Tag: Atlanta

Rondo provides triple-double S&D effort, but is silent afterwards

Rajon Rondo didn’t have to face the formidable challenge of matching with reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose Sunday afternoon.

Rose’s absence likely helped contribute to Rondo’s 15th career triple-double, as the Boston point guard sliced through Boston for 32 points, 10 rebounds and 15 assists in the Celtics’ 95-91 victory.

It was a big turnaround after Rondo’s struggles Friday night against Toronto, when he matched his season low with five points.

Rondo didn’t share any thoughts about his big game or his struggles in the previous game as he chose not to speak with the media after the victory against Chicago.

Boston coach Doc Rivers gave a small glimpse  of why he thought his point guard rebounded like he did from the poor previous game.

“Oh, I don’t know. I’m going to let you guys be that deep. I wish I could get in someone’s head that deep,” Rivers said. “I just think he wanted to win.”

Boston forward Paul Pierce added to the praise for  Rondo.

“When he’s assertive, aggressive, the way he plays, we’re a tough team to stop,” Pierce told reporters after  the game. “When he’s out in transition, pushing the ball, taking the shots right there, rebounding, he’s just all energy. He just did it all. He was great to watch.”

Whatever the reason, Rondo came up big when his team needed him to, leading Sunday’s Studs and Duds.

STUDS

Boston G Rajon Rondo: Produced his 15th career triple-double with 32 points, 10 rebounds, 15 assists and was plus-8 in the Celtics’ victory over Chicago.

Golden State G Monta Ellis: Went for 33 points, five rebounds, seven assists, two steals, a block and was plus-10 in the Warriors’ victory over Houston. 

Los Angeles Lakers G Kobe Bryant: Hit the game-winning shot to win at Toronto, notching 27 points and was plus-7 in the triumph over the Raptors.

Utah F Al Jefferson: Produced 21 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and was plus-8 in the Jazz’s victory at Memphis.

Miami F LeBron James: Filled the stat sheet with 23 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and was a team-best plus-26 in the Heat’s victory at Atlanta.

DUDS

Detroit G Brandon Knight: Went 1 for 9 from the field with three turnovers and was minus-17 in the Pistons’ loss to Washington.

Washington G Jordan Crawford: Clanked through a 2-for-12 shooting effort in the Wizards’ victory over Detroit.

Toronto G DeMar DeRozan: Went 2 of 13 from the field with four turnovers and was minus-4 in the Raptors’ loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Chicago F Luol Deng: Struggled through a 3-for-12 shooting effort with two turnovers and was minus-4 in the Bulls’ loss at Boston.

Detroit F Jonas Jerebko: Hit 3 for 8 from the field with three turnovers and was a team-worst minus-28 in the Pistons’ loss to Washington.

Johnson’s big game helps Hawks punctuate long road trip

Joe Johnson didn’t need much time to get started Tuesday night.

Johnson matched his season high with 30 points despite playing in only three quarters in Atlanta’s convincing 100-77 victory at Toronto.

“That’s the type of player he is,” Atlanta teammate Tracy McGrady told the Associated Press of Johnson, who made 13 of his 18 field-goal attempts. “Once he gets that feeling, he can run off 10 or 12 points in a hurry.”

The Hawks’ victory punctuated the most successful five-game road trip in more than four decades. After losing their opener against the Spurs last week, they notched victories at Milwaukee, Detroit, New Orleans and Toronto in the trip.

Johnson’s big game was a major reason why they were able to finish strongly Tuesday night.

STUDS

Atlanta G Joe Johnson: Torched the Raptors for 30 points and four assists and was a team-best plus-18 in the Hawks’ victory.

Indiana G Danny Granger: Produced 21 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and shared team honors at plus-13 in the Pacers’ victory over the Nets.  

Memphis F Rudy Gay: Rebounded from his struggles against the Spurs  to notch 20 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, two steals, two blocks and was a  game-best plus-15 in the Grizzlies’ overtime victory over the Nuggets.

Cleveland F Anderson Varejao: Notched 20 points and a career-high 20 rebounds in the Cavaliers’ loss to the Celtics. He became the fifth player in the league to accomplish the feat this season.

New Jersey G Deron Williams: Went for 34 points and seven assists in the Nets’ loss at the Pacers.

