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Jim Durham, the veteran announcer who died over the weekend at his home near Tomball, was remembered Monday by colleagues as much for his kindness and good nature off the court as for the talents that brought him a career achievement award from the Naismith National Basketball Hall of Fame.
Durham, 65, lived on a farm in Rose Hill, located between Tomball and Waller, during the latter part of a lengthy career that included almost two decades (1973-91) as the voice of the Chicago Bulls.
"The voice of champions," Michael Jordan said in a text message to ESPNChicago-com. "I will miss him."
Durham spent 15 years as the lead NBA announcer on ESPN Radio alongside analyst Jack Ramsay. He also called Dallas Mavericks games from 1993 through 2001 and was part of the original Home Sports Entertainment broadcast team in the early 1980s. He also did several Rockets games on radio in the fall of 1992 when Gene Peterson was recovering from surgery.
"He was one of the nicest guys I've worked with and one of the handful that I respected, and he was a great broadcaster," said Rockets announcer Bill Worrell, who worked with Durham at HSE.
"He loved working with the Bulls and with 'Big Red,' John Kerr, but then ESPN got him and put him on nationwide, and the rest of us got to love him, too. He and Jack Ramsay were great partners." Read More: NBA announcer Durham dies at age 65 - Houston Chronicle
Durham, 65, lived on a farm in Rose Hill, located between Tomball and Waller, during the latter part of a lengthy career that included almost two decades (1973-91) as the voice of the Chicago Bulls.
"The voice of champions," Michael Jordan said in a text message to ESPNChicago-com. "I will miss him."
Durham spent 15 years as the lead NBA announcer on ESPN Radio alongside analyst Jack Ramsay. He also called Dallas Mavericks games from 1993 through 2001 and was part of the original Home Sports Entertainment broadcast team in the early 1980s. He also did several Rockets games on radio in the fall of 1992 when Gene Peterson was recovering from surgery.
"He was one of the nicest guys I've worked with and one of the handful that I respected, and he was a great broadcaster," said Rockets announcer Bill Worrell, who worked with Durham at HSE.
"He loved working with the Bulls and with 'Big Red,' John Kerr, but then ESPN got him and put him on nationwide, and the rest of us got to love him, too. He and Jack Ramsay were great partners." Read More: NBA announcer Durham dies at age 65 - Houston Chronicle
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Luol Deng scored 15 of his 23 points in the second half to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 99-93 win over Orlando on Tuesday night, the Magic’s first loss of the season.
Deng and Nate Robinson keyed a 15-2 second-half burst when Chicago turned a five-point deficit into an eight-point lead. Robinson hit two straight jumpers to put Chicago ahead 74-70 early in the fourth, the Bulls’ first lead since midway through the third period.
Joakim Noah had 20 points, nine rebounds and five blocks for Chicago, while Robinson added 11 points and six assists off the bench. Robinson’s layup with 2:35 to play put Chicago up 91-81, its biggest lead of the game.
Arron Afflalo led the Magic with 28 points, 19 in the second half. E’Twaun Moore added a career-high 17 points.
Glen Davis, who entered the game fourth in the NBA with 25.5 points per game, scored 16 points but shot just 7 of 22 from the floor and fouled out.
Nicola Vucevic had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Magic, who had won three of their last four in Chicago entering the game.
Orlando had started the season 2-0, surprising many around the league after trading star center Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers over the summer.
The Magic led 70-65 when the Bulls started their decisive run late in the third quarter. Deng tied the game with a jumper with 10:58 to play. Later, Robinson capped the run with a layup in transition.
Orlando trimmed the lead to four on Affalo’s 3 late in the final minute, but Chicago held on down the stretch. Taj Gibson’s dunk and free throw with 39 seconds remaining iced it for the Bulls.
The Magic pushed the lead to seven in the second quarter behind seven points from Moore before Richard Hamilton closed the lead to 48-45 with a pull-up jumper in transition to close the first half.
Orlando went 4 for 6 from 3-point range in the opening half.
Chicago closed the gap to two by the end of the third quarter, getting seven points from Deng in the period. Afflalo scored nine points to help Orlando maintain the lead, including three free throws after being foul by Kirk Hinrich behind the arc.
Deng scored eight quick points to give the Bulls an early lead to start the game, but Orlando closed the first quarter with an 11-2 run and was up 24-23 at the end of the period.
J.J. Redick continued his hot shooting early with a 3-pointer and a midrange jumper during the spree. Redick hit 16 of 25 shots in Orlando’s first two games.
After making his first two shots, Redick hit just one of the next seven before hitting a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter. He handed out a game-high seven assists.
NOTES: Orlando point guard Jameer Nelson missed his second straight game because of a strained right hamstring and groin. He’s day to day. . While the game was announced as a sellout, there were many more empty seats than usual at the United Center. Beside the elections and the absence of Bulls star Derrick Rose, the weather was cold and drizzly in Chicago. . Bulls Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen sat courtside with his wife during the game after playing basketball with President Obama earlier in the day. . Despite the loss, Orlando was 8 for 19 from 3-point range. The Magic entered the game with a 53.8 percent mark behind the arc.
NBA roundup: Deng scores 23 points as Bulls hand Magic first loss | Lubbock Online | Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Deng and Nate Robinson keyed a 15-2 second-half burst when Chicago turned a five-point deficit into an eight-point lead. Robinson hit two straight jumpers to put Chicago ahead 74-70 early in the fourth, the Bulls’ first lead since midway through the third period.
Joakim Noah had 20 points, nine rebounds and five blocks for Chicago, while Robinson added 11 points and six assists off the bench. Robinson’s layup with 2:35 to play put Chicago up 91-81, its biggest lead of the game.
Arron Afflalo led the Magic with 28 points, 19 in the second half. E’Twaun Moore added a career-high 17 points.
Glen Davis, who entered the game fourth in the NBA with 25.5 points per game, scored 16 points but shot just 7 of 22 from the floor and fouled out.
Nicola Vucevic had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Magic, who had won three of their last four in Chicago entering the game.
Orlando had started the season 2-0, surprising many around the league after trading star center Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers over the summer.
The Magic led 70-65 when the Bulls started their decisive run late in the third quarter. Deng tied the game with a jumper with 10:58 to play. Later, Robinson capped the run with a layup in transition.
Orlando trimmed the lead to four on Affalo’s 3 late in the final minute, but Chicago held on down the stretch. Taj Gibson’s dunk and free throw with 39 seconds remaining iced it for the Bulls.
The Magic pushed the lead to seven in the second quarter behind seven points from Moore before Richard Hamilton closed the lead to 48-45 with a pull-up jumper in transition to close the first half.
Orlando went 4 for 6 from 3-point range in the opening half.
Chicago closed the gap to two by the end of the third quarter, getting seven points from Deng in the period. Afflalo scored nine points to help Orlando maintain the lead, including three free throws after being foul by Kirk Hinrich behind the arc.
Deng scored eight quick points to give the Bulls an early lead to start the game, but Orlando closed the first quarter with an 11-2 run and was up 24-23 at the end of the period.
J.J. Redick continued his hot shooting early with a 3-pointer and a midrange jumper during the spree. Redick hit 16 of 25 shots in Orlando’s first two games.
After making his first two shots, Redick hit just one of the next seven before hitting a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter. He handed out a game-high seven assists.
NOTES: Orlando point guard Jameer Nelson missed his second straight game because of a strained right hamstring and groin. He’s day to day. . While the game was announced as a sellout, there were many more empty seats than usual at the United Center. Beside the elections and the absence of Bulls star Derrick Rose, the weather was cold and drizzly in Chicago. . Bulls Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen sat courtside with his wife during the game after playing basketball with President Obama earlier in the day. . Despite the loss, Orlando was 8 for 19 from 3-point range. The Magic entered the game with a 53.8 percent mark behind the arc.
NBA roundup: Deng scores 23 points as Bulls hand Magic first loss | Lubbock Online | Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
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DeMarcus Cousins had 21 points and 11 rebounds to help the Sacramento Kings hold off the winless Detroit Pistons for a 105-103 victory Wednesday night.
The Kings took the lead for good early in the second quarter and won their second consecutive game. Strong bench play and the inside game of Cousins proved pivotal in the fourth when the lead was cut to one basket several times.
Greg Monroe had his first triple-double with 21 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists for the Pistons, who fell to 0-5. Brandon Knight made five 3-pointers and scored 21 points. Will Bynum had 14 points, and Kyle Singler added 12.
Knight took a pass from Monroe and made a 3-pointer, pulling Detroit to 102-100 with 23.3 seconds left. It was the 10th assist for Monroe, who became the first NBA player this season to record a triple-double.
Jimmer Fredette made two free throws and Cousins hit another to give Sacramento a 105-100 cushion with 10 seconds to go. Rodney Stuckey hit a 3-pointer as time expired.
Tyreke Evans and Isaiah Thomas both had 15 points for the Kings (2-3), who had lost five straight to Detroit. Jason Thompson scored 13 points and Fredette had 12.
Read more here: SACRAMENTO, Calif.: Cousins helps Kings beat winless Pistons 105-103 | NBA Basketball | The Sun Herald
The Kings took the lead for good early in the second quarter and won their second consecutive game. Strong bench play and the inside game of Cousins proved pivotal in the fourth when the lead was cut to one basket several times.
Greg Monroe had his first triple-double with 21 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists for the Pistons, who fell to 0-5. Brandon Knight made five 3-pointers and scored 21 points. Will Bynum had 14 points, and Kyle Singler added 12.
Knight took a pass from Monroe and made a 3-pointer, pulling Detroit to 102-100 with 23.3 seconds left. It was the 10th assist for Monroe, who became the first NBA player this season to record a triple-double.
Jimmer Fredette made two free throws and Cousins hit another to give Sacramento a 105-100 cushion with 10 seconds to go. Rodney Stuckey hit a 3-pointer as time expired.
Tyreke Evans and Isaiah Thomas both had 15 points for the Kings (2-3), who had lost five straight to Detroit. Jason Thompson scored 13 points and Fredette had 12.
Read more here: SACRAMENTO, Calif.: Cousins helps Kings beat winless Pistons 105-103 | NBA Basketball | The Sun Herald
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No NBA team has started a season with a 1-4 record and gone on to win the NBA championship. Bad starts traditionally do not result in great finishes.
The Lakers, owners of a 1-4 mark, aren't buying into conventional wisdom, though. They remain steadfast that this stretch of poor performances - and one victory against the Detroit Pistons - is a phase. “There's always data and history,” forward Pau Gasol said after Thursday's practice. “No team has ever won a championship being 0-8 in the preseason, either, so there's going to be plenty of those things going forward.
“But we can’t think about all those little things. We just have to make sure we get better every day, improve as a team and that we are going in the right direction. We just need a couple of positive games.”
The Lakers have a shot a putting together a few “positive games” with a six-game homestand that begins tonight against Golden State at Staples Center. The Lakers' next seven games are considered winnable, their toughest opponent during the stretch being San Antonio on Tuesday.
“We are trying to encourage positivism around us,” Gasol said. “We're going through a tough stretch. We knew we were going to face adversity, but we didn’t predict it would be early on. But at the same time I think its going to help us down the road to face it now and not later.”
Center Dwight Howard also stressed the importance of staying positive, going so far to quote the Bible.
“I told the guys we just have to stick together, come in every day and still work hard, fight through this phase,” Howard said. “I gave them a little scripture - ‘The first shall be last and the last shall be first.’ So, I just told them to stick with it.”
BROWN’S SON THREATENED
Lakers fans are angry and frustrated with the team's poor play.. They fill the airwaves with their rants and social media with their comments. Twitter has not been kind to Coach Mike Brown during the stretch, with many calling for his ouster after every game.
