The LA
Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder are two of the top teams in the league
right now, but does it automatically follow that their respective playmakers,
Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook, are also the two top point guards out there?
Let’s take a look.
5. Steph Curry (GSW) - 19.4ppg, 4.6rpg,
7.0apg, 1.4spg, 50.7 FG%, 55.2 3pt%, 22.4 EFF
The Warriors
continue to defy expectations, going 4-1 in their last five games thanks big
time to Curry’s stellar play. He’s still a little off from norming a
double-double, but his shooting numbers are mind-boggling. A couple of the guys
he outplayed in the last five games include Jrue Holiday and Chris Paul.
4. Russell Westbrook (OKC) - 23.4ppg,
4.0rpg, 7.8apg, 2.2spg, 47.1 3pt%, 23.0 EFF
The Thunder
haven’t started 2013 as strongly as people expect. They have lost two of their first
four games after the New Year, including their latest tragedy against the
Washington Wizards. Still, Westbrook’s production remained near the top of the
league as the former UCLA Bruin continued to tear defenses to shreds with his
explosiveness and improving three-point shot.
3. Greivis Vasquez (NOH) - 17.4ppg, 5.2rpg,
10.4apg, 1.4spg, 52.1 FG%, 56.3 3pt%, 24.4 EFF
Surprise!
Despite the return of Eric Gordon, Vasquez continued to impress by norming a
double-double from December 29, 2012 to January 7, 2013. The Hornets have, of
course, benefitted greatly, winning three of their last five contests. Some opposing
PGs Vasquez was able to outplay include Jeff Teague, Jeremy Lin, and Tony
Parker.
2. Jameer Nelson (ORL) - 27.3ppg, 3.7rpg,
8.0apg, 1.3spg, 44.8 3pt%, 92.9 FT%, 26.7 EFF
Well, look
who returned to relevance! Nelson is norming just under 15ppg for the season,
but he almost doubled that in Orlando’s last five games. That’s thanks mainly
to his improved shot from beyond the arc, which is currently 9 percentage
points higher than his season success rate. It’s just too bad that the Magic haven’t
tasted a win since December 19.
1. Chris Paul (LAC) - 21.8ppg, 4.0rpg, 8.6apg,
2.4spg, 52.8 FG%, 92.6 FT%, 27.6 EFF
The Clips
have limped through January, going 2-2 after sweeping their December
assignments, but they still remain one of the league’s hottest squads thanks to
the consistently brilliant play of CP3. Paul’s assists took a bit of a dip in
his last five outings, but he’s picked up his scoring to make up for it. He’s
definitely a shoo-in for an All-Star spot, and maybe, just maybe, present a
compelling argument in the MVP conversation.
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| Chris Paul remains to be the best PG in the land. (image by Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images) |
Game
Recaps (courtesy of the Sports Network):
January 6
Oklahoma City 104, Toronto 92
Russell
Westbrook paced five Thunder players in double figures with 23 points and seven
assists as Oklahoma City thumped the Toronto Raptors, 104-92, on Sunday at Air
Canada Centre. Kevin Durant netted 22 points on 6-of-11 shooting to go with
seven rebounds and seven assists, while Serge Ibaka added 19 points and eight
boards for the Thunder, who have won two straight since a loss to Brooklyn on
Wednesday and five of six overall. Kevin Martin scored 16 points and Nick
Collison donated 10 and eight rebounds in the triumph. Alan Anderson posted 27
points on 10-of-14 shooting, while Amir Johnson added 19 and nine boards in the
setback for Toronto, which has lost two straight since a three-game winning
streak. DeMar DeRozan and Jose Calderon gave 11 and 10 points, respectively, in
a losing cause.
Miami 99, Washington 71
LeBron James
netted a game-high 24 points and handed out seven assists as the Miami Heat
easily dropped the Washington Wizards, 99-71, on Sunday at American Airlines
Arena. Ray Allen knocked down 8-of-12 from the floor en route to 20 points and
six rebounds, while Chris Bosh added 17 points, nine rebounds and four blocks
for the Heat, who have won three of their last four. Dwyane Wade hit 7-of-14
from the field for 14 points to go with seven rebounds and Mike Miller
contributed 13 points off the bench in the triumph. Kevin Seraphin scored 14
points and Cartier Martin donated 13 points for the Wizards, who have lost five
straight since a win over Orlando on Dec. 28. Martell Webster gave 10 points
and six rebounds in a losing effort.
