2010 NBA Mock Draft (Version 5)

1)    New Jersey Nets- John Wall- PG (Kentucky)

 

I still think Derrick Favors will be a possibility here because he is a much better fit for this franchise, but Wall's talent is too much to pass up.  Devin Harris is a good young player, who still has a lot of room to grow, but Wall has all the makings of a superstar.  He has good size (at 6'4") and tons of athleticism. In the early season's premier matchup of NBA talent on Saturday, Wall looked to be in a league of his own against the Tar Heels.  He pushed the issue at times and had some turnover problems, but had two highlight reel baskets in transition in the opening minutes and his Wildcats escaped with a win.

 

2)    Minnesota Timberwolves- Derrick Favors- PF (Georgia Tech)

 

Minnesota badly needs a perimeter scoring option, but David Kahn showed in his first draft with the team that he'd put value and ability above team need, especially in the top five.  Favors is a freak athlete with an NBA body (6'10" and 246 lbs), who will be a defensive presence from day one.  He is still young, but learning from an NBA great like Kurt Rambis could do him a world of good, and a frontcourt rotation of Al Jefferson, Kevin Love, and Favors would make Jonny Flynn and Ricky Rubio look very, very good.

 

3)    Philadelphia 76ers- Wesley Johnson- SG (Syracuse)

 

Johnson has made a meteoric rise up draft boards over the first few weeks of the season.  He is a gifted athlete with good size and a versatile skill set.  He has proven to be an above average defender, but his real value (at least to the 76ers) is his outside shooting ability.  This draft class is stocked with talented big men and athletic slashers, but few shooters as talented as Johnson.

 

4)    Indiana Pacers- Willie Warren- PG (Oklahoma)

 

Indiana has a nice thing going with Danny Granger and Troy Murphy, and the emergences of Dahntay Jones and Roy Hibbert, but they still have huge holes in their backcourt.  The jury is still out on whether Warren can run the point for an NBA team, but the Pacers could use his penetration and scoring ability at either guard spot.

 

5)    Golden State Warriors- Devin Ebanks- SF (West Virginia)

 

The personal problems that kept Ebanks on the sidelines for the start of the season seem to have abated, which has the talented sophomore forward moving back up draft boards.  Ebanks is long and athletic with good court vision, and could develop into a really promising player at the next level.  The Warriors have a stocked backcourt, and little desire for true big men, so Ebanks is a nice fit for their current system.

 

6)    Utah Jazz (from New York via Phoenix)- Xavier Henry- SG (Kansas)

 

Henry made a huge splash, scoring 27 points in his first college game, and will likely be the third first-year player drafted (behind Wall and Favors) if he decides to enter his name.  His size (6'6" and 220 lbs) may allow him to play multiple positions in the NBA, providing Utah with much needed flexibility on the perimeter.  He has been a consistent scorer (17 points per game on 53% from the field) and a legitimate deep threat (50% from 3-point range), which would be a nice complement to the defensive minded options (Ronnie Brewer and Andrei Kirilenko) on Utah's roster.

 

7)    Memphis Grizzlies- Donatas Motiejunas- PF (Lithuania)

 

In a somewhat curious cost-cutting maneuver, Memphis consolidated their scouting department down to just one overseas scout during the off-season.  Motiejunas is by far the best international prospect available, and fits pretty nicely into the Grizzlies' re-building plans.  A true center like Cole Aldrich, or an athletic wingman to replace Rudy Gay (Evan Turner or Al-Farouq Aminu) is a possibility as well, but Motiejunas has a ton of upside and is worth a bit of a gamble at #7, especially since Memphis has three first round picks in 2010.

 

8)    Detroit Pistons- Cole Aldrich- C (Kansas)

 

This is the dream scenario for the Pistons, who are stocked on the perimeter with Rodney Stuckey, Richard Hamilton, Ben Gordon, and Will Bynum in the backcourt and two rookies backing up Tayshaun Prince at the small forward.  They also have a face up shooter and a below average rebounder at power forward in Charlie Villanueva, making Aldrich's post moves and rebounding acumen a great fit.

 

9)    Chicago Bulls- Evan Turner- SG/SF (Ohio State)

 

Turner's back injury will surely hurt his draft stock, but early indications are that he'll be able to play again in two months or so, which should be enough time for him show scouts that the injury is behind him.  He is a fantastic athlete with a wide variety of skills, and plays at a need position for the Bulls.  He isn't a great outside shooter at this point, which may give Chicago pause, but his all-around skills are too much to pass up.

 

10) Milwaukee Bucks- Ed Davis- PF (North Carolina)

 

I've never been high on Davis and watching North Carolina's loss to Kentucky didn't do much to shake my impressions.  Davis floats around the perimeter far too much offensively and often looks lost after showing a double team.  He does have flashes of brilliance, but seems to take plays off.  With all of that said, Davis is still a young player and his game will likely mature along with him.  Milwaukee took a risk and scored big in the 2009 draft with Brandon Jennings, so I wouldn't be surprised to see them gamble again at #10.

 

11) Los Angeles Clippers- Al-Farouq Aminu- SF (Wake Forest)

 

Aminu looks and plays awkwardly, leading many scouts to deem him a long-term project.  Personally, I find Aminu's ability to contribute while he learns to be astounding.  Before all is said and done, he'll likely challenge for an All-American slot.  He may need some seasoning, but all the tools are there, and he'd be a great value at #11.

 

12) New Orleans Hornets- Paul George- SF (Fresno State)

 

New Orleans could really use an infusion of youth and athleticism on the perimeter, and George is a great fit.  He doesn't have a great outside shot, but he has good size and slashing ability.  He can also get to the rim at will and has been very impressive converting opportunities at the free throw line.

 

13) Sacramento Kings- Greg Monroe- PF (Georgetown)

 

Monroe is possibly the most polarizing prospect in this class, he has all the tools to be a great NBA player, but simply hasn't put them to use in his first year plus at Georgetown.  He exploded for 24 points and 15 rebounds against an undersized Butler team on Tuesday, but mismatches like that will be few and far between at the next level.  Sacramento could use a franchise small forward, but Omri Casspi has done a nice job thus far and with George, Aminu, Turner, Ebanks, and Johnson all off the board, they'll take the best player available and hope to hit a homerun.