But some fans' ire Wednesday was directed at Brown’s son, Elijah, who plays basketball at Mater Dei High. The Lakers coach said he had no idea his son had received threats on Twitter despite having a friend monitor his son's account.
“That’s the tough part about this business,” Brown said. “But to go after somebody's family or something like that is, in my opinion, just ridiculous. It’s stupid, crazy, whatever you want to call it. They (family members) have nothing to do with what's going on right now.”
Elijah Brown seemed unfazed by the comments, posting on Twitter that “Coaches fault when they lose but players glory when they win. I'm not trippin well be straight!”
Elijah did receive support from two Lakers' family members on Twitter - Kristen Blake, wife of guard Steve Blake, and Daniel Artest, brother of Metta World Peace. Blake and his family received death threats on Twitter during last season's playoffs.
Said Brown: “People change with the times, that’s human nature. When things are good, everybody loves you and when things aren’t good, people tend not to love you, and people show that in different ways. It's part of life.
Lakers try to remain positive amid 1-4 start | lakers, remain, nba - The Orange County Register
The Lakers, owners of a 1-4 mark, aren't buying into conventional wisdom, though. They remain steadfast that this stretch of poor performances - and one victory against the Detroit Pistons - is a phase. “There's always data and history,” forward Pau Gasol said after Thursday's practice. “No team has ever won a championship being 0-8 in the preseason, either, so there's going to be plenty of those things going forward.
“But we can’t think about all those little things. We just have to make sure we get better every day, improve as a team and that we are going in the right direction. We just need a couple of positive games.”
The Lakers have a shot a putting together a few “positive games” with a six-game homestand that begins tonight against Golden State at Staples Center. The Lakers' next seven games are considered winnable, their toughest opponent during the stretch being San Antonio on Tuesday.
“We are trying to encourage positivism around us,” Gasol said. “We're going through a tough stretch. We knew we were going to face adversity, but we didn’t predict it would be early on. But at the same time I think its going to help us down the road to face it now and not later.”
Center Dwight Howard also stressed the importance of staying positive, going so far to quote the Bible.
“I told the guys we just have to stick together, come in every day and still work hard, fight through this phase,” Howard said. “I gave them a little scripture - ‘The first shall be last and the last shall be first.’ So, I just told them to stick with it.”
BROWN’S SON THREATENED
Lakers fans are angry and frustrated with the team's poor play.. They fill the airwaves with their rants and social media with their comments. Twitter has not been kind to Coach Mike Brown during the stretch, with many calling for his ouster after every game.
But some fans' ire Wednesday was directed at Brown’s son, Elijah, who plays basketball at Mater Dei High. The Lakers coach said he had no idea his son had received threats on Twitter despite having a friend monitor his son's account.
“That’s the tough part about this business,” Brown said. “But to go after somebody's family or something like that is, in my opinion, just ridiculous. It’s stupid, crazy, whatever you want to call it. They (family members) have nothing to do with what's going on right now.”
Elijah Brown seemed unfazed by the comments, posting on Twitter that “Coaches fault when they lose but players glory when they win. I'm not trippin well be straight!”
Elijah did receive support from two Lakers' family members on Twitter - Kristen Blake, wife of guard Steve Blake, and Daniel Artest, brother of Metta World Peace. Blake and his family received death threats on Twitter during last season's playoffs.
Said Brown: “People change with the times, that’s human nature. When things are good, everybody loves you and when things aren’t good, people tend not to love you, and people show that in different ways. It's part of life.
Lakers try to remain positive amid 1-4 start | lakers, remain, nba - The Orange County Register
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Corey Brewer scored 13 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, hitting four 3-pointers, and the Denver Nuggets pulled away to beat the Utah Jazz 104-84 on Friday night.
Kenneth Faried had 18 points to go with 11 rebounds and Kosta Koufos and Andre Iguodala added 15 points apiece for the Nuggets, who won their third in a row after an 0-3 start.
Gordon Hayward had 15 points to lead the Jazz, who remained winless in four road games this season. Randy Foye and Enes Kanter each added 13 points for Utah, which made only four of 23 attempts from 3-point range.
Iguodala connected on a 3-pointer to give the Nuggets a 69-49 lead with 5:14 remaining in the third quarter. But the Jazz scored eight of the next 12 points, including a three-point play by Hayward to pull to 73-57 going into the fourth.
After Foye hit a 3 to get the Jazz within 75-63, Brewer hit two 3-pointers around a layup by Alec Burks, adding a free throw following the second long-distance shot to put the Nuggets up 82-65 with 9:14 remaining.
The Jazz whittled the Nuggets' lead to 90-78 when Denver was called for goaltending on Jamaal Tinsley's layup with 4:22 remaining, only to see the Nuggets make it 96-78 after Brewer drained 3-pointers on consecutive possessions.
The Nuggets took a 53-38 lead at halftime, closing the last 7 minutes of the second quarter with a 17-2 run.
After Derrick Favors made a pair of free throws to pull Utah into a 36-all tie, Brewer drove the lane to hit a twisting layup, starting the Nuggets' second-quarter surge.
The only points in that stretch by the Jazz, who missed all nine of their 3-point tries in the first half, came on a pair of free throws by Foye with 3:30 remaining in the second. That was not nearly enough to offset a closing flourish by the Nuggets.
Ty Lawson scored on successive fast-break layups before Iguodala slammed home a dunk off an alley-oop pass from Danilo Gallinari in the waning moments of the quarter.
NOTES: The Nuggets' Wilson Chandler, who is being eased back from offseason hip surgery, sat out for the third time in the past four games. ... Timofey Mozgov made his season debut for the Nuggets after missing the first five games with a left knee strain. ... Burks, who starred at Colorado before joining the Jazz a year ago as a first-round draft pick, was greeted with a round of applause when he entered in the second quarter. ... Favors finished with five blocks.
Read more here: DENVER: Brewer scores 20 to lead Nuggets past Jazz 104-84 | NBA Basketball | Bradenton Herald
Kenneth Faried had 18 points to go with 11 rebounds and Kosta Koufos and Andre Iguodala added 15 points apiece for the Nuggets, who won their third in a row after an 0-3 start.
Gordon Hayward had 15 points to lead the Jazz, who remained winless in four road games this season. Randy Foye and Enes Kanter each added 13 points for Utah, which made only four of 23 attempts from 3-point range.
Iguodala connected on a 3-pointer to give the Nuggets a 69-49 lead with 5:14 remaining in the third quarter. But the Jazz scored eight of the next 12 points, including a three-point play by Hayward to pull to 73-57 going into the fourth.
After Foye hit a 3 to get the Jazz within 75-63, Brewer hit two 3-pointers around a layup by Alec Burks, adding a free throw following the second long-distance shot to put the Nuggets up 82-65 with 9:14 remaining.
The Jazz whittled the Nuggets' lead to 90-78 when Denver was called for goaltending on Jamaal Tinsley's layup with 4:22 remaining, only to see the Nuggets make it 96-78 after Brewer drained 3-pointers on consecutive possessions.
The Nuggets took a 53-38 lead at halftime, closing the last 7 minutes of the second quarter with a 17-2 run.
After Derrick Favors made a pair of free throws to pull Utah into a 36-all tie, Brewer drove the lane to hit a twisting layup, starting the Nuggets' second-quarter surge.
The only points in that stretch by the Jazz, who missed all nine of their 3-point tries in the first half, came on a pair of free throws by Foye with 3:30 remaining in the second. That was not nearly enough to offset a closing flourish by the Nuggets.
Ty Lawson scored on successive fast-break layups before Iguodala slammed home a dunk off an alley-oop pass from Danilo Gallinari in the waning moments of the quarter.
NOTES: The Nuggets' Wilson Chandler, who is being eased back from offseason hip surgery, sat out for the third time in the past four games. ... Timofey Mozgov made his season debut for the Nuggets after missing the first five games with a left knee strain. ... Burks, who starred at Colorado before joining the Jazz a year ago as a first-round draft pick, was greeted with a round of applause when he entered in the second quarter. ... Favors finished with five blocks.
Read more here: DENVER: Brewer scores 20 to lead Nuggets past Jazz 104-84 | NBA Basketball | Bradenton Herald
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With the Chicago Bulls missing star Derrick Rose and two starters going without a basket, the team's revamped bench came through just like the old version did so many times over the last couple of years.
Nate Robinson scored 18 points off the bench, and the Bulls beat Minnesota 87-80 on Saturday night, ending the Timberwolves' three-game winning streak. Robinson played 31 minutes after starting point guard Kirk Hinrich left the game with a right hip strain in the second quarter. Robinson sparked an 11-point run, helping Chicago beat Minnesota for the sixth straight time.
"I just try to get my teammates involved and bring energy," Robinson said. "Hopefully I did that."
Joakim Noah added 17 points and seven rebounds, and Luol Deng chipped in with 16 points and seven rebounds, as the Bulls (4-2) bounced back from their second home loss in three outings.
"We've got to just keep fighting for as many wins as possible," Noah said. "It's always been like that."
Nikola Pekovic led the short-handed Timberwolves (4-2) with 18 points and eight rebounds. Andrei Kirilenko added 11 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Minnesota's three-game streak matched its season high from last season.
"We played good tonight," Pekovic said. "Right to the end. But we had some bad moments."
Hinrich went scoreless in 11 minutes before departing, and forward Carlos Boozer was limited to two points and failed to score a field goal in a game for the first time since Nov. 18, 2003.
"Right now, the ball is just not going in for [Boozer]," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "He's gotten some good looks. It'll come around."
Yet, Chicago had plenty to win with, as coach Tom Thibodeau likes to say, getting 11 points from Marco Belinelli, nine during a spree of three 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter.
"That's part of my game," Belinelli said. "I think it was important tonight, for me and for the team."
Reserve Taj Gibson added eight points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
"I thought our bench was terrific," Thibodeau said. "I thought Marco was terrific. Taj was good. Nazr [Mohammed] was good."
Belinelli's 3-point burst helped the Bulls establish a nine-point lead early fourth, breaking open a tight game. Chicago hit 6 for 13 from behind the arc, its season high for makes. The Bulls entered the game last in the NBA in 3-point makes and attempts.
"We've got some guys who have shown throughout their career that they are good 3-point shooters," Thibodeau said. "We still have to get our timing down and get a flow to what we're doing."
The Bulls led by as many as 10 points down the stretch, going up by that margin when Deng hit a jumper from the corner with 3:53 remaining.
The Timberwolves closed within five points on Dante Cunningham's layup with 42.6 seconds to play, but the Bulls held on down the stretch.
Halfway through the fourth quarter, Minnesota's Chase Budinger left the floor with a twisted left knee and didn't return. After the game, the Timberwolves didn't seem too pleased with the Bulls' physical style of play.
"They were fouling [Budinger] and just pushed him," Minnesota guard Luke Ridnour said. "Gave him a little extra shove.
"That's how they play. Lot of pushing. Lot of fouling. You've just got to play through it. We did and we had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter."
The severity of Budinger's injury was unknown, but his left leg was wrapped in ice after the game. The team said X-rays of Budinger's knee were negative and he will be re-evaluated on Sunday.
"They've got big people who are very active and they challenge you," Minnesota coach Rick Adelman said. "You've got to respond to it."
Robinson's seven points helped Chicago grab a six-point lead with an 11-point run midway through the second quarter. The run was capped by Noah's feed to Taj Gibson on the baseline for a two-handed dunk.
"I think our bench did a great job," Robinson said. "We come to practice ready to play and we've got our starting five's back."
The Bulls edged back in front with a 23-18 third quarter advantage, capped when rookie Marquis Teague drove the lane and scored with his left hand for his first career points. Teague, Chicago's first-round pick in June, hadn't appeared in a game since Nov. 2.
