Paul Pierce, Celtics
112-102 win at Blazers
30 pts, 12-14 FG, 4-5 3-pt FG

Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks
99-83 win at Timberwolves
29 pts, 10-15 FG, 2-3 3-pt FG

Rasheed Wallace, Pistons
116-86 win at Suns
22 pts, 8-10 FG, 5-5 FT

We all know Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest basketball sensations in the game today. We all know Pau Gasol has been a perfect addition for the Lakers since arriving a few weeks ago. But perhaps what we haven’t realized during L.A.’s outstanding eight-game winning streak is how productive Lamar Odom has been. The 1999 lottery pick registered 19 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and three blocks during the Lakers’ victory over the Sonics.

Jameer Nelson, Magic
112-93 win vs. Kings
6 pts, 1-11 FG, 0-3 3-pt FG

Zach Randolph, Knicks
115-92 loss at Raptors
7 pts, 2-13 FG

Ben Gordon, Bulls
110-97 loss at Rockets
5 pts, 2-11 FG, 1-4 3-pt FG

It was exactly what Cavaliers GM Danny Ferry anticipated. Ben Wallace governed the glass and protected the paint; Wally Szczerbiak converted open shots from downtown; Delonte West eluded backcourt pressure and established the offense; and Joe Smith provided experience and leadership off the bench. On the night when Hollywood’s best were rewarded for their performances, Cleveland’s new-look supporting cast deserved to win their own Oscar award. In their first game since coming over in an 11-player, three-team deal, the four newcomers, along with another outstanding outing by All-Star Game MVP LeBron James, helped the Cavaliers rout the Grizzlies, 109-89, on Sunday. LeBron finished with 25 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds, while Zydrunas Ilgauskas poured in 22 points and 13 rebounds.

They were told they couldn’t coexist. They were told they needed to split up. They were told they were two superstars who couldn’t contend for a championship together. Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady just didn’t care to listen. They called out; 'Houston, we don’t have a problem'. Behind a 24-point, eight-assist performance from T-Mac and 12 points from Yao, the Rockets extended their league-best winning streak to 12 with Sunday’s triumph over the visiting Bulls. The last time Houston won this many in a row was when it opened the 1993-94 season with 15 straight victories en route to its first ever title. The Rockets are also riding a franchise-record best 10-game road winning streak. In addition, Bobby Jackson, who was dealt to Houston from New Orleans at the trade deadline, pitched in 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor.

Jason Kidd just makes the game so easy for his teammates. His execution, production and precision are unmatched. The nine-time All-Star had his best game Sunday since last week’s blockbuster deal that delivered the future Hall of Famer back to Dallas. Kidd tallied 12 points, 17 assists, seven rebounds, four steals, and hit back-to-back buckets in the fourth quarter to help the Mavericks pull away from the Timberwolves. The former Mavs draftee has already had a positive influence on Dirk Nowitzki’s game, as the German forward recorded 29 points on 10-of-15 shooting.

They are the second highest scoring team in the NBA. They possess a monster in the middle (Shaquille O’Neal), an explosive offensive force (Amare Stoudemire) and a pure craftsman (Steve Nash). The Suns are scary – just not to the Pistons. In front of a national television audience, Detroit’s stifling defense completely thrashed Phoenix on its home floor. The Pistons limited the Suns to 41 percent shooting from the field and forced them to commit 12 turnovers. Phoenix, which is also the third best 3-point shooting team in the NBA, hit just four of its 12 attempts from downtown.

There are many lethal combinations in the NBA; Yao/T-Mac, Kobe/Gasol, Nash/Amare. The D-League is now starting to form its own dynamic duos. Kasib Powell and Elton Nesbitt were outstanding on Sunday as the Skyforce pair combined for 67 points against Iowa in Sioux Falls’ fourth straight triumph. Powell finished with 37 points on 14-of-21 shooting from the floor, while Nesbitt scored 21 of his 30 off seven 3-pointers. Doug Thomas and Mike Efevberha, on the other hand for the Energy, combined for 57 points on 20-of-41 shooting from the field in the defeat.