 

14) Oklahoma City Thunder- Solomon Alabi- C (Florida State)

 

Alabi has been solid, but unimpressive so far this season, but he has great size (7'1") and a surprising free throw stroke (90%).  He is definitely a project, as are most players of his size, but Oklahoma City needs help at the center position and after Aldrich, Alabi is the best available option.

 

15) Minnesota Timberwolves (from Charlotte via Denver)- James Anderson- SG (Oklahoma City)

 

Minnesota grabbed Favors at number two to sure up their long-term frontcourt rotation, but they still need a lot of help on the perimeter.  With a wealth of cap space and (up to) three first-rounders to dangle, a big name trade could be a possibility for the Timberwolves, but if they stay at #15, Anderson's scoring ability and jump shot would make him a solid asset.

 

16) Washington Wizards- Jarvis Varnado- PF (Mississippi State)

 

For as bad as the Wizards have been, they find themselves right in the thick of the playoff race in the East, thanks to a 2-2 week and the ongoing decay of their conference.  Making a playoff run makes a much-discussed trade less likely, and a defensive-minded big man would be the best fit with the current cast of characters.  Varnado is hands down the best shot blocker in the country, which would make him a good fit on Washington's interior.

 

17) Miami Heat (from Toronto)- DeMarcus Cousins- PF (Kentucky)

 

Miami may be the biggest mover in the upcoming off-season.  All of that uncertainty makes drafting for team need out of the question.  Cousins is the best player on the board at #17 because of his potential and his offensive skills.  He definitely needs some seasoning, but he could turn into a very good NBA player, and would be a valuable trade chip sooner rather than later.

 

18) Houston Rockets- Jerome Jordan- C (Tulsa)

 

Houston has some good things going.  They have a solid twosome at point guard (Aaron Brooks and Kyle Lowry), a strong perimeter rotation (Trevor Ariza, Shane Battier, Chase Budinger), and a surplus at power forward (Luis Scola, Carl Landry, Chuck Hayes, David Andersen).  They also have two huge question marks in injured stars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming.  McGrady will almost certainly be gone next season, and Yao's availability is still very much up in the air.  Even if Yao is healthy, keeping him that way is a huge concern, and having a true 7-footer like Jordan to spell him would do wonders for Yao's feet and knees.

 

19) San Antonio Spurs- Quincy Pondexter- SF (Washington)

 

Pondexter seems to be the type of fundamental, do-it-all player that Greg Popovich loves.  He may not have the athleticism of Richard Jefferson or many of the other small forwards in this class, but he is an all-around basketball player who could fit in with the Spurs in the long-term.

 

20) Minnesota Timberwolves (from Utah)- Jan Vesely- SF/PF (Czech Republic)

 

Vesely has great size (6'11") and could play multiple positions for Minnesota.  Most importantly, though, Vesely could be stashed in Europe for another year or two, which would clear up a roster spot for the very young Timberwolves.

 

21) Miami Heat- Terrico White- SG (Mississippi)

 

Miami continues to grab the best players available, adding White, the SEC's reigning freshman of the year to their mix.  He has struggled some as a sophomore, but can score in bunches and would take some of the pressure off of Dwyane Wade in the Miami backcourt.

 

22) Portland Trail Blazers- Craig Brackins- PF (Iowa State)

 

Most people in basketball circles expect a trade of Andre Miller to come sooner rather than later, and a resulting move could have a big impact on this pick.  Portland is stocked with talent and is looking for depth.  A foreign player like Vesely or Alexey Shved is very possible here as well, but Brackins is by far the best player available.

 

23) New Jersey Nets (from Dallas)- Larry Sanders- PF/C (Virginia Commonwealth)

 

The Nets could use a defensive presence on the interior, and if they pass on Favors at the top, Sanders would be a good consolation prize at the end of the first round.

 

24) Oklahoma City Thunder (from Phoenix)- Kemba Walker- PG (Connecticut)

 

For all of Oklahoma City's strides in the past few drafts, they find themselves very thin at point guard.  Behind Russell Westbrook on the Thunder's depth chart you'll find Kevin Ollie and Shaun Livingston.  Walker would be a huge improvement.

 

25) Atlanta Hawks- Patrick Patterson- PF (Kentucky)

 

Patterson has a nice offensive game, which would be a nice compliment to Josh Smith's overpowering defense.  He would also be a nice upgrade from aging veteran Joe Smith.

 

26) Memphis Grizzlies (from Denver)- Chris Wright- SF (Dayton)

 

Memphis will hope to land a better up-and-down athlete to replace Rudy Gay, but Wright has a nice game and a lot of versatility.  He'll be able to guard multiple positions with skills similar to Minnesota's Ryan Gomes.

 

27) Orlando Magic- Sheron Collins- PG (Kansas)

 

Collins is a similar prospect to Jameer Nelson when he came out of St. Joseph's a few years back.  He is undersized and wide, but is a great ball-handler with the ability to stretch the floor.

 

28) Boston Celtics- Gani Lawal- PF (Georgia Tech)

 

Lawal has taken a back seat to freshman Derrick Favors, but he's still putting up nice numbers, and has shown a very positive team-first attitude.  He'd be a nice addition to Boston's reserve unit.

 

29) Cleveland Cavaliers- Lance Stephenson- SG (Cincinnati)

 

Stephenson is a local prospect with a ton of athleticism and upside.  He definitely needs some seasoning, but could learn and mature a lot playing alongside LeBron James.

 

30) Memphis Grizzlies (from LA Lakers)- Alexey Shved- PG/SG (Russia)

 

Shved has good size (6'7") and solid combo guard skills.  He'll likely need at least two more years in Europe before he's ready to contribute stateside, but he's worth a shot with the third of Memphis's first-rounders.