Charlotte 108, Detroit 101 (OT)
Kemba Walker
made big plays late in a 20- point scoring effort and the Charlotte Bobcats
avoided another losing streak by beating the Pistons, 108-101, in overtime at
the Palace of Auburn Hills. Walker scored on a floater in the final seconds of
regulation to force overtime and gave Charlotte a six-point cushion in the extra
session with a reverse layup to seal the victory and deny the Pistons of their
first five- game winning streak since 2009. Bismack Biyombo totaled 10 points
and 17 rebounds, while Ben Gordon and Ramon Sessions put forth strong efforts
off the bench with 18 and 15 points, respectively, in the Bobcats' second win
in three games. Tayshaun Prince scored a game-high 21 points to go along with
seven boards for the Pistons, who received 18 points apiece from Greg Monroe
and Rodney Stuckey. Monroe also finished with 14 rebounds and six assists in
the defeat.
Memphis 92, Phoenix 81
Zach
Randolph had 21 points and eight rebounds to lead the Memphis Grizzlies past
the Phoenix Suns, 92-81, at US Airways Center. Rudy Gay followed with 20 points
and Marc Gasol filled the stat sheet with 10 points, 12 rebounds, five assists
and three blocks for the Grizzlies, who have won three of their last five. P.J.
Tucker finished with 17 points and five rebounds for Phoenix, which has dropped
two straight and eight of nine overall. Marcin Gortat was the only other member
of the Suns to score in double digits with 12 points.
Denver 112, LA Lakers 105
Ty Lawson
tallied a double-double with 21 points and 10 assists to help the Denver
Nuggets take a 112-105 decision over the Los Angeles Lakers. Danilo Gallinari
gave 20 points and six boards, while Andre Miller contributed 12 points and 10
assists. JaVale McGee posted 17 points, six rebounds, three steals and two
blocks in the Nuggets' fifth win in seven games. Meanwhile, the reeling Lakers
have dropped four of five following their season-long five-game winning streak.
Kobe Bryant scored 18 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough
to prevent Los Angeles from its 18th loss in 33 games. Dwight Howard and Steve
Nash each posted double-doubles in the loss. Howard scored 14 points and tied a
career- high with 26 rebounds to go along with four blocks and Nash finished
with 10 points and 13 assists.
January 7
Washington 101, Oklahoma City 99
Bradley Beal
scored 22 points and sank the game-winning shot with 0.3 seconds remaining to
lift the Washington Wizards to a shocking 101-99 victory over Oklahoma City
Thunder on Monday. Playing without Jordan Crawford and Nene due to injuries,
Washington still earned its second straight triumph over the Thunder when Beal
broke a 99-99 tie by throwing a pump fake and hitting a leaning jumper in the
lane. Martell Webster also tallied 22 points and Kevin Seraphin poured in 19
for Washington. Emeka Okafor totaled a double-double with 12 points and 12
rebounds in just the second Wizards' win in their last 15 games. Washington had
lost five in a row entering the contest. Kevin Durant posted 29 points, eight
assists and seven boards for the Thunder, who had won five of six coming in.
Serge Ibaka scored a career-high 26 points to go along with 11 rebounds and
Russell Westbrook finished with 17 points and eight assists in defeat.
Boston 102, New York 96
No Rajon
Rondo, no problem this time for the Boston Celtics. Playing without their
suspended All-Star point guard, the defending Atlantic Division champions
received big efforts from their other established players to come through with
a much-needed 102-96 victory over the rival New York Knicks at Madison Square
Garden. Paul Pierce amassed 23 points on 10-of-18 shooting and Kevin Garnett
added 19 points with 10 rebounds as Boston matched a season-high with its third
consecutive victory. Taking over ball-handling duties with Rondo forced to sit
out after making contact with an official during Saturday's win at Atlanta,
Avery Bradley delivered 13 points and five assists for the Celtics, who also
got a lift from Jeff Green's 16 points off the bench. Boston also shined on the
defensive end, limiting the Knicks to a 40.8 percent success rate from the
floor. Carmelo Anthony managed 20 points for New York, but made good on just
6-of-26 field goal attempts. J.R. Smith finished with 24 points and Tyson
Chandler had 13 along with 17 rebounds in the loss, which halted the
Atlantic-leading Knicks' two-game win streak.
