Troy Murphy, Pacers
123-115 win vs. Nets
21 pts, 7-10 FG, 4-5 3-pt FG

Kobe Bryant, Lakers
114-111 loss vs. Grizzlies
53 pts, 19-37 FG, 9-17 3-pt FG, 6-7 FT

Mike Bibby, Hawks
106-103 win vs. Bulls
30 pts, 11-15 FG, 6-8 3-pt FG, 2-2 FT

He can deliver to teammates like a UPS delivery man. He can razzle-dazzle a crowd like a T-Pain hook, and can lead a squad to victory like Kelly Leak in “Bad News Bears.” But did you know he can stuff a stat sheet like an accountant during tax season? Deron Williams recorded 32 points, 10 assists, three rebounds and a steal to carry the Jazz past the Clippers on Friday. His inside buddy, Carlos Boozer, deserves a mention too as he posted 34 points and 17 boards.

Michael Redd, Bucks
103-86 loss vs. Magic
7 pts, 3-16 FG, 1-4 3-pt FG

Tim Duncan, Spurs
103-86 win vs. T-Wolves
12 pts, 4-13 FG

Andre Iguodala, Sixers
107-93 loss vs. Suns
13 pts, 3-12 FG, 0-1 3-pt FG

It was like one of those science fiction flicks that twirls your head around in unparallel directions. It was perfect for Hollywood, where sometimes the drama and the storyline just don’t make much sense. Set at STAPLES Center, the picture began with a breathtaking performance by the electrifying Kobe Bryant, who racked up 34 points at the half. Spectators started foreseeing a potentially historic moment; another 81-point-like effort perhaps. Receiving the ball in the post, beyond the arc or on the fast break, Kobe was surely unstoppable. The closeness of the score in the second half, however, began to have a major influence on the plot. While the Grizzlies’ defense stiffened, the MVP candidate’s shot totals plummeted. The once expected league season-best outing for Bryant suddenly leaked out of the building as he ended with a modest 53 points – just six in the fourth – and Memphis clipped L.A. Already without Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum due to injury, the Lakers played with a flu-sickened Lamar Odom in the defeat.

Remember when you received that mysterious toy called the “Magic 8-Ball” for the holidays or your birthday. It’s that oversized fortune-telling pool ball that when you shake it, offers you some kind of advice on your curious questions. Well boys and girls, you might want to dig through the dust and extract it from the storage bin once again. It may be the only device smart enough to determine who will be the eighth and final seed in the East playoffs. If the Magic 8-Ball, however, is as dizzy as basketball fans are about this mind-boggling matter, than do the old-fashioned take-a-guess-and-hope-luck-is-on-your-side thing. In two pivotal matchups Friday, Mike Bibby, who played despite pain in his left thumb, racked up 30 points and eight assists to help Atlanta clip Chicago, while Indiana charged past New Jersey. If the playoffs began today, the Hawks would earn their first playoff berth since 1999. But until it’s official, it’s a guessing game as to which team will play Boston in the first round. By the way, Charlotte beat Seattle to join the race.

If you would have told me on March 28 of last season that the Celtics and Hornets would be leading their respective conferences exactly a year later, I would have asserted it would only happen if Davidson reached the elite eight in the 2008 NCAA Tournament. I guess anything can occur in sports. While that small school from North Carolina advanced in the collegiate ranks, Boston officially claimed victory over every team this season with a persuasive triumph over New Orleans on Friday.

It seems like an eternity ago when the 76ers stunned the Suns in the desert more than three weeks ago. Much has changed since then, however, which was evident on Friday as Phoenix limited Philadelphia to 39 percent shooting from the floor in a convincing victory. The Suns, who have now won eight of their last 10 games, allowed the Sixers to only nail one 3-pointer and held their top scorer, Andre Iguodala, to 3-of-12 shooting. Philly had previously triumphed in 19 of its last 24 games.

Although Rio Grande Valley is not a playoff contender in its inaugural season, it may possess the most electrifying scorer in the D-League. Desmon Farmer, who has racked up more than 20 points in 11 of his last 12 games, posted a career-best 49 in the Vipers’ narrow triumph over the Thunderbirds on Friday. The former USC standout shot a blistering 18-of-26 from the field and nailed eight 3-pointers. There is a good chance you will likely see Farmer in the NBA in the near future.