"It felt good, get a bucket in, just to help my team," Teague said. "I wasn't really overwhelmed. I felt like I was comfortable, ready to play."
It's unknown if Hinrich will miss time because of his injury as he will be re-evaluated on Sunday. However, Thibodeau said he's confident that Teague will be ready to pick up the slack.
"If he's in that locker room, he can play," Thibodeau said. "I've been very pleased with what he's done in practice."
Notes
The Timberwolves had just 11 players available even before Budinger's injury. Ricky Rubio (left knee surgery) and Kevin Love (fractured right hand) have been out all season. Jose Barea missed his second straight game with a sprained left foot, while Brandon Roy missed his first game of the campaign with a sore right knee.
Chicago held its opponent under 100 points for the 15th straight games.
Saturday marked the 23rd anniversary of the first win in Minnesota history, a 125-118 overtime win over Philadelphia. Thibodeau was a Timberwolves assistant at the time in his first NBA season.
NBA Recap - Minnesota Timberwolves at Chicago Bulls - Nov 10, 2012 - CBSSports-com
Nate Robinson scored 18 points off the bench, and the Bulls beat Minnesota 87-80 on Saturday night, ending the Timberwolves' three-game winning streak. Robinson played 31 minutes after starting point guard Kirk Hinrich left the game with a right hip strain in the second quarter. Robinson sparked an 11-point run, helping Chicago beat Minnesota for the sixth straight time.
"I just try to get my teammates involved and bring energy," Robinson said. "Hopefully I did that."
Joakim Noah added 17 points and seven rebounds, and Luol Deng chipped in with 16 points and seven rebounds, as the Bulls (4-2) bounced back from their second home loss in three outings.
"We've got to just keep fighting for as many wins as possible," Noah said. "It's always been like that."
Nikola Pekovic led the short-handed Timberwolves (4-2) with 18 points and eight rebounds. Andrei Kirilenko added 11 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Minnesota's three-game streak matched its season high from last season.
"We played good tonight," Pekovic said. "Right to the end. But we had some bad moments."
Hinrich went scoreless in 11 minutes before departing, and forward Carlos Boozer was limited to two points and failed to score a field goal in a game for the first time since Nov. 18, 2003.
"Right now, the ball is just not going in for [Boozer]," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "He's gotten some good looks. It'll come around."
Yet, Chicago had plenty to win with, as coach Tom Thibodeau likes to say, getting 11 points from Marco Belinelli, nine during a spree of three 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter.
"That's part of my game," Belinelli said. "I think it was important tonight, for me and for the team."
Reserve Taj Gibson added eight points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
"I thought our bench was terrific," Thibodeau said. "I thought Marco was terrific. Taj was good. Nazr [Mohammed] was good."
Belinelli's 3-point burst helped the Bulls establish a nine-point lead early fourth, breaking open a tight game. Chicago hit 6 for 13 from behind the arc, its season high for makes. The Bulls entered the game last in the NBA in 3-point makes and attempts.
"We've got some guys who have shown throughout their career that they are good 3-point shooters," Thibodeau said. "We still have to get our timing down and get a flow to what we're doing."
The Bulls led by as many as 10 points down the stretch, going up by that margin when Deng hit a jumper from the corner with 3:53 remaining.
The Timberwolves closed within five points on Dante Cunningham's layup with 42.6 seconds to play, but the Bulls held on down the stretch.
Halfway through the fourth quarter, Minnesota's Chase Budinger left the floor with a twisted left knee and didn't return. After the game, the Timberwolves didn't seem too pleased with the Bulls' physical style of play.
"They were fouling [Budinger] and just pushed him," Minnesota guard Luke Ridnour said. "Gave him a little extra shove.
"That's how they play. Lot of pushing. Lot of fouling. You've just got to play through it. We did and we had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter."
The severity of Budinger's injury was unknown, but his left leg was wrapped in ice after the game. The team said X-rays of Budinger's knee were negative and he will be re-evaluated on Sunday.
"They've got big people who are very active and they challenge you," Minnesota coach Rick Adelman said. "You've got to respond to it."
Robinson's seven points helped Chicago grab a six-point lead with an 11-point run midway through the second quarter. The run was capped by Noah's feed to Taj Gibson on the baseline for a two-handed dunk.
"I think our bench did a great job," Robinson said. "We come to practice ready to play and we've got our starting five's back."
The Bulls edged back in front with a 23-18 third quarter advantage, capped when rookie Marquis Teague drove the lane and scored with his left hand for his first career points. Teague, Chicago's first-round pick in June, hadn't appeared in a game since Nov. 2.
"It felt good, get a bucket in, just to help my team," Teague said. "I wasn't really overwhelmed. I felt like I was comfortable, ready to play."
It's unknown if Hinrich will miss time because of his injury as he will be re-evaluated on Sunday. However, Thibodeau said he's confident that Teague will be ready to pick up the slack.
"If he's in that locker room, he can play," Thibodeau said. "I've been very pleased with what he's done in practice."
Notes
The Timberwolves had just 11 players available even before Budinger's injury. Ricky Rubio (left knee surgery) and Kevin Love (fractured right hand) have been out all season. Jose Barea missed his second straight game with a sprained left foot, while Brandon Roy missed his first game of the campaign with a sore right knee.
Chicago held its opponent under 100 points for the 15th straight games.
Saturday marked the 23rd anniversary of the first win in Minnesota history, a 125-118 overtime win over Philadelphia. Thibodeau was a Timberwolves assistant at the time in his first NBA season.
NBA Recap - Minnesota Timberwolves at Chicago Bulls - Nov 10, 2012 - CBSSports-com
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If Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard and the Los Angeles Lakers' legion of fans get their wish, Bernie Bickerstaff's stint as a lame-duck interim head coach will end undefeated.
Howard had 23 points and 18 rebounds, Bryant scored 20, and the in-transition Lakers continued warming up for a possible return to the bench by Phil Jackson with a 103-90 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night.
Bickerstaff called the shots for the second straight game following the firing of Mike Brown on Friday with the team off to a 1-4 start -- their worst in 19 years. They throttled the Warriors 101-77 at Staples Center several hours after the change.
"Basically what we talked about this morning was the profound appreciation of their professionalism and how they have handled things," Bickerstaff said.
Lakers executive vice president Jim Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak remain in negotiations with Jackson, whom they are trying to coax out of retirement for what would be his third coaching stint with the organization.
"I'd be excited to have him out there," Bryant said. "I'm sure something will happen sooner than later. I mean, this organization moves pretty quickly once they have a direction on where they want to go and they always makes the right decision. For us players, we just go out there and do our jobs. It isn't anything that's been a distraction for us, but it's just been a long week for everybody."
It's the third time Bickerstaff has taken over the reins of an NBA team after a season was underway, including 1994-95 with Denver (20-12) and 1996-97 with Washington (22-13).
"My job is to coach the team until they ring the bell," Bickerstaff said. "But listen. What's the reality here? I mean, we all know what's going on and I understand that. But I consented to do this for the organization, and I'm not worried about the big picture."
The Kings played short-handed with center DeMarcus Cousins and backup forward Thomas Robinson serving suspensions without pay.
Cousins began his two-game ban for confronting a Spurs TV analyst in a hostile manner following a 97-86 home loss to San Antonio on Friday night.
Robinson completed his two-game absence, following his vicious elbow to the throat of Detroit's Jonas Jerebko during Sacramento's 105-103 home win last Wednesday.
Grizzlies 104, Heat 86: Reserve guard Wayne Ellington had career bests with seven 3-pointers and 25 points, leading host Memphis to its fifth consecutive win and the best start in franchise history.
The Grizzlies (5-1) snapped Miami's four-game winning streak while topping the 4-1 start in 2000-01 in this franchise's last season in Vancouver.
Bosh scored 22 points and LeBron James had 20 for Miami. Dwyane Wade came in averaging 20.4 points but was held to eight.
Timberwolves: Forward Chase Budinger will be out indefinitely with a torn meniscus in his left knee.
NBA: Los Angeles Lakers win second straight as talks to bring Phil Jackson back continue - San Jose Mercury News
Howard had 23 points and 18 rebounds, Bryant scored 20, and the in-transition Lakers continued warming up for a possible return to the bench by Phil Jackson with a 103-90 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night.
Bickerstaff called the shots for the second straight game following the firing of Mike Brown on Friday with the team off to a 1-4 start -- their worst in 19 years. They throttled the Warriors 101-77 at Staples Center several hours after the change.
"Basically what we talked about this morning was the profound appreciation of their professionalism and how they have handled things," Bickerstaff said.
Lakers executive vice president Jim Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak remain in negotiations with Jackson, whom they are trying to coax out of retirement for what would be his third coaching stint with the organization.
"I'd be excited to have him out there," Bryant said. "I'm sure something will happen sooner than later. I mean, this organization moves pretty quickly once they have a direction on where they want to go and they always makes the right decision. For us players, we just go out there and do our jobs. It isn't anything that's been a distraction for us, but it's just been a long week for everybody."
It's the third time Bickerstaff has taken over the reins of an NBA team after a season was underway, including 1994-95 with Denver (20-12) and 1996-97 with Washington (22-13).
"My job is to coach the team until they ring the bell," Bickerstaff said. "But listen. What's the reality here? I mean, we all know what's going on and I understand that. But I consented to do this for the organization, and I'm not worried about the big picture."
The Kings played short-handed with center DeMarcus Cousins and backup forward Thomas Robinson serving suspensions without pay.
Cousins began his two-game ban for confronting a Spurs TV analyst in a hostile manner following a 97-86 home loss to San Antonio on Friday night.
Robinson completed his two-game absence, following his vicious elbow to the throat of Detroit's Jonas Jerebko during Sacramento's 105-103 home win last Wednesday.
Grizzlies 104, Heat 86: Reserve guard Wayne Ellington had career bests with seven 3-pointers and 25 points, leading host Memphis to its fifth consecutive win and the best start in franchise history.
The Grizzlies (5-1) snapped Miami's four-game winning streak while topping the 4-1 start in 2000-01 in this franchise's last season in Vancouver.
Bosh scored 22 points and LeBron James had 20 for Miami. Dwyane Wade came in averaging 20.4 points but was held to eight.
Timberwolves: Forward Chase Budinger will be out indefinitely with a torn meniscus in his left knee.
NBA: Los Angeles Lakers win second straight as talks to bring Phil Jackson back continue - San Jose Mercury News
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LeBron James scored a season-high 38 points, Chris Bosh had 24 points and 10 rebounds, and the Miami Heat rallied to beat the Houston Rockets 113-110 on Monday night.
Dwyane Wade scored 19 points for the Heat, who shot 47.6 percent from 3-point range (10 of 21) and 51 percent from the field overall.
Chandler Parsons scored a career-high 25 points and Omer Asik had a career-best 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Rockets, who led 110-106 with 90 seconds left.
James went 3 for 4 from the free throw line over the next minute, then drove for the go-ahead layup with 19 seconds left.
Jeremy Lin shot an airball from 3-point range with 10 seconds left, Wade caught it and the Heat escaped with their sixth straight win over Houston.
CELTICS 101, BULLS 95
CHICAGO — Rajon Rondo [stats] had 20 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists to lead Boston over Chicago.
Rondo took advantage of Bulls point guard Nate Robinson for three quarters, helping the Celtics [team stats] build a 12-point lead on 56 percent shooting. He extended his streak of consecutive games with 10 or more assists to 31, the longest in the NBA since John Stockton had 37 straight from Feb. 27 to Nov. 29, 1989.
Brandon Bass led four other Celtics in double figures with 16 points as Boston held off a furious late Chicago rally to snap a five-game losing streak at the United Center. Kevin Garnett had 15 points.
