Nick Collison is the only player left from the last time the Oklahoma City Thunder franchise won five games in a row, more than four long, loss-filled years ago. With a crucial offensive rebound and two clutch free throws, he let his teammates find out what it feels like, too. Kevin Durant scored 31 points to tie a franchise record for consecutive 30-point games, Collison hit the tying and go-ahead…
Aaron Brooks felt in a groove, and that was all the Houston Rockets needed to pull out another close victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Brooks scored 30 points, Shane Battier made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 2:11 left, and Rockets beat the Mavericks 97-94 on Thursday night. "I wanted to extend the defense a little bit and open up Carl (Landry) on the inside a little bit," Brooks said.
Manu Ginobili and the San Antonio Spurs would've been relieved to beat a winning team by even a slim margin. A blowout like this made the victory all the more satisfying. Tim Duncan had 23 points and 10 rebounds, and San Antonio beat a winning team for the first time in a month with a 108-78 victory over the Miami Heat on Thursday night — the most lopsided Spurs victory this season.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Coach Mike Dunleavy missed the Los Angeles Clippers’ game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday nightafter aggravating a herniated disc in his back while at home getting ready to go to Staples Center.
When the Chicago Bulls won at Sacramento on Nov. 17, they were hoping they'd get their next road victory before Thanksgiving. Instead, it took until New Year's Eve. "I wasn't thinking about the streak — I just wanted to get a win," Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said. "This was just a nice, solid win for us." Derrick Rose scored 22 points, and Joakim Noah added 15 points…
Back in Philadelphia, Allen Iverson could be back in the All-Star game. Tracy McGrady also could have a starting spot — even though he might not play another game before then. Iverson surged into second place among Eastern Conference guards Thursday after the third returns of All-Star balloting, putting him in position to make his ninth start.
Steve Nash knows viral and he knows irony. Is there a better combo for an All-Star campaign?
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets top the Western Conference, while LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat lead the Eastern Conference after the third returns of 2010 NBA All-Star Balloting presented by T-Mobile. Bryant, a three-time All-Star MVP, is the overall leader with 1,606,032 votes, while James, a two-time All-Star MVP, is second overall with 1,579,530.
The injury bug bit the Portland Trail Blazers again Wednesday night, but they didn't let it stop them. Brandon Roy had 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists, and the Blazers beat the Los Angeles Clippers 103-99 despite losing LaMarcus Aldridge to an ankle injury, tying Denver for first place in the Northwest Division.
Although not the prolific scorer he was in his earlier years with the Philadelphia 76ers, Allen Iverson is still a difference maker. The 34-year-old Iverson showed he still can score, getting 11 of his 20 points in the third quarter. And his presence alone was a factor as the 76ers pulled away in the final period for a 116-106 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.