Sacramento G Tyreke Evans: Filled the stat sheet for 22 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists, three steals and a block and was plus-3 in the Kings’ loss to the Warriors.

DUDS

Toronto G Leandro Barbosa: Went 2 for 8 from the field with three turnovers and was minus-11 in the Raptors’ loss to the Hawks.

Charlotte G Cory Higgins: Missed all six shots and was minus-16 in the Bobcats’ loss to the Lakers — their ninth straight defeat.

Denver C Timofey Mozgov: Missed all three shots, was minus-8 and had three turnovers in the Nuggets’ loss at the Grizzlies.  

Denver F Danilo Gallinari: The Nuggets’ leading scorer went 1 for 10 from the field with a turnover in their loss at the Grizzlies.

Golden State G Klay Thompson: The rookie struggled through a 2-for-10 shooting night, was minus-1 and scored only four points in the Warriors’ victory over the Kings.

Why Friday’s game shows the Spurs need help inside

The internet is buzzing about two potential inside players who potentially could help the Spurs.

After their 87-79 loss to Minnesota Friday night, it’s clear that either Kenyon Martin and Chris Kaman would be critical additions for the Spurs.

That is, of course, if they could be convinced to come to San Antonio.

ESPN.com reported that the Spurs are among , a free agent former Denver forward who left for the Xinjiang Guanghui Flying Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association during the lockout.

And ESPN.com also reported that Kaman, who was traded to league-owned New Orleans in the Chris Paul trade, . Kaman was not with the Hornets for their game Friday night against Orlando as trade offers are being considered.

This speculation is coming after the Spurs struggled inside in their loss Friday night at Minnesota.

The Spurs grabbed two offensive rebounds in that game — their lowest single-game total in more than 10 years — as they were dominated in the paint by Kevin Love and journeyman Minnesota backup center Nikola Pekovic.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has been hesitant to play Tim Duncan and Tiago Splitter together except for brief periods because of problems it would cause his rotation of big players. Popovich has been unwilling to play DeJuan Blair and Matt Bonner together because of matchup problems. And without a replacement for the retired Antonio McDyess, the Spurs have had to piece together a tenuous rotation of big players during the first 20 games of the season.

Either Martin or Kaman would be a welcome addition, particularly in an extremely competitive Southwest Division.

ESPN reported that Martin has offers from Miami, the Spurs, the Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta and New York.

Martin signed a $2.6 million contract with Xinjiang and left China in late December with hopes of returning to the NBA. But according to CBA rules, Martin will not be available to sign or play for an NBA team until Xinjiang finishes its season.

That return could be as soon as Feb. 16 if Xinjiang is knocked out of the playoffs.

Sources  told ESPN.com that Martin wants to play a large role with a contending team.

Martin, 34, struggled in his least productive season of his career last season with the Nuggets, averaging 8.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. But he would provide inside strength and leadership for a contender after twice reaching the NBA Finals with New Jersey.

Several of the contenders have signed players to max deals and would have to pay a luxury tax to acquire Martin. The best offers would be from the Clippers and Knicks, who can both give him a $2.5 million mini-midlevel exceptions. The Spurs could offer a similar amount, but sources told ESPN the team would not likely be willing to do.

Kaman, who turns 30 in April, might be more attainable if they were willing to pay the tax.  

“We’ve informed Chris that we are looking into possible trades and he was understanding about the situation,” Hornets general manager Dell Demps told ESPN.com. “We’re working together on this.

“Chris has been the ultimate professional since he joined us. In no way is this a disciplinary action. We had discussions about extending his current contract when he first came to the Hornets, but the organization decided to go in a different direction.”

The 7-foot Kaman is making about $14 million this season. He made the All-Star Game in 2010 when he averaged 18.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game for the Clippers. But he was limited to 32 games last season with the Clippers because of an injury to his left foot.

Obviously, Demps is familiar with Popovich after working under him with the Spurs earlier in his career. I don’t know if that will help in making a deal with the league-owned team. But it certainly can’t hurt.

But it’s clear that Friday’s game was eye-opening because of the way the Timberwolves dominated inside.

What about it Spurs Nation?

Do you believe there is a problem with the Spurs’ inside rotation?

And could Kaman or Martin help?