Luol Deng led the Bulls with 26 points and 11 rebounds.
The Celtics became the first team to score 100 points against the Bulls since April 8 last season, ending a streak that had reached 15 straight games.
HAWKS 95, TRAIL BLAZERS 87
PORTLAND, Ore. — Josh Smith had 19 points and 11 rebounds, Kyle Korver added 16 points and Atlanta snapped a two-game skid with a win over Portland.
Al Horford added 15 points and 10 rebounds for Atlanta, which was playing the second game of a four-game West Coast swing after losing 89-76 to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
J.J. Hickson had 19 points and 18 rebounds, and Nicolas Batum scored 19 points to lead Portland, which dropped its fourth straight. Wesley Matthews had 17 points and made all 10 of his free throws.
Trail Blazers All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge finished with 14 points on 4-of-13 shooting. He added eight assists, but had just seven points in the first three quarters. Read More: NBA roundup: James scores 38 in Heat’s 113-110 win at Houston - BostonHerald-com
Dwyane Wade scored 19 points for the Heat, who shot 47.6 percent from 3-point range (10 of 21) and 51 percent from the field overall.
Chandler Parsons scored a career-high 25 points and Omer Asik had a career-best 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Rockets, who led 110-106 with 90 seconds left.
James went 3 for 4 from the free throw line over the next minute, then drove for the go-ahead layup with 19 seconds left.
Jeremy Lin shot an airball from 3-point range with 10 seconds left, Wade caught it and the Heat escaped with their sixth straight win over Houston.
CELTICS 101, BULLS 95
CHICAGO — Rajon Rondo [stats] had 20 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists to lead Boston over Chicago.
Rondo took advantage of Bulls point guard Nate Robinson for three quarters, helping the Celtics [team stats] build a 12-point lead on 56 percent shooting. He extended his streak of consecutive games with 10 or more assists to 31, the longest in the NBA since John Stockton had 37 straight from Feb. 27 to Nov. 29, 1989.
Brandon Bass led four other Celtics in double figures with 16 points as Boston held off a furious late Chicago rally to snap a five-game losing streak at the United Center. Kevin Garnett had 15 points.
Luol Deng led the Bulls with 26 points and 11 rebounds.
The Celtics became the first team to score 100 points against the Bulls since April 8 last season, ending a streak that had reached 15 straight games.
HAWKS 95, TRAIL BLAZERS 87
PORTLAND, Ore. — Josh Smith had 19 points and 11 rebounds, Kyle Korver added 16 points and Atlanta snapped a two-game skid with a win over Portland.
Al Horford added 15 points and 10 rebounds for Atlanta, which was playing the second game of a four-game West Coast swing after losing 89-76 to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
J.J. Hickson had 19 points and 18 rebounds, and Nicolas Batum scored 19 points to lead Portland, which dropped its fourth straight. Wesley Matthews had 17 points and made all 10 of his free throws.
Trail Blazers All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge finished with 14 points on 4-of-13 shooting. He added eight assists, but had just seven points in the first three quarters. Read More: NBA roundup: James scores 38 in Heat’s 113-110 win at Houston - BostonHerald-com
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Carmelo Anthony scored 25 points, J.R. Smith and Raymond Felton each had 21 and the New York Knicks held off the Orlando Magic, 99-89, Tuesday night in Orlando, Fla., to extend their NBA-best start to 5-0.
New York, the league's only unbeaten team, has won its first five games for the first time since opening the 1993-94 season 7-0. The Knicks reached the NBA Finals that season.
"It's great. It's a great feeling," Smith said. "We want to keep it going. So we can't get too lackadaisical like we did in the first half tonight."
J.J. Redick scored 18 points and Arron Afflalo had 13 for the Magic, which committed 20 turnovers in dropping its fifth consecutive game. The Magic has struggled without starters Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu, failing to score more than 75 points in any of the three games before Tuesday.
The Magic kept the game close into the fourth quarter. But along with Anthony's big night, the Knicks were able to repel the Magic's efforts with the help of Smith, who continued his hot streak from the three-point line, connecting on both of his attempts. He is 13 for 18 this season from beyond the arc.
Toronto 74, at Indiana 72: DeMar DeRozan scored 15 points and Jose Calderon had a triple-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists as the Raptors held on to beat the Pacers. DeRozan and Calderon each had 10 points in the first half for Toronto, which won despite scoring a franchise-low five points in the fourth quarter.
at Charlotte 92, Washington 76: Former Laker Ramon Sessions scored 21 points and the Bobcats kept the Wizards winless at 0-6. Charlotte (3-3) recorded a second consecutive victory for the first time since taking the final game of the 2010-11 season and its 2011-12 season opener last December.
at Brooklyn 114, Cleveland 101: Deron Williams had 26 points and 10 assists, Joe Johnson scored 25 points, and the Nets beat the road-weary Cavaliers for their third straight victory. Anderson Varejao had a career-high 35 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, and Kyrie Irving scored 34 for Cleveland, which finished 1-5 on a six-game, coast-to-coast trip, losing the last four.
Portland 103, at Sacramento 86: All five Trail Blazers starters scored in double figures, led by rookie point guard Damian Lillard, who had 22 points and nine assists. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 19 points, and Nicolas Batum had 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals.
San Antonio 84, at Lakers 82
NBA roundup: Knicks beat Magic, 99-89, and improve to 5-0 - latimes-com
New York, the league's only unbeaten team, has won its first five games for the first time since opening the 1993-94 season 7-0. The Knicks reached the NBA Finals that season.
"It's great. It's a great feeling," Smith said. "We want to keep it going. So we can't get too lackadaisical like we did in the first half tonight."
J.J. Redick scored 18 points and Arron Afflalo had 13 for the Magic, which committed 20 turnovers in dropping its fifth consecutive game. The Magic has struggled without starters Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu, failing to score more than 75 points in any of the three games before Tuesday.
The Magic kept the game close into the fourth quarter. But along with Anthony's big night, the Knicks were able to repel the Magic's efforts with the help of Smith, who continued his hot streak from the three-point line, connecting on both of his attempts. He is 13 for 18 this season from beyond the arc.
Toronto 74, at Indiana 72: DeMar DeRozan scored 15 points and Jose Calderon had a triple-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists as the Raptors held on to beat the Pacers. DeRozan and Calderon each had 10 points in the first half for Toronto, which won despite scoring a franchise-low five points in the fourth quarter.
at Charlotte 92, Washington 76: Former Laker Ramon Sessions scored 21 points and the Bobcats kept the Wizards winless at 0-6. Charlotte (3-3) recorded a second consecutive victory for the first time since taking the final game of the 2010-11 season and its 2011-12 season opener last December.
at Brooklyn 114, Cleveland 101: Deron Williams had 26 points and 10 assists, Joe Johnson scored 25 points, and the Nets beat the road-weary Cavaliers for their third straight victory. Anderson Varejao had a career-high 35 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, and Kyrie Irving scored 34 for Cleveland, which finished 1-5 on a six-game, coast-to-coast trip, losing the last four.
Portland 103, at Sacramento 86: All five Trail Blazers starters scored in double figures, led by rookie point guard Damian Lillard, who had 22 points and nine assists. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 19 points, and Nicolas Batum had 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals.
San Antonio 84, at Lakers 82
NBA roundup: Knicks beat Magic, 99-89, and improve to 5-0 - latimes-com
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As they've risen simultaneously into Western Conference contenders, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies have quickly learned to dislike each other.
In their latest slugfest, it was the Thunder who came out swinging but Zach Randolph and the Grizzlies got the win. Rudy Gay scored a season-high 28 points, Randolph added 20 points and 11 rebounds before getting ejected along with Oklahoma City's Kendrick Perkins during a late-game altercation and Memphis beat the Thunder 107-97 on Wednesday night.
Despite notching wins against defending champion Miami and runner-up Oklahoma City during their current six-game winning streak, Randolph said the Grizzlies aren't claiming to have made any statements early on and are still fueled by an underdog mentality.
"This is one of the best teams in the West," Randolph said. "We're trying to get where they're at."
Maybe that's why every meeting between the two seems to turn into a knock-down, drag-out fight. This one saw Perkins and Randolph confronting each other between Russell Westbrook's free throw attempts, drawing each an ejection from referee Ken Mauer with 2:05 left in the game.
The two tried to approach each other while being restrained by teammates before finally heading out tunnels at opposite ends of Chesapeake Energy Arena.
After the game, Randolph said all was settled between him and Perkins.
"There's a lot of bluffing going on on the court, that's all," Randolph said. "And I don't bluff."
By the time the ejections took place, the Grizzlies had all but put the game away - with Randolph and fellow big man Marc Gasol answering an Oklahoma City comeback bid punctuated by Perkins' two-handed slam that cut the deficit to 97-89 with 4:18 to play.
Coach Lionel Hollins called for a timeout and sent his team back out with Gasol isolated against Perkins, and Gasol twisted his way in for a layup. After a missed jumper by Serge Ibaka at the other end, Gasol set up Randolph for a layup off a designed play.
That all but sealed the latest round for Memphis, which won its second straight in Oklahoma City's home gym to add more fuel to the budding rivalry.
"That's what makes it fun," Gay said.
Memphis ended up losing a seven-game series that featured a couple overtime thrillers two seasons ago against Oklahoma City and has been trying to claw its way ahead of the Thunder, who have been one step ahead in their progression so far.
Sometimes the clawing gets a little too realistic.
"It is an emotional game and we didn't play well and I think the referees were just trying to control the game. Throw both of them out so nothing happens," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. "I can appreciate that because with a game like that, you don't want anything crazy to happen."
Kevin Durant scored a season-high 34 points and Westbrook had 17 points and 13 assists as both Oklahoma City All-Stars logged more than 42 minutes for the second straight game while trying to lead a fourth-quarter comeback from a double-digit deficit.
Each played 44 minutes in a come-from-behind win Monday at Detroit, contributing to a 13-0 run to start the fourth quarter and dig out of an 11-point hole.
But not this time.
"Every game is important for us. That's how we always view our games. We have 82 big games a year. We have to give everything we have each game and not worry about saving anything for the next game," Brooks said.
Marc Gasol chipped in 14 points as the Grizzlies continued the best start in franchise history and moved to 7-1. They took control by outscoring Oklahoma City by 21 in the second quarter, and never gave it up.
Quincy Pondexter contributed 13 points and Jerryd Bayless scored 12 as Memphis came out ahead in a tussle between teams with retooled benches. The Grizzlies let O.J. Mayo leave in free agency and the Thunder traded Sixth Man of the Year James Harden to Houston.
Kevin Martin, who's filling Harden's old role, had a season-low seven points on just four shots.
Pondexter and the second unit brought the Grizzlies back after they'd fallen behind 30-20 after the first quarter, getting held to just 32 percent from the field. Pondexter hit a pair of 3-pointers and a couple free throws during a 16-6 burst to start the second quarter, and Memphis kept rolling as the starters rotated back in.
Another Pondexter 3 put Memphis ahead 44-41 and the Grizzlies scored the final 10 points of the half, including a two-handed dunk by Gay off of Pondexter's alley-oop, to go up 56-45.
In all, the Thunder were outscored 36-15 in the second quarter while taking their turn making just 32 percent of their shots.
Memphis led by as much as 16 in the first 3 minutes of the second half.
"We're doing it by committee, the whole entire team. Not just the bench, not just the starters. I think collectively we're doing a really good job right now," Pondexter said. "We just have to keep this going.
"I think everyone on this team is really all in, all focused and that's just helping us out right now."
Notes
Gasol also got a technical in the third quarter for taking the ball out of the net and raking it across Westbrook's face after a basket by Westbrook.
The Grizzlies had just one turnover in the first half -- when Bayless failed to connect with Gasol on a pass into the lane and Ibaka came away with it.
