NBA Scores Feb 7: Chris Paul Goes Off On the Suns
Check out a Gilbert Arenas feature I have on SLAM. I ask NBA ballers random questions. I call it the 5 Spot. A Heat player will be the next entry.
New Orleans Hornets 132, Phoenix Suns 130
(Matt York/AP)
Peja hits game winner with Shaq in attendance
So I’m online last night doing some research for an upcoming interview and I happen across the score of this game–already in double O.T. So I run upstairs and turn it on just to see Peja hit a splash a sick turnaround from the left elbow for the win. I check the box scores and saw Nash had a dubious triple double 32 points, 12 drop offs and 10 turnovers. Chris Paul went off–just as my feature with him in SLAM dropped–with 42 points, 9 dimes, 5 rips and 8 steals (career high)…damn. Dude must have ripped Lil Stevie fingertips a few times to happily contribute to that turnover total. Shaq was in attendance and received a welcome ovation from the Suns faithful.
Phoenix shot 55% with 53 makes–one less than the Hornets–and still lost. The also made 13-36 threes. The Suns also doubled up the Hornets on assists (26) but did the same on the turnover end as well with 20. The Hornets had 9 turnovers; an amazing stat in a double overtime game. Janero Pargo had 22–12 in the two overtimes to make up for Paul having just two after regulation. David West had 21 and 13 boards and the hero of the night, Peja Stojakovic contributed 26.
Amare Stoudemire had 26 and a sick 20 boards. Stat better get ‘em while he can, because with Shaq in the fold he’s gonna have to work a lot harder for buckets and rebounds. His team’s success hinders on his ability to make a consistent 12-15 foot jumper.
Boris Diaw also has to step up and did so with a season high 22. Leandro Barbosa matched Diaw in points and hit 5 threes in 9 attempts.
Had to be a great game.
***********************
Detroit 100, Miami 95
Without Shaq, the Heat have to keep it movin’
The Heat, sitting at 9-38 have a lot of work to get back to respectability. In the first game post-Shaq, Miami furiously rallied in the fourth quarter but came up short. Detroit won the game in the third by outscoring the Heat by nine. Flash (30 and 12 dimes) is probably going to go off for a stretch, but has to build on his leadership role and relearn the game to a certain extent. Trust that Wade is most capable of doing so mainly because of his professionalism.
Sheed had 26 and 10 and offered this about how the Shaq trade will affect the Suns: “When he gets healthy, he’s not going to be able to run with the Suns, who will have a four-man break instead of a five-man break. But it ups their chances with him because he’s still going to get double-teammed.”
Rip had 19 and Billups 15 and 10 assists for the Pistons, winners of 6 straight. Hamilton and Mr. Big Shot kill you at the foul line late in games. Every starter was in double figures as usual.
Other scores:
Mavs 107, Bucks 96
Dallas withstands 36 from Mo Williams as Dirk goes for 1st career triple double (about time).
Hawks 98, Lakers 95
Joe Johnson 28, Al Horford, 15 points, 20 rips, Josh Smith (should have been an All Star) 17, 9 rips, 9 dimes and 5 blocks. Kobe held to 11 on 4-16 shooting. Adrenaline wears off for Pau; 12 points, 5-14 from the field.
Magic 100, Nets 84
Dwight Howard 21 and 13. Carter 18.
Spurs 85, Wizards 77
Duncan 23 and 9. Andray Blatche 16 and 15. Jamison 18 and 7.
Celts 111, LA Clippers 100
Rondo 24 and 8, Ray Allen 19. Corey Maggette 33, 8 rips, 5 steals
Pacers 103, Knicks 100
Dunlevy 17 and 9, Kareem Rush 24 and 7 rips. Randolph 26 and 9, Curry 20 and 8, Crawford 21.
Jazz 118, Nuggets 115 (OT)
Deron Williams (another all star snub) 29, 11 dimes, 6 rebounds. Kyle Korver (miss ya in Philly bruh) 27. Melo 29 and 8, Bubba Chuck 34, 10 assists, Camby 11, 17 and four blocks.
Blazers 100, Bulls 97
Roy 28, Aldridge 18. Nocioni and Thabo Sefolosha each with 22. Joe Smith (Comeback player of the year up to this point) 16.
Sonics 105, Kings 92
Watson with triple double (23, 10, 10), Durant 17. Ron Ron 20.