How the Ball Balls Dropped: When The Best of the East Met a Beast from the West

 

Even the three kings couldn't topple this beast. Wouldn't be surprised. Just look at it!  

(I am deeply sorry ballers. What has been seen cannot be unseen)

Heat (105), Clippers (111)

I was excited for this one, coz the two BBT favorites went at it. It was a typical game for Miami, a lot of Big3 and not much else, which in contrast to the Clippers, had a more balanced attack. Nice to see the Great Beard throw one down again. There was a weird sequence in the third though where James and Wade got hurt on the same play. Overall a fun watch though. The Clips made timely shots, and just kept the Heat at bay throughout the game. This officially ends Miami's 13 game road streak. (This is the first of many streaks in this post)

Magic (89), Hornets (92) OT

A string of threes sent this to overtime for the Magic, and they actually had a chance to win this in OT. Down 89-90 with a few ticks left, Dwight Howard was fouled and was awarded two freethrows. Then Stan Van must have gone berserk coz Superman botched both. They still had a last chance to tie it, but Redick's three was all air. This ends Orlando's 9 game win streak (I told you there'd be more streaks)

Knicks (131), Jazz (125)

When four guys on your team scores 20+pts, you'd think you have a balanced attack, right? Well not if the other team had 7 guys in double figures, 6 with 14 or more. That's what happened to the Knicks in this high scoring contest. The Knicks have now lost 5 straight in Utah (This time a streak continues)

Thunder (118), Rockets (112)
The Rockets were without leading scorer Kevin Martin, and were virtually without a center (Yao, Miller and Hayes are injured, and Jordan Hill got ZERO points). Oklahoma snaps their 11 game franchise losing streak in Houston (Another streak! Ha!)

Lakers (115), Warriors (110)

Well, the Warriors weren't Clevelandized, and LA actually trailed for most of the contest. It was basically a Kobe-Monta show, both players scoring almost 40pts each (39 and 38). Kobe got the last laugh though, squeezing out a win for his squad. It was the Lakers' 12th straight victory over Golden State. (Is that a streak I see? Hmmm... Well I be damned! I think it is!)

Spurs (91), Bucks (84)

No snowstorm was going to stop this one. Milwaukee almost eked out a win over the NBA's best team (record wise). Milwaukee was up late, before they got hit by the Red Rocket, giving the Spurs their fourth straight victory. (Is that a- fine. It's not much of a streak.)

Kings (95), Celtics (119)
When a young team without it's best player goes up against an ancient team like the Celtics, this is what happens. This is now the 12th consecutive game that Sacramento has lost on the road (there are no more str- hey! another streak!)

Bulls (91), Bobcats (96)

Looks like Keith Bogans surfs the net. He had ZERO turnovers after that poster. Too bad for the Bulls it was in a losing effort though. Chicago has now lost 3 straight on the road, while the Bobcats are on a four game win streak. (one mini-streak plus another mini-streak equals! well, two mini-streaks)

Mavericks (89), Pacers (102)

Dallas remained Dirk-less and lost to the Pacers that got great performances from Collison, Rush and the rookie Paul "John Ringo" George. Dirk has missed his eighth straight game. (Merriam-Webster defines a "streak" as a consecutive series. Eighth straight? I say that's consecutive, and a series at that. I think we have a streak here)

Hawks (104), Raptors (101)

This was a close contest throughout. In the dying minutes of the game, down 102-101, Toronto gave it to Jose Calderon who drove to the lane and lost the ball. He was looking for a foul, but the referees ruled it to be Hawks ball. Joe-Jo calmly made both freethrows, but Toronto had a second left to try to send it to overtime. Bargnani's last threeball attempt had a good look, but was a bit short. The end. (You're looking for the streak are you? Ha! It was the Hawk's fifth straight win, and their fourth straight on the road. While Marvin Williams missed his sixth consecutive game.)

Grizzlies (107), Pistons (99)
Nothin much to say about this contest. The Grizzlies won. No streaks here... (Gotcha! Interesting streak here. Greg Monroe got his fourth straight double-double, which amazingly, is the first time a Pistons rookie has done so since Terry Tyler in 1978. Wow. I guess Detroit don't get a lot of good rookies)

Nets (109), Suns (118)

The Suns are clearly on the verge of an eclipse. They won today, but they almost didn't, and they almost lost to the second worst team in the East. NJ controlled most of the game, but Nash and Carter took over late. (Streak time! Unfortunately this time there's none for real. Nope. Nadda. Unless you wanna consider Grant Hill missing his second game as a streak)