Oklahoma City reserve Hasheem Thabeet spent a few moments at halftime chatting with ex-teammates and staff on the Memphis sideline. "I'm happy that he's still in the league and happy that he's doing well," Hollins said.
NBA Recap - Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder - Nov 14, 2012 - CBSSports-com
In their latest slugfest, it was the Thunder who came out swinging but Zach Randolph and the Grizzlies got the win. Rudy Gay scored a season-high 28 points, Randolph added 20 points and 11 rebounds before getting ejected along with Oklahoma City's Kendrick Perkins during a late-game altercation and Memphis beat the Thunder 107-97 on Wednesday night.
Despite notching wins against defending champion Miami and runner-up Oklahoma City during their current six-game winning streak, Randolph said the Grizzlies aren't claiming to have made any statements early on and are still fueled by an underdog mentality.
"This is one of the best teams in the West," Randolph said. "We're trying to get where they're at."
Maybe that's why every meeting between the two seems to turn into a knock-down, drag-out fight. This one saw Perkins and Randolph confronting each other between Russell Westbrook's free throw attempts, drawing each an ejection from referee Ken Mauer with 2:05 left in the game.
The two tried to approach each other while being restrained by teammates before finally heading out tunnels at opposite ends of Chesapeake Energy Arena.
After the game, Randolph said all was settled between him and Perkins.
"There's a lot of bluffing going on on the court, that's all," Randolph said. "And I don't bluff."
By the time the ejections took place, the Grizzlies had all but put the game away - with Randolph and fellow big man Marc Gasol answering an Oklahoma City comeback bid punctuated by Perkins' two-handed slam that cut the deficit to 97-89 with 4:18 to play.
Coach Lionel Hollins called for a timeout and sent his team back out with Gasol isolated against Perkins, and Gasol twisted his way in for a layup. After a missed jumper by Serge Ibaka at the other end, Gasol set up Randolph for a layup off a designed play.
That all but sealed the latest round for Memphis, which won its second straight in Oklahoma City's home gym to add more fuel to the budding rivalry.
"That's what makes it fun," Gay said.
Memphis ended up losing a seven-game series that featured a couple overtime thrillers two seasons ago against Oklahoma City and has been trying to claw its way ahead of the Thunder, who have been one step ahead in their progression so far.
Sometimes the clawing gets a little too realistic.
"It is an emotional game and we didn't play well and I think the referees were just trying to control the game. Throw both of them out so nothing happens," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. "I can appreciate that because with a game like that, you don't want anything crazy to happen."
Kevin Durant scored a season-high 34 points and Westbrook had 17 points and 13 assists as both Oklahoma City All-Stars logged more than 42 minutes for the second straight game while trying to lead a fourth-quarter comeback from a double-digit deficit.
Each played 44 minutes in a come-from-behind win Monday at Detroit, contributing to a 13-0 run to start the fourth quarter and dig out of an 11-point hole.
But not this time.
"Every game is important for us. That's how we always view our games. We have 82 big games a year. We have to give everything we have each game and not worry about saving anything for the next game," Brooks said.
Marc Gasol chipped in 14 points as the Grizzlies continued the best start in franchise history and moved to 7-1. They took control by outscoring Oklahoma City by 21 in the second quarter, and never gave it up.
Quincy Pondexter contributed 13 points and Jerryd Bayless scored 12 as Memphis came out ahead in a tussle between teams with retooled benches. The Grizzlies let O.J. Mayo leave in free agency and the Thunder traded Sixth Man of the Year James Harden to Houston.
Kevin Martin, who's filling Harden's old role, had a season-low seven points on just four shots.
Pondexter and the second unit brought the Grizzlies back after they'd fallen behind 30-20 after the first quarter, getting held to just 32 percent from the field. Pondexter hit a pair of 3-pointers and a couple free throws during a 16-6 burst to start the second quarter, and Memphis kept rolling as the starters rotated back in.
Another Pondexter 3 put Memphis ahead 44-41 and the Grizzlies scored the final 10 points of the half, including a two-handed dunk by Gay off of Pondexter's alley-oop, to go up 56-45.
In all, the Thunder were outscored 36-15 in the second quarter while taking their turn making just 32 percent of their shots.
Memphis led by as much as 16 in the first 3 minutes of the second half.
"We're doing it by committee, the whole entire team. Not just the bench, not just the starters. I think collectively we're doing a really good job right now," Pondexter said. "We just have to keep this going.
"I think everyone on this team is really all in, all focused and that's just helping us out right now."
Notes
Gasol also got a technical in the third quarter for taking the ball out of the net and raking it across Westbrook's face after a basket by Westbrook.
The Grizzlies had just one turnover in the first half -- when Bayless failed to connect with Gasol on a pass into the lane and Ibaka came away with it.
Oklahoma City reserve Hasheem Thabeet spent a few moments at halftime chatting with ex-teammates and staff on the Memphis sideline. "I'm happy that he's still in the league and happy that he's doing well," Hollins said.
NBA Recap - Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder - Nov 14, 2012 - CBSSports-com
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The Miami Heat avoided back-to-back road losses, hanging on for a 98-93 win over the Denver Nuggets, Thursday (Friday, PHL time) at the Pepsi Center in Denver.
The Heat were coming off a 107-100 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Wednesday (Thursday, PHL time), with their other two defeats coming as the visiting team too, against Memphis last November 11 (Nov. 12, PHL time) and versus New York on November 2 (Nov. 3, PHL time). Winning however, put the defending NBA champs at 7-3, while Denver slipped to 4-5.
Miami had held a commanding 79-66 lead with a quarter to play, but an 11-2 run by the Nuggets' JaVale McGee and Andre Miller had the home team within four points, 81-77, still with 9:06 left in the game.
Several plays later, an and-one basket by Miller, off a Shane Battier foul, had the Nuggets knocking at the Heat's door, down by just a point, 85-84, with 6:06 left, but a jumper by LeBron James and a triple by Shane Battier padded their advantage back to six, 90-84.
Charities by Kenneth Faried and Andre Iguodala put Denver within a point's reach again, 92-91, 1:37 remaining on the clock. The Nuggets then caught a break after Ray Allen missed a triple, but Danilo Gallinari's own triple was short and then James found Norris Cole for a huge triple that made it a two-possession game, 51 ticks until the final buzzer.
Denver called for time to set up a play, but Miller and Faried missed a combined four times on that one possession, before Miami finally brought down the carom. Forced to foul, the Nuggets sent James to the line where he dutifully made both charities. Iguodala countered with a dunk to keep it as a four-point game with 18.5 seconds left, but Ray Allen closed the game out with a charity to arrive at the final score.
The Heat played without Dwyane Wade, who sat out to rest a left foot sprain, which he aggravated by playing in their loss against the Clippers. Miami also were denied the services of starting point guard Mario Chalmers, following a triceps strain early on in the game, but they had enough to eke out the victory.
Denver actually never tasted the lead in this game, as the Heat were up by as much as 19, on a Shane Battier triple that made it 70-51 with 6:17 left in the third, prior to their near-collapse late.
The Heat were led by the 27 points of reigning MVP LeBron James, who added seven rebounds, 12 assists, a steal and three blocks. Shane Battier poured in 18 more markers, all from beyond the arc, while Mike Miller added 12, also scoring all of that from downtown.
Miami in fact closed with a 13-of-27 clip, or 48.1 percent, from the three-point arc.
The veteran Miller scored 19 to pace Denver, in addition to five rebounds and seven assists off the bench. JaVale McGee and Jordan Hamilton combined for 29, also in reserve roles, while Kenneth Faried's 16 points and 20 rebounds helped Denver come back late.
The one disappointment however was point guard Ty Lawson, who finished scoreless in 36 minutes of play, missing all seven of his shots, though he did dish out eight dimes.
Denver lost despite a huge advantage in rebounding, 48 to 29, 21 to 5 on the offensive glass.
NBA: Heat hang on to send Nuggets below .500 | Sports | GMA News Online | The Go-To Site for Filipinos Everywhere
The Heat were coming off a 107-100 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Wednesday (Thursday, PHL time), with their other two defeats coming as the visiting team too, against Memphis last November 11 (Nov. 12, PHL time) and versus New York on November 2 (Nov. 3, PHL time). Winning however, put the defending NBA champs at 7-3, while Denver slipped to 4-5.
Miami had held a commanding 79-66 lead with a quarter to play, but an 11-2 run by the Nuggets' JaVale McGee and Andre Miller had the home team within four points, 81-77, still with 9:06 left in the game.
Several plays later, an and-one basket by Miller, off a Shane Battier foul, had the Nuggets knocking at the Heat's door, down by just a point, 85-84, with 6:06 left, but a jumper by LeBron James and a triple by Shane Battier padded their advantage back to six, 90-84.
Charities by Kenneth Faried and Andre Iguodala put Denver within a point's reach again, 92-91, 1:37 remaining on the clock. The Nuggets then caught a break after Ray Allen missed a triple, but Danilo Gallinari's own triple was short and then James found Norris Cole for a huge triple that made it a two-possession game, 51 ticks until the final buzzer.
Denver called for time to set up a play, but Miller and Faried missed a combined four times on that one possession, before Miami finally brought down the carom. Forced to foul, the Nuggets sent James to the line where he dutifully made both charities. Iguodala countered with a dunk to keep it as a four-point game with 18.5 seconds left, but Ray Allen closed the game out with a charity to arrive at the final score.
The Heat played without Dwyane Wade, who sat out to rest a left foot sprain, which he aggravated by playing in their loss against the Clippers. Miami also were denied the services of starting point guard Mario Chalmers, following a triceps strain early on in the game, but they had enough to eke out the victory.
Denver actually never tasted the lead in this game, as the Heat were up by as much as 19, on a Shane Battier triple that made it 70-51 with 6:17 left in the third, prior to their near-collapse late.
The Heat were led by the 27 points of reigning MVP LeBron James, who added seven rebounds, 12 assists, a steal and three blocks. Shane Battier poured in 18 more markers, all from beyond the arc, while Mike Miller added 12, also scoring all of that from downtown.
Miami in fact closed with a 13-of-27 clip, or 48.1 percent, from the three-point arc.
The veteran Miller scored 19 to pace Denver, in addition to five rebounds and seven assists off the bench. JaVale McGee and Jordan Hamilton combined for 29, also in reserve roles, while Kenneth Faried's 16 points and 20 rebounds helped Denver come back late.
The one disappointment however was point guard Ty Lawson, who finished scoreless in 36 minutes of play, missing all seven of his shots, though he did dish out eight dimes.
Denver lost despite a huge advantage in rebounding, 48 to 29, 21 to 5 on the offensive glass.
NBA: Heat hang on to send Nuggets below .500 | Sports | GMA News Online | The Go-To Site for Filipinos Everywhere
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David Lee had 18 points and 13 rebounds and the Golden State Warriors dominated inside during a 106-98 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.
Carl Landry added 15 points and seven boards and Stephen Curry had 17 points and six assists for the Warriors (5-4), who outscored Minnesota 58-22 in the paint.
Alexey Shved had 22 points and seven assists and Derrick Williams had 23 points and seven rebounds for the Timberwolves (5-4), who are starting to succumb to the injuries that have ravaged them early this season.
Harrison Barnes had 18 points and nine rebounds and the Warriors outrebounded Minnesota 50-34. They led 90-76 with eight minutes to play, but as they've done all season, the scrappy Wolves clawed back in it.
Shved's runner cut it to 92-89 with four minutes to go, but the short-handed Wolves just didn't have enough in the tank to finish it off.
Lee hit a short jumper and Charles Jenkins and Barnes both scored on easy drives to close the game out. It was a nice win for the Warriors to start a tough three-game road trip that includes games at Oklahoma City and Dallas.
