Emeka Okafor, Bobcats
110-95 loss at Wizards
17 pts, 8-11 FG

Josh Boone, Nets
102-91 win vs. Pacers
19 pts, 7-9 FG, 5-5 FT

Josh Smith, Hawks
100-94 loss at Jazz
30 pts, 13-20 FG, 1-2 3-pt FG

With all three of the Spurs’ stars back in the starting lineup on Saturday, the Spurs came out looking to tie the Hornets for the Southwest Division lead. Tim Duncan did his part, showing why he is a 10-time All-Star. Duncan is on his way to averaging a double-double for the 11th time in as many seasons, picking up his 33rd of the season with 25 points and 11 rebounds to go along with six assists and four blocks.

Nazr Mohammed, Bobcats
110-95 loss at Wizards
5 pts, 1-9 FG

Jason Williams, Heat
101-96 loss vs. Sixers
5 pts, 2-11 FG, 1-6 3-pt FG

Shawne Williams, Pacers
102-91 loss at Nets
1 pt, 0-7 FG, 0-4 3-pt FG, 1-2 FT

The Hornets pulled into the All-Star break last weekend with a four game winning streak and rode the excitement into high energy win to spoil Jason Kidd’s debut in Dallas on Tuesday. Since then, however, they have looked flat. New Orleans let the Rockets continue their 11-game winning streak on Friday with a 20-point home loss and looked like they were headed for another blowout against the Spurs on Saturday night before a second-half rally kept it close. Chris Paul led the Hornets with 27 points, but mustered just four assists and one steal, while fellow All-Star David West added 16 points and six rebounds. The re-united trio of stars for San Antonio combined for 65 points as Tony Parker started his first game since January. Manu Ginobili stole the show with 30 points and a career-high 12 assists as the Spurs pulled into a tie with New Orleans for first place in the division.

Andrew Bogut accurately predicted that the Pistons would want to blow the doors down against the Bucks on Friday. No word, yet, on if he also predicted that the Nuggets would similarly jump out to a 23-point lead on Milwaukee on Saturday. Bogut did, however, do his best to help the Bucks rally back from the second quarter deficit. Michael Redd did his best to keep the Bucks within striking distance through the first half with 26 points at the break. Bogut consistently crashed the boards throughout the game on the way to his season-best 20 rebounds, leading the Bucks to a big rebounding advantage that kept it interesting down the stretch. Redd poured in another 13 points in the fourth quarter to notch a season-high 42 points on the night. Mo Williams also chipped in 26 points, seven assists and a few key free throws late in the 115-109 come-from-behind win.

Elton Brand wants to get back on the court this season for a number of reasons, but he definitely wants to get out there to play alongside talented rookie Al Thornton. Thornton had an off night against the Lakers in the Battle of Los Angeles on Saturday, but still put up 14 points, six rebounds and three assists off the bench. Thonton’s 14-point effort follows up on Friday’s 27-point night.

Marcus Banks is probably best known to this point as the other guy Phoenix traded to Miami to get Shaquille O’Neal a few weeks ago, but the backup point guard looked anything but on Saturday. Banks came off the bench for 17 points, on 6-of-9 shooting, to go with two rebounds and two assists as the Heat took the Sixers to overtime, but couldn’t keep the offense in gear through the extra session.

The Austin Toros came out trying to guard a slim Southwest Division lead on Saturday and Ian Mahinmi led them in that direction with his team-high ninth double-double of the season. The Toros routed the Dakota Wizards at home behind 30 points and 15 rebounds from Mahinmi to hold onto a two-game lead in the loss column over the streaking Colorado 14ers, winners of five straight, who beat the Bakersfield Jam.