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| Derrick Rose will look forward to the next time they meet the Miami Heat, and a renewed shot at redemption. (image from the US Presswire) |
*Unless otherwise specified, all images are from the Associated Press.
"Every time we play the Bulls it's going to be like that. It's going to be a drag-out fight every game." – Chris Bosh, on the intensity of Sunday's game.
It’s a joy seeing LeBron James miss free throws late in a game.
Especially if those free throws could’ve given the Heat a late lead.
Especially against Derrick Rose and the mighty Chicago Bulls.
Too bad that was spiked by seeing Rose miss his own set of freebies and then miss a potential tie-maker.
Sigh.
Oh, but it is just the first of four meetings in the regular season, right? And then maybe more by the time the playoffs come along.
I just hope that D-Rose sitting down, face looking at the hardwood, thinking of what could’ve been, won’t be something I’ll see come April, May or June.
I hope that the Heat winning even if the self-made King missed his freebies won’t be a portent of things to come.
The Bulls were in white – the White Knights with the humble MVP.
The Heat were clad in sinister black – the Sith with Darth Vader’s #6.
And the Heat won.
Oh, please no.
After the JUMP, key stat-stuffers for today’s games:
MIA over CHI, 97-93 – Derrick Rose missed two free throws. LeBron James missed two free throws. Derrick Rose missed a potentially game-tying one-hander. And then it was over. Boo hoo.
TOR over NJN, 94-73 – DeMar DeRozan’s 27-point performance sends the Raps to a tie with the Nets for… last in the Northeast Division. Bleh.
CLE over BOS, 88-87 – What a guy that Kyrie Irving. His game winner not only gives the Cavs their 8th win, it also snaps the Celts’ 4-game winning run.
IND over ORL, 106-85 – Another game, another embarrassment for the Magic. They were outscored 58-34 in the second half. Eject button, Dwight. Eject button.
DAL over SAS, 101-100 (OT) – Spurs made a good run to send it into an extra session, but Jason Terry was too much. He made the last four points of the game to frustrate San Antonio into their 8th road loss.
LAL over MIN, 106-101 – The Lakers finally won one on this road trip, but not after staving off a stiff challenge from the T-Wolves. The Lakers are still in mediocre shape, though, after going just 5-5 in their last 10. Props to Kobe, who passed Abdul-Jabbar as the Lakers’ all-time leader in FGs made.
ATL over NOH, 94-72 – Jeff Teague, Marvin Williams, and Willie Green combined to shoot 11 threes and leave the Hornets gasping for breath at home.
LAC over DEN, 109-105 – Denver still has the second-best record out West, but the Clips aren’t far behind after CP3 scores 25 to lead them over the Nuggets… in Colorado at that!
Super Scorers (Top scorers of the night!)
LeBron James (MIA) & Kobe Bryant (LAL) – 35
Derrick Rose (CHI) & Jason Terry (DAL) – 34
Kevin Love (MIN) – 33
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| LeBron James's supreme conditioning has helped him get a leg up on the competition. |
Ragin’ Rebounders (Top rebounders of the night!)
Kobe Bryant (LAL) – 14
Dwight Howard (ORL), Blake Griffin (LAC), & DeAndre Jordan (LAC) – 13
Dynamic Dishers (Top playmakers of the night!)
Andre Miller (LAC) & Darren Collison (IND) – 10
Jose Calderon (TOR) – 9
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| Andre Miller loses the ball here, but his 10 assists against the Clips is a testament to his great playmaking. |
Terrific Thieves (Top thieves of the night!)
Alonzo Gee (CLE) – 4
A LOT with 3
Boomin’ Blockers (Top blockers of the night!)
DeAndre Jordan (LAC) & Brendan Haywood (DAL) – 5
Josh Smith (ATL) & Blake Griffin (LAC) – 4
Sharpshooters (Top 3-point shooters of the night!)
Chauncey Billups (LAC) – 6
Kobe Bryant (LAL) – 5
Willie Green (ATL), Jeff Teague (ATL), & Ray Allen (BOS) – 4
Jan. 29, 2012 First Five
C – Pau Gasol (LAL) – 28pts, 6rebs, 3asts
F – Kevin Love (MIN) – 33pts, 13rebs, 2asts, 1stl
F – LeBron James (MIA) – 35pts, 11rebs, 5asts, 1blk
G – Kobe Bryant (LAL) – 35pts, 14rebs, 5 treys, 2asts, 2blks
G – Jason Terry (DAL) – 34pts, 4asts, 2rebs
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| Looks familiar? Yep, that's Jason Terry in flight, leading the Mavs to the best record in the Southwest Division. |
Honorable Mention:
Derrick Rose (CHI) – 34pts, 6rebs, 6asts, 1stl, 1blk
Chris Paul (LAC) – 25pts, 7asts, 6rebs, 3 treys, 2stls, 1blk
Chauncey Billups (LAC) – 32pts, 6 treys, 4rebs, 2asts
For a full summary of the day, here’s today’s NBA Daily Zap:
2 Comment
C'mon man. Give the Heat some credit for coming up on top against the Bulls...
BalasI have to admit, the Heat are playing really well. They went thru that 3-game skid several days back, but they're so dangerous now. They're still my least favorite team (and that's putting it... diplomatically :)), but I can't deny their talent level and superb athleticism. They'll be tough to beat for any team, but I'm crossing my fingers the Bulls can pull it off when it counts the most. :) Cheers to a new awesome rivalry in the NBA! :)
Balas