Without Nikola Pekovic out there to clog the paint, the Warriors attacked the rim relentlessly and pounded the Wolves on the glass. During one possession in the third quarter, the Warriors had three offensive rebounds before Barnes converted a tough layup for a 67-60 lead. And they just kept coming.
Read more here: MINNEAPOLIS: Warriors dominate paint in 106-98 win over Wolves | NBA Basketball | Kentucky-com
Carl Landry added 15 points and seven boards and Stephen Curry had 17 points and six assists for the Warriors (5-4), who outscored Minnesota 58-22 in the paint.
Alexey Shved had 22 points and seven assists and Derrick Williams had 23 points and seven rebounds for the Timberwolves (5-4), who are starting to succumb to the injuries that have ravaged them early this season.
Harrison Barnes had 18 points and nine rebounds and the Warriors outrebounded Minnesota 50-34. They led 90-76 with eight minutes to play, but as they've done all season, the scrappy Wolves clawed back in it.
Shved's runner cut it to 92-89 with four minutes to go, but the short-handed Wolves just didn't have enough in the tank to finish it off.
Lee hit a short jumper and Charles Jenkins and Barnes both scored on easy drives to close the game out. It was a nice win for the Warriors to start a tough three-game road trip that includes games at Oklahoma City and Dallas.
Without Nikola Pekovic out there to clog the paint, the Warriors attacked the rim relentlessly and pounded the Wolves on the glass. During one possession in the third quarter, the Warriors had three offensive rebounds before Barnes converted a tough layup for a 67-60 lead. And they just kept coming.
Read more here: MINNEAPOLIS: Warriors dominate paint in 106-98 win over Wolves | NBA Basketball | Kentucky-com
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Andrew Bynum has been just one great big gift of a talent to the Philadelphia 76ers, who traded for him this past off-season in a deal that sent Andre Iguodala packing. Not only did the Sixers get one of the top three centers in the game, they got rid of one of the most overpaid forwards-who-should-be-guards-but-can’t-shoot-jump-shots-well-enough’s in the NBA in Iguodala.
So, it was a great day for people who thought it was time for Iggie to move on (everyone). However, Bynum, as highly touted as he was coming to Philly, hasn’t played a lick yet due to a knee injury. He’s been in Europe with blood spinning and a bunch of other crap. It came out recently that he wouldn’t be available to start basketball activity for four weeks. Four weeks. Awesome!
The good news for Sixers fans? There isn’t any. It’s gotten worse. Now, Bynum says that he has a bone bruise in his left knee too. Whether it’s for overcompensating for the right knee or whatever, it doesn’t matter. The bottom line is that now he has issues in both knees. And he’s a ginormously tall man which wouldn’t indicate that his knees will get any better any time soon. Rock! And! Roll!
Christopher Vito from the Delaware County Daily Times passed it along on Twitter.
“Andrew Bynum said he’s sustained a setback, in his words. Said he’s experiencing swelling in both left an right knees following activity,” tweets Vito.
This couldn’t be better news for the Sixers, who currently have two big men that think it’s their job to shoot 20-footers, and another center who is so awesome that’s he’s playing for this seventh team since 2001, when he was the first-overall draft pick. So yeah, the bigs ain’t looking so hot.
Right now, this Sixers team is playing like a team who has a dominant down-low presence, except they don’t have that. It’s bombs away from three-point land, maybe Jrue Holiday drives and maybe they get it going on the fast break. That’s the offense. Right there. They need Andrew Bynum. They need him soon, even though they beat the Utah Jazz Friday night to go up to 5-4. They still need him and it doesn’t look like they’ll see him until January. Hopefully, they can tread water.
In other news, Andrew Bynum looks like a taller, slimmer version of Daryl from “The Office.” That has nothing to do with this post, it was just an observation based on Bynum’s newer, fuller hair.
NBA Rumors: 76ers Center Andrew Bynum Has a Setback
So, it was a great day for people who thought it was time for Iggie to move on (everyone). However, Bynum, as highly touted as he was coming to Philly, hasn’t played a lick yet due to a knee injury. He’s been in Europe with blood spinning and a bunch of other crap. It came out recently that he wouldn’t be available to start basketball activity for four weeks. Four weeks. Awesome!
The good news for Sixers fans? There isn’t any. It’s gotten worse. Now, Bynum says that he has a bone bruise in his left knee too. Whether it’s for overcompensating for the right knee or whatever, it doesn’t matter. The bottom line is that now he has issues in both knees. And he’s a ginormously tall man which wouldn’t indicate that his knees will get any better any time soon. Rock! And! Roll!
Christopher Vito from the Delaware County Daily Times passed it along on Twitter.
“Andrew Bynum said he’s sustained a setback, in his words. Said he’s experiencing swelling in both left an right knees following activity,” tweets Vito.
This couldn’t be better news for the Sixers, who currently have two big men that think it’s their job to shoot 20-footers, and another center who is so awesome that’s he’s playing for this seventh team since 2001, when he was the first-overall draft pick. So yeah, the bigs ain’t looking so hot.
Right now, this Sixers team is playing like a team who has a dominant down-low presence, except they don’t have that. It’s bombs away from three-point land, maybe Jrue Holiday drives and maybe they get it going on the fast break. That’s the offense. Right there. They need Andrew Bynum. They need him soon, even though they beat the Utah Jazz Friday night to go up to 5-4. They still need him and it doesn’t look like they’ll see him until January. Hopefully, they can tread water.
In other news, Andrew Bynum looks like a taller, slimmer version of Daryl from “The Office.” That has nothing to do with this post, it was just an observation based on Bynum’s newer, fuller hair.
NBA Rumors: 76ers Center Andrew Bynum Has a Setback
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Wesley Matthews was kind of taken aback when he was told that Portland's last three-game winning streak came in the Trail Blazers' first three games of last season.
The Blazers had been unable to string a trio of wins together since then until Sunday night, when they beat the Chicago Bulls 102-94. "It feels good, getting our juices going, our confident going," said Matthews, who had 21 points. "We're finally playing like a team that knows how to win."
The other two wins, a 103-89 victory at Sacramento before a 119-117 overtime victory over Houston at the Rose Garden on Friday, came after a three-game losing streak.
As for it being the longest winning streak since the Blazers opened last season with three wins, Matthews shook his head. Portland finished the lockout season 28-39, capped by a seven-game losing streak.
"Last season was such a debacle," he said. "I don't want to talk about it for the rest of my life."
Nicolas Batum also scored 21 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 18 points and 13 rebounds as all of Portland's starters were in double figures.
After trailing by as many as 15 in the third quarter, the Bulls came back to tie it at 73 early in the fourth. But Portland pulled back in front 87-75 on Matthews' pull-up jumper with 5:04 left.
Matthews appeared to seal it with a 3-pointer that made it 93-81 with 1:26 left, but Nate Robinson hit a 3 to narrow it to 98-94 with 13.9 seconds to go. Batum and Aldridge each hit a pair of free throws and rookie Damian Lillard dunked to help the Blazers hang on.
Joakim Noah had 16 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists for Chicago, which lost its second straight after falling 101-80 to the Clippers in Los Angeles on Saturday night. The Bulls (5-5) had not lost two straight this season.
"The defense right now, the intensity, we've got to get that part right," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "The defense, the rebounds and the turnovers, all three are a problem right now, so we've got to correct that. Those three things put you in a position to win."
The Blazers have won five straight games against the Bulls at the Rose Garden.
Portland improved to 5-5 in coach Terry Stotts' first season with the team.
"It's good to be .500, but we didn't go into the game saying `Let's be .500,"' Stotts said. "The important thing is winning at home and playing well. The record takes care of itself."
Chicago pulled ahead 30-23 with about 10 seconds left in the first quarter on Luol Deng's layup. Matthews' pullup jumper tied it at 32 before Aldridge made a jumper to put the Blazers in front.
Batum's dunk with 3:59 left in the half gave Portland a 43-39 lead. The Blazers went on to lead 51-43 at the break. Batum opened the second half with a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 54-43. Another Batum 3 put Portland ahead 61-47 and yet another one made it 67-53.
Taj Gibson got the Bulls within 69-64 with a layup with 2:31 left in the quarter. Chicago pulled even closer on Deng's layup to open the final quarter, then evened it at 73 at Gibson made a layup and a free throw.
Ronnie Price's long jumper prevented the Bulls from taking the lead, and Batum's 3-pointer and Price's layup extended it. Price also hit a free throw, making him the first Blazers reserve to score in double digits this season.
Price, who has been hampered this season by a right ankle injury, finished with 10 points and five assists. The Blazers could use his help to spell Lillard, the sixth overall pick in the June NBA draft.
"I'm not completely 100 percent by any means, but I'm able to contribute," he said.
Lillard finished with 16 points and J.J. Hickson had 10.
Notes
Portland won the only meeting against the Bulls last season, a 100-89 victory in Chicago. It was the first game under interim head coach Kaleb Canales following the dismissal of Nate McMillan. Canales was retained as an assistant after the Blazers hired coach Terry Stotts in the offseason.
Chicago's Luol Deng and Portland's Joel Freeland were teammates on Britain's Olympic basketball team.
Lillard is the first player to average 19 points and six assists through his first 10 games since Isiah Thomas in 1981.
It was Portland's first game of the season with six total players in double figures.
NBA Recap - Chicago Bulls at Portland Trail Blazers - Nov 18, 2012 - CBSSports-com
The Blazers had been unable to string a trio of wins together since then until Sunday night, when they beat the Chicago Bulls 102-94. "It feels good, getting our juices going, our confident going," said Matthews, who had 21 points. "We're finally playing like a team that knows how to win."
The other two wins, a 103-89 victory at Sacramento before a 119-117 overtime victory over Houston at the Rose Garden on Friday, came after a three-game losing streak.
As for it being the longest winning streak since the Blazers opened last season with three wins, Matthews shook his head. Portland finished the lockout season 28-39, capped by a seven-game losing streak.
"Last season was such a debacle," he said. "I don't want to talk about it for the rest of my life."
Nicolas Batum also scored 21 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 18 points and 13 rebounds as all of Portland's starters were in double figures.
After trailing by as many as 15 in the third quarter, the Bulls came back to tie it at 73 early in the fourth. But Portland pulled back in front 87-75 on Matthews' pull-up jumper with 5:04 left.
Matthews appeared to seal it with a 3-pointer that made it 93-81 with 1:26 left, but Nate Robinson hit a 3 to narrow it to 98-94 with 13.9 seconds to go. Batum and Aldridge each hit a pair of free throws and rookie Damian Lillard dunked to help the Blazers hang on.
Joakim Noah had 16 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists for Chicago, which lost its second straight after falling 101-80 to the Clippers in Los Angeles on Saturday night. The Bulls (5-5) had not lost two straight this season.
"The defense right now, the intensity, we've got to get that part right," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "The defense, the rebounds and the turnovers, all three are a problem right now, so we've got to correct that. Those three things put you in a position to win."
The Blazers have won five straight games against the Bulls at the Rose Garden.
Portland improved to 5-5 in coach Terry Stotts' first season with the team.
"It's good to be .500, but we didn't go into the game saying `Let's be .500,"' Stotts said. "The important thing is winning at home and playing well. The record takes care of itself."
Chicago pulled ahead 30-23 with about 10 seconds left in the first quarter on Luol Deng's layup. Matthews' pullup jumper tied it at 32 before Aldridge made a jumper to put the Blazers in front.
Batum's dunk with 3:59 left in the half gave Portland a 43-39 lead. The Blazers went on to lead 51-43 at the break. Batum opened the second half with a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 54-43. Another Batum 3 put Portland ahead 61-47 and yet another one made it 67-53.
