By Mike Weilamann
April 16, 2008: SCOREBOARD | IN FOCUS GALLERY | AROUND THE ASSOCIATION ARCHIVE
PHOTO OF THE NIGHT
Jason Kidd was there to lend a helping hand to Brandon Bass and the rest of the Mavericks in Wednesday's win over New Orleans.Glenn James/NBA/Getty Images
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
"Early on, I think Dr. Naismith was rolling over.''-- Detroit coach Flip Saunders describing Wednesday's win over the Cavaliers that saw plenty of reserves get playing time as both teams rested their starters for the playoffs.
THE DAY'S TOP VIDEO
Wednesday's top play: Ramon Sessions nails the halfcourt buzzer-beater.
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NBA.COM'S FANTASY TAKE
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, and believe me these are rare moments of awareness, it’s to avoid players with a history of injuries. I’ve been burned more times than I care to recall, but suffice it to say I stay away like the plague. For those of you who like to live on the edge, players like Yao Ming for example could be available at bargain rates next season. Yao has yet to finish in three seasons and is a risky proposition. Then again, Baron Davis finally stayed healthy and handsomely rewarded his owners this season. Can he repeat? Where do Gilbert Arenas and Dwyane Wade, two potential steals, fall? Stay locked and loaded with our Fantasy Index.
SHOOTING STUDS
Mike Dunleavy, Pacers132-123 win vs. Knicks
36 pts, 12-19 FG, 6-8 3-pt FG
Jason Terry, Mavericks
111-98 win vs. Hornets
30 pts, 12-19 FG, 3-6 3-pt FG
Jason Richardson, Bobcats
115-109 win vs. Sixers
29 pts, 9-18 FG, 3-7 3-pt FG, 8-9 FT
STAT SHEET STUFFER
The newest Mav looked a lot like his old self on Wednesday. For the 100th time in his illustrious career, Jason Kidd posted a triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists as Dallas wrapped up the regular season by stinging the Hornets. The finale was a preview of their first-round playoff series which begins Saturday in New Orleans. Kidd, No. 3 on the career triple list behind Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson, joins them in triple-figure triples.
SHOOTING DUDS
Tracy McGrady, Rockets93-75 win vs. Clippers
7 pts, 2-11 FG, 0-5 3-pt FG
Damon Jones, Cavaliers
84-74 loss vs. Pistons
4 pts, 1-12 FG, 0-4 3-pt FG
Richard Hamilton, Pistons
84-74 win vs. Cavaliers
2 pts, 1-8 FG
HOME-COURT COOKING WITH WESTERN FLAVOR
Fasten your seat belts for a wild ride in the West, which promises to be some of the most exciting and entertaining postseason basketball in quite some time. The Spurs and Rockets both secured home-court advantage in their first-round playoff series on the final day of the regular season. San Antonio locked up the No. 3 seed with a convincing 29-point win over the Jazz. Where did that come from? The Spurs have been struggling along for weeks, but Tony Parker’s 24 points helped get them out of their funk, at least for one night. The Jazz get the No. 4 seed, but the Rockets, who hammered the Clippers, will have home-court as the No. 5 seed. Phoenix entered the night with hopes of securing the No. 4 seed and wound up as the No. 6 seed. The Suns beat the Blazers, but San Antonio’s win dropped Phoenix to six.
CELTICS CALL OUT SOME FINE RESERVES
We all know how good Boston’s starters are. Now we know the rest of the story. The Celtics have gone to their bench in recent games with home-court advantage having already been neatly tucked away. Leon Powe was the latest Boston super-sub to make an impact as he scored a career-high 27 points to go with 11 rebounds as the C’s closed out the regular season by cutting down the Nets on Wednesday. The Big Three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen all played in the finale, albeit sparingly. Point guard Rajon Rondo and James Posey also got the night off. Unlike last year, Boston is making playoff plans instead of tee times on the golf course. The starters are well-rested and ready to get going against Atlanta this weekend. At 66-16, Boston owns the best record in the NBA. Now they’ll try to prove they are indeed the best team.
SIXTH MAN OF THE NIGHT
Anyone ever hear of Phoenix reserve Sean Marks? Anyone? Anyone? Well shame on you. On Wednesday, the Trail Blazers got to know the Aussie very well as he came off the bench and dropped 16 points and 13 rebounds on Portland as the Suns won their regular-season finale. Marks' 16 points matched a career high and his 13 rebounds established a career high. Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire and Shaquille O’Neal did not play after halftime as the game wound up having no meaning as far as seeding in the Western Conference playoffs. The Suns are the No. 6 seed and will meet the defending champion Spurs in the first round.
ROOKIE WATCH
The diaper dandies were out in full force on Wednesday. Leading the way, as he’s done so many times this season, was Kevin Durant who posted career-highs with 42 points and 13 rebounds for his first double-double in Seattle’s road win over Golden State. Can you say Rookie of the Year? Teammate Jeff Green added a strong 27 points in the win. On any other night, Aaron Gray would be lead dog here. All Gray did was grab a rookie-high 22 rebounds and score 19 points as the Bulls clipped the Raptors. A shout out also goes to Arron Afflalo, who had 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals in Detroit’s win over Cleveland.
COOL/CLUTCH PERFORMANCE
The Houston Rockets needed a hero on Wednesday. Luis Scola filled the bill just fine with 22 points on 10-of-14 shooting to go with 10 rebounds and four assists as the playoff-bound Rockets pasted the Clippers. Houston, the No. 5 seed, will face Utah in an opening-round playoff series. Scola, who topped 20 for the ninth time, was especially clutch considering leading scorer Tracy McGrady was held to only seven points on 2-of-11 shooting. Scola has enjoyed a fine rookie season and was a big contributor during the Rockets’ historic 22-game winning streak. Houston finished strong by winning 35 of its last 43 regular-season games.