NBA Power Rankings- December 7th

CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDERS

1)    LA Lakers (16-3)- (W-NOH, MIA, PHO) Last: 1

2)    Cleveland (15-5)- (W-PHO, CHI, MIL) Last: 3

3)    Boston (16-4)- (W-CHA, SAS, OKC) Last: 6

4)    Orlando (16-4)- (W-NYK, GSW) Last: 4

5)    Denver (15-5)- (W-GSW, MIA, SAS) Last: 8

6)    Atlanta (14-6)- (W-TOR, DAL; L-NYK) Last: 7

PLAYOFF POSITION

7)    Phoenix (15-6)- (W-SAC; L-NYK, CLE, LAL) Last: 2

8)    Dallas (14-7)- (W-PHI, NJN; L-MEM, ATL) Last: 5

9)    Portland (13-8)- (W-HOU; L-MIA) Last: 11

10) Miami (11-9)- (W-POR, SAC; L-DEN, LAL) Last: 12

11) Utah (11-8)- (W-MEM, IND; L-MIN) Last: 9

12) San Antonio (9-8)- (L-BOS, DEN) Last: 10

13) Houston (11-9)- (W-LAC, GSW; L-POR) Last: 13

14) Oklahoma City (10-9)- (W-PHI; L-BOS) Last: 14

SERIOUS STRUGGLES

15) Toronto (9-13)- (W-WAS, CHI; L-WAS, ATL) Last: 16

16) Sacramento (9-10)- (W-IND; L-PHO, MIA) Last: 18

17) New Orleans (8-11)- (W-MIN; L-LAL) Last: 19

18) LA Clippers (9-11)- (W-IND; L-HOU) Last: 22

19) Washington (7-12)- (W-TOR, MIL; L-TOR, DET) Last: 23

20) Charlotte (8-11)- (W-PHI; L-BOS, NJN) Last: 15

21) Milwaukee (9-10)- (W-CHI; L-WAS, DET, CLE) Last: 17

22) Chicago (7-11)- (W-DET; L-MIL, CLE, TOR) Last: 20

23) Detroit (8-12)- (W-MIL, WAS; L-CHI) Last: 25

24) Memphis (8-12)- (W-MIN, DAL; L-UTA) Last: 27

25) New York (6-15)- (W-PHO, ATL, NJN; L-ORL) Last: 28

26) Golden State (6-13)- (W-IND; L-DEN, HOU, ORL) Last: 24

27) Indiana (6-12)- (L-GSW, SAC, UTA, LAC) Last: 21

28) Philadelphia (5-15)- (L-DAL, OKC, CHA) Last: 26

29) Minnesota (3-17)- (W-UTA; L-MEM, NOH) Last: 29

30) New Jersey (1-19)- (W-CHA; L-DAL, NYK) Last: 30

2010 NBA Mock Draft (Version 4)

2010 NBA Draft- First Round (Order Based on my most recent power rankings)

 

1)    New Jersey Nets- John Wall- PG (Kentucky)

 

The last time I had New Jersey with the top pick, I had them opting for Derrick Favors instead.  I still think that will be a possibility because Favors is a much better fit for this franchise, but Wall's talent is too much to pass up.  Devin Harris is a good young player, who still has a lot of room to grow, but Wall has all the makings of a superstar.  He has good size (at 6'4") and tons of athleticism. Although he has been turnover prone, he has shown good ability to get his teammates involved (7.8 assists per game), while finding time for his own offense (18.5 points per game on 56% field goals and 80% free throws).  Wall has also averaged 2.5 steals and .8 blocks per game.  Refining his 3-point stroke seems to be the last frontier to superstardom for Wall, who at only 19-years old has plenty of time to work out the kinks.

 

2)    Minnesota Timberwolves- Derrick Favors- PF (Georgia Tech)

 

Minnesota badly needs a perimeter scoring option, but David Kahn showed in his first draft with the team that he'd put value and ability above team need, especially in the top five.  Favors is a freak athlete with an NBA body (6'10" and 246 lbs) and the game to match.  In five games at Georgia Tech, Favors has averaged 13.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game on 72% shooting from the field.  He is still young, but learning from an NBA great like Kurt Rambis could do him a world of good, and a frontcourt rotation of Al Jefferson, Kevin Love, and Favors would make Jonny Flynn and Ricky Rubio look very, very good.

 

3)    Utah Jazz (from New York via Phoenix)- Ed Davis- PF (North Carolina)

 

Scouts are drooling over Davis's potential.  He is averaging 14 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks on 70% shooting as a true sophomore and still has a lot of room to grow.  Utah will almost certainly lose Carlos Boozer this off-season and Davis would make a very nice replacement.

 

Personally, in the games that I've seen Davis play, I don't see it.  He's a solid player with good touch, but he seems generally disinterested most of the time.  He almost always trails the play up the floor, and in the final minutes of a close game against Michigan State last night, he got out-hustled for a rebound multiple times by Draymond Green.  He also looked hesitant to challenge shots and nearly threw away an inbounds pass that would have cut a tenuous six-point lead to four in the closing moments.

 

4)    Memphis Grizzlies- Willie Warren- PG (Oklahoma)

 

Warren has really been impressive in the early season for the Sooners.  After playing in the shadow of Blake Griffin last season, Warren has responded as a team leader in his sophomore season, averaging 20 points and six assists per game.  He has some troubling stats, particularly his 41.8% shooting percentage and his turnover rate (4.2 per game), but his ability to run the point has turned some heads.  The Grizzlies passed on a point guard last year, and if the signings of Allen Iverson and Jamaal Tinsley are any indication, they won't do it again this time around.

 

5)    Philadelphia 76ers- Wesley Johnson- SG (Syracuse)

 

Johnson transferred from Iowa State to Syracuse and debuted with a splash on the national scene.  He led his team to upset wins of Cal and North Carolina in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic and has posted 18 points, seven rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game during a 7-0 start.  Evan Turner will get a look from Philadelphia as well, but Johnson is a much more accomplished outside shooter, which makes him a better fit next to Andre Iguodala's drive-and-kick ability.

 

6)    Detroit Pistons- Cole Aldrich- C (Kansas)

 

With Rodney Stuckey, Richard Hamilton, Ben Gordon, and Will Bynum in the backcourt and two rookies backing up Tayshaun Prince at the small forward, Detroit will be one of the easiest teams to project come draft time.  Aldrich is a good fit because of his mature set of post moves and NBA readiness.  He has been steady, yet unimpressive in the first five games for the Jayhawks, averaging just less than 11 points and nine rebounds per game, but after Kansas makes a deep push in March, expect Aldrich's stock to rise significantly.

 

7)    Golden State Warriors- Evan Turner- SG (Ohio State)

 

Turner has put up eye-popping numbers trough the first six games for the Buckeyes, averaging nearly 20 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists per contest.  He is a versatile athlete, capable of playing multiple positions, and has good ball-handling skills.  All three of those traits make him a good fit to be Golden State's small forward of the future.