Taj Gibson got the Bulls within 69-64 with a layup with 2:31 left in the quarter. Chicago pulled even closer on Deng's layup to open the final quarter, then evened it at 73 at Gibson made a layup and a free throw.
Ronnie Price's long jumper prevented the Bulls from taking the lead, and Batum's 3-pointer and Price's layup extended it. Price also hit a free throw, making him the first Blazers reserve to score in double digits this season.
Price, who has been hampered this season by a right ankle injury, finished with 10 points and five assists. The Blazers could use his help to spell Lillard, the sixth overall pick in the June NBA draft.
"I'm not completely 100 percent by any means, but I'm able to contribute," he said.
Lillard finished with 16 points and J.J. Hickson had 10.
Notes
Portland won the only meeting against the Bulls last season, a 100-89 victory in Chicago. It was the first game under interim head coach Kaleb Canales following the dismissal of Nate McMillan. Canales was retained as an assistant after the Blazers hired coach Terry Stotts in the offseason.
Chicago's Luol Deng and Portland's Joel Freeland were teammates on Britain's Olympic basketball team.
Lillard is the first player to average 19 points and six assists through his first 10 games since Isiah Thomas in 1981.
It was Portland's first game of the season with six total players in double figures.
NBA Recap - Chicago Bulls at Portland Trail Blazers - Nov 18, 2012 - CBSSports-com
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There were boos early and at the end for the winless Washington Wizards, who dropped to a franchise-worst 0-9 with a 96-89 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.
Indiana’s David West scored 13 of his season-best 30 points in the fourth quarter, and Roy Hibbert broke out of a slump with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Still without point guard John Wall, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft, and starting center Nene — and no one seems to be sure when either injured player will make his season debut — the Wizards are the only team in the NBA without a victory. They started 0-8 a year ago, the club’s previous worst opening to a season.
They were led Monday by rookie Bradley Beal’s 18 points, 17 coming in the second half.
Jordan Crawford scored 11 on 2-for-12 shooting for Washington, which was jeered by the announced crowd of 14,426 in the opening minutes and again at the closing buzzer.
NUGGETS 97, GRIZZLIES 92
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Danilo Gallinari scored 26 points, including a 3-pointer with 13 seconds left, and Denver ended Memphis’ win streak at eight games.
JaVale McGee finished with 15 points and eight rebounds, and Kenneth Faried added 13 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to help Denver outrebound Memphis 47-33.
The victory snapped a three-game skid for the Nuggets, who handed the Grizzlies their first loss since dropping their season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Rudy Gay scored 22 points, Marc Gasol added 16 and Zach Randolph had 12 points and 13 rebounds for Memphis.
CLIPPERS 92, SPURS 87
SAN ANTONIO — Chris Paul had 19 points and eight assists and Los Angeles beat San Antonio for the second time this season.
Matt Barnes had 14 points and Blake Griffin 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Clippers.
Tim Duncan had 20 points and 14 rebounds for the Spurs, who suffered their second home loss this season. Manu Ginobili added 15 points and Tony Parker 11.
Paul made a five-foot jumper in the lane with 24.6 seconds left to give the Clippers a 91-87 lead. Gary Neal missed a 3-pointer on the subsequent possession, which Eric Bledsoe gathered for his fifth rebound. Bledsoe, who had nine points, made one of two free throws to close it out.
WARRIORS 105, MAVERICKS 101 Read More: NBA roundup: Wizards fall to 0-9 with 96-89 loss to Pacers - BostonHerald-com
Indiana’s David West scored 13 of his season-best 30 points in the fourth quarter, and Roy Hibbert broke out of a slump with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Still without point guard John Wall, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft, and starting center Nene — and no one seems to be sure when either injured player will make his season debut — the Wizards are the only team in the NBA without a victory. They started 0-8 a year ago, the club’s previous worst opening to a season.
They were led Monday by rookie Bradley Beal’s 18 points, 17 coming in the second half.
Jordan Crawford scored 11 on 2-for-12 shooting for Washington, which was jeered by the announced crowd of 14,426 in the opening minutes and again at the closing buzzer.
NUGGETS 97, GRIZZLIES 92
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Danilo Gallinari scored 26 points, including a 3-pointer with 13 seconds left, and Denver ended Memphis’ win streak at eight games.
JaVale McGee finished with 15 points and eight rebounds, and Kenneth Faried added 13 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to help Denver outrebound Memphis 47-33.
The victory snapped a three-game skid for the Nuggets, who handed the Grizzlies their first loss since dropping their season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Rudy Gay scored 22 points, Marc Gasol added 16 and Zach Randolph had 12 points and 13 rebounds for Memphis.
CLIPPERS 92, SPURS 87
SAN ANTONIO — Chris Paul had 19 points and eight assists and Los Angeles beat San Antonio for the second time this season.
Matt Barnes had 14 points and Blake Griffin 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Clippers.
Tim Duncan had 20 points and 14 rebounds for the Spurs, who suffered their second home loss this season. Manu Ginobili added 15 points and Tony Parker 11.
Paul made a five-foot jumper in the lane with 24.6 seconds left to give the Clippers a 91-87 lead. Gary Neal missed a 3-pointer on the subsequent possession, which Eric Bledsoe gathered for his fifth rebound. Bledsoe, who had nine points, made one of two free throws to close it out.
WARRIORS 105, MAVERICKS 101 Read More: NBA roundup: Wizards fall to 0-9 with 96-89 loss to Pacers - BostonHerald-com
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Carmelo Anthony scored 29 points, and the New York Knicks extended the New Orleans Hornets' losing streak to four games with a 102-80 victory Tuesday night.
Raymond Felton and J.R. Smith each added 15 points. Felton scored all of his points on five three-pointers as New York made 14 triples overall.
The Knicks have won two straight since their first loss and are 8-1 for the third time in franchise history. The other times -- the 1969-70 and 1972-73 seasons -- they won championships.
Ryan Anderson, starting for Anthony Davis, led the Hornets with 15 points. Davis was ruled out shortly before tip-off because of a sore left ankle.
Rookie Austin Rivers added a career-high 14 points, and Brian Roberts 13 for New Orleans.
The Knicks scored only 20 points in the paint, but still shot 44.6% (37-for-83) thanks to stellar jump shooting. They finished 14-for-36 (38.9%) from three-point range.
The Knicks came in attempting just more than 26 triples a game this season and seem to have figured out the art of positioning themselves for long rebounds off missed perimeter shots. New York had 13 offensive rebounds, 17 second-chance points and outrebounded New Orleans overall, 49-36.
The Knicks led most of the game, leading, 29-17, at the end of the opening quarter.
Philadelphia 106, Toronto 98: Nick Young scored 23 points off the bench, and Jason Richardson netted six of his 21 late in the fourth quarter for the host 76ers' third straight win. DeMar DeRozan scored 24 and Andrea Bargnani 22 for the Raptors.
NBA roundup: Knicks 8-1 for third time in club history | Detroit Pistons | Detroit Free Press | freep-com
Raymond Felton and J.R. Smith each added 15 points. Felton scored all of his points on five three-pointers as New York made 14 triples overall.
The Knicks have won two straight since their first loss and are 8-1 for the third time in franchise history. The other times -- the 1969-70 and 1972-73 seasons -- they won championships.
Ryan Anderson, starting for Anthony Davis, led the Hornets with 15 points. Davis was ruled out shortly before tip-off because of a sore left ankle.
Rookie Austin Rivers added a career-high 14 points, and Brian Roberts 13 for New Orleans.
The Knicks scored only 20 points in the paint, but still shot 44.6% (37-for-83) thanks to stellar jump shooting. They finished 14-for-36 (38.9%) from three-point range.
The Knicks came in attempting just more than 26 triples a game this season and seem to have figured out the art of positioning themselves for long rebounds off missed perimeter shots. New York had 13 offensive rebounds, 17 second-chance points and outrebounded New Orleans overall, 49-36.
The Knicks led most of the game, leading, 29-17, at the end of the opening quarter.
Philadelphia 106, Toronto 98: Nick Young scored 23 points off the bench, and Jason Richardson netted six of his 21 late in the fourth quarter for the host 76ers' third straight win. DeMar DeRozan scored 24 and Andrea Bargnani 22 for the Raptors.
NBA roundup: Knicks 8-1 for third time in club history | Detroit Pistons | Detroit Free Press | freep-com
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One of the really frustrating aspects of the NBA season already is the number of high-profile injuries hampering teams and perhaps none more so than that of Philadelphia centre Andrew Bynum.
Look around the league and there are far too many stars sitting in suits behind benches - Dirk Nowtizki at Dallas, Steve Nash at the Lakers, Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio at Minnesota, John Wall at Washington, Derek Rose at Chicago, Chauncey Billups and Grant Hill at the Clippers, Andrew Bogut at Golden State, Danny Granger at Indiana, Dwyane Wade at Miami, Amare Stoudemire at New York, Kyrie Irving at Cleveland, Eric Gordon at New Orleans and the list goes on.
Some of these guys are just old and their absences are a sign of careers winding down. Seven-footer Bynum, though, is a particular worry, since he's only 25, but already has octogenarian knees.
It's eight years since he entered the league straight from high school and, at the age of 17, became the youngest to ever play in the NBA. During that time, he's managed just one complete season - his second - and missed a total of 166 out 558 regular-season games.
The latest news on Bynum is that he may not turn out for the 76ers this season, after aggravating his dodgy knees while bowling. Many think NBA stars should wrap themselves in cotton wool to avoid unnecessary injuries, but it would be a stretch to class ten pin as an extreme activity.
Besides, if bowling was this stressful on Bynum's body, what would five games of basketball in a week do?
You can't help but feel sorry for Philadelphia, who inherited the monster centre as part of the blockbuster four-team trade that landed Dwight Howard at the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this year. Essentially, they gave up Andre Iguodala - a much underrated performer - to Denver for Bynum, who seemed ready to break out as a star in his own right, after years as a Lakers add-on. Some actually regard him as a better talent than Howard, because at least he can hit the odd free throw. When he's fit, Bynum can be a force of nature and the 76ers offered him a chance to show his full wares.
There's nothing sadder than seeing a potential superstar like Bynum unable to fulfil that promise through injury and you can only hope, at some point, his knees settle down enough for him to rise again.
With this in mind, spare a thought for former Portland centre Greg Oden, who was considered a sure-fire All-Star when he left Ohio State University, but missed his first season after knee surgery and has struggled to get back on court since.
An 82-game season offers a harsh environment for rehabbing chronic injury, so maybe Bynum just needs to go away for a few months and somehow get this right. He may be better for it in the long run.
That's cold comfort for the 76ers, though.
Reaping the benefits
Check out the tail end of last week's blowout win over the hapless Townsville Crocs and you'll find one of the keys to the NZ Breakers' success in recent years.
It's always fun on these rare occasions when a contest enters "garbage time" and teams roll out their benches to avoid needless risk to their stars. These moments also provide a chance to give rookies some experience in a big-game setting and the Breakers are envied around the league for their ability to uncover young talent.
So it was encouraging to see young guard Tai Webster make his Breakers debut and swingman Reuben Te Rangi add to his two previous appearances.
These teenagers are already world champions, having helped New Zealand to victory in the inaugural FIBA 3x3 Youth title last year. Te Rangi was Junior Tall Blacks captain this year, while Webster made a spectacular rise to the starting line-up for the national senior team.
Last week, Te Rangi probably made more of his opportunity, stroking a sweet three-pointer - off a Webster assist - from the corner.
As for Webster, whose older brother Corey was sidelined with a back injury, his arrival will probably be remembered for a spectacular missed dunk, ignoring an open team-mate in the process. Dunks look great when you make them, but just embarrassing when you don't.
