By Josh Cohen

November 3, 2007: SCOREBOARD | IN FOCUS GALLERY | AROUND THE ASSOCIATION ARCHIVE

PHOTO OF THE NIGHT
Yi Jianlian impressed the home crowd in his first game in Milwaukee with 16 points in Saturday's win over Chicago. Gary Dineen/NBAE/Getty Images
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
"He took the challenge and made some huge shots and became a playmaker. I'm proud of his development. He's growing.''
-- Michael Redd, commenting on Yi Jianlian's tremendous performance in Milwaukee's win over Chicago on Saturday.
THE DAY'S TOP VIDEO
Saturday's top play: Jason Kidd delivers a nifty over-the-back pass.
  • Haier Play of the Day
  • Dunk of the Night
  • Block of the Night
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  • Assist of the Night
  • Steal of the Night
  • NBA TV Top 10
    • NBA.COM'S FANTASY TAKE
    Al Harrington's 38-point eruption on Saturday night in Golden State's 133-110 defeat in Utah could be a sign of great things to come for the former New Jersey product. If you decide to acquire him via trade or waiver-wire, do keep in mind, however, that once Stephen Jackson returns from his seven-game suspension, Harrington's playing time may dip a little. Also, expect Brandan Wright, the rookie out of North Carolina, to get increased minutes as well.
    SHOOTING STUDS
    Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks
    123-102 win vs. Kings
    24 pts, 9-11 FG, 6-6 FT.

    Deron Williams, Jazz
    133-110 vs. Warriors
    30 pts, 13-17 FG, 4-6 3-Pt.

    Al Harrington, Warriors
    133-110 loss at Jazz
    38 pts, 15-20 FG, 4-6 3-Pt.
    STAT SHEET STUFFER
    Josh Howard returned from his two-game suspension and a wrist sprain he sustained during the preseason to give Dallas a much needed boost after its stunning defeat in Atlanta on Friday. Last year’s All-Star racked up 27 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three blocks and a steal as the Mavs routed the Kings, 123-102, on Saturday. Meanwhile, in his first ever NBA start, J.J. Barea scored a career-best 25.
    SHOOTING DUDS
    Gilbert Arenas, Wizards
    94-82 loss vs. Magic
    5-15 FG, 0-4 3-Pt., 10 pts

    Luol Deng, Bulls
    78-72 loss at Bucks
    4-11 FG, 0-0 3-Pt., 0-0 FT 8 pts

    Jermaine O'Neal, Pacers
    121-111 win at Grizzlies
    6-14 FG, 1-2 FT, 13 pts
    REMEMBER US?
    Have we forgotten about the original “big three” in the Atlantic Division? With Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce together in Boston, it’s explicable as to why we may ignore Atlantic’s inventive “big three.” But New Jersey’s supreme trio of Vince Carter, Jason Kidd, and Richard Jefferson made it clear Saturday in Philadelphia that they are alive and strong. Kidd, who missed most of the preseason with a lower back injury, registered his 88th career triple-double with 16 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists as the Nets edged the 76ers, 93-88. The eight-time All-Star is third on the all-time triple-double list behind Oscar Robertson (181) and Magic Johnson (138). Jefferson, who appears 100 percent healthy after undergoing ankle surgery during last season, posted 22 points, while Carter added 18. Andre Iguodala scored 16 for Philadelphia, while Kyle Korver matched a career-best with 11 rebounds.
    GLOBAL SENSATIONS STEAL THE SPOTLIGHT
    Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian are not just Chinese basketball sensations anymore. They are global icons – representing the best in the world. First, Yao, who missed 32 games last season after fracturing his right tibia, could very well be Maurice Brooks’ Race to the MVP Player Rankings leader after Saturday night’s 21-point, 12-rebound performance in Houston’s win over Portland. The Rockets improved to a perfect 3-0 for the first time since the Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler era more than a decade ago. Yi, meanwhile, gave Bucks fans exactly what they were hoping for in his home debut with a sensational 16-point, eight-rebound effort in Milwaukee’s 78-72 victory over Chicago. Putting Yi’s home unveiling into perspective; Yao registered eight points in his first game ever played in Houston (2002), while Tim Duncan scored nine in his debut in San Antonio (1997).
    ROOKIE WATCH
    When the Rockets acquired Luis Scola from the Spurs during the summer, not much attention was given to the Argentinean star. But after showcasing his talents and earning MVP honors at the FIBA Americas Tournament, NBA fans realized Houston obtained a rising international sensation. The 2004 Olympic gold medalist posted eight points and eight rebounds off the bench on Saturday. Through the course of the season, you can expect head coach Rick Adelman to give Scola more playing time, especially when Yao Ming and Chucky Hayes get into foul trouble.
    SIXTH MAN OF THE NIGHT
    It has taken some time for Kareem Rush to get comfortable in the NBA. But thus far in the early stages of the 2007-08 season, the former first-round draft pick out of Missouri has found his niche. After burying two critical 3-pointers late in Indiana’s triumph over Miami on Friday, Rush delivered off the bench again Saturday with 12 points to help the Pacers defeat the Grizzlies, 121-111. Indiana, which improved to 3-0, fell one point shy of the all-time franchise record for most points scored in the first half (73 vs. Oakland; 1969) with 72.
    LOCKDOWN OF THE NIGHT
    After signing Rashard Lewis during the off-season and watching Dwight Howard improve immensely at FIBA Americas 2007 for USAB, Orlando knew offensively it would be a force in the East. But what it perhaps didn’t realize was its defensive progression. On Saturday during their 94-82 triumph over the Wizards, the Magic limited Washington’s "big three" (Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison) to 20-of-55 shooting from the floor (36 percent). Hedo Turkoglu led Orlando in scoring with 25 points.