 

8)    Washington Wizards- Greg Monroe- PF (Georgetown)

 

Washington had high hopes coming into this season with a re-tooled roster and a new coach, but through the first quarter of the season things look pretty much the same in D.C.  If things don't turn around, a trade may be on the horizon.  If the Wizards land in the lottery and don't make a move, picking Monroe, who played locally at Georgetown seems like a move to put fans in the seats.

 

9)    LA Clippers- Al-Farouq Aminu- SF (Wake Forest)

 

Aminu looks and plays awkwardly, leading many scouts to deem him a long-term project.  Others (like myself) believe that Aminu has a natural knack for the game, which will allow him to contribute while he learns.  So far as a sophomore, Aminu has averaged 17.7 points and 11 rebounds for Wake Forest, while improving his shooting percentages in all three categories.  He may not be NBA ready, but he has a lot of athleticism and potential, so someone would be smart to snatch him up in the top ten.

 

10) Indiana Pacers- Xavier Henry- SG (Kansas)

 

Henry made a huge splash, scoring 27 points in his first college game, and will likely be the third first-year player drafted (behind Wall and Favors) if he decides to enter his name.  He has good size (6'6" and 220 lbs) and may develop the skills to play the point guard at the next level.  Indiana needs help at both backcourt positions, so they can afford to take a bit of a gamble on Henry at #10.

 

11) Chicago Bulls- Devin Ebanks- SF (West Virginia)

 

Ebanks is a long, lengthy player with a lot of ability and upside.  He does have some questions surrounding him because of his work ethic and his absence from the Mountaineers to start the season.  He is still raw, but could mature into a very effective NBA starter.

 

12) New Orleans Hornets- Donatas Motiejunas- PF (Lithuania)

 

Motiejunas had a lot of hype before the start of the college season, but his stock has tumbled for several reasons.  First and foremost is the depth at power forward in this draft.  With players like Favors, Davis, Monroe, and Aldrich off the board, and other options (DeMarcus Cousins, Craig Brackins, Jarvis Varnado, and Gani Lawal) still available, drafting a hit-or-miss prospect like Motiejunas looks less appealing.  Additionally, all the big names are off to good starts, while Motiejunas has little chance to make noise overseas.  Another underlying factor may be the looming 2010 free agency class.  Teams looking to land a big name player will want leverage such as a big name draft pick on his way to training camp, and while Motiejunas is skilled, he isn't as big of a draw as the players drafted ahead of him.

 

With all of that said, David West is far from the All-Star that he was one or two years ago, and while I'll stop short of saying he's reached his peak, New Orleans would be smart to add a contingency plan and Motiejunas's ability to stretch the floor would leave the lane clear for Chris Paul to operate.

 

13) Sacramento Kings- Paul George- SF (Fresno State)

 

Sacramento would be thrilled to land a player of George's caliber at #13.  They have a strong foundation of young players reminiscent of the Trail Blazers of a couple of years ago, and could be a force in the Western Conference with a strong 2010 off-season.  Although he is slight of build at this point, he has prototypical small forward size (6'8") and athleticism.  He also has the ability to stretch the floor (38.5% 3-point shooting) and defend (2.2 steals).

 

14) Oklahoma City Thunder- DeMarcus Cousins- PF (Kentucky)

 

Cousins has some questions about his work ethic, but has a ton of athleticism and can really defend.  If Cousins buys in to the team concept in Oklahoma City and develops the way may anticipate, the Thunder could be a legitimate championship contender as soon as 2012.

 

15) Milwaukee Bucks- Craig Brackins- PF (Iowa State)

 

Brackins's impressive numbers from last year have come back to earth slightly, but he will still challenge for inclusion in the lottery.  He has a great face-up game, a very dangerous jump shot, and he is underrated defensively (1.3 steals and 1.7 blocks per game).

 

16) Miami Heat (from Toronto)- Jarvis Varnado- PF/C (Mississippi State)

 

Miami will hope to land a big name free agent to play alongside Dwyane Wade this summer, but no one in the class will have a bigger defensive impact than Varnado.  The Mississippi State senior is averaging 5.5 blocks per game, along with career highs in points (14.5) and rebounds (10).

 

17) Minnesota Timberwolves (from Charlotte via Denver)- James Anderson- SG (Oklahoma State)

 

Anderson's skills bare a striking resemblance to those of 2009 first-rounder Wayne Ellington, but Minnesota needs a lot of help on the perimeter and adding another deadly outside shooter couldn't hurt.  Anderson is averaging 22.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game while shooting over 50% from the field.

 

18) Houston Rockets- Solomon Alabi- C (Florida State)

 

Whether Alabi is a replacement for Yao Ming or simply a fill-in to keep him healthy, Houston could use his skills.  Alabi has a huge 7'1" frame and not unlike Yao, is remarkably skilled at the free throw stripe, shooting an even 95% this season.

 

19) Miami Heat- Terrico White- SG (Mississippi)

 

Quite frankly, White is the best player on the board at #19.  He is off to a sub-par start to his sophomore season, but is still averaging 17 points per game for 5-1 Mississippi.

 

20) Portland Trail Blazers- Quincy Pondexter- SF (Washington)

 

Pondexter is a local product from The University of Washington and is steadily rising on draft boards because of an unbelievable start to the season.  Through five games, Pondexter is averaging 20.6 points and 11 rebounds on 54% shooting from the field and 89% shooting from the line.  He may not be the answer at small forward for the Blazers, but he'll certainly make a nice addition to their wing rotation.

 

21) San Antonio Spurs- Luke Babbit- SF (Nevada)

 

Babbit doesn't have the athleticism or flash of Richard Jefferson, but he's a smart player with good instincts and he's very coachable.  He seems like the type of player that could thrive under Greg Popovich.

 

22) Minnesota Timberwolves (from Utah)- Chris Wright- SF (Dayton)

 

Wright is a versatile athlete in the Ryan Gomes mold who could fit nicely into Minnesota's rotation down the line.

 

23) Memphis Grizzlies (from Denver)- Jan Vesely- PF (Czech Republic)

 

Memphis has had a plethora of picks in the last few drafts and has young players at almost every position.  They make try to package this pick with their other late first rounder to move up and grab a player ready to contribute, but if not, they'll grab Vesely, who has good size and the ability to play up to three positions.

