By Chris Rosenbluth

April 3, 2007: SCOREBOARD | PHOTO GALLERY | AROUND THE ASSOCIATION ARCHIVE

PHOTO OF THE NIGHT
With Miami's win over Toronto and Washington's loss in Charlotte, the Wizards are now looking up at the Heat in the Southeast standings. NBAE/Getty Images
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
"It wasn't so much guys stepping up, we have guys that do that all the time even when Dirk is here."

-- Dallas' Jerry Stackhouse, who came off the bench and scored 23 points to help his team rally for a 97-93 victory in Sacramento. The Mavs played without Dirk Nowitzki (upset stomach).
THE DAY'S TOP VIDEO
Tuesday's top play: Washington's Darius Songaila helps out the Bobcats.
  • 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 were worried about LeBron James' balky right knee limiting his numbers down the stretch of the season, don't be. King James returned after a one-game rest and lit up the Timberwolves for 31 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, four steals and one blocked shot in a 101-88 road win. And don't expect LBJ to rest too much in the next few weeks. Cleveland can still catch Detroit in the East.
    SHOOTING STUDS
    Walter Herrmann, Bobcats
    122-102 win vs. Wizards
    21 pts, 8-11 FG, 4-5 3-pt FG

    Leandro Barbosa, Suns
    116-111 win at Grizzlies
    24 pts, 8-14 FG, 5-7 3-pt FG, 3-3 FT

    David West, Hornets
    119-101 win at Bucks
    24 pts, 8-11 FG, 8-8 FT
    STAT SHEET STUFFER
    Amaré Stoudemire scored 27 points. Leandro Barbosa was hot from deep. And Steve Nash was dishing the rock with the greatest of ease. Yet, despite these efforts, the Grizzlies were done in Tuesday not by these Suns, but by The Matrix. Shawn Marion filled the box score, dumping in 17 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, three blocks and two assists to dominate all areas of the game in a 116-111 road victory.
    SHOOTING DUDS
    T.J. Ford, Raptors
    92-89 loss at Heat
    2-13 FG, 0-2 3-pt FG, 4 pts

    Antawn Jamison, Wizards
    122-102 loss at Bobcats
    3-16 FG, 0-1 3-pt FG, 6 pts

    Troy Murphy, Pacers
    100-85 loss vs. Pistons
    3-11 FG, 1-3 3-pt FG, 1-2 FT, 8 pts
    THE LEAGUE'S LEADING SCORERS COLLIDE
    Kobe Bryant's recent scoring spree may have vaulted him past Carmelo Anthony and into the NBA's scoring lead, but it did little to affect the matchup between the Nuggets and Lakers on Tuesday. While Bryant outscored Anthony, 39-31, Denver used a strong fourth quarter to earn a 111-105 win at Staples Center. Anthony showed up down the stretch, as well, scoring 11 of his 31 points in the final frame, a time when the normally clutch Bryant takes over; KB24 scored only six points in the game's final 12 minutes. Marcus Camby played an even bigger role for the Nuggets. The big man finished with 21 points, 20 rebounds and six blocked shots. Denver was coached by assistant Adrian Dantley. He took over after head coach George Karl left the team to be with his son, who had surgery Monday for the removal of cancerous lymph nodes.
    SPURS CONTINUE DOMINANCE OVER SONICS
    The Spurs once again rolled to an easy victory over the Sonics, completing a sweep of the four-game season series with a 110-91 win in front of their home fans. Bruce Bowen, usually known for his lockdown defensive abilities, provided an offensive spark Tuesday. He did all of his damage from behind the 3-point arc, scoring a team-high 18 points on six 3-pointers; his nine field goal attempts all came from long range. San Antonio's average margin of victory in the four wins is 27.8 points. It shot at least 52 percent from the field in each contest. And no player was on the court for longer than 30 minutes in the any of the last three matchups. "They just show how far ahead they are of us," Seattle's Rashard Lewis said. "We've got a lot more learning to do. A lot more improving to do." The win was also the Spurs' eighth straight over the Sonics on the River Walk, a stretch that includes three playoff games.
    ROOKIE WATCH
    With the Bucks all but eliminated from playoff contention, now is the time for new head coach Larry Krystkowiak to take a look at some of the young players on his roster. On Tuesday, Lynn Greer showed his coach what he can do with a little playing time. Greer established season highs with 32 minutes played, 19 points, eight field goals, 12 field goal attempts, three 3-pointers made on five tries from downtown, and four assists. Unfortunately, none of this helped Milwaukee earn a victory against the visiting Hornets, who are now 2˝ games behind the Clippers for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
    COOL/CLUTCH PERFORMANCE
    Faced with a three-point defict at the break, and the hometown Pacers playing for their postseason lives, the Pistons were presented with a possibly troubling situation. But Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups came to life in third quarter, scoring nine points apiece as Detroit outscored Indiana by 17 in the period and put itself in position to roll to a 100-85 win. Hamilton finished with 19 points, and Billups had 11, as the Pistons stayed 3˝ games ahead of the Cavs for first place in the Eastern Conference and the Central Division.
    D-LEAGUE STAR OF THE NIGHT
    Pops Mensah-Bonsu and the Fort Worth Flyers secured the third and final playoff spot in the D-League's Eastern Division with a 110-101 victory over the Colorado 14ers. Mensah-Bonsu finished the game with 21 points and 11 rebounds and was part of an 11-0 fourth-quarter run. “I thought our players recognized the sense of urgency," Forth Worth head coach Sidney Moncrief said. "I knew we would make the playoffs, but I am concerned about our seeding. I knew this would be the toughest game remaining on our schedule, and our guys came in and played hard and played solid for 48 minutes.”