Tag: San Antonio

KD’s big game pace S&Ds, keeps OKC in step with Spurs

With basketball legend Oscar Robertson watching from courtside Friday night in Sacramento, Kevin Durant was suitably inspired for a big game.

In 1961-62, Robertson notched 41 triple-doubles during an entire season and showed players like Durant something about versatility.

Durant came close Friday night with 29 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in the Thunder’s 103-92 victory over the Kings, keeping them one-half game from the Spurs for the best record  in the Western Conference.

”I’ve been flirting all season with it but I haven’t been able to seal the deal yet,” Durant told the Associated Press about his near triple-double. ”Hopefully I will get one before my career is over. Oscar Robertson is a legend, someone I really look up to. It was a joy playing in front of him tonight.” 

Thunder coach Scott Brooks raved about Durant’s importance to the team after the game.

”We all know that Kevin can score,” Brooks told the AP. ”But he has to continue making his teammates better. He definitely did that tonight with seven assists. He’s a very unselfish basketball player.”

In the process, Durant led Friday’s Studs and Duds of the top performers across the association.

STUDS

Oklahoma City F Kevin Durant: Filled the stat sheet for 29 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and was plus-13 in the Thunder’s victory at Sacramento.

Atlanta G Joe Johnson: Tallied 30 points, five rebounds, six assists, two steals and was a game-high plus-15 in the Hawks’ triumph over the Celtics.

San Antonio F Tim Duncan: Went for 21 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals, two blocks and was a game-high plus-26 in the Spurs’ convincing victory over the Lakers.

Charlotte G Gerald Henderson: Produced 32 points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals in the Bobcats’ loss to Memphis.

Boston G Avery Bradley: Notched 28 points, three assists and four steals in the Celtics’ loss at the Hawks.

DUDS

Charlotte G Kemba Walker: Clanked through a 5-for-15 shooting night with seven turnovers in the Bobcats’ loss to Memphis, their 19th consecutive loss.

Memphis G Tony Allen: Missed all three shots, had four turnovers and was minus-6 in the Grizzlies’ victory at Charlotte.

Atlanta G Tracy McGrady: Missed both shots, had five turnovers  and was minus-1 in the Hawks’ victory over Boston.

Memphis F Marreese Speights: Went 2 for 8 from the field with three turnovers in the Grizzlies’  victory at Charlotte.

New York F Carmelo Anthony: Struggled through a 5-for-13 shooting effort with four turnovers and was minus-11 in the Knicks’ loss at Charlotte.

Rondo’s uneven triple-double paces studs and duds

It wasn’t the most artistic of triple-doubles. 

But Rajon Rondo won’t trade the final results of Boston’s grinding 88-86 overtime victory over Atlanta Wednesday night.

Rondo notched his sixth triple-double of the season with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 20 assists to match the NBA high for the season.

The Celtics’ victory came only a day after an emotional victory at Miami. The residue of that game could be seen in some of the Celtics’ struggles.

”I gotta tell you guys: that was the worst game we’ve ever won,” Boston coach Doc Rivers told the Associated Press. ”I mean we didn’t play well. We just kept hanging in there. You could see the fatigue.”

One of the most notable was Rondo, despite the triple-double. The Boston point guard clanked through a miserable 3-for-16 shooting night with six turnovers.

But he had enough at the end to fill the stat sheet and notch his 19th consecutive double-figure game in assists.

”We kept fighting regardless of the other stuff out there. We stuck together, followed through and got the win,” said Rondo about his performance. It earned him a place as a stud and a dud on the same night.  

STUDS

Boston G Rajon Rondo: Notched his sixth triple-double of the season, going for 10 points, 10 rebounds and 20 assists to match the NBA high for the season. Rondo was plus-6 in the Celtics victory over Atlanta.

Los Angeles Lakers C Andrew Bynum: Went for 16 points, an NBA season-high 30 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and was plus-5 in the Lakers’ victory at the Spurs.

Memphis G Rudy Gay: Notched a season-best 32 points, seven rebounds, two steals and was a game-best plus-23 in the Grizzlies’ victory over Phoenix.

Los Angeles Clippers G Chris Paul: Produced 31 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and was plus-4 in the Clippers’ triumph at Oklahoma City.

Milwaukee G Monta Ellis: Erupted for 35 points, six rebounds, 10 assists and four steals in the Bucks’ loss at New York.

DUDS

Boston G Rajon Rondo: Despite the triple-double, Rondo struggled through a miserable 3-for-16 shooting night with six turnovers in the Celtics overtime victory over Atlanta.

Phoenix G Steve Nash: Went 4 of 10 from the field, had an NBA nightly high of seven turnovers and was a game-worst minus-21 in the Suns’ loss to Memphis.  

San Antonio G Tony Parker: Clanked through a 2-for-12 shooting night with only four points and was a game-worst minus-16 in the Spurs’ loss to the Lakers.

Sacramento C DeMarcus Cousins: Went 3-for-12 from the field with four turnovers and was minus-8 in the Kings’ loss at New Orleans.

Oklahoma City G Russell Westbrook: Struggled through a 3-for-14 shooting night with four turnovers in the Thunder’s loss to the Clippers.

Spurs, Suns each have had 11 scoring leaders

Two of the league’s best benches and most balanced scoring attacks will be on display Saturday night at the ATT Center when Phoenix meets San Antonio. 

According to STATS LLC, the Suns and Spurs are among the five leading teams in the league in different leading scorers this season.

The leaders in terms of different scoring leaders this season include:

San Antonio                11

Phoenix                         11

New Orleans                11

Milwaukee                    11

Charlotte                      11