Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Missing: Melo Meshing
Carmelo Anthony and the new-look Knicks were crushed by Cleveland 115-109 at Quicken Loans Arena Friday. The dreadful but diligent Cavaliers bested New York in Anthony’s second game since being traded from Denver. The Cavs won for just the 11th time this season behind five double digit scorers. Veteran forward, Antawn Jamison, led the way with 28 points and 13 rebounds and J.J. Hickson scored 24 to go along with a game-high 15 boards in the win. Anthony tallied 27 points, shooting 9-for-22 from the field. New York’s A’mare Stoudemire led all scorers with 31 points and contributed five blocks. The 6’10” Stoudemire is still adjusting to life with Anthony on his side. Both players undeniably excel at succeeding individually, but are unfamiliar with playing together. It could take a while before the Knicks begin to mesh. Last night, New York took Cleveland too lightly and paid for it.
Baron Davis was sidelined during the second half for Cleveland, but the Cavs still scored 62 in his absence. Cleveland took advantage of New York’s confused defense and utilized their scrappy roster to put up 115 points overall. Anthony scored 14 first quarter points as the Knicks led 30-28 heading into the second stanza. The home team rebounded to post a 25 point second quarter that tied the game at the break. Jamison’s offensive rebounds proved the difference in the second half. Ramon Sessions added 12 buckets, including nine free throws for the Cavs, who shot 70% from the foul line. New York quickly fell behind, scoring just 22 to Cleveland’s 30 in the third quarter.
Chauncy Billips pocketed 20 fourth quarter points for the Knicks and finished the game with 26. Billips’ jumper with two minutes to play cut the Cavs’ edge to 103-101. The short-handed Cavs would not be denied. Instead, they canned the Knicks by working the shot clock down and relying on swift shooting Daniel Gibson to hit a late three. Gibson’s launch made it a five point Cleveland lead with thirty ticks and was the real dagger for New York’s comeback hopes. Anthony came through with a layup to trim the lead to three, but missed a free throw and was fouled out on the next play. Anthony notched just 11 points through the last three quarters and left with a numb elbow. Stoudemire ironically seemed to do his best scoring with Anthony on the bench. Cleveland held the edge on the boards 62-42 and was able to outwork New York for their second win against the Knicks this season.
Parting Points: Yankees’ Spring Training opener today!
Baron Davis was sidelined during the second half for Cleveland, but the Cavs still scored 62 in his absence. Cleveland took advantage of New York’s confused defense and utilized their scrappy roster to put up 115 points overall. Anthony scored 14 first quarter points as the Knicks led 30-28 heading into the second stanza. The home team rebounded to post a 25 point second quarter that tied the game at the break. Jamison’s offensive rebounds proved the difference in the second half. Ramon Sessions added 12 buckets, including nine free throws for the Cavs, who shot 70% from the foul line. New York quickly fell behind, scoring just 22 to Cleveland’s 30 in the third quarter.
Chauncy Billips pocketed 20 fourth quarter points for the Knicks and finished the game with 26. Billips’ jumper with two minutes to play cut the Cavs’ edge to 103-101. The short-handed Cavs would not be denied. Instead, they canned the Knicks by working the shot clock down and relying on swift shooting Daniel Gibson to hit a late three. Gibson’s launch made it a five point Cleveland lead with thirty ticks and was the real dagger for New York’s comeback hopes. Anthony came through with a layup to trim the lead to three, but missed a free throw and was fouled out on the next play. Anthony notched just 11 points through the last three quarters and left with a numb elbow. Stoudemire ironically seemed to do his best scoring with Anthony on the bench. Cleveland held the edge on the boards 62-42 and was able to outwork New York for their second win against the Knicks this season.
Parting Points: Yankees’ Spring Training opener today!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Steeltown Sizzle
Lamar Patterson scored the first five points of the second half as the Pitt Panthers easily dispatched the visiting Mountaineers 71-58 last night. The reserve finished with a career high 11 points for fourth ranked Pittsburgh. Patterson replaced the injured Talib Zanna and sparked the Panthers’ second half home comeback against Big East rival, West Virginia. Nasir Robinson led Pitt with 15 points, while Casey Mitchell knocked down 22 for the Mountaineers. Pittsburgh has a two game edge in the conference. West Virginia sits at a three-way tie for ninth place. The Panthers beat WVU for the tenth time in their last 11 tries.
