RealGM Wiretap
There were two 40-plus point performances in the NBA on Tuesday night.
The Cleveland Cavaliers (25-8) used doubled up on the Atlanta Hawks (21-9) in the fourth quarter en route to an important win. Maurice Williams had 20 points and five assists, Shaquille O?Neal posted 10 points and eight rebounds and LeBron James added 14 points, 10 dimes and eight boards. Cleveland shot 49% and turned the ball over 20 times. Jamal Crawford scored 26 points on 10-for-17 shooting, Al Horford tallied nine points and nine rebounds and Josh Smith contributed 15 points and eight boards.
- Oklahoma City 110, Washington 98
The Oklahoma City Thunder (17-14) used a big second half to defeat the Washington Wizards (10-20) at the Verizon Center. Kevin Durant starred with 35 points and 11 rebounds, Jeff Green tallied 18 points and four boards and Russell Westbrook chipped in 11 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. Oklahoma City hit 54% of their shots and outrebounded Washington by seven. Antawn Jamison scored a team-high 28 points, Brendan Haywood posted 16 points and eight rebounds and Gilbert Arenas put up 24 points, eight assists and seven boards.
The New York Knicks (12-19) dominated the Detroit Pistons (11-20) on Tuesday night. David Lee excelled with 30 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, Wilson Chandler posted 23 points and nine boards and Chris Duhon totaled 13 points and seven assists. New York shot 51% and outrebounded Detroit by eleven. Ben Gordon had 17 points, Rodney Stuckey tallied 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists and Richard Hamilton scored 15 points on 5-for-21 shooting in the loss.
The Chicago Bulls (12-17) built a huge lead in the first quarter and held off the Indiana Pacers (9-21) at the United Center. Derrick Rose had 28 points, six assists and five rebounds, Luol Deng tallied 15 points and eight boards and Tyrus Thomas brought eight points and 15 rebounds off the bench. Chicago drilled 52% of their shot attempts and turned the ball over 21 times. Roy Hibbert led with 17 points and six rebounds, Luther Head scored 10 points on 4-for-10 shooting and Earl Watson added 10 points and six assists.
- Houston 108, New Orleans 100
The Houston Rockets (19-13) outscored the New Orleans Hornets (13-16) 34-18 in the fourth quarter to record a comeback win on Tuesday night. Aaron Brooks scored 27 points, Luis Scola posted 13 points and 12 rebounds and Carl Landry contributed 18 points and six boards off the bench. New Orleans shot 50%, but Houston went 12-for-23 from three-point land and attempted 12 more foul shots. David West exploded for 44 points and 12 rebounds, Emeka Okafor tallied nine points and six boards and Chris Paul stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
- San Antonio 117, Minnesota 99
The San Antonio Spurs (18-11) had a relatively easy time dispatching of the Minnesota Timberwolves (7-25). Richard Jefferson had 24 points and six rebounds, Tim Duncan tallied 17 points and 10 boards and Manu Ginobili put up 14 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds off the bench. San Antonio held Minnesota to 39% shooting and hit 12-for-24 three-pointers at home. Al Jefferson had 20 points and eight rebounds, Kevin Love posted 18 points and 12 boards and Jonny Flynn scored 17 points on 14 shots.
- L.A. Lakers 124, Golden State 118
The Los Angeles Lakers (25-6) staged a second-half comeback against the pesky Golden State Warriors (9-22). Kobe Bryant starred with 44 points and 11 assists, Pau Gasol posted 27 points and 12 boards and Lamar Odom contributed 11 points and 11 rebounds. Golden State hit 55% of their shots, but Los Angeles won the rebounding battle and attempted more free throws. Corey Maggette scored a team-high 25 points, Monta Ellis tallied 22 points and seven assists and C.J. Watson totaled 14 points and four assists in the loss.
? RealGM calculates the Floor Impact Counter using the following formula: (Points + .75 Defensive Rebounds + Offensive Rebounds + Steals + Assists + Blocks - .75 Field Goal Attempts - .375 Free Throw Attempts - Turnovers - .5 Personal Fouls)
( )'s indicate a negative FIC score.
It is also used to rank players and to determine their ?Reina Value.? Click here to view the player rankings with the Reina Value for the current season