 

24) Atlanta Hawks- Patrick Patterson- PF (Kentucky)

 

Patterson is a great value at #24 and has arguably the best offensive skill set of any big man on the Hawks' roster from day one. 

 

25) Boston Celtics- Jerome Jordan- C (Tulsa)

 

Jordan has quietly put up very solid numbers at Tulsa this season and is the legit 7-footer the Boston could use when Rasheed Wallace retires.  He is averaging 16 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks through six games.

 

26) New Jersey Nets (from Dallas)- Gani Lawal- PF (Georgia Tech)

 

After passing on Favors at #1, the Nets land the other Georgia Tech power forward at #26.  Lawal has less upside than Favors, but has put up similar numbers at this point of the season.

 

27) Orlando Magic- Kemba Walker- PG (Connecticut)

 

Orlando is perhaps the deepest team in the league, but turning to Jason Williams at point guard has to be a cause for concern, and considering that Jameer Nelson has sustained serious injuries in back-to-back seasons, it may be time to add a promising backup. After Wall and Warren, this draft is very thin at point guard, so the choice should be between Walker and Sheron Collins here.  While neither have abundant size, Walker is lightning quick and has good upside.

 

28) Cleveland Cavaliers- Larry Sanders- C (Virginia Commonwealth)

 

Cleveland has the oldest center rotation in recent memory and could really use a youthful defensive presence on the inside.  Jordan would have been a perfect fit, but Sanders will do nicely, as well.

 

29) Oklahoma City Thunder (from Phoenix)- Arnett Moultrie- PF (Texas-El Paso)

 

The Thunder take a page out of Minnesota and Chicago's book from the 2009 draft and draft the same position back-to-back with Moultrie at #29 following Cousins at #14.  Moultrie has far less upside, but will be ready to contribute from day one and be a steadying force defensively for a frontcourt rotation that currently boasts such names as Etan Thomas, Nick Collison, and D.J. White.

 

30) Memphis Grizzlies (from LA Lakers)- Damion James- SF (Texas)

 

James is a versatile hybrid forward who is currently averaging 15.4 points and 10.2 rebounds for 5-0 Texas.  He'll likely land somewhere in the late first round, and if Memphis keep all three of their first rounders, they'd be wise to grab him.

NBA Power Rankings- November 30th

CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDERS

1)    LA Lakers (13-3)- (W-NYK, GSW, NJN) Last: 1

2)    Phoenix (14-3)- (W-MEM, MIN, TOR) Last: 2

3)    Cleveland (12-5)- (W-DET, DAL; L-CHA) Last: 4

4)    Orlando (14-4)- (W-ATL, MIL, NYK; L-MIA) Last: 5

5)    Dallas (12-5)- (W- HOU, IND; L-GSW, CLE) Last: 3

6)    Boston (13-4)- (W-PHI, TOR, MIA) Last: 6

7)    Atlanta (12-5)- (W-PHI; L-ORL, DET) Last: 7

PLAYOFF POSITION

8)    Denver (12-5)- (W-NJN, MIN, NYK; L-MIN) Last: 8

9)    Utah (9-7)- (W-CHI, POR; L-OKC) Last: 13

10) San Antonio (9-6)- (W-MIL, GSW, HOU, PHI) Last: 17

11) Portland (12-7)- (W-CHI, NJN; L-MEM, UTA) Last: 10

12) Miami (9-7)- (W-ORL; L-WAS, BOS) Last: 9

13) Houston (9-8)- (W-OKC; L-DAL, SAS) Last: 11

14) Oklahoma City (9-8)- (W- UTA, MIL; L-HOU) Last: 14

15) Charlotte (7-9)- (W-TOR, CLE, WAS) Last: 24

16) Toronto (7-11)- (W-IND; L-CHA, BOS, PHO) Last: 15

17) Milwaukee (8-7)- (L-SAS, NOH, OKC, ORL) Last: 12

LOTTERY BOUND

18) Sacramento (8-8)- (W-NYK, NJN, NOH; L-MEM) Last: 20

19) New Orleans (7-10)- (W-MIL; L-SAC) Last: 18

20) Chicago (6-8)- (L-POR, UTA) Last: 16

21) Indiana (6-8)- (W- LAC; L-TOR, DAL) Last: 19

22) LA Clippers (8-10)- (W-MIN, DET, MEM; L-IND) Last: 27

23) Washington (5-10)- (W-PHI, MIA; L-CHA) Last: 23

24) Golden State (5-10)- (W-DAL; L-SAS, LAL) Last: 26

25) Detroit (6-11)- (W-ATL; L-CLE, LAC) Last: 21

26) Philadelphia (5-12)- (L-WAS, BOS, ATL, SAS) Last: 22

27) Memphis (6-11)- (W-SAC, POR; L-PHO, LAC) Last: 25

28) New York (3-14)- (L-LAL, SAC, DEN, ORL) Last: 28

29) Minnesota (2-15)- (W-DEN; L-LAC, DEN, PHO) Last: 30

30) New Jersey (0-17)- (L-DEN, POR, SAC, LAL) Last: 29

NBA Recap-November 26th

Orlando 93, Atlanta 76

 

Studs: Dwight Howard finally looked like Superman on Thursday night, posting 22 points, 17 rebounds, and four blocks against the Hawks.  End-of-the-bench reserve Anthony Johnson chipped in with 17 points including three 3-pointers in 21 minutes.  Joe Johnson led Atlanta with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Josh Smith came off the bench for 13 points and 14 rebounds.

Duds: Jamal Crawford was 4-for-13, Mike Bibby was 4-for-11, and Smith was 6-for-17 for the Hawks.  Starters Jason Williams and Mickael Pietrus combined to shoot 2-for-10 for Orlando.

Game Notes: Atlanta attempted only seven free throws, making only three for 42.9%, as Orlando was whistled for just 12 team fouls… The Hawks led by 12 at the half, but scored just 25 points over the final 24 minutes… Orlando has won four straight games at Atlanta.

