BLIZZARD...

...in the Midwest. We got about 15 inches here over the course of the day in Madison, WI, but the electricity was up so I can update today's games. The biggest game of the night was easily in college, between perhaps the 2 biggest rivals in all of sports, Duke and North Carolina. Needless to say, most of my attention was towards this game. Here are the NBA games 1st though:

- In Atlanta, the Lakers continued their roadtrip with new big-man Pau Gasol. The Lakers were in control in the 4th quarter until Atlanta had some late game dramatics to eventually win 98-95. Kobe played facilitator for most of this one and only had 11pts to go with his 10assts, while Lamar Odom led 6 Lakers scoring in double digits with 19pts while adding 11rebs. Atlanta got big games from Joe Johnson (28pts), Al Horford (15pts, 20rebs) and Josh Smith, who was close to a triple-double again with 17pts, 9rebs, 9assts, 5blks and 2stls.

- In Orlando, New Jersey lost again and look more desperate than ever to trade Jason Kidd and/or Vince Carter. I don't think anyone will take on VC's huge contract, but Jason Kidd could be a possibility for some contenders. The Magic beat the Nets pretty easily, 100-84. Jameer Nelson returned for the Magic again off the bench to outplay Carlos Arroyo (starting) 25mins to 5mins, while scoring 11pts and dishing 8assts to Arroyo's donuts in both categories. I still believe neither of these guys are that ownable in the platoon situation.

- In Washington, there was a defensive battle between the Wiz and the Spurs. SA pulled it out in the 4th quarter, winning 85-77, while the Wizards were once again without Caron Butler, out with a hip injury. Andray Blatche started again in his forward spot and played well again with the minutes, 16pts, 15rebs, 2blks. Watch Butler's condition closely again because Blatche is a good option while Caron is out, but doesn't get the consistent minutes while Butler plays.

- The Knicks are once again reeling with another loss to Indy (7 losses in a row now). The Pacers got 24pts and 7rebs off the bench from Kareem Rush, while the Knicks played Renaldo Balkman 34mins off the bench as an energy source (12rebs). The Knicks might as well be done at this point and just go for Michael Beasley as the #1 pick and try to get someone to bite on Eddy Curry and/or Zach Randolph in the offseason (knowing the Knicks though, they will probably draft OJ Mayo #1 overall if they get the pick).

- The Heat (right after the Knicks almost on cue) lost again as well after trading Shaq for Marion and Marcus Banks from the Suns to the Pistons. The trade is pending so Miami and Phoenix were both playing shorthanded tonight. Nothing surprising really happened in this game for fantasy implications (read my last entry "HUGE NEWS" for my take of the PHX/MIA trade), but Rasheed did have a big game with 26pts, 10rebs.

- Boston won again tonight at home against the LA Clippers. Rajon Rondo might have had his best game of his career opposite Sam Cassell, the main guy in rumors that the C's might sign to "help" out Rondo at the 1 spot. Rondo finished with 24pts, 5rebs, 8assts and 4stls leading the 111-100 Celtic win. Corey Maggette had a huge game as well with 33pts, 8rebs returning to the starting lineup along with Chris Kaman.

- In Big D, Dirk had a huge game finishing with a triple-double (29pts, 10rebs, 12assts) against the team that drafted him, Milwaukee. Milwaukee got a big effort out of Mo Williams, who had 36pts. The Bucks were without Michael Redd again and stuck in this one for most of the night because of the play of Mo Williams and Andrew Bogut (24pts, 14rebs). I honestly believe this team is better off without Michael Redd and that when he's in there it screws up their offensive and defensive rhythm.

- Utah won again to extend their Northwest division lead and win streak. They beat divisional foe Denver tonight in Denver, who had a boost with return of starting center Marcus Camby. Camby had 11pts, 17rebs and 4blks. Melo is also back and had 29pts, 8rebs. Deron led the Jazz win with 29pts, 11assts and Kyle Korver stole the show off the bench to play 36mins and score 27pts. Brewer had a bad game as a result playing only 16mins and only scoring 7pts in the process. Utah won 118-115 in OT.

- New Orleans won the best game of the night in dramatic 2OT over the Phoenix Suns, who were shorthanded with the trade pending with Miami. Chris Paul returned to form going off for 42pts, 9assts and 8stls. The Suns had 4 20+pt scorers (Nash, Amare, Diaw and Leandro). Nash went for the wrong triple-double with 32pts, 12assts and 10 TO's. Amare went 20-20 with 26pts, 20rebs. Diaw is suddenly ownable again with center-eligibility and a spot in the starting rotation with Marion heading out and an injured Shaq coming in. New Orleans won 132-130.

- At Arco Arena, Seattle got a rare win. The Kings were without Brad Miller, who was out with his finger injury. Mikki Moore got the center start and John Salmons got a start at forward. The Kings missed Miller's passing skills and had little rhythm throughout the 105-92 loss. Seattle got a big triple-double performance out of Earl Watson (23pts, 10rebs, 10assts) while shooting 52.6% as a team while holding the Kings to 36.7% shooting.

- The Bulls almost snook out with a big road win out in Portland (lost 97-100). The Bulls were without guards Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon. Chris Duhon got the start, while Thabo Sefolosha tried his hardest to carry the team (22pts, 6assts, 3stls, 2blks). Portland got their usual all-around game with a slight change in the starting rotation. Martell Webster got bumped to the bench in favor of Jarrett Jack at guard. Webster played a bench high 21mins, but only had 8pts.

As for Duke/UNC, I watched the entire game and I have nothing more to say.