 |
| Al Horford winces in pain during the Hawks' loss to the Pacers. (image by the AP) |
In a condensed season like the one we have now, it’s extra significant for teams to remain healthy. Losing a star or key player for a week or two will have heftier consequences this time around. And given how the schedule has a lot of grueling back-to-backs and 4-games-in-5-days set-ups, a player will probably miss more games in the same “injury time period” than he would in the 82-game format. Compounding it is that because the schedule is so condensed, and because of those draining back-to-backs, injuries will tend to increase. As of today, only 6 teams have no reported current injuries. Surprisingly enough, one of them is Boston, which is probably one of the oldest teams around. The others are Washington, Utah, Orlando, Denver and Cleveland. With the exception of Washington and Boston, all those relatively healthy teams are included in the Top 8 of their respective conferences. For now, at least.
The biggest blow right now, however, seems to have hit the Atlanta Hawks. A day after having their winning run was halted by the Indiana Pacers, the Hawks found out that big-time big man Al Horford tore his left pectoral muscle, and that he would have to miss at least 3 months of action. That means the only way he’ll play again this season is if the Hawks make the playoffs and perhaps hurdle the first round. Given that now they have to turn to Zaza Pachulia at the slot, though, just getting to the postseason will be considered a great success. And, yeah, Marvin Williams remains doubtful with his sprained ankle. And he was doing so well to start the season, too.
Some other notable injuries are the following:
Corey Maggette (CHA) - sprained hamstring
Derrick Rose (CHI) - sprained big toe
Jason Kidd (DAL) - lower back
Steph Curry (GSW) - ankle injury
Josh McRoberts (LAL) - big toe injury
Zach Randolph (MEM) - bruised knee
Michael Beasley (MIN) - sprained foot
Brook Lopez (NJN) - stress fracture right foot
Eric Gordon (NOH) - sore knee
Carmelo Anthony (NYK) - ankle sprain
Spencer Hawes (PHI) - strained lower back
Marcus Thornton (SAC) - thigh contusion
Manu Ginobili (SAS) - broken hand
Andrea Bargnani (TOR) - strained calf
After the JUMP, key stat-stuffers for today’s games:
ATL over CHA, 111-81 – Hawks bounce back after losing to Indiana yesterday and finding out they’ll lose Al Horford for at least three months.
MIL over DET, 102-93 – Greg Monroe had a career game. That was about the only bright side for the Pistons here as the Bucks remain immaculate at home.
MEM over NYK, 94-83 – Grizz snap the Knicks’ winning run and send Melo packing with an injured ankle.
CLE over PHX, 101-90 – One of the best PGs of the future (Kyrie Irving) squared off against one of the best PGs today (Steve Nash), and the upstart came out on top.
ORL over GSW, 117-109 – Dwight Howard breaks Wilt Chamberlain’s record by shooting 39 freebies (making 21).
Super Scorers (Top scorers of the night!)
Dwight Howard (ORL) – 45
Greg Monroe (DET) – 32
Josh Smith (ATL) & Monta Ellis (GSW) - 30
Ragin’ Rebounders (Top rebounders of the night!)
Dwight Howard (ORL) – 23
Anderson Varejao (CLE) – 17
Greg Monroe (DET) – 16
Dynamic Dishers (Top playmakers of the night!)
Steve Nash (PHX) – 15
Monta Ellis (GSW) -11
Hedo Turkoglu (ORL) – 9
Terrific Thieves (Top thieves of the night!)
Tony Allen (MEM) – 5
Dwight Howard (ORL) & Iman Shumpert (NYK) – 4
Boomin’ Blockers (Top blockers of the night!)
Marcin Gortat (PHX) – 5
Marc Gasol (MEM) – 4
Tyrus Thomas (CHA) – 3
Sharpshooters (Top 3-point shooters of the night!)
OJ Mayo (MEM), Bill Walker (NYK) & Klay Thompson (GSW) – 4
Jan. 12, 2012 First Five
C – Dwight Howard (ORL) – 45pts, 23rebs, 4stls, 3asts, 2blks
F – Greg Monroe (DET) – 32pts, 16rebs, 2asts, 2stls, 1blk
F – Josh Smith (ATL) – 30pts, 13rebs, 3asts, 1stl
G – Stephen Jackson (MIL) – 25pts, 6rebs, 6asts, 3stls, 3 triples
G – Monta Ellis (GSW) – 30pts, 11asts, 3 triples, 2rebs, 1stl
Honorable Mention:
David Lee (GSW) – 26pts, 12rebs, 4asts, 2stls
Kyrie Irving (CLE) – 26pts, 6asts, 3 rebs, 2stls
Rudy Gay (MEM) – 26pts, 5rebs, 2asts, 1stl, 1blk
 |
| Kyrie Irving seems poised to be one of the most promising young PGs in the near future. (image by the AP) |
For a full summary of the day, here’s today’s NBA Daily Zap:
0 Comment