Gilbert Brown poured in 11 points during the first half but the Panthers quickly found themselves in a 7-0 hole. The Panthers stormed back to even the score against the hard charging team from the Mountain State. Pitt fell behind to trail 31-30 at the break but the Mountaineers couldn’t maintain their advantage after halftime. West Virginia’s second half collapse began early. The Mountaineers missed five of their first seven attempts and were crippled by cold shooting. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, shot 65% in the final 20 minutes and finished with 57.4% for the game.
Patterson and the Panthers built a 47-36 lead with just under 12 minutes left. Brad Wanamaker put up 11 points, eight assists and added seven rebounds in the win. Pittsburgh’s transition defense hobbled Bob Huggins’ Mountaineers and WVU never threatened again. Gary McGhee was a force on defense with two blocks as Jamie Dixon won for the 213th time as Pitt’s head coach. Joe Mazzulla scored nine and pulled down six rebounds for the Mountaineers, who were outscored 41-27 in the second half. The Panthers also bested the Mountaineers in rebounding by three. The win pushes Pitt’s record to 25-3 overall, including a staggering 9-2 road record. There are three conference games remaining before the Big East tournament. Pitt looks like a top seeded team who can pummel just about any opponent.
Parting Points: Song of the day- “I’ve Got My Mind Set on You” by George Harrison
Gilbert Brown poured in 11 points during the first half but the Panthers quickly found themselves in a 7-0 hole. The Panthers stormed back to even the score against the hard charging team from the Mountain State. Pitt fell behind to trail 31-30 at the break but the Mountaineers couldn’t maintain their advantage after halftime. West Virginia’s second half collapse began early. The Mountaineers missed five of their first seven attempts and were crippled by cold shooting. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, shot 65% in the final 20 minutes and finished with 57.4% for the game.
Patterson and the Panthers built a 47-36 lead with just under 12 minutes left. Brad Wanamaker put up 11 points, eight assists and added seven rebounds in the win. Pittsburgh’s transition defense hobbled Bob Huggins’ Mountaineers and WVU never threatened again. Gary McGhee was a force on defense with two blocks as Jamie Dixon won for the 213th time as Pitt’s head coach. Joe Mazzulla scored nine and pulled down six rebounds for the Mountaineers, who were outscored 41-27 in the second half. The Panthers also bested the Mountaineers in rebounding by three. The win pushes Pitt’s record to 25-3 overall, including a staggering 9-2 road record. There are three conference games remaining before the Big East tournament. Pitt looks like a top seeded team who can pummel just about any opponent.
Parting Points: Song of the day- “I’ve Got My Mind Set on You” by George Harrison
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Controlling the Conference in Columbus
Ohio State was in top form at home last night in cruising past conference rival, Illinois. The Buckeyes bounced the Illini 89-70 at Value Center Arena behind a remarkable David Lighty performance. Lighty scored 21 points, including 13 consecutive buckets to lead second ranked Ohio State to their 26th victory. Lighty added four rebounds and a pair of assists in 39 court time minutes. The Buckeyes turned the ball over just three times and stole the ball nine times in an impressive win. Illinois committed 16 turnovers and fell to 17-11 overall on the year. Ohio State maintains a one game lead over Purdue in the Big Ten.
William Buford carried the Buckeyes in the first half with 17 points. Jared Sullinger pitched in 11 points and dominated the boards with 11 rebounds. The game was close in the first half until the Buckeyes pulled away late. Mike Tisdale led the unranked Illini with 12 points in the first half and finished the game with 14. Ohio State took a 15 point advantage into the break and expanded it to 17 early in the second half. But Illinois cut the deficit to six points five minutes later. Senior Mike Davis tallied a team high 18 for Illinois.
The Illini kept pace with the home team, shooting 52 percent to OSU’s 53. The Bucks’ loose second half defense allowed Illinois back into the game. Illinois got to the charity stripe just three times, and struggled to stop the speedy Buckeyes in the paint. The visitors rallied to within nine points with just over ten minutes in regulation. The Illini scored on five of their first eight possessions in the second stanza, but Lighty helped the Buckeyes seize control with a personal 10-0 run. OSU held a comfortable lead for the remainder of the contest. They never dipped below double figures again. Freshman Aaron Craft pulled had six assists and 12 points for Ohio State. Conference leading shooter, Demetri McCamey, did not start but punched through 15 buckets for the losing team.