 

Utah 105, Chicago 86

 

Studs: Carlos Boozer led the Jazz with 28 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three blocks on 12-for-14 shooting; and Deron Williams shot 9-for-11 on his way to 21 points, six assists, and three steals.  Luol Deng led Chicago with 16 points and eight boards, while Derrick Rose added 19 points.

Duds: John Salmons was 4-for-11 and the Bulls' bench was just 4-for-19 with 18 points in the loss.  Andrei Kirilenko was 1-for-7 for Utah.

Game Notes: Utah shot 60.8% from the floor, which surpassed their 56.5% effort from the free throw line… Chicago has lost four straight after winning the first of their six-game road trip against Sacramento.  They play Milwaukee on Monday before returning to The Windy City… The Jazz enjoyed a 62-42 edge in the paint… Bulls' point guard Kirk Hinrich missed the game with a sprained left thumb.

NBA Recap-November 25th

Indiana 86, LA Clippers 73

 

Studs: Troy Murphy and Dahntay Jones scored 18 points apiece and Luther Head scored 14 off the Pacers' bench.  Baron Davis led L.A. with 25 points and Marcus Camby added 15 points and 21 rebounds in the loss.

Duds: Chris Kaman and Al Thornton combined to shoot an astounding 5-for-34 (14.7%) for the Clippers, who shot just 32.2% as a team.  Kaman also had five turnovers.  Brandon Rush was 4-for-13 and Tyler Hansbrough was 1-for-7 for Indiana.

Game Notes: Murphy came up big in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 of his 18 points for the Pacers, who were playing their first game this season without All-Star Danny Granger.  Granger missed the game with a strained left knee and is questionable for Friday's game against Dallas… The Clippers led by as many as 11, but surrendered the lead while being outscored 31-14 in the fourth quarter… Eric Gordon made his return for L.A. after missing eight games with a strained groin.  He posted six points on 2-for-7 shooting in 27 minutes.

 

Charlotte 106, Toronto 81

 

Studs: Gerald Wallace led all scorers with 31 points and added 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks as Charlotte dismantled the Raptors.  Stephen Jackson added 23 points and six assists in the win.  Chris Bosh led Toronto with 18 points and 14 rebounds, and Amir Johnson added 13 points, eight rebounds, two steals, and three blocks off the bench.

Duds: Bosh shot just 5-for-14, while teammates Jarrett Jack (1-for-9), Marco Belinelli (2-for-9), and DeMar DeRozan (4-for-12) also struggled, and Jose Calderon committed six turnovers.

Game Notes: Charlotte dominated the Raptors on the inside on both ends.  The Bobcats tallied 16 blocks as a team (led by six from Tyson Chandler) and outscored Toronto 74-44 in the paint… The 35-point margin of victory is the biggest in Bobcats' team history… Charlotte is now 5-2 at home and 0-7 on the road… Bobcats' rookie Gerald Henderson posted a career-high 15 points on 5-for-9 shooting.

 

Boston113, Philadelphia 110

Studs: All five Celtics' starters scored in double figures, but Paul Pierce looked like Boston's unquestioned leader, tallying 27 points, six rebounds, and six assists on 10-for-15 shooting in 43 minutes.  Eddie House added 13 points off the bench.  Andre Iguodala flirted with a triple-double, but finished with 25 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists for the 76ers, while Jason Kapono (20 points) and Willie Green (18 points) had big games off the bench.

Duds: Jrue Holiday shot just 4-for-13 with four turnovers in his first career start for Philadelphia.  Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels were each 2-for-7 shooting for Boston.

Game Notes: Philadelphia's Elton Brand was a game-time decision, but missed the game with a tight right hamstring, and starting point guard Lou Williams will miss up to two months after breaking his jaw on Tuesday against Washington… The 76ers shot 13-for-20 from 3-point range (65%)… Wallace had missed 14 straight 3-pointers before a third-quarter make.

 

Miami 99, Orlando 98

 

Studs: Dwyane Wade led the Heat with 24 points, six assists, four rebounds, three steals, and two blocks; and Michael Beasley added 15 points and 12 rebounds as Miami held on for a big win over Orlando.  A resurgent Jason Williams led the Magic with 25 points and eight assists, while Vince Carter added 22 points, and Dwight Howard gathered 16 rebounds in the loss.

Duds: Rashard Lewis was 3-for-15 and Mickael Pietrus was 3-for-11 for Orlando.  Wade shot just 6-for-22 and Mario Chalmers missed all four of his field goal attempts for the Heat.

Game Notes: Beasley converted a tip-in dunk off of a Wade miss in the closing seconds to give Miami the win.  Orlando protested, believing that the play should have been overturned for basket interference… Williams and Howard each missed a pair of free throws in the closing moments that could have closed it out for the Magic… Orlando made 14-of-31 3-point attempts in the loss… Howard and Miami center Jermaine O'Neal got into a bit of a tussle in the second quarter, which resulted in a technical foul for O'Neal.

 

New Orleans 102, Milwaukee 99 (OT)

 

Studs: David West led all scorers with 27 points and added eight rebounds, while Darren Collison got the better of fellow-rookie Brandon Jennings on this night, posting 18 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds in the overtime win.  Luke Ridnour had 23 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds; and fellow-reserve Hakim Warrick added 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Bucks.  Jennings had 14 points, with the same eight assists and seven rebounds as Collison.

Duds: Jennings shot just 4-for-15, while Michael Redd (4-for-16) and Ersan Ilyasova (2-for-10) also struggled for Milwaukee.  Peja Stojakovic was 3-for-16 for the Hornets.

Game Notes: New Orleans shot just 36.6% and committed 23 turnovers, but won behind a 28-for-31 (90.3%) effort from the free throw line… Milwaukee got just 37 points from their starters… The Hornets have now won 4-of-5 games and sit just two games below .500 at 7-9… Collison has scored in double figures in eight straight games… New Orleans has won 11 straight overtime games at home.

 

Cleveland 98, Detroit 88

 

Studs: LeBron James led the Cavaliers with 34 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists; and Mo Williams added 14 points and eight assists in the win.  Rodney Stuckey had 25 points to lead the Pistons, who also got 19 points and eight rebounds from Charlie Villanueva.

Duds: Will Bynum was an atrocious 1-for-13 shooting with three turnovers for Detroit.  Teammate Jonas Jerebko committed four turnovers before fouling out after just 30 minutes.

