The NBA Roundup: April 11, 2013

The Bulls remained one of the most schizophrenic teams in the NBA, beating the Knicks (and stopping their streak at 13) after losing to both Detroit and Toronto. What gives, Thibby? Oh, and OKC is the Western Conference’s #1 seed… for now at least.

Today’s Best:

If Kevin Durant could only do this – 31 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block while shooting 10-of-16 from the field – in every game, then I wouldn’t have to worry about Miami covering the world in darkness by June. If only.
It’s not always (or often) that a guy like Nate Robinson shoots 10-of-18 and scored 35 against the hottest team in the land, so I’ll give him his props today.
Who is Jimmy Butler? He’s the guy who dropped 22 and 14 along with 3 steals and 3 blocks on NYK. That’s who.

Jimmy Butler slams one home as the Bulls ended
the Knicks' winning streak at 13 games.
(image by Jim Prisching/AP)

Today’s Worst:

After a tight first half against the Thunder, the Warriors wilted with porous defense in the third period. Oh and Andrew Bogut aggravated his left ankle injury. Not the best way to gain momentum heading into the postseason, GSW.
This is why I think New York, for all its depth, star power, and balance, just won’t have enough to upend Miami in the East. Because they can be really really good for two and a half quarters, and quite bad the rest of the way. Against the Heat, the Knicks will have to be all good, all the time.

Final Score: Chicago 118, New York 111 (OT)

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Nate Robinson scored a season-high 35 points and nailed five 3-pointers to lead six Chicago players in double figures as the Bulls ended the New York Knicks' 13-game winning streak with a 118-111 overtime victory on Thursday. Jimmy Butler and Carlos Boozer each recorded double-doubles with 22 points and 14 rebounds and 13 points and 15 boards, respectively, for the Bulls, who became the second team to snap two 13-plus game winning streaks in the same season (Suns in 1990-91). Chicago also ended the Miami Heat's impressive 27- game win streak on March 27. Luol Deng, who had missed the previous two games due to injury, supplied 16 points and eight rebounds, while Richard Hamilton and Kirk Hinrich had 14 and 11 points, respectively, in the victory. Carmelo Anthony scored 36 points and has a six- game streak of netting at least that many points. Kobe Bryant is the last player to accomplish such a feat, doing so in nine straight games in 2003. J.R. Smith added 28 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, while Anthony pulled down a season-high 19 boards for the Knicks.

Final Score: Oklahoma City 116, Golden State 97

Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Kevin Durant scored 31 points to go along with 10 rebounds and eight assists, while Kevin Martin supplied 23 points off the bench as the Oklahoma City Thunder continued their quest for the top seed in the Western Conference with a 116-97 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Russell Westbrook had 18 points and dished out nine helpers for the Thunder, who have won two straight and eight of the last nine meetings in the series versus Golden State. Serge Ibaka and Thabo Sefolosha scored 17 and 10 points, respectively, in the victory, which puts the team a half-game ahead of the idle San Antonio Spurs. Stephen Curry netted 22 points and Jarrett Jack chipped in 19 for the Warriors, who were coming off a victory over Minnesota on Tuesday to secure the franchise's first playoff appearance since 2006-07. Golden State was also dealt a blow as center Andrew Bogut left the game in the first quarter with an apparent left ankle injury.