By Andrew Medeiros

April 13, 2008: SCOREBOARD | IN FOCUS GALLERY | AROUND THE ASSOCIATION ARCHIVE

PHOTO OF THE NIGHT
LeBron James soars for two of his 13 points to lead the Cavaliers over the Heat on Sunday.
David Liam Kyle/NBA/Getty Images
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
Chauncey Billups “Look what they are doing with 20-something minutes a night, and imagine what they could do with 34 or 35. They've beaten playoff teams the last two games -- teams that are playing hard and have their starters in late.”
-- Pistons' Chauncey Billups on Detroit’s second five.
THE DAY'S TOP VIDEO
Sunday's top play: Jamario Moon drives for the one-handed slam.
  • 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
    Rodney Stuckey With many fantasy studs around the association getting extra rest as their teams prepare for the postseason or look ahead to next season, some lesser-used players have had a chance to prove themselves. Rodney Stuckey is one player that has taken advantage of the extra time. With the Pistons’ regulars playing barely 25 minutes a night, Stuckey has been on fire. On Sunday, he led Detroit in scoring with 18 points off the bench as the Pistons beat the Raptors, a possible first-round opponent, 91-84. Fantasy Index.
    SHOOTING STUDS
    Allen Iverson Allen Iverson, Nuggets
    111-94 win vs. Rockets
    33 pts, 13-20 FG

    J.R. Smith, Nuggets
    111-94 win vs. Rockets
    23 pts, 8-14 FG, 5-8 3-pt FG, 2-2 FT

    Derek Fisher, Lakers
    106-85 win vs. Spurs
    14 pts, 6-9 FG, 2-3 3-pt FG

    STAT SHEET STUFFER
    Earl Watson Earl Watson notched his first career triple-double against the Kings in February, but he was just two rebounds shy of posting his second triple-double in Sunday’s matchup with Dallas. Watson is posting career numbers in his first full season as starting point guard in Seattle and showed how with 21 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds against the Mavericks. He also added one steal and block in the Sonics’ thrilling win.
    SHOOTING DUDS
    Tim Duncan Tim Duncan, Spurs
    106-85 loss at Lakers
    16 pts, 6-19 FG, 4-7 FT

    Chauncey Billups, Pistons
    91-84 win vs. Raptors
    14 pts, 4-11 FG, 2-6 3-pt FG

    Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets
    111-94 win vs. Rockets
    11 pts, 3-14 FG

    LAKERS IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT
    Kobe Bryant With the Hornets and Rockets suffering setbacks in the last two days, the Lakers are finding a simple path to the top spot in the West: Win and it is yours. Los Angeles obliged on Sunday with a 106-85 rout of the suddenly-reeling Spurs. If they can do the same against the Kings on Tuesday, the Lakers will claim the top spot in the West for the first time since winning the 2000 NBA Championship. After battling to a 53-53 tie at halftime, the Lakers’ defense clamped down, holding San Antonio to just 32 second-half points. MVP candidate Kobe Bryant said he likes the team’s ability to play tough defense heading into the playoffs. “We are very aggressive,” he explained. “We have a tremendous amount of versatility -- wings and bigs who are fast and athletic and long. We can get after guys.” Bryant, who is second in the NBA in scoring with 28.5 ppg, led Los Angeles with 20 points, while Lamar Odom contributed 17 points and 14 rebounds. Depending on how the final few days play out, the Lakers could play the Mavs, Nuggets, who moved a game closer to clinching a playoff spot Sunday; or Warriors.
    MAGIC NUMBER 50
    Dwight Howard After dropping six of their last 10, the Magic needed a win to gain some momentum heading into the playoffs, but Sunday’s 104-84 win over the Bulls was special for other reasons. Signifying the end of a long rebuilding process, Sunday’s win marked the first time Orlando has reached the 50-win plateau since being led to three consecutive by another young, dominant big man. Dwight Howard, who leads the NBA with 68 double-doubles, needed just 19 points and five rebounds to lead the Magic comfortably past the Bulls before resting in the fourth quarter. After the game, Howard said winning 50 is important, but he isn’t satisfied. “I'm surprised we haven't won more than 50 this year,” he said. “I think we should have won at least 55. To win 50 is big. Every year, we've progressed.” Hedo Turkoglu led the way for Orlando on Sunday with 24 points and eight assists, while Rashard Lewis, who joined the Magic this season via a sign-and-trade deal with Seattle, added 18 points. Locked into the No. 3 position, the Magic prepare to face either the Sixers or the Raptors in the first round.
    UPSET OF THE NIGHT
    Sonics Logo With 19 wins on the season, the SuperSonics are playing for pride at this point. While Dirk Nowitzki put forth a 32-point, nine-rebound effort reminiscent of his MVP numbers last season, Seattle triumphed on Sunday behind double-doubles from Earl Watson and Nick Collison. Watson tallied 21 points and 10 assists, while Collison added 18 points and 11 boards.
    ROOKIE WATCH
    Kevin Durant With the days ticking down on the 2007-2008 regular season and the Sonics bound for the draft lottery, Kevin Durant continues to put the finishing touches on his Rookie of the Year campaign. After setting a career high with 37 points a week ago against the Nuggets, Durant again showed the mettle to handle last-minute pressure, scoring twice in the final 45 seconds to lead Seattle past Dallas.
    SIXTH MAN OF THE NIGHT
    J.R. Smith Nuggets fans are used to Allen Iverson putting up big nights when it counts most. They are also starting to get used to J.R. Smith doing the same. Averaging 12 points a game, Smith has settled nicely into the Sixth Man role for Denver, which is one game away from clinching a playoff spot. He provided the Nuggets with a spark off the bench, scoring 18 of his 23 points in the first half of Sunday’s win.