 107-105 PistonsBucks 90-86 CavaliersThunder 113-103 KingsRockets 101-89 CelticsTimberwolves 113-102 HornetsSuns 99-84 JazzNuggets 99-94 Grizzlies

Here are the highlights from today’s games: