Udonis Haslem, Heat
113-106 win at Nets
28 pts, 10-14 FG

Tayshaun Prince, Pistons
97-83 win at Lakers
31 pts, 12-24 FG

Al Harrington, Pacers
93-83 win vs. Magic
32 points, 13-23 FG

The passing of the torch from one great center to the next is complete. While the Heat's Shaquille O'Neal has been the most dominant man in the middle for as long as anyone can remember, Yao Ming has wrestled that title away. The Rockets' big man showed just how special he can be against the Knicks, going 15-for-21 from the floor en route to 35 points. He also had 17 rebounds and blocked seven shots in a 103-94 win.

Jermaine O'Neal, Pacers
93-83 win vs. Magic
4-15 FG, 9 pts

Eddy Curry, Knicks
103-94 loss at Rockets
2-11 FG, 7 pts

Earl Boykins, Nuggets
108-101 win at Sixers
2-10 FG, 8 pts

Down 25 after one quarter, it was gut-check time for the Blazers. They could turn up the internsity and try to chip away at the deficit or start mentally getting prepared for the next game. Portland 92, New Orleans/Oklahoma City 91 (F). Guess the Blazers decided not to give up. Zach Randolph (31 points, 12 rebounds), made the go-ahead free throw with 2.4 seconds left for Portland. The Hornets' Peja Stojakovic, who had tied the game by nailing a 3-pointer with 5.2 left, missed a halfcourt shot at the buzzer.

Former Gonzaga star Adam Morrison was given the opportunity to start in his home state when point guard Raymond Felton missed the game because of an injury. The perfect chance to shine, right? Nope. The NBA isn't that easy. Morrison, who was the third pick of the draft, went 3-for-12 from the field in Charlotte's 99-85 loss to Seattle. The sharpshooter scored just nine points, the first time in his brief career that he didn't reach double digits. Don't worry Adam, there will be better days.

Obviously, the Nuggets weren't going to go 0-82 this season. What wasn't known was when and against whom would they finally get their first victory. That question was answered Friday, when Carmelo Anthony poured in 31 points to power Denver to a 108-101 win in Philadelphia. As usual, Anthony came up big in the clutch, nailing two key jumpers. Andre Miller chipped in 18 points for the defending Northwest Division champs, who improved to 1-3.

Who knew? Sure it is only the second week of the season, but Joe Johnson is playing like the top player in the East and the Hawks have the best record in the conference. Johnson scored 34 points and Josh Smith dropped in a career-best 29 as Atlanta rolled to a 111-102 win over the Raptors. This is the first time in 7.5 years that the Hawks are three games over. 500. Johnson has played in 363 consecutive games, the second-longest streak behind the Raptors' Morris Peterson who has played in 365.

Brandon Roy, who is the favorite to win Rookie of the Year, was just about the only Blazer who didn't contribute in Friday night's thrilling win over the Hornets. Roy, who missed the last game with a heel injury, started but played just seven minutes before leaving the game for good.

In order to wipe out a 27-point deficit, it takes a team effort. Although he didn't start, Portland reserve Travis Outlaw played a big part in the comeback victory. The third-year pro tallied 16 points, six rebounds and rejected six shots as the Blazers rallied for a 92-91 victory over the Hornets.

Ask the so-called experts who the top NBA team is, and not many will say the Jazz. Maybe they should. Utah became the first team with five wins thanks to the play of point guard Deron Williams. Williams posted 26 points, 14 assists and five rebounds as the Jazz beat the Celtics, 107-100.