Two words for you, son - finger roll - but good on you for backing yourself and taking it to the hoop.
Enjoy Webster's brief cameos this season - next year, he's due to take up a scholarship at the University of Nebraska.
And looking beyond the current Breakers squad, watch out for a kid named Jack Salt. Still at Westlake Boys High School, he's already practising with the pros, he has a big basketball body and looks an exciting prospect.
Grant Chapman: NBA stars benched - Basketball News | TVNZ
Look around the league and there are far too many stars sitting in suits behind benches - Dirk Nowtizki at Dallas, Steve Nash at the Lakers, Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio at Minnesota, John Wall at Washington, Derek Rose at Chicago, Chauncey Billups and Grant Hill at the Clippers, Andrew Bogut at Golden State, Danny Granger at Indiana, Dwyane Wade at Miami, Amare Stoudemire at New York, Kyrie Irving at Cleveland, Eric Gordon at New Orleans and the list goes on.
Some of these guys are just old and their absences are a sign of careers winding down. Seven-footer Bynum, though, is a particular worry, since he's only 25, but already has octogenarian knees.
It's eight years since he entered the league straight from high school and, at the age of 17, became the youngest to ever play in the NBA. During that time, he's managed just one complete season - his second - and missed a total of 166 out 558 regular-season games.
The latest news on Bynum is that he may not turn out for the 76ers this season, after aggravating his dodgy knees while bowling. Many think NBA stars should wrap themselves in cotton wool to avoid unnecessary injuries, but it would be a stretch to class ten pin as an extreme activity.
Besides, if bowling was this stressful on Bynum's body, what would five games of basketball in a week do?
You can't help but feel sorry for Philadelphia, who inherited the monster centre as part of the blockbuster four-team trade that landed Dwight Howard at the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this year. Essentially, they gave up Andre Iguodala - a much underrated performer - to Denver for Bynum, who seemed ready to break out as a star in his own right, after years as a Lakers add-on. Some actually regard him as a better talent than Howard, because at least he can hit the odd free throw. When he's fit, Bynum can be a force of nature and the 76ers offered him a chance to show his full wares.
There's nothing sadder than seeing a potential superstar like Bynum unable to fulfil that promise through injury and you can only hope, at some point, his knees settle down enough for him to rise again.
With this in mind, spare a thought for former Portland centre Greg Oden, who was considered a sure-fire All-Star when he left Ohio State University, but missed his first season after knee surgery and has struggled to get back on court since.
An 82-game season offers a harsh environment for rehabbing chronic injury, so maybe Bynum just needs to go away for a few months and somehow get this right. He may be better for it in the long run.
That's cold comfort for the 76ers, though.
Reaping the benefits
Check out the tail end of last week's blowout win over the hapless Townsville Crocs and you'll find one of the keys to the NZ Breakers' success in recent years.
It's always fun on these rare occasions when a contest enters "garbage time" and teams roll out their benches to avoid needless risk to their stars. These moments also provide a chance to give rookies some experience in a big-game setting and the Breakers are envied around the league for their ability to uncover young talent.
So it was encouraging to see young guard Tai Webster make his Breakers debut and swingman Reuben Te Rangi add to his two previous appearances.
These teenagers are already world champions, having helped New Zealand to victory in the inaugural FIBA 3x3 Youth title last year. Te Rangi was Junior Tall Blacks captain this year, while Webster made a spectacular rise to the starting line-up for the national senior team.
Last week, Te Rangi probably made more of his opportunity, stroking a sweet three-pointer - off a Webster assist - from the corner.
As for Webster, whose older brother Corey was sidelined with a back injury, his arrival will probably be remembered for a spectacular missed dunk, ignoring an open team-mate in the process. Dunks look great when you make them, but just embarrassing when you don't.
Two words for you, son - finger roll - but good on you for backing yourself and taking it to the hoop.
Enjoy Webster's brief cameos this season - next year, he's due to take up a scholarship at the University of Nebraska.
And looking beyond the current Breakers squad, watch out for a kid named Jack Salt. Still at Westlake Boys High School, he's already practising with the pros, he has a big basketball body and looks an exciting prospect.
Grant Chapman: NBA stars benched - Basketball News | TVNZ
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Making a definitive statement based on a small sample size is always dangerous, but there are a few NBA players who have clearly taken a step back this season. In some cases, it's simply a matter of a player struggling to fit in with his new team. For others, the cause for the regression isn't as obvious.
At this point, these players are going through what can now be termed a "slump," though that definition will change if their performance doesn't improve over the next few weeks. With every team off for the Thanksgiving holiday, perhaps those who are having some early-season difficulties will use the break to iron out the flaws in their respective games.
Read More: 6 Worst Regressions by Big-Name NBA Players This Season | Bleacher Report
At this point, these players are going through what can now be termed a "slump," though that definition will change if their performance doesn't improve over the next few weeks. With every team off for the Thanksgiving holiday, perhaps those who are having some early-season difficulties will use the break to iron out the flaws in their respective games.
Read More: 6 Worst Regressions by Big-Name NBA Players This Season | Bleacher Report
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Wo of Detroit's youngest players grew up a little Friday night, and it was enough to lift the Pistons to their second straight home victory.
Brandon Knight converted a layup with 7.8 seconds left, rookie Andre Drummond had his first career double-double and Detroit edged the Toronto Raptors 91-90 on Friday night.
The final play wasn't designed to go to Knight but the second-year guard took the ball from Tayshaun Prince and found a seam in the defense to score the winning basket.
``The play wasn't set up for me to get him the ball but he was patient enough to relax and make a play out of it,'' Prince said.
Kyle Lowry missed a 20-footer at the buzzer for Toronto.
Greg Monroe had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Pistons, who looked sharp in crunch time two days after falling flat in the second half at Orlando. Knight and Prince scored 16 apiece.
``With such a young group, I liked the way we composed ourselves,'' coach Lawrence Frank said. ``We're happy with the poise our guys showed down the stretch.''
Drummond played nearly the entire fourth quarter and had six of his eight offensive rebounds in the final period. He finished with 13 points and 13 boards.
``Andre was huge,'' Frank said. ``All this is new to him so it's interesting to see how he's going to react.''
Drummond played a season-high 24 minutes and led the Pistons to a 15-9 edge on the offensive glass. He also helped defend Andrea Bargnani late in the game.
``Not just because it was a key moment, but it's just good being out on the floor trying to help the team win,'' Drummond said.
Bargnani scored a season-best 34 points and Lowry added 19 for the Raptors, who have dropped three in a row.
``It looks like the last play was the reason and it was not,'' Toronto coach Dwayne Casey said. ``It was the 15 offensive boards.''
The Pistons led 47-43 at halftime and increased their advantage to as many as 13 points after a 16-5 run early in the third quarter.
Lowry scored eight points during a 10-0 spurt that helped the Raptors close to 72-68 by the end of the period, and Toronto moved in front in the fourth by scoring eight consecutive points during one stretch.
Detroit made just two of its first 14 field-goal tries in the final period but never fell behind by more than five. It trailed 90-87 with less than a minute left but Prince made a hook shot to cut the deficit to a point and set the stage for Knight's big play.
NOTES: Toronto C Jonas Valanciunas appeared to turn his left ankle midway through the third quarter but returned a few minutes later. ... Members of Divine Providence Lithuanian Catholic parish in suburban Southfield reserved two sections of seats and turned out in the colors of the nation's flag to root on countrymen Valanciunas and Linas Kleiza of the Raptors.
Toronto vs Detroit - Recap - NBA - Sports - CBC.ca
Brandon Knight converted a layup with 7.8 seconds left, rookie Andre Drummond had his first career double-double and Detroit edged the Toronto Raptors 91-90 on Friday night.
The final play wasn't designed to go to Knight but the second-year guard took the ball from Tayshaun Prince and found a seam in the defense to score the winning basket.
``The play wasn't set up for me to get him the ball but he was patient enough to relax and make a play out of it,'' Prince said.
Kyle Lowry missed a 20-footer at the buzzer for Toronto.
Greg Monroe had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Pistons, who looked sharp in crunch time two days after falling flat in the second half at Orlando. Knight and Prince scored 16 apiece.
``With such a young group, I liked the way we composed ourselves,'' coach Lawrence Frank said. ``We're happy with the poise our guys showed down the stretch.''
Drummond played nearly the entire fourth quarter and had six of his eight offensive rebounds in the final period. He finished with 13 points and 13 boards.
``Andre was huge,'' Frank said. ``All this is new to him so it's interesting to see how he's going to react.''
Drummond played a season-high 24 minutes and led the Pistons to a 15-9 edge on the offensive glass. He also helped defend Andrea Bargnani late in the game.
``Not just because it was a key moment, but it's just good being out on the floor trying to help the team win,'' Drummond said.
Bargnani scored a season-best 34 points and Lowry added 19 for the Raptors, who have dropped three in a row.
``It looks like the last play was the reason and it was not,'' Toronto coach Dwayne Casey said. ``It was the 15 offensive boards.''
The Pistons led 47-43 at halftime and increased their advantage to as many as 13 points after a 16-5 run early in the third quarter.
Lowry scored eight points during a 10-0 spurt that helped the Raptors close to 72-68 by the end of the period, and Toronto moved in front in the fourth by scoring eight consecutive points during one stretch.
Detroit made just two of its first 14 field-goal tries in the final period but never fell behind by more than five. It trailed 90-87 with less than a minute left but Prince made a hook shot to cut the deficit to a point and set the stage for Knight's big play.
NOTES: Toronto C Jonas Valanciunas appeared to turn his left ankle midway through the third quarter but returned a few minutes later. ... Members of Divine Providence Lithuanian Catholic parish in suburban Southfield reserved two sections of seats and turned out in the colors of the nation's flag to root on countrymen Valanciunas and Linas Kleiza of the Raptors.
Toronto vs Detroit - Recap - NBA - Sports - CBC.ca
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Metta World Peace scored 18 points and Pau Gasol added 14 for the Lakers, who went 0-8 in the preseason and started the regular season 0-3 for just the fourth time in franchise history despite adding Howard and Steve Nash over the summer.
The Lakers' growing worries about their new offense and their roster's durability vanished for a day against the struggling Pistons, who never led.
Jonas Jerebko scored 18 points for Detroit.
Los Angeles took a 28-point lead in the first half and stretched it to 36 in the third quarter, with Howard dominating the paint and Bryant slipping easily into a playmaking role in the injured Nash's absence. Nash missed his second straight game with a small fracture in his left leg.
Los Angeles hadn't started a season 0-3 since 1978. That team won 15 of its next 16 games.
Hawks 104, Thunder 95: Al Horford had 23 points and 12 rebounds, Lou Williams added 10 of his 19 points during Atlanta's decisive fourth-quarter surge, and the Hawks beat host Oklahoma City.
Atlanta won despite playing without starting forward Josh Smith, who has a sprained right ankle.
Kevin Martin scored 28 points off the bench to lead the Thunder and Kevin Durant chipped in 22 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.
Magic 115, Suns 94: J.J. Redick scored 24 points, and Arron Afflalo and Glen Davis had 22 each as host Orlando defeated Phoenix.
Luis Scola paced the Suns with 24 points and Michael Beasley added 22.
The Magic won without point guard Jameer Nelson and small forward Hedo Turkoglu. Turkoglu has a broken bone in his left hand. Nelson has a strained hamstring and groin and sprained ankle.
Knicks 100, 76ers 84: Carmelo Anthony scored 27 points to carry host New York past Philadelphia.
Jrue Holiday had 27 points for the 76ers.
Raptors 105, Timberwolves 86: Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan each scored 22 points to help host Toronto beat Minnesota.
NBA: Los Angeles Lakers get first win - San Jose Mercury News