By Josh Cohen

January 8, 2008: SCOREBOARD | IN FOCUS GALLERY | AROUND THE ASSOCIATION ARCHIVE

PHOTO OF THE NIGHT
Stephon Marbury and David Lee celebrate after knocking off the Bulls on Tuesday night.
Gary Dineen/NBAE/Getty Images
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
"When (Tracy) McGrady comes back, we'll have something to build on.''

-- Luther Head on his team's recent success, and how they plan on progressing when Tracy McGrady returns (knee).
THE DAY'S TOP VIDEO
Tuesday's top play: D-Wade spins away from the 'D' and puts in a circus shot.
  • 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
    There are many candidates to consider for the Most Improved Player honor this year. Some that come to mind are Portland's Travis Outlaw and Martell Webster, the L.A. Clippers' Chris Kaman and Sacramento's John Salmons. Definitely consider these guys for your fantasy squads via trade or waiver wire as you should expect them to continue to improve. Check out the Fantasy Index for more tips on how to improve your teams.
    SHOOTING STUDS
    Dwight Howard, Magic
    104-100 loss at Kings
    29 pts, 11-13 FG, 7-8 FT

    Derek Fisher, Lakers
    117-101 win at Grizzlies
    26 pts, 10-11 FG, 5-5 3-pt FG

    Eddy Curry, Knicks
    105-100 win at Bulls
    29 pts, 11-14 FG, 7-10 FT
    STAT SHEET STUFFER
    Since Tracy McGrady went down with a left knee injury, the Rockets have been rocking and rolling. The band features Yao Ming, lead vocalist who dominates the inside and bangs the boards. Yao, who racked up 21 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four blocks, carried his band to their third straight triumph on Tuesday. The question remains; who will take over vocals when T-Mac returns? Stay tuned to find out.
    SHOOTING DUDS
    Jermaine O'Neal, Pacers
    111-89 loss at Jazz
    9 pts, 4-10 FG, 1-3 FT

    Andres Nocioni, Bulls
    105-100 loss vs. Knicks
    7 pts, 3-12 FG, 1-6 3-pt FG, 0-0 FT

    Caron Butler, Wizards
    92-84 loss vs. Rockets
    12 pts, 5-16 FG
    THE TRIPLE-DOUBLE KIDD MACHINE
    Some call him 'Mr. Triple Double'. Others greet him as 'The Walking Triple Double'. Nicknames sure tell a great deal about a person. Jason Kidd, who is third on the all-time triple-doubles list behind Oscar Robertson (181) and Magic Johnson (138), became the first player since Grant Hill in 1997 to record three straight triple-doubles on Tuesday. The eight-time All-Star racked up his 97th one with 13 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds in New Jersey’s defeat to host Charlotte. J-Kidd is just two triple-doubles away from matching last season's total of 12. Here are some other interesting triple-double facts to take note of:
  • Karl Malone is the only 40-year-old to ever post a triple-double
  • Wilt Chamberlain holds the record with nine straight triple-doubles
  • Magic has the most all-time playoff triple-doubles (30)
  • Oscar Robertson averaged a triple-double for an entire season
    • MORE THAN JUST A HIGHLIGHT FILM
    Electrifying! Spectacular! Eye-Popping! There are countless ways to describe two of the most identifiable basketball players in the world. Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, who captivate us with their explosive offensive play, continue to show us, however, that they are much more than human highlight films. Although they are currently two of the top three scorers in the league, Kobe and LeBron are racking up innumerable assists, rebounds and steals. Take Tuesday night, for example, as Black Mamba posted 25 points, six assists, five steals and three rebounds in L.A.’s triumph in Memphis, while The Chosen One tallied 22 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals in Cleveland’s victory over Seattle. When the star player gives you a bit of everything on any given night, book a 'W' because the loss column isn’t interested.
    COOL/CLUTCH PERFORMANCE
    It’s been a long season for Stephon Marbury. But for at least one night in New York, Starbury is a true star and sweet as a berry. With the Knicks ahead by two in the closing seconds, the 12-year veteran buried a straight away trey to ice the Knicks’ triumph over the Bulls, who were minus Luol Deng (Achilles tendon), on Tuesday to snap a seven-game skid. It might not be a vintage last-second Michael Jordan fadeaway or a long-distance John Starks trey, but we will never get tired of these Bulls-Knicks matchups. How could we?
    ROOKIE WATCH
    I know all you Ohio State fans are a little upset right now after Monday’s loss to LSU in the college football National Championship Game, but perhaps your Buckeye blood got pumped up again on Tuesday. Memphis’ Mike Conley Jr. and Miami’s Daequan Cook, the backcourt tandem that helped lead OSU to the championship game in basketball last season, each continue to be impressive. Conley, whose scoring continues to increase since returning from a shoulder injury, posted 11 points, while Cook had 15.
    D-LEAGUE STARS OF THE NIGHT
    CJ Watson and Guillermo Diaz will probably now be remembered forever. The two rising stars became the 99th and 100th D-League Call-Ups since the league’s origin in 2001. There have already been 10 call-ups in the D-League this season, almost half the number brought up to the big leagues last year (22). Watson will be heading to Golden State, where several former D-Leaguers, like Kelenna Azubuike and Matt Barnes, have established their careers. Diaz, meanwhile, will join the Clippers to help out with that injury-decimated backcourt.