Parting Points: Band of the day- The White Stripes
The Nets are trying to match the Knicks. New Jersey acquired All-Star, Deron Williams, from the Jazz.
The Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright will be sidelined with an injured elbow.
William Buford carried the Buckeyes in the first half with 17 points. Jared Sullinger pitched in 11 points and dominated the boards with 11 rebounds. The game was close in the first half until the Buckeyes pulled away late. Mike Tisdale led the unranked Illini with 12 points in the first half and finished the game with 14. Ohio State took a 15 point advantage into the break and expanded it to 17 early in the second half. But Illinois cut the deficit to six points five minutes later. Senior Mike Davis tallied a team high 18 for Illinois.
The Illini kept pace with the home team, shooting 52 percent to OSU’s 53. The Bucks’ loose second half defense allowed Illinois back into the game. Illinois got to the charity stripe just three times, and struggled to stop the speedy Buckeyes in the paint. The visitors rallied to within nine points with just over ten minutes in regulation. The Illini scored on five of their first eight possessions in the second stanza, but Lighty helped the Buckeyes seize control with a personal 10-0 run. OSU held a comfortable lead for the remainder of the contest. They never dipped below double figures again. Freshman Aaron Craft pulled had six assists and 12 points for Ohio State. Conference leading shooter, Demetri McCamey, did not start but punched through 15 buckets for the losing team.
Parting Points: Band of the day- The White Stripes
The Nets are trying to match the Knicks. New Jersey acquired All-Star, Deron Williams, from the Jazz.
The Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright will be sidelined with an injured elbow.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Enduring the East
The West withstood the Eastern storm in Sunday night’s annual NBA All-Star game in Los Angeles. Staples Center favorite, Kobe Bryant, poured in 37 points and grabbed 14rebounds in the Western Conference’s high scoring 148-143 victory over the Eastern Conference. Bryant was named MVP for a record-tying fourth time in his career. The intensely competitive Lakers’ star threatened Wilt Chamberlain’s All-Star game record 42 points in stopping LeBron James and the East. James finished with a triple-double, the second one in All-Star game history (Michael Jordan, 1997). James had 29 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in the loss.
Amar’e Stoudemire shined for the East, tallying 29 points and Kevin Durant chipped in 34 for the winning West. Bryant’s L.A. teammate, Pau Gasol, added 17 points in 24 minutes as the West carved out a ten point advantage after the first quarters. Bryant bucketed 21 points and Gasol was a perfect 6-for-6 in the first half. The Heat’s Chris Bosh kept the East in the contest with 12 first half points off the bench. The West led 76-64 at the break. Blake Griffin, Saturday’s winner of the slam dunk contest, contributed just 8 points and 5 assists for the Western All-Stars.
The West registered 16 steals against a sloppy Eastern squad through three quarters. A Bryant three pointer put the West ahead 90-79 late in the third. The East trailed by 17 points entering the final stanza, where reigning MVP James led a late comeback to cut the deficit to five by the final margin. Miami’s Dwyane Wade scored 14 points before exiting in the third quarter with an ankle ailment. Durant, the NBA’s leading scorer, clinched the game with a pair of free throws after the East got back within three points. Ray Allen had 12 points and Derrick Rose and Joe Johnson added 11 apiece for the East. New Orleans’ Chris Paul picked up five steals and trade target, Denver’s Carmelo Anthony, finished with seven assist for the West.
Parting Points: Providence handed Ohio State their second loss of the season.
I’m excited for the Don Mattingly biography coming out in March.
Addicting song of the moment- “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People
Amar’e Stoudemire shined for the East, tallying 29 points and Kevin Durant chipped in 34 for the winning West. Bryant’s L.A. teammate, Pau Gasol, added 17 points in 24 minutes as the West carved out a ten point advantage after the first quarters. Bryant bucketed 21 points and Gasol was a perfect 6-for-6 in the first half. The Heat’s Chris Bosh kept the East in the contest with 12 first half points off the bench. The West led 76-64 at the break. Blake Griffin, Saturday’s winner of the slam dunk contest, contributed just 8 points and 5 assists for the Western All-Stars.
