ducks
11-13-2006, 08:51 AM
Team of the week
San Antonio: The Spurs scored at least 100 points in all four games in an undefeated week, winning two on the road (New York and Toronto) and a pair at home (Knicks and Phoenix). Point guard Tony Parker averaged 26.3 points, 6.0 assists and shot 58.3% as he made opponents pay for playing him to drive all the time with his deadly jump shot. "He's playing great," said head coach Gregg Popovich. "He's really confident. He's worked hard on that shot, and that's what's made him even a different player from last year."
Stepping up
Zach Randolph, Portland: Randolph led the Trail Blazers to two wins in three games, averaging 34.0 points and 11.7 rebounds and shooting 91.7% (39-for-43) from the free-throw line in the process.
Joe Johnson, Atlanta: Johnson averaged 29.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists for the surprising Hawks, who won three of four with their only defeat a 113-112 overtime setback to Seattle on Saturday.
Thrills, spills and chills
In the Redd zone: Milwaukee's Michael Redd scored a career-high, franchise-record and NBA-season-high 57 points in Saturday's 113-111 loss to Utah. He also averaged 37.5 in four games, but the Bucks lost all four. "I had no intentions of trying to come in and score 57 points — just play basketball and see what happens," Redd said. "It happened. A lot of shots were going in; I don't know how."
No Sale sign: Comcast-Spectacor, the company that owns the Philadelphia 76ers, has decided not to sell the team, even after several groups stepped up with offers.
Hamilton hurting: Detroit's leading scorer, Richard Hamilton, missed the past two games with a hyperextended right elbow. When he will return to the lineup is uncertain. The Pistons are off until Wednesday.
Heeled by heel: Early NBA Rookie of the Year candidate Brandon Roy could miss up to two weeks or more with an injury to his left heel. The Trail Blazers said Roy will be fitted with an orthopedic boot for the next 7-14 days and doctors will then determine the best course of action.
One-liner
Guard Cuttino Mobley of the Los Angeles Clippers is one of the league's most underrated players. He showed his value to the team again in Wednesday's 103-85 win against Dallas. Mobley's line in 38 minutes of action: 10-15 shooting from the field; 2-3 shooting from three-point land; 5-for-6 shooting from the foul line; 7 rebounds; 3 assists; 4 steals; 1 blocked shot; 0 turnovers; 28 points.
This week's big game
San Antonio at Houston: Sorry, Dallas. These are the two best teams in Texas at the moment, and both have championship hopes. They'll learn a lot about each other when they face off Tuesday.
This week's best matchups
Shawn Marion vs. Carlos Boozer: Marion and Boozer make things happen by scrapping for everything. They'll scrap on Saturday when Phoenix visits Utah.
Chauncey Billups vs. Chris Paul: Two of the league's best point guards match styles and wits Wednesday when the Hornets challenge the Pistons.
Find this article at:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2006-11-12-court-coverage_x.htm
San Antonio: The Spurs scored at least 100 points in all four games in an undefeated week, winning two on the road (New York and Toronto) and a pair at home (Knicks and Phoenix). Point guard Tony Parker averaged 26.3 points, 6.0 assists and shot 58.3% as he made opponents pay for playing him to drive all the time with his deadly jump shot. "He's playing great," said head coach Gregg Popovich. "He's really confident. He's worked hard on that shot, and that's what's made him even a different player from last year."
Stepping up
Zach Randolph, Portland: Randolph led the Trail Blazers to two wins in three games, averaging 34.0 points and 11.7 rebounds and shooting 91.7% (39-for-43) from the free-throw line in the process.
Joe Johnson, Atlanta: Johnson averaged 29.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists for the surprising Hawks, who won three of four with their only defeat a 113-112 overtime setback to Seattle on Saturday.
Thrills, spills and chills
In the Redd zone: Milwaukee's Michael Redd scored a career-high, franchise-record and NBA-season-high 57 points in Saturday's 113-111 loss to Utah. He also averaged 37.5 in four games, but the Bucks lost all four. "I had no intentions of trying to come in and score 57 points — just play basketball and see what happens," Redd said. "It happened. A lot of shots were going in; I don't know how."
No Sale sign: Comcast-Spectacor, the company that owns the Philadelphia 76ers, has decided not to sell the team, even after several groups stepped up with offers.
Hamilton hurting: Detroit's leading scorer, Richard Hamilton, missed the past two games with a hyperextended right elbow. When he will return to the lineup is uncertain. The Pistons are off until Wednesday.
Heeled by heel: Early NBA Rookie of the Year candidate Brandon Roy could miss up to two weeks or more with an injury to his left heel. The Trail Blazers said Roy will be fitted with an orthopedic boot for the next 7-14 days and doctors will then determine the best course of action.
One-liner
Guard Cuttino Mobley of the Los Angeles Clippers is one of the league's most underrated players. He showed his value to the team again in Wednesday's 103-85 win against Dallas. Mobley's line in 38 minutes of action: 10-15 shooting from the field; 2-3 shooting from three-point land; 5-for-6 shooting from the foul line; 7 rebounds; 3 assists; 4 steals; 1 blocked shot; 0 turnovers; 28 points.
This week's big game
San Antonio at Houston: Sorry, Dallas. These are the two best teams in Texas at the moment, and both have championship hopes. They'll learn a lot about each other when they face off Tuesday.
This week's best matchups
Shawn Marion vs. Carlos Boozer: Marion and Boozer make things happen by scrapping for everything. They'll scrap on Saturday when Phoenix visits Utah.
Chauncey Billups vs. Chris Paul: Two of the league's best point guards match styles and wits Wednesday when the Hornets challenge the Pistons.
Find this article at:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2006-11-12-court-coverage_x.htm