Vince Carter, Nets
105-97 win vs. Cavaliers
32 pts, 13-22 FG, 2-2 3-pt FG

Paul Pierce, Celtics
104-82 win vs. Bucks
32 pts, 9-22 FG, 5-11 3-pt FG, 9-9 FT

Jason Kapono, Raptors
104-93 win at Pacers
29 pts, 9-14 FG, 6-7 3-pt FG, 5-5 FT

Kirk Hinrich wasn’t the high scorer for his team, but his contributions Friday certainly did not go unnoticed. Hinrich posted his second career triple-double with 15 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds in Chicago’s 101-96 victory over the hapless Knicks. In addition to the triple-double, the former Kansas star hit four free throws in the final 23 seconds to help preserve the win. Hinrich’s only other triple was against Golden State on Feb. 28, 2004.

Kevin Durant, Sonics
99-88 win at Timberwolves
13 pts, 4-17 FG, 1-5 3-pt FG

Larry Hughes, Cavaliers
105-97 loss at Nets
9 pts, 4-15 FG, 1-4 3-pt FG

Josh Smith, Hawks
91-81 loss at Pistons
7 pts, 3-12 FG, 0-3 3-pt FG

You can only hope to contain Orlando’s Dwight Howard. Undersized and undermanned was certainly not a recipe for success as the Bobcats found out Friday. Without a legitimate center guarding him, Howard ran roughshod for 33 points and 18 rebounds as the Magic rallied for their league-best 12th win in 15 road games. Howard posted his NBA-leading 20th double-double, despite a sub-par 11-of-20 night from the foul line. The Magic fell behind 55-42 before mounting their comeback. Orlando outscored Charlotte 34-9 over the next 13 minutes, recording 50 points in the paint and held a 45-36 rebounding advantage. The Bobcats tried, to no avail, to counter Howard with Ryan Hollins and Othella Harrington. But Hollins picked three fouls in five minutes and Harrington was simply overwhelmed in prolonged duty. Ironically, Charlotte’s pregame deal for Nazr Mohammed left them short because starting center Primoz Brezec and forward Walter Herrmann were jettisoned to Detroit.

Baron Davis did his best Joe Namath imitation on Friday. Davis put his money where his mouth is by backing up his guarantee to end the Lakers’ stranglehold on his Warriors. Sir Baron tallied eight of his 22 points in the final 3:19, including a backbreaking 3-pointer with 16.8 seconds left as Golden State earned a 108-106 win that snapped a nine-game losing skid against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. The sold-out Oracle Arena was rocking and rolling as Davis led the charge. After hitting his rim-rattling trey, Baron blew kisses to the frenzied home fans. Monta Ellis also came up with a key steal in the final seconds to preserve the win. Bryant posted 21 points before injuring his quadriceps or groin with about 2 1/2 minutes remaining. The injury forced him to sit out the two possessions in which the Warriors rallied. Davis’ efforts were especially clutch considering he picked up his fifth foul with 6 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter and sat out nearly nine minutes.

It came in a losing effort, but Corey Brewer had a solid stat line in the Timberwolves’ loss to the Sonics. The former Florida star tallied 11 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks. After slowing down earlier this season, Brewer has bounced back nicely and has re-emerged on the rookie radar. Last week, Brewer hauled down 38 boards in three games. His progress is overshadowing an otherwise disappointing season for the Wolves (3-18), who have lost eight of nine, and tied the 1991-92 team for the worst 21-game start in franchise history. That team finished 15-67.

Jason Kapono has a deft shooter’s touch. As a result, he gives the Raptors a puncher’s chance late in games with the ability to light it up from long range. Case in point was Friday night. The former UCLA star was in the zone again, working his magic for a career-high 29 points in the Raps’ win over the Pacers. Kapono netted 25 points in the second half, including 17 in the fourth quarter, and was 6-of-7 from three-point range. The Raptors, who overcame a 17-point third-quarter deficit, took their first lead of the game, 81-80, on Kapono's 3-pointer with nine minutes left.

It was elementary for C.J. Watson, who was the definition of quality minutes on Friday. Watson poured in 34 points on 10-of-17 shooting and dished out 10 assists in his 44 minutes of action to help the first-place Rio Grande Valley Vipers post a 132-125 victory over the Idaho Stampede. He also grabbed six rebounds and was 14-of-15 from the foul line. Between the two teams slugging it out and Watson’s huge effort, the 4,365 fans on hand at Dodge Arena were well-entertained. By the way, the Suns’ Alando Tucker netted 40 points as the Thunderbirds beat the Jam.