Chicago 118, Cleveland 92
Carlos
Boozer poured in a game-high 24 points and ripped down 11 rebounds as the
Chicago Bulls easily handled the Cleveland Cavaliers, 118-92, at United Center
on Monday. Luol Deng netted 19 points to go with seven assists, five rebounds
and four steals, while Taj Gibson hit 8-of-9 from the floor for 18 points to go
along with seven boards for the Bulls, who have won three straight since a loss
to Charlotte on Dec. 31. Marco Belinelli hit three 3-pointers and finished with
15 points and five assists, while Nate Robinson ended his night with 14 points
and seven assists in the rout. Dion Waiters scored 18 points and grabbed six
boards, while Kyrie Irving added 15 points and six assists for the Cavs, who
have come out on the wrong side of the score in five of their last six games.
C.J. Miles and Tristan Thompson contributed 15 and 14 points, respectively, in
the setback.
New Orleans 95, San Antonio 88
Eric Gordon
scored a game-high 24 points and the New Orleans Hornets snapped a six-game
losing streak to the Spurs with a 95-88 victory over San Antonio. Rookie
Anthony Davis tallied 17 points and nine rebounds and Greivis Vasquez finished
with 14 points and 11 assists to help the Hornets end a seven-game slide at
home. Manu Ginobili led the Spurs with 21 points and Tony Parker followed with
16. Tim Duncan chipped in with 13 points and eight boards for San Antonio,
which has dropped six of its past eight road games.
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| Greivis Vasquez has been playing really well of late for NOH. (image by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) |
Utah 100, Dallas 94
Gordon
Hayward scored 27 points and the Utah Jazz put forth a strong fourth quarter to
rally for a 100-94 victory over the badly slumping Dallas Mavericks at
EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz outscored Dallas by a 26-14 margin in the final
stanza to erase an eight- point deficit early in the period and notch their
third win in four games, while dealing the spiraling Mavericks a third straight
loss and 12th setback in their last 14 outings. Al Jefferson amassed 15 points
and 11 rebounds to aid the Utah comeback, with Paul Millsap adding 14 points
and nine boards and Alec Burks netting eight of his 13 points during the
fourth- quarter surge. Dirk Nowitzki recorded 20 points in Dallas' latest
defeat, while Chris Kaman registered 14 points and nine rebounds and Elton
Brand delivered an 11-point, nine-board effort off the bench.
Portland 125, Orlando 119 (OT)
LaMarcus
Aldridge posted 27 points, 10 rebounds and five assists as the Portland Trail
Blazers took a 125-119 overtime win over the Orlando Magic. Damian Lillard had
the go-ahead bucket in the extra period, scored the next basket and followed
that with a steal and an assist as part of an 18-point, 10-assist game for the
Trail Blazers, who have won five of their last six and eight straight at home.
Wesley Matthews had 24 points and J.J. Hickson added 20 points and 15 boards in
a winning effort. J.J. Redick scored 29 points with five assists, while Arron
Afflalo added 24 points and five boards for the Magic, who have dropped nine
straight and are on their longest losing streak since dropping 13 straight from
March 13-April 10, 2004.
Memphis 113, Sacramento 81
Wayne
Ellington poured in 19 of his career- high 26 points in the second half as the
Memphis Grizzlies rolled to a 113-81 victory over the Sacramento Kings at Sleep
Train Arena. Ellington missed on only one of his 11 field goal attempts and
went a scorching 6-of-7 from 3-point range, and the Grizzlies outscored
Sacramento by a lopsided 62-36 margin after halftime en route to a second
straight win on their current road trip. Zach Randolph added 17 points and
seven rebounds, Mike Conley compiled 15 points and eight assists, and three
other Memphis players scored in double figures on the evening. John Salmons
paced the Kings with 17 points, but only four came over the final two quarters.
Leading scorer DeMarcus Cousins was held to 10 points on 3-of-9 shooting as
Sacramento was dealt a second consecutive defeat following a 4-1 stretch.
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