Game Notes: Cleveland shot 50% from the floor and 52.9% from 3-point range… Detroit tallied just 12 team assists on 31 made field goals, including a goose egg from Stuckey, the team's starting point guard… Ben Gordon left the game in the second quarter with a sprained ankle.  No timetable has been set for his return… On his status for Friday's game against Charlotte, Shaquille O'Neal said bluntly, "I'm playing".

 

Denver 124, Minnesota 111

 

Studs: Carmelo Anthony scored 22 points and Nene added 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and three blocks as the Nuggets beat Minnesota.  Corey Brewer led the Timberwolves with 22 points on 10-for-18 shooting, and Ryan Hollins added 19 points on 8-for-9 from the field in the loss.

Duds: Al Jefferson and Jonny Flynn were each just 6-for-15 from the field, and Brewer made just 2-of-6 free throw attempts, as Minnesota made only 67.9% of its attempts from the charity stripe.

Game Notes: Anthony is the only player in the league who has scored above 20 points in each game this season… Minnesota outscored the Nuggets in the paint by a margin of 50-34… Denver recorded 30 assists on 42 made field goals… The Timberwolves scored 69 second-half points to surpass the 87-point mark for the first time since November 9^th… Minnesota is now1-14, and off to the worst start in franchise history after losing 14 straight.  Nine of the last 10 of those losses have been by double figures.

 

Dallas 130, Houston 99

 

Studs: Jason Terry made 10-of-11 shots and led all scorers with 27 points as Dallas got a blowout win against the Rockets.  Dirk Nowitzki added 25 points and eight rebounds, and Tim Thomas shot 9-for-13 on his way to 27 points in the win.  Carl Landry was 9-for-11 for Houston, while teammate Trevor Ariza added 20 points.

Duds: Chuck Hayes, Kyle Lowry, and Chase Budinger combined to shoot 2-for-21 (9.5%) from the field and 2-for-7 (28.6%) from the free throw line with seven points and six turnovers.  Rodrigue Beaubois shot 3-for-7, and was the only Maverick below 50% from the floor.

Game Notes: Dallas shot an eye-popping 65.5% from the floor and 52.9% from the 3-point line, on their way to 68 first-half points and 62 second-half points… The Mavericks had a 20-4 edge in fast break points and turned 17 Houston giveaways into 29 points at the other end… Jason Kidd tallied seven assists to move ahead of Marc Jackson for second all-time.  Kidd now has 10,337 for his career, but is still more than 5,400 behind John Stockton… After Terry checked in with 7:28 left in the first quarter, Dallas made nine straight shots and went on a 26-0 run.

 

San Antonio 118, Golden State 104

 

Studs: Tony Parker looked like he was back at full strength, posting 32 points and seven assists, and Tim Duncan shot 10-for-12 with 20 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and three blocks for the Spurs.  Monta Ellis led Golden State with 42 points on 16-for-25 shooting, and Anthony Randolph chipped in with 12 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks off the bench.

Duds: Stephen Curry was just 5-for-16, while fellow-starter Vlad Radmanovic shot 2-for-8 in the loss.  Keith Bogans (1-for-6) and George Hill (3-for-12) struggled for San Antonio.

Game Notes: San Antonio outscored the Warriors in the paint 58-44 and registered 30 assists on 44 made field goals…. Ellis tied a career high with his 42 point outburst… Golden State hasn't won in San Antonio since Valentine's Day, 1997.

 

Phoenix 126, Memphis 111

Studs: Amare Stoudemire recorded 28 points and Steve Nash posted 11 points and 16 assists.  Channing Frye and Jason Richardson also made three 3-pointers each, and Grant Hill was 6-for-6 from the field for Phoenix.  Zach Randolph had 24 points and 13 rebounds (10 offensive) to lead the Grizzlies.  Rookie Sam Young chipped in with 14 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Duds: Rudy Gay was 6-for-15 and Mike Conley was 3-for-8, but the real problem for Memphis was on defense, as the Grizzlies forced just eight Suns' turnovers.  Hill made all six field goals, but missed all three of his free throw attempts.

Game Notes: Phoenix was the second team to shoot over 60% on the night, posting 61.9% as a unit, with 52 made field goals… Memphis won the battle for the paint 66-56… The Suns shot 17-for-20 (85%) in the third quarter after making their first 12 shots of the period.

 

Portland 93, New Jersey 83

 

Studs: Greg Oden led six Blazers in double figures with 18 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks. Brook Lopez posted a career-high 32 points, along with 14 rebounds and two blocks in a losing effort for the Nets.

Duds: New Jersey's defense combined to shoot 5-for-18 from the floor with 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and seven turnovers in 82 minutes.  LaMarcus shot 4-for-13 for Portland.

Game Notes: New Jersey outscored the Blazers 52-28 in the paint, but made just one 3-pointer and 10 free throws… The Nets have now lost 15 straight games to open the season, trailing the NBA record by just two defeats.  Before playing the Lakers on Sunday, they have a legitimate shot to win against the Kings on Friday… Oden is 27-for-36 (75%) from the floor in his last four games.

 

Sacramento 111, New York 97

 

Studs: Donte Greene led the Kings with 24 points and rookie Tyreke Evans added 19 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals in a well-rounded performance.  Spencer Hawes made 7-of-8 shots on his way to 16 points in the win.  Nate Robinson and David Lee scored 25 points apiece for the Knicks.  Lee added 12 rebounds, while Robinson tallied five assists.

Duds: Wilson Chandler, Chris Duhon, and Toney Douglas each made just one field goal, as the trio combined to shoot 3-for-17 from the field.  Sergio Rodriguez scored 15 off the Kings' bench, but he did so on 4-for-13 shooting.

Game Notes: New York shot just 38.5% from the field, compared to 48.3% for the Kings… Sacramento won the battle down low, outscoring New York 52-34 in the paint… Greene made six 3-pointers and tied a career high with his 24 points.  He has averaged 20.3 points per game in his three starts this season… Beno Udrih missed the game due to illness… The Kings are 5-2 at home and 1-6 on the road this season.

