Ben Gordon, Bulls
107-96 win vs. Cavaliers
23 pts, 9-16 FG, 4-5 3-pt FG

Manu Ginobili, Spurs
108-97 win vs. Pacers
28 pts, 10-13 FG, 8-9 FT

Tracy McGrady, Rockets
113-98 win at Mavericks
31 pts, 13-23 FG, 4-5 FT

Having won Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors for February, Houston Rockets forward Luis Scola has begun work on the March award. In a 113-98 victory at Dallas that extended Houston's winning streak to 17 games, Scola had 12 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocked shots. The Argentine made 5-of-10 shots and both his free throws as the Rockets kept rolling without Yao Ming.

Anderson Varejao, Cavaliers
107-96 loss at Bulls
4 pts, 2-11 FG

Danny Granger, Pacers
108-97 loss at Spurs
22 pts, 9-23 FG, 0-6 3-pt FG

Jason Terry, Mavericks
113-98 loss vs. Rockets
17 pts, 6-15 0-2 3-pt FG

After LeBron James dropped 50 on the Knicks in the "World's Most Famous Arena" on Wednesday, there was the requisite outpouring of adulation, including some from the folks on Harmon Meadow Boulevard. There was plenty of hype as LBJ was slated for a national TV appearance Thursday, but a trip to the Second City saw LeBron's team end up second-best. James appeared headed for another 50-point game as he rang up 26 in the first half, including a pair of buzzer-beaters. But he banged his funny bone early in the third quarter and missed five straight shots. By the time he rediscovered his rhythm, it was too late and Cleveland was headed to a 107-96 loss. James had 39 points on 13-of-27 shooting, maintaining his status as scoring king. But just to be clear on this, there's only one King of New York, and he didn't play ball.

The key to the remarkable run by the Houston Rockets may be a former playground legend who couldn't crack a starting lineup in his first five seasons. Rafer Alston - known as "Skip To My Lou" - has been playing the best basketball of his career during Houston's 17-game winning streak, which is among the longest in NBA history. On Thursday, "Skip" had 24 points and four assists without a turnover in a 113-98 win at Dallas. During the winning streak, Alston is averaging 15.2 points and 7.3 assists while shooting 38.1 percent from the arc. More important, he is averaging just 2.0 turnovers and 1.52 steals, an excellent ratio for any player, let alone a point guard. Alston may not be in the class of the league's best floor generals, but he is running the offense for the NBA's hottest team right now.

With coach Gregg Popovich ejected and superstar Tim Duncan being held to single digits for the third time in the last nine games, the Spurs needed someone to step up. Enter the "Red Rocket," Matt Bonner. Having failed to crack double digits in 19 appearances since January 4, the reserve forward contributed 15 points - his third-highest total of the season - to a 108-97 home win over Indiana. Bonner added four rebounds, two assists and a block as San Antonio extended its winning streak to 11 games and moved one-half game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers for the best record in the West.

It has been a trying season for Bulls forward Joakim Noah, who has gone from the face of the two-time national champions to a part-time player for a middling NBA squad. There have been times where things haven't gone so well. But the trade of Ben Wallace and Joe Smith to Cleveland and the ongoing missteps by Tyrus Thomas have created playing time for Noah, who is taking advantage. In Thursday's win over Cleveland, Noah notched his fifth double-double of the season with 13 points and 20 rebounds - 10 on each end. The boards were the most by a Bull this season and matched his college buddy for the most by any rookie this season.

Sioux Falls Skyforce forward Kasib Powell had been averaging better than 30 points for a four-game stretch before a ho-hum 16-point outing Sunday. Three days of rest apparently served the 6-7, 215-pounder well as he erupted for a season-high 46 points in a win at Fort Wayne. Powell had his stroke going as he made 17-of-24 shots, including a ridiculous 10-of-11 from the arc. The outburst allowed him to jump from sixth to fourth in the D-League in scoring at 21.8 points per game. Powell has yet to earn a call-up, but don't doubt his determination and toughness, some of which he developed playing in college for this man.