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SHOOTING STUDS
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Michael Redd, Bucks
112-92 win at Knicks
31 pts, 9-17 FG, 5-5 3-pt FG, 8-9 FT
Channing Frye, Knicks
112-92 loss vs. Bucks
30 pts, 14-18 FG, 2-2 FT
Raja Bell, Suns
91-87 loss vs. Hornets
24 pts, 9-16 FG, 5-5 3-pt FG
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STAT SHEET STUFFER
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Andrei Kirilenko showed no evidence of the ankle injury that sidelined him earlier this season, tallying 22 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and four blocked shots in Monday's 92-78 win over the Pistons.
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RICK KAMLA'S FANTASY TAKE
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After four games in the teens, Chris Webber exploded for 27 points and 21 rebounds against KG and the Wolves. It took 22 games, but C-Webb finally outscored AI.
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GAME OF THE NIGHT
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Chris Webber's two game-saving blocks in the final 10 seconds Monday night sealed Philadelphia's 90-89 overtime win over the Timberwolves, but he did a lot more than just preserve the victory. Webber forced overtime on a basket with 23 seconds left in regulation and added two more baskets in the extra period for four of the Sixers' five overtime points. With a chance to win the game, Kevin Garnett split two defenders and had a seemingly uncontested dunk before Webber got a piece of the ball