The West registered 16 steals against a sloppy Eastern squad through three quarters. A Bryant three pointer put the West ahead 90-79 late in the third. The East trailed by 17 points entering the final stanza, where reigning MVP James led a late comeback to cut the deficit to five by the final margin. Miami’s Dwyane Wade scored 14 points before exiting in the third quarter with an ankle ailment. Durant, the NBA’s leading scorer, clinched the game with a pair of free throws after the East got back within three points. Ray Allen had 12 points and Derrick Rose and Joe Johnson added 11 apiece for the East. New Orleans’ Chris Paul picked up five steals and trade target, Denver’s Carmelo Anthony, finished with seven assist for the West.
Parting Points: Providence handed Ohio State their second loss of the season.
I’m excited for the Don Mattingly biography coming out in March.
Addicting song of the moment- “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Dwight’s Dandy Drama
Dwight Hardy secured a last second lay-in with 1.2 seconds left to lift St. John’s over fourth-ranked Pittsburgh at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. Hardy’s winning scoop shot provided the Red Storm a 60-59 clipping of the Panthers before a raucous crowd of over 14,000. Saturday’s victory was the fifth time this season St. John’s has toppled a top ten team. It was only the third loss for the Panthers, who still shine in first place in the Big East at 12-2. The Red Storm, currently unranked, have beaten Duke, UConn and Pitt this season. On Saturday, they thrilled the home fans with a heart-stopping one point win to improve to 17-9 overall.
The Panthers went into halftime ahead 27-26 in Ashton Gibbs’ return to the hardwood after missing two weeks due to an injured knee. Gibbs scored a career and game high 26 in the loss on 8-of-14 from the field. The sixth leading scorer in the Big East, Gibbs tallied 15 points in as many minutes during the opening half. Hardy totaled 19 points and added three steals to lead the Johnnies. St. John’s senior forward, Justin Burrell, contributed a quiet 15 points in the win. Pittsburgh, winners of their last six conference road games, was poised to make it seven in New York. The Red Storm had other plans in attempting to snap their own five game losing streak. There were eight lead changes during the second half until Hardy put an end to it all with a spectacular layup. Pitt led by as many as five after Brad Wanamaker’s jumper with 3:20 remaining. Wanamaker was held to just six points, as only Gibbs scored in double figures for the Panthers.
Pitt had a three point lead and the basketball with less than two minutes to go in the second half. Junior, Travon Woodall committed a turnover on an errant pass that led to a pair of D.J. Kennedy free throws to trim the lead 56-55. Gary McGhee pulled in a pass under the basket but fumbled to give St. John’s the ball back on Pitt’s next possession. Hardy’s jumper was off the mark, but Kennedy grabbed the rebound to keep the ball in the hands of the Red Storm. Following a foul, Hardy tied the game on a basket from the line. He missed his second free throw but the Storm again collected the rebound against one of the best rebounding team in the game. Hardy knocked down a pair of free throws after being fouled again to add to the late game drama. Woodall’s trey gave Pitt a one point edge with 11 seconds left before Hardy dribbled past Gilbert Brown for the deciding bucket.
Parting Points: More college hoops action from Saturday--WVU toppled Notre Dame, Texas fell to Nebraska and Kansas owned Colorado.
The Panthers went into halftime ahead 27-26 in Ashton Gibbs’ return to the hardwood after missing two weeks due to an injured knee. Gibbs scored a career and game high 26 in the loss on 8-of-14 from the field. The sixth leading scorer in the Big East, Gibbs tallied 15 points in as many minutes during the opening half. Hardy totaled 19 points and added three steals to lead the Johnnies. St. John’s senior forward, Justin Burrell, contributed a quiet 15 points in the win. Pittsburgh, winners of their last six conference road games, was poised to make it seven in New York. The Red Storm had other plans in attempting to snap their own five game losing streak. There were eight lead changes during the second half until Hardy put an end to it all with a spectacular layup. Pitt led by as many as five after Brad Wanamaker’s jumper with 3:20 remaining. Wanamaker was held to just six points, as only Gibbs scored in double figures for the Panthers.
