|
SHOOTING STUDS
|
Wally Szczerbiak, Timberwolves
113-108 win at Lakers
34 pts, 12-16 FG, 4-5 3-pt FG
Paul Pierce, Celtics
106-102 loss vs. Bulls
43 pts, 12-21 FG, 5-8 3-pt FG, 14-18 FT
Richard Hamilton, Pistons
106-98 win vs. Knicks
40 pts, 13-25 FG, 13-14 FT
|
|
|
RICK KAMLA'S FANTASY TAKE
|
After averaging 10 points and five rebounds in five games before Friday, it was cool to see Charlie Villanueva rock the Hawks for 22 points and 10 boards with three blocks. Let's hope he keeps it up.
|
|
|
|
GAME OF THE NIGHT
|
Milwaukee's go-to player is usually Michael Redd, but on this night in Washington, it was Maurice Williams. The third-year guard set career highs with 35 points, 15 field goals made and five threes made, with none of those threes being bigger than a buzzer-beater that gave the Bucks a 112-105 win over the Wizards. In what was a tight game most of the way, Williams put 17 on the board in the fourth quarter alone, outdueling Wizards star Gilbert Arenas, who finished with 34.
|
|
|
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
|
"It's amazing how well you can shoot when you can't see. I'm just fresh. That time off was like having an All-Star break in the middle of the season."
- Memphis' Mike Miller, who played for the first time since suffering a lacerated left eye and concussion Nov. 25. He scored 25 points in a 91-69 win over Orlando.
|
|
|
STORYLINES OF THE NIGHT
|
 1. Brownout in Motown
Larry Brown coached again in Detroit on Friday, bringing his Knicks squad into The Palace of Auburn Hills for the first time this season in a long awaited matchup. And while an interesting story was brewing at halftime -- the Knicks were tied 59-59 with the defending Eastern Conference champs -- the Pistons turned it up a few notches in the third quarter and showcased the defense that made them a powerhouse under Brown. Detroit surrendered just eight points in the third and marched on to the 106-98 victory.
 2. Suns Rising Again
Forced to start the season without Amaré Stoudamire, Phoenix's 4-5 record through nine games was understandable. Now it seems like the Suns have found solid footing without their All-Star power forward, notching their fifth straight win with Friday's 102-97 triumph over Denver. Center Kurt Thomas, brought in to bolster the defense, was particularly strong, combining 16 points with 16 rebounds and four blocks.
3. Dandy in Atlanta
Those who instantly dismissed the matchup between the 1-15 Raptors and 2-12 Hawks missed a whale of a ballgame, as Toronto hung on for the 102-101 win. Toronto built a up a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter before Atlanta stormed back. Chris Bosh made two key baskets late before Charlie Villanueva put the Raptors on top for good with 2.5 seconds left, making a layup off a fine feed from fellow rookie Jose Calderon and spoiling a big night from Joe Johnson. The Hawks guard scored 34 points, including 14 in the fourth.
|
|
|
ROOKIE WATCH
|
 First-round pick Jarrett Jack, backing up Sebastian Telfair at the point, saw some extended time and responded well, scoring a Trail Blazers-high 15 points on 6-of-7 from the field and adding three assists. Overall, it wasn't a great night for Portland, which lost 98-78 to Indiana.
|
|
|
COOL/CLUTCH PERFORMANCE
|
Ronald Murray flipped the switch in the fourth quarter for the Sonics, scoring 12 of his season-high 24 points in the fourth quarter to secure a 115-108 victory over Cleveland. Murray's jumper with 1:52 left gave Seattle a six-point lead and a reverse layup with 29.8 seconds remaining made it a 111-106 game.
|
|
|
SCOREBOARD: Dec. 2, 2005 |
AROUND THE ASSOCIATION ARCHIVE
