End of the Week

Sorry about the lack of news lately, but it was the weekend and I woke up too late this morning to beat the early start... Here are tonight's games though and hopefully it's not too late to get a jumpstart on next week.

- ABC had their early afternoon start in Boston, where 2 of the NBA's best clashed. Boston was hosting SA, who were still without Tony Parker. Rajon Rondo took advantage going for a rare double-double in categories besides points (12assts, 11rebs). Pierce led Boston to the win with his 35pts, while the Spurs could only manage 90pts against that nasty Celtic D. Duncan and Ginobili tried to keep San Antonio in it with 22pts, 14rebs and 21pts, respectively, but it wasn't enough.

- Shaq-less Miami hosted Kobe, Gasol and the Lakers next. Shawn Marion was in uniform and started for the Heat. The Lakers were too good though as Kobe led them with 33pts for a 104-94 win. Vladimir Radmonovic is back and starting. He only had 7pts in this one, but it's showing that Phil Jackson is trying out a big lineup for when Bynum returns. Marion had his usual numbers with 15pts and 14rebs in his debut and looks poised to keep performing at the level his owners are used to.

- New Jersey hosted Dallas in the early evening and beat a lackadaisical Mavs team, 101-82. Jason Kidd might as well as been having a try-out for the Mavs with his 13pts and 14assts. Nenad Krstic is back in the starting rotation at forward, but Sean Williams out-performed him today. Krstic only had 8pts in 17mins while Williams put up 15pts and 2blks in 25mins. For the Mavs, it looks like Barea will continue to start while Terry comes off the bench.

- Charlotte visited Detroit today and it wasn't even close. The Pistons romped the Cats, 113-87 behind Tayshaun Prince's 21pts. The Cats got 27pts out of Jason Richardson, but not much else. Emaka Okafor missed this game and while it may seem that Nazr started in his place, Coach Sam Vincent has recently given Mohammed the starting spot for the remainder of the season barring any major changes.

- In Minnesota, the Raptors won convincingly, 105-82. Jose Calderon led the Raps with 15pts and 10assts while TJ Ford backed him up with 13assts himself. Minnesota got Al Jefferson's 18-9 as usual. I'm keeping my eye on Randy Foye, however. He still seems to be getting back to game shape, shooting 4-10 with 8pts in 27mins tonight. Once he's healthy, I still can't tell what his ceiling would be. I'm considering dropping him right now, but patience could be a virtue in Foye's case.

- In Cleveland, Lebron and Larry Hughes were the only Cavs in double-digits, while getting pounded by the visiting Nuggets. Iverson and Carmelo went for 25pts, 13assts and 27pts, 8rebs, respectively. Lebron had 30pts and not much help anywhere else. Starting PG Eric Snow had 1pt in 25mins of PT.

- In Phoenix, there was an actual close game tonight. Washington went in injured and pushed the Suns, but just couldn't close on the road. The Suns won 108-107 behind Amare's 31pts and 13rebs and Nash's 10pts and 12 assts. Washington was without Caron Butler and Antonio Daniels, but got big production from their starters with their entire frontcourt going for double-doubles. Haywood, Blatche and Jamison had 21-10, 11-10 and 28-10, respectively and the Wiz backcourt, Roger Mason and Deshawn Stevenson, both had 18pts.