Pitt had a three point lead and the basketball with less than two minutes to go in the second half. Junior, Travon Woodall committed a turnover on an errant pass that led to a pair of D.J. Kennedy free throws to trim the lead 56-55. Gary McGhee pulled in a pass under the basket but fumbled to give St. John’s the ball back on Pitt’s next possession. Hardy’s jumper was off the mark, but Kennedy grabbed the rebound to keep the ball in the hands of the Red Storm. Following a foul, Hardy tied the game on a basket from the line. He missed his second free throw but the Storm again collected the rebound against one of the best rebounding team in the game. Hardy knocked down a pair of free throws after being fouled again to add to the late game drama. Woodall’s trey gave Pitt a one point edge with 11 seconds left before Hardy dribbled past Gilbert Brown for the deciding bucket.
Parting Points: More college hoops action from Saturday--WVU toppled Notre Dame, Texas fell to Nebraska and Kansas owned Colorado.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Career Conquest
The Los Angeles Kings were the unwanted beneficiaries of Henrik Lundqvist’s 200th career win behind net in a shootout loss to the Rangers. New York defeated the Kings 4-3 and Marian Gaborik snapped a seven game drought in an extra session triumph. The Rangers have won two in a row following a six game slide. Mats Zuccarello netted the deciding goal at the Garden on Thursday in a milestone game for goalie Lundqvist. The Rangers’ netminder made 25 saves as New York improved to 31-24-4. Los Angeles fell to a nearly identical 32-22-4 on the season.
New York allowed the Kings to score first on Dustin Brown’s turnaround shot 5:25 into the first period. Brown beat Lundqvist with a spin move during an LA power play to put the Kings on top 1-0. Ryan Callahan produced the equalizer for the Rangers four minutes into the second period. He planted Derek Stepan’s rebound into the net beyond the reach of Jonathan Bernier. Callahan finished with a goal and an assist in the victory. New York took a 2-1 lead at 6:10 in the final stanza on Gaborik’s 17th goal this season. Rookie defensemen, Michael Sauer, added an assist on the goal.
Matt Greene’s blast past Lundqvist at 7:50 knotted the game at 2-2, but the Rangers retook the lead again with just over three minutes to play. Artem Anisimov gave New York a 3-2 advantage on a wraparound goal credited to Brandon Dubinsky. Los Angeles needed just 47 seconds to tie the game for the third time of the evening. Brown’s second goal of the night and 20th of the season sent the contest into overtime. The Rangers began overtime with a four minute power play, but could not break through with the winning goal and were instead penalized to wipe out the advantage. The Rangers finally prevailed with their 16th one-goal win of the season in the shootout round. Zuccarello slapped a score in the shootout and Lundqvist thwarted Anze Kopitar’s third round attempt to preserve his 200th career victory. Bernier made 34 stops in defeat. The Kings are in a five way tie for fifth in the crowded Western Conference, while the Rangers are seventh in the East.
Parting Points: Miguel Cabrera charged with DUI. Nice job.
Derrick Rose scores a career high 42 in the Bulls win over San Antonio on Michael Jordan’s birthday.
New York allowed the Kings to score first on Dustin Brown’s turnaround shot 5:25 into the first period. Brown beat Lundqvist with a spin move during an LA power play to put the Kings on top 1-0. Ryan Callahan produced the equalizer for the Rangers four minutes into the second period. He planted Derek Stepan’s rebound into the net beyond the reach of Jonathan Bernier. Callahan finished with a goal and an assist in the victory. New York took a 2-1 lead at 6:10 in the final stanza on Gaborik’s 17th goal this season. Rookie defensemen, Michael Sauer, added an assist on the goal.
Matt Greene’s blast past Lundqvist at 7:50 knotted the game at 2-2, but the Rangers retook the lead again with just over three minutes to play. Artem Anisimov gave New York a 3-2 advantage on a wraparound goal credited to Brandon Dubinsky. Los Angeles needed just 47 seconds to tie the game for the third time of the evening. Brown’s second goal of the night and 20th of the season sent the contest into overtime. The Rangers began overtime with a four minute power play, but could not break through with the winning goal and were instead penalized to wipe out the advantage. The Rangers finally prevailed with their 16th one-goal win of the season in the shootout round. Zuccarello slapped a score in the shootout and Lundqvist thwarted Anze Kopitar’s third round attempt to preserve his 200th career victory. Bernier made 34 stops in defeat. The Kings are in a five way tie for fifth in the crowded Western Conference, while the Rangers are seventh in the East.
Parting Points: Miguel Cabrera charged with DUI. Nice job.
Derrick Rose scores a career high 42 in the Bulls win over San Antonio on Michael Jordan’s birthday.
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