I'm so glad the NBA is back...
I don't think I could have endured another minute of hockey. I hope everyone's holidays have been triumphant successes, but let's cease the celebrating for a moment and get down to business...
When the Knicks were up 17 in this one, I really thought they were going to pull away with it -- and shame on me for that. I should know Doc Rivers' Celtics better than that by now; they don't roll over for anyone, especially Mike D'Antoni's Knicks.
With top scorer and emotional leader Paul Pierce injured and out of the lineup, the less explosive Celtics stormed back into a game that appeared to be slipping away. Point guard Rajon Rondo was simply outstanding, and newly-acquired power forward Brandon Bass was doin' work in the paint.
Bass outworked Tyson Chandler, Jared Jeffries, Renaldo Balkman and Amar'e Stoudemire on the glass, and also served as one of Boston's leading scorers.
The Celtics fought back from 17 down to take a double-digit lead at one point, but the Knicks also refused to quit. Most of the credit for the Knicks' resiliency has to go to superstar Carmelo Anthony, who finished with 37 points and the majority of New York's clutch buckets.
The Knicks squeaked out a two-point opening victory and Melo was the hero, but they lost rookie Iman Shumpert and Jeffries to injuries in the process. We'll see what kind of effect this has on D'Antoni's bench in the coming games. Overall it wasn't pretty for the Knicks...but a win's a win.
The Celtics fought back from 17 down to take a double-digit lead at one point, but the Knicks also refused to quit. Most of the credit for the Knicks' resiliency has to go to superstar Carmelo Anthony, who finished with 37 points and the majority of New York's clutch buckets.
The Knicks squeaked out a two-point opening victory and Melo was the hero, but they lost rookie Iman Shumpert and Jeffries to injuries in the process. We'll see what kind of effect this has on D'Antoni's bench in the coming games. Overall it wasn't pretty for the Knicks...but a win's a win.
Miami Heat @ Dallas Mavericks
I don't think there's any question that the Heat are on a mission this season. Both LeBron James and Dwyane Wade came out flying yesterday, and Rick Carlisle's defending-champion Mavs had no answer for the dynamic duo's skill and athleticism.
Erik Spoelstra's boys put a beating on the Mavs, and it was no fluke. The Mavs aren't the same team without two of their most explosive players in Tyson Chandler and JJ Barea. Yesterday they looked slow, old and un-athletic. They'll certainly be a playoff team but may not win their stacked division that includes the Grizzlies, Spurs, Rockets and Hornets.
One of the keys for the Heat was the smooth outside shooting of SF James Jones. We know what Miami can (and will) get from LeBron, Wade and Chris Bosh, but when perimeter guys like Jones, Shane Battier and Mike Miller are knocking down open looks, this team is nearly impossible to guard.
If the Heat stay healthy they're the best team in the NBA. It's a no-brainer.
Chicago Bulls @ Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers completely outplayed the Bulls in this one...and lost. Ouch. I've been quick to point out the Lakers' weaknesses this season but they impressed me -- without suspended starting center Andrew Bynum -- in yesterday's opener.
Kobe Bryant was spectacular, but that's hardly ever surprising. The pleasant surprises were SF Devin Ebanks, PF Josh McRoberts, PF Troy Murphy, PG Steve Blake and G Andrew Goudelock.
The Lakers brass has been talking up Ebanks since he was drafted, and he did a nice job as a sneaky starter at the small forward position. I like head coach Mike Brown's decision to go with Ebanks over veteran Matt Barnes. These Lakers need more youth and potential explosiveness.
McRoberts and Murphy played solidly as they collectively gobbled the minutes that would have belonged to Bynum. Both will have bench roles when Bynum returns from injury, but they'll likely end up battling one another for time. Blake (who I'm not a huge fan of) played a more well-rounded game than usual, and I was impressed with Goudelock's beautiful shooting form and touch. I didn't know much about him heading into the game.
As for the victorious Bulls, they didn't play particularly well but I believe they're one of the top three teams in the NBA. I love their bench with C.J. Watson, Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver, Taj Gibson and Omer Asik. I think that bench, as a starting lineup, would give the true starters on the Bobcats, Cavs, Warriors and Raptors trouble (to name a handful).
MVP Derrick Rose's jumper looked smooth and effortless. If he maintains the form he showcased in the opener, he's going to be in for an even bigger season than the last. Newly-acquired SG Richard Hamilton seemed out of sorts, but I'm sure he and Rose will figure it out over time. Credit Tom Thibodeau's defense for clamping down in the final three minutes and allowing themselves the opportunity to get back into the game offensively. Rose capped the win with his patented, running one-hander in the lane.
Needless to say, the Lakers and their fans were absolutely stunned.
Orlando Magic @ Oklahoma City Thunder
No surprises in this one. The Magic, a franchise in total disarray, couldn't have been expected to go into the hostile OKC environment and pull out a victory over one of the premier teams in the league. A Magic win simply wasn't plausible.
Stan Van Gundy's bunch got off to a blistering hot start in the opening seven minutes, but it was mostly downhill from there. The Magic are Dwight Howard and a group of average players, whereas the Thunder showcase dynamic young talent in Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Serge Ibaka.
Durant was spectacular yesterday, and this is just one blemish in what's going to be a long, hard, frustrating season for Orlando.
Chris Paul was just toying with the Warriors last night. It was pretty obvious. The deeper, more talented Clippers allowed the shallow, limited Warriors to hang around for most of the evening, but when Los Angeles wanted control of the game...they took it.
CP3 spent most of the game trying to keep PF Blake Griffin, SG Chauncey Billups and SF Caron Butler involved, but when the Clippers needed timely hoops down the stretch, CP3 was their man. He hit four consecutive shots from the floor in the fourth quarter, essentially demolishing Mark Jackson's hopes and dreams in his professional coaching debut. He's in for a long rookie season as a coach. It's pretty clear that the Warriors are going to be one of the thinnest and weakest teams in the NBA.
For more of my thoughts on this game, check out my updates on Twitter @RedSoxAuthor. Happy New Year, all.
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