There’s hot.
And then, there’s being ridiculous.
Willie Green set a franchise record by hitting his first 12 shots en route to a season-best 31-point effort in New Orleans’ 109-97 victory over Phoenix Friday night. His big effort kept the Hornets in the seventh slot in the Western Conference playoff spot and only half a game behind Portland for sixth place.
”I knew I was in a rhythm. I knew I was in a zone. But I didn’t know I was 12-for-12,” Green told NBA.com. “It was a good feeling. I had it going and I was trying to keep it going. I was just trying to be aggressive. It was a good win. … Once I got it going, I was asking for it (the ball).”
Green’s blistering effort left New Orleans coach Monty Williams grasping for a description of his big effort.
“I don’t know if you say en fuego or caught fire, whatever the case was, he got hot tonight,” Williams said.
However you delineate it, Green certainly deserves to lead Friday’s Studs and Duds after that sizzling performance.
STUDS
New Orleans G Willie Green: Blistered Phoenix for his first 12 shots of the game en route to a 31-point, four-assist, plus-29 game in the Hornets’ 109-97 victory over New Orleans to notch their first three-game winning streak since mid-January.
Indiana F Danny Granger: Went for 28 points, seven rebounds, two assists and was plus-9 in the Pacers’ 114-102 victory over Atlanta — their fifth victory in their last six games.
Oklahoma City F Kevin Durant: Notched 28 points and seven rebounds in the Thunder’s 104-89 triumph over Denver in a potential first-round playoff preview.
Memphis F Zach Randolph: Produced 27 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, four steals and was plus-16 in the Grizzlies’ 101-96 victory over Sacramento — wrapping up their first trip to the playoffs in five season.
Miami F Chris Bosh: Notched 27 points and 10 rebounds in the Heat’s 112-103 victory over Charlotte — their 12th victory in their last 15 games.
Miami G Dwyane Wade: Tallied 27 points, four assists, three rebounds, three steals and was a team-best plus-15 in the Heat’s victory over the Bobcats.
Detroit F Chris Wilcox: Produced a season-high 27 points and 13 rebounds and was plus-9 in the Pistons’ 110-100 victory over Milwaukee — their second straight triumph
New York F Carmelo Anthony: Notched 25 points, 14 rebounds, two assists and was plus-18 in the Knicks’ emphatic 116-93 triumph over New Jersey — completing their sixth straight victory and their first season sweep of the Nets since the strike-shortened season in 1999.
Chicago F Carlos Boozer: Went for 24 points, 11 rebounds and two steals as the Bulls claimed a 93-82 victory over Cleveland to wrap up the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time since 1998.
Miami F LeBron James: Produced 23 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, two steals and was plus-12 in the Heat’s victory over Charlotte.
Philadelphia F Elton Brand: Tallied 22 points and eight rebounds to pace the 76ers’ 98-93 victory over Toronto, snapping their three-game losing streak.
Boston F Paul Pierce: Went for 22 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, three blocked shots, two steals and was plus-24 in the Celtics’ 104-88 victory over Washington.
Portland F LeMarcus Aldridge: Notched 24 points, 11 rebounds, four blocked shots and was plus-10 in the Trail Blazers’ 93-86 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Dallas F Dirk Nowitzki: Tallied 20 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and was a team-best plus-30 in the Mavericks’ 107-96 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Dallas G Corey Brewer: Produced 20 points, six rebounds, four assists, four steals and was plus-9 in the Mavericks’ triumph over the Clippers.
Boston G Rajon Rondo: Filled the stat sheet with 20 points, 14 assists, six steals, three rebounds and was plus-20 in the Celtics’ victory over the Wizards.
Portland F Gerald Wallace: Notched 19 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and was plus-27 in the Trail Blazers’ victory over the Lakers.
Portland G Wesley Matthews: Scored 18 points and was a team-best plus-29 in the Trail Blazers’ triumph over the Lakers.
Oklahoma City G Russell Westbrook: Tallied 17 points, eight assists, six steals and was plus-4 in the Thunder’s victory over Denver.
Indiana G Darren Collison: Produced 16 points, 10 assists, four rebounds, two steals and was plus-14 in the Pacers’ victory over the Hawks.
Memphis G Mike Conley: Went for 12 points, eight assists, five rebounds, two steals and was plus-16 in the Grizzlies’ victory over Sacramento.
Milwaukee G Brandon Jennings: Erupted for 31 points and four assists in the Bucks’ loss at Detroit.
Los Angeles Clippers G Mo Williams: Scored 29 points, produced six assists, five rebounds and had two steals in the Clippers’ loss at Dallas.
Toronto G DeMar DeRozan: Notched 27 points, three assists and three steals in the Raptors’ loss to Philadelphia.
Toronto G Jerryd Bayless: Tallied 24 points, eight assists and two steals in the Raptors’ loss to the 76ers.
Charlotte C Kwame Brown: Produced 23 points, 13 rebounds and two steals in the Bobcats’ loss at Miami.
Cleveland F J.J. Hickson: Muscled for 22 points and 15 rebounds in the Cavaliers’ loss to the Bulls.
Sacramento F Samuel Dalembert: Went for 17 points and 16 rebounds in the Kings’ loss at Memphis.
DUDS
Milwaukee F Carlos Delfino: Missed all seven shots as he was shut out and was minus-8 in the Bucks’ loss at Detroit.
Dallas G Roddy Beaubois: Missed all seven shots with two turnovers and was minus-5 in the Mavericks’ triumph over the Clippers.
Los Angeles Lakers G Kobe Bryant: Went 10-for-25 from the field with three turnovers and was a team-worst minus-25 in the Lakers’ loss at Portland.
Denver G Wilson Chandler: Clanked through a 1-for-10 shooting effort and was minus-7 in the Nuggets’ loss at Oklahoma City.
Atlanta F Marvin Williams: Went 2-for-7 from the field and was minus-7 in the Hawks’ loss to the Pacers — their third straight defeat.
New Jersey G Jordan Farmar: Struggled through a 3-for-12 shooting effort, including missing all five 3-pointers, with four turnovers and was minus-13 in the Nets’ loss to the Knicks — their eighth defeat in their last nine games.
Denver G J.R. Smith: Went 1-for-6 with two turnovers and was minus-21 in the Nuggets’ loss at Oklahoma City.
Los Angeles Lakers F Pau Gasol: Hit 4-for-11 from the field with two turnovers and was minus-12 in the Lakers’ loss at Portland.
Phoenix G Aaron Brooks: Hit 2-for-7 from the field with two turnovers and was minus-2 in the Suns’ loss at Hornets.
Washington G John Wall: Went 7-for-18 from the field with seven turnovers and was minus-20 in the Wizards’ loss at the Celtics.
Charlotte F Boris Diaw: Went 5-for-13 from the field with three turnovers and was minus-16 in the Bobcats’ loss to Miami — their fifth straight defeat.
Cleveland G Anthony Parker: Went 2-for-6 from the field with three turnovers in the Cavaliers’ loss to the Bulls.
Sacramento’s backcourt: Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton went 15-for 34 from the field with seven turnovers and were a combined minus-14 in the Kings’ loss at Memphis.
Philadelphia G Jodie Meeks: Hit 2-for-11 from the field in the 76ers’ victory over Toronto.