NBA Recap-November 24th

Washington 108, Philadelphia 107

 

Studs: Antawn Jamison had game-highs with 32 points and 14 rebounds and Nick Young made 8-of-16 field goals on his way to a season-high 20 points as Washington eked out a win over Philadelphia.  Lou Williams had a team-high 26 points and Thaddeus Young had 23 for the 76ers.  Rookie Jrue Holiday also showed a flash of his vast potential, posting 11 points, six rebounds, two steals, and a block in just 10 minutes off the bench in the loss.

Duds: Elton Brand shot just 1-for-9 and reserve Willie Green was 1-for-6 in his 17 minutes for Philadelphia.  Gilbert Arenas committed six turnovers for the Wizards.

Game Notes: Long-time Wizards owner Abe Pollin passed away earlier in the day at the age of 85…  The 76ers led by one at the half, but allowed Washington to run out to a 10-point lead after a 40-29 third quarter, before closing to one in the final seconds… Williams missed the potential game winner at the buzzer… Wizards' center JaVale McGee had a career-high six blocks in just 14 minutes… Caron Butler missed the game with a sore right ankle.

 

Toronto 123, Indiana 112

 

Studs: Toronto had seven players in double figures led by their point guards, as Jose Calderon posted 21 points and seven assists and Jarrett Jack added 18 points and six assists off the bench.  Danny Granger led all scorers with 36 points, and added nine rebounds and five assists; and Troy Murphy made his return to the starting lineup with 11 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two blocks for Indiana.

Duds: Brandon Rush was 4-for-11 and just 1-for-7 from inside the 3-point line for the Pacers.  Chris Bosh started the game 2-for-12 and ended up 5-for-19 overall in the win.

Game Notes: Indiana allowed 74 first-half points and trailed by 21 at the intermission… Aside from Bosh, the rest of the Raptors shot 38-for-58 from the field (65.5%)… Calderon and Jack each recorded season highs in scoring.  Jack's 18 points came on perfect 7-for-7 shooting… The Pacers made 12 3-pointers, including seven by Granger… A couple of lineup notes- Jeff Foster made his first start of the season for Indiana, while Marco Belinelli and Antoine Wright returned from injuries for the Raptors.

 

Golden State 111, Dallas 103

 

Studs: The short-handed Warriors got a big win in Dallas behind 37 points, eight assists, and four steals from Monta Ellis; and 27 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals from Anthony Morrow.  Both outings were season-highs in scoring.  Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 28 points and 10 rebounds, and Drew Gooden added 14 points and 12 boards.  Jason Kidd was five points short of a triple double after tallying 10 rebounds and 13 assists.

Duds: Nowitzki had five turnovers and Jason Terry had four for Dallas, who shot a respectable 46.3% from the field.  Ellis committed a career-worst 11 turnovers for Golden State.

Game Notes: Golden State used just six players, but showed no signs of fatigue, shooting 11-for-17 in the fourth quarter (64.7%), led by 13 points by Ellis in the frame, and 11 points by Stephen Curry over the final four minutes… Warriors' coach Don Nelson missed the game with pneumonia.  A timetable for his return is still unclear.  Assistant coach Keith Smart will run the team in Nelson's absence… Mavericks' forward Shawn Marion had his return to the team delayed after experiencing pain during pre-game warm-ups.

 

Denver 101, New Jersey 87

 

Studs: Carmelo Anthony led the Nuggets with 27 points, six rebounds, and four steals; and Nene added 17 points, nine rebounds, and five steals.  Aaron Afflalo chipped in with 15 points, eight rebounds, and four assists in the win.  Point guards Rafer Alston and Devin Harris had 19 points apiece for the Nets.  Harris also added seven rebounds and six assists.

Duds: Harris shot just 4-for-14, Courtney Lee was 2-for-7, and Chris Douglas-Roberts, New Jersey's leading scorer, was just 1-for-6 with four points.  Kenyon Martin was 2-for-10 and Chauncey Billups was 1-for-8 for Denver.

Game Notes: The teams combined for 45 turnovers (22 by Denver and 23 by New Jersey)… The Nuggets outscored the Nets 60-32 in the paint… The Nets are now three losses away from tying the all time record of 17 straight to start a season.  Their next three games are all on the west coast, against Portland, Sacramento, and the Lakers.  Their 18^th game is at home against the Mavericks… Anthony is leading the league in scoring and the only player to hit 20 points in every game this season… Denver follows up the game against winless New Jersey with a road contest against 1-13 Minnesota on Wednesday.

 

Oklahoma City 104, Utah 94

 

Studs: The Thunder got 64 points from their big three, led by 28 points, five rebounds, and eight assists from Kevin Durant; and 19 points, six rebounds, five assists, and four steals from Jeff Green.  Carlos Boozer had a team-high 26 points for the Jazz, who also got 19 points and seven rebounds on 8-for-11 shooting from Paul Milsap. 

Duds: Deron Williams was 5-for-14 with seven turnovers, and Mehmet Okur was 5-for-13 in his return to the lineup from the flu.  Boozer and Milsap also had five turnovers each, as the Jazz gave it away 24 times in the loss.  Thabo Sefolosha was 1-for-6 for the Thunder.

Game Notes: Utah outscored the Thunder 54-30 in the paint, but Oklahoma City had a +15 advantage from 3-point range and a seven-point edge at the free throw line… Okur made his 439^th 3-pointer for the Jazz, breaking Jeff Hornacek's franchise record… The win was the first for the Thunder organization since April 2007, when they were still the Seattle Supersonics. 

 

 LA Lakers 100, New York 90

Studs: The Lakers got a balanced effort from their starters, as each player ended in double figures, led by 34 points from Kobe Bryant, 11 points and 16 rebounds from Pau Gasol, and 17 points each from Ron Artest and Andrew Bynum.  Nate Robinson and Wilson Chandler led the Knicks with 15 points apiece. 

Duds: Chandler was 5-for-20 shooting for the Knicks, while fellow starters Chris Duhon and Larry Hughes combined to go 5-for-18 from the floor.  The Lakers' bench combined to shoot 4-for-22 with just 9 points, and the team committed 25 turnovers, including six by Artest and four apiece by Bryant and Bynum.

Game Notes: L.A. went on a 17-0 run in the third quarter, holding New York scoreless for well over seven minutes… The Lakers used their noticeable size advantage to win the rebounding battle 60-36… The Knicks were called for 23 fouls, compared to just 12 for the Lakers… Knicks' center Eddy Curry left the game with a twisted knee and is considered day-to-day.