The Starting Five

(Robert Hanashiro/USA Today)

No words needed from Kobe Bryant to know what he was thinking.

Kobe Bryant made his presence felt at the most opportune time of the Lakers 103-82 season-ending loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Bryant walked to the Lakers bench after Dwight Howard was ejected after receiving his second technical foul in the 3rd quarter. Kobe’s arrival served reassurance to his teammates and Laker fans who the team really belongs to for now and maybe the foreseeable future. The game was another story. The Spurs was more than willing to put the Lakers out of their misery — ending a frustrating season for coaches, fans, ownership and players.

The Miami Heat had venison four different ways in their first-round sweep of the Milwaukee Bucks. The Heat won each of their games by double-digits, the final being a 88-77 victory in Milwaukee.

Read more »

(Yahoo)

Ty Lawson and the Denver Nuggets could only marvel at the exploits of “The Golden Child”.

The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers have been pushed to the cusp of elimination after dropping the all-critical third game in their respective series. The Celtics were handled by the New York Knicks 90-76 as the series moved to Boston. The injury bug has literally crippled the Los Angeles Lakers — who were no match for the San Antonio Spurs in their 120-89 loss.

If Steph Curry was able to walk, he was going to play in Game 3 against the Denver Nuggets. What we didn’t know was how effective the Warriors guard would be on a sore ankle. Once again, Curry went in against the Denver Nuggets as the Warriors won for the second game on succession without forward David Lee. The Warriors took a 2-1 series lead with their 110-108 victory.

Read more »

(Getty Images)

Paul Pierce made sure the Lakers didn’t leave the TD Bank Garden in one piece.

So much for the Boston Celtics falling apart in the wake of Rajon Rondo’s injury. The Celtics are 6-0 without their All-Star point guard. Some reports have Rondo’s injury being not as severe and a return to the team this season is a possibility. Meanwhile, the saga that is the Los Angeles Lakers continues. The most recent episode has Dwight Howard taking to exception to Kobe Bryant suggesting he should play through his ailing shoulder. At age 27, Howard is more concerned with the long-term effects of the injury. For Bryant, time is of the essence.

Read more »

(Miami Herald.com)

LeBron James couldn’t attend the Super Bowl, so he orchestrated big game performance.

With rumors of no one on the Boston Celtics roster being untouchable, players still have to play with one ear listening for their cell phone to ring. The Celtics — who will be without Jared Sullinger for the remainder of the season, were able to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 106-104.

The Toronto Raptors fumbled away their lead — which was as large as eight points to the Miami Heat. Early second half turnovers contributed to the Raptors poor second half in a 100-85 defeat.

Read more »

(Bruce Ely/The Oregonian)

LaMarcus Aldridge hit the game-tying and game-winning shots against the Mavericks.

LaMarcus Aldridge hit his first three-pointer of the season late in regulation against the Dallas Mavericks. A short time later the newly named All-Star drained a jumper at the horn to give the Portland Trailblazers a 106-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Read more »

(NBA.com)

Paul Pierce was The Truth, playing 49 of 58 minutes in a drama-filled Celtics win.

The Boston Celtics allowed a four-point lead slip away with less than a minute remaining. In the second overtime, Paul Pierce hit the game-winning basket with 30 seconds remaining to give the C’s a 100-98 victory and snap a six-game losing streak.

The news wasn’t all good for the Celtics. The team learned All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo will be lost for the season with a torn ACL.

Read more »

(USA Today)

Miami’s Dynamic Duo were no mere mortals against the Raptors, combining for 66 points.

LeBron James posted his 34th career triple-double and his second of the season. Dwyane Wade and Ray Allen were effective in supporting roles as the Miami Heat were able to outlast the Toronto Raptors 123-116 in overtime.

Read more »

(Newsday)

Joe Johnson’s shooting has been missed in Atlanta and longed for in Brooklyn.

Joe Johnson and Deron Williams gave the type of performance Nets fans have anticipated since their arrival in Brooklyn. Johnson scored 25 points and Williams handed out 11 dimes in the Nets 88-85 win over the Knicks. The Nets win draws the cross-borough rivalry even at two games each.

Read more »

(Getty Images)

Dwight Howard’s first half ejection has been a microcosm of his first season in LA.

The Los Angeles Lakers have officially hit rock bottom after the loss to the Toronto Raptors 108-103. The Lakers shot 43 percent from the field and only grabbed 37 rebounds, thanks in part to center Dwight Howard being ejected in the first half.

Read more »

(US Presswire).

Dwyane Wade blows by Kobe Bryant for two of his 27 points.

Fresh off a milestone-filled evening in San Francisco, LeBron James and the Miami Heat traveled to Los Angeles to take on Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. Mike D’Antoni’s squad literally gave the game away by committing 20 turnovers, but still managed to keep the game close. The Heat would prevail 99-90.

Read more »

(NBA.com)

Have the Wonder Twins’ powers finally been activated?

The spontaneous combustion of Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard is what NBA fans have hoped for, or feared. Kobe Bryant has been an Aston Martin among Toyotas – while Howard’s first two months in Tinseltown have been met with some turbulence. The Lakers have struggled, but have shown recent improvement at both ends of the floor. Dwight Howard was a presence in the paint with 16 boards and 4 blocks as Lakers blew out the Milwaukee Bucks 104-88.

Read more »

(Getty Images)

Danilo Gallinari, Kenneth Faried and Andre Miller are leading a surging Nuggets squad.

It took awhile for the Brooklyn Nets and Denver Nuggets to get going, but it looks like they’ve gained the proper footing on this NBA season. The Nets replaced Avery Johnson in December and have won six straight under P.J. Carlesimo. Their latest victory was a 97-86 win over the surging Indiana Pacers.

The Denver Nuggets tweaked their roster in the off-season with the addition of Andre Iguodala, but played .500 ball in the opening weeks of the season. The Nuggets won their fifth game in a row, defeating the Golden State Warriors 116-105.

Read more »

(Fox Wisconsin)

Brandon Jennings’ heavy scoring output in the last two games should not come as a surprise.

Brandon Jennings poured in 35 points against a Chicago Bulls backcourt minus starter Kirk Hinrich. Jennings was more than a handful for the mouthy Nate Robinson in Milwaukee’s 104-96 victory. The Bucks are 2-0 since the hiring of Jim Boylan and are currently 7th in the Eastern Conference standings.

Read more »

(Getty Images)

Paul George’s flashes of talent have come into full view this season.

There is no timetable on the return of Indiana Pacers All-Star forward Danny Granger  — who has been out with a knee injury. Paul George has been a player looking to make a breakthrough for the last two seasons. It looks like the time has come for George who has taken over the scoring responsibility for the Pacers. Indiana was able to hold off the Miami Heat 87-77. It was the first meeting between the two teams since their physical playoff encounter last season.

Read more »

(USA Today)

Lebron James drives for two of his 24 points.

The Miami Heat bounced back from their loss to the Chicago Bulls Friday night with a resounding 99-71 victory over the Washington Wizards. The Oklahoma City Thunder took their show up to Canada and came away with a 104-92 win over the Toronto Raptors.

The Los Angeles Lakers are in trouble, it’s that simple. The Lakers were unable to defeat the Denver Nuggets at home despite a great night on the glass from Dwight Howard. The visiting Nuggets came away with a 112-105 victory.

Read more »