2. Around The Association
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MVP: It was a total team effort for the Knicks, but the standout player of the night was -- who else? -- Jeremy Lin, who bounced back from his horrendous game against the Heat with 19 points, 13 assists and, most importantly, only one turnover. Rumors of Linsanity's demise were greatly exaggerated.
Defining moment: With the game all but over and Amare Stoudemire in the game, the Madison Square Garden crowd began to chant "We want No-vak!" in recognition of the 6-foot-10 marksman's 17 points in 17 minutes, which turned the game around for the Knicks. Just another example of how much the MSG crowd appreciates good work from the Knicks' role players, and good basketball in general.
X factor: The Knicks' ball control. The Knicks, and Lin in particular, have struggled with turnovers throughout the season. Against the Cavaliers, the team turned the ball over only eight times, and Lin was responsible for only one of those turnovers. If the Knicks can play with discipline on offense, they're going to become the stuff of nightmares for their opponents.
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MVP: The Man in the Plastic Mask. Thirty-one points, seven rebounds, eight assists. Kobe Bryant continued to show no regard for injury, immediately setting the tone with 10 early points, and the rudderless Wolves couldn't keep up. It was a vintage performance of fadeaway jumpers, no-look passes, breakaway dunks … and one foggy mask.
Defining moment: When Kevin Love decided not to play, the outcome of this one was clear. Two straight nights of torrid shooting without their star was unlikely and the Wolves proved as much with a paltry 39 percent from the field.
X factor: In their last matchup, the Wolves grabbed an obscene amount of offensive rebounds and feasted on second-chance points. Wednesday, the Lakers won the battle of the boards, 48-44, and limited the Wolves' putback opportunities, keeping them at bay for much of the contest.
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MVP: Russell Westbrook was outstanding. While Kevin Durant spent most of the evening in an Andre Iguodala-induced rut, the former Bruin kept the Thunder rumbling, getting to the rack at will and doing yeoman's work on the boards, including …
Defining moment: With 3.6 seconds left and the Thunder clinging to a 90-88 lead, Durant missed the second of two free throws and gave the Sixers an opening. It didn't last long. Westbrook swooped in for his seventh offensive rebound of the game to ice things.
That was … bizarre: The Sixers' star-less offense didn't make a basket for a stretch of 5:30 late in the fourth and, most damningly, oftentimes didn't even get shots off. Lou Williams let Durant take the ball from his hands with 10 seconds left. Doug Collins must be feeling dehydrated.
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Defining moment: Despite an off shooting night (3-for-8), Luol Deng drilled a game-breaking 3-pointer with 39.6 seconds left after the San Antonio defense forced Derrick Rose to give up the ball.
MVP: Rose finished with 29 points, repeatedly ended Bulls scoring droughts with big buckets, and nailed a clutch 18-footer over Tim Duncan with just over a minute left.
LVP: Richard Hamilton went 1-for-8 from the field, missed his only free throw attempt, and finished with only two points in 16 minutes. This is an upgrade from Keith Bogans?
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Defining moment: Dirk Nowitzki left the game with 11:08 remaining in the second quarter, and didn't return. Lower back tightness sidelined the Mavericks' most important player, and though they were able to keep steady through the end of the frame, the Dirk-less offense completely broke down in the second half.
MVP: Mike Conley. Conley rarely stands out amid the crowd of talented point guards in the NBA, but he's become a fantastically steady contributor for the Grizzlies. In this particular game, Conley (20 points, 10 assists) led the Griz through a crisp second half, and keyed in on auxiliary ball handler Rodrigue Beaubois on the defensive end to stymie the Mavs' offense.
X factor: Memphis' resilience. The Grizzlies are a team that understands how to win without its best player, as difficult as that enterprise may be at times. Without Nowitzki, the Mavericks don't have that same buoyancy.
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MVP: Kenneth Faried continued to take advantage of his expanded playing time with his third double-double in six games. Seven of the rookie's 10 rebounds were offensive, and he shot a perfect 6-for-6 from the field.
X factor: In addition to dominating the boards 54-36 (including a 21-11 advantage on the offensive glass), Denver outscored Portland 19-8 on points off turnovers -- an impressive feat considering the Blazers had only one more giveaway than the Nuggets.
That was … frightening: Kurt Thomas was on the receiving end of a foot to the face as the high-flying Faried leapt after a loose ball. The 39-year-old sustained a mild concussion and did not return to the court.
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Defining moment: Everyone was confused when Stephen Curry subbed into the game for the first time with 33 seconds left in the fourth quarter and the game tied. Curry was not expected to play, the Hawks looked shocked, and David Lee hit an easy go-ahead runner.
MVP: Am I allowed to give this to Dominic McGuire, of all people? He did not score a single point, but nabbed 15 boards and bullied Joe Johnson into an off-night.
LVP: Speaking of Joe Johnson … you'd think $120 million could buy more than six field goals out of 17 shots. He also moved slower than a sedated snail.
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MVP: Rajon Rondo had his 16th career triple-double, but it was Kevin Garnett's aggression (and 25-10) that sparked Boston.
That was … unusual: The Celtics pulled down 18 offensive rebounds, a number they normally need a week to accumulate.
LVP: Brandon Jennings (2-for-11) waited until the final two minutes to score his first basket. By then, it was too late for Milwaukee.
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MVP: C.J. Miles. Miles absolutely lit it up off the bench for the Jazz. He scored 27 points in as many minutes for a depleted Jazz team that was missing Paul Millsap (bruised heel).
X factor: Devin Harris had to leave the game early because of nausea, but in the minutes he played, he was the dominant player from his Nets days. His breakneck pace set the tone for the whole team and he finished with 19 points in only 22 minutes.
Defining moment: Nursing a five-point lead at halftime, the Jazz came out firing. On consecutive possessions, Harris assisted on a Gordon Hayward dunk, knocked down a 3, and then hit a layup.
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MVP: Greg Monroe. Monroe (19 points and 20 rebounds) edges Rodney Stuckey (29 points, four rebounds and three assists) because he played some of the best positional defense of his career.
X factor: Bismack Biyombo, who blocked three shots in nine minutes, left the game in the first quarter with a shoulder injury. Without him, the Bobcats couldn't protect the rim or grab rebounds effectively.
That was … thorough: Aside from Jason Maxiell -- who starts for his defense (four blocks) and rebounding (seven rebounds) -- every Pistons starter scored at least 14 points and made at least half their shots.
3. Tuesday's Best
Kobe Bryant, Lakers: Kobe overcame a broken nose, a concussion and a clear mask on his mug to lead the Lakers to an easy win over the Timberwolves. The Masked Mamba's final line: 31 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, five turnovers and one bad-ass new accessory.
4. Tuesday's Worst
Richard Hamilton, Bulls: Let's stick with the masked theme. In only 16 minutes, veteran shield-wearer Hamilton took eight shots ... and made only one of them. The search for a shooting guard continues in Chicago.
8. Masked Avenger
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Defining moment: The Wizards gave Orlando more of a game than it wanted, but Hedo Turkoglu nipped that in the bud late. With 1:38 left, Hedo missed a 3-pointer, but Jameer Nelson got the long offensive rebound and kicked it back to Turkoglu. He made the second attempt, putting Orlando up seven and sealing the deal.
X factor: Ryan Anderson has been called an X factor before, and I doubt this is the last time, either. Hey, when a guy attempts 10 3-pointers and makes four of them while getting 23 points and 15 rebounds, X marks the spot.
That was … Jordan-esque, but not: Now, which Jordan is up to you to decide (remember Reggie Jordan?), but after scoring the first six points of the third, Jordan Crawford continued to light up Orlando (and J.J. Redick) with 14 points and three assists in the period. Then he went cold in the fourth, missing all six of his attempts.
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That was … odd: After holding the Raptors to just 11 points in the third quarter, the Hornets gave up 24 in the first six and a half minutes of the fourth.
MVP: Linas Kleiza lit it up, scoring 21 points on 13 shots. He was 5-for-7 from behind the arc and nailed two big 3s that silenced the Hornets crowd in the fourth.
X factor: Samuel L. Jackson was in the house wearing a "Reservoir Dogs" shirt. As it turns out, he's a Raptors fan. Usually Hornets fans heckle opposing fans, but Jackson got a pass, likely for being the most terrifying person in the arena.
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