By Chris Rosenbluth

March 12, 2007: SCOREBOARD | PHOTO GALLERY | AROUND THE ASSOCIATION ARCHIVE

PHOTO OF THE NIGHT
Shawn Marion racked up 14 points and 15 rebounds as the Suns downed the Rockets and improved to 10-1 since the All-Star break. Barry Gossage/NBAE/Getty
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
"I've never seen anybody as fast as this kid. He's really Speedy Gonzalez out there. He's playing out of his mind right now."
-- Houston's Tracy McGrady, commenting on Phoenix backup point guard Leandro Barbosa. "The Brazilian Blur" torched the Rockets, scored a career-high 32 points for the second time in three games and led his team to its fifth consecutive victory.
THE DAY'S TOP VIDEO
Monday's top play: Monta Ellis goes baseline, gets fouled and hits the nifty layup.
  • Haier Play of the Day
  • Dunk of the Night
  • Assist of the Night
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  • Block of the Night
  • Steal of the Night
  • NBA TV Top 10
    • NBA.COM'S FANTASY TAKE
    If you've been waiting for Richard Jefferson to get healthy, he showed signs Monday that may prove your patience worthwhile. In his third game back from ankle surgery, he played 29 minutes and scored 18 points in a Nets win. His other numbers weren't there -- only two boards, two steals and an assist -- but, with his team fighting for its playoff life, he could kick into gear pretty soon.
    SHOOTING STUDS
    Leandro Barbosa, Suns
    103-82 win vs. Rockets
    32 pts, 12-18 FG, 5-6 3-pt FG

    Charlie Bell, Bucks
    108-93 loss vs. Raptors
    25 pts, 11-18 FG, 3-4 3-pt FG

    Vince Carter, Nets
    113-102 win at Grizzlies
    30 pts, 10-19 FG, 3-6 3-pt FG, 7-8 FT
    STAT SHEET STUFFER
    Chris Bosh avenged a sub-par performance in his last meeting with the Bucks, which the Raptors lost by 13 points, with a solid all-around effort Monday night in Milwaukee. Bosh tallied 25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two blocks to lead Toronto to a 108-93 win. Bosh's teammate, and one-time Buck, T.J. Ford also registered a big line. He hit up his former team for 19 points, nine assists, four rebounds and three steals.
    SHOOTING DUDS
    Rafer Alston, Rockets
    103-82 loss at Suns
    3-14 FG, 1-7 3-pt FG, 7 pts

    Jason Kidd, Nets
    113-102 win at Grizzlies
    3-10 FG, 0-4 3-pt FG, 2-6 FT, 8 pts

    Andrea Bargnani, Raptors
    108-93 win at Bucks
    5-15 FG, 1-7 3-pt FG, 12 pts
    UPSET OF THE NIGHT
    The Mavericks rode their 17-game winning streak into Oakland on Monday hoping to shake their recent misfortune against the Warriors. But Don Nelson's squad schooled that of his former protégé, Avery Johnson, and dealt them a 117-100 defeat. Golden State has now beaten Dallas four straight times -- both meetings so far this season and twice at the end of last. The Warriors put Monday's game away by outscoring the Mavs by 29 in the second and third quarters. Of course, it didn't help that Dallas' two leading scorers, Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard, never found their rhythms and combined for just 24 points on 31 percent shooting.
    SIXTH MAN OF THE NIGHT
    Not a lot has gone right for either the Bobcats or Magic lately. Charlotte entered play Monday losers of eight in a row, while Orlando had dropped 20 of its previous 27 outings to fall, at least for the time being, out of the fickle Eastern Conference playoff picture. Something had to give. And that something was Bobcats reserve Derek Anderson. Anderson came off the bench for coach Bernie Bickerstaff and scored 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range. He paired his point production with 10 assists and five rebounds and helped his team end their skid with a 119-108 win. As a team, Charlotte set franchise records by stroking 14 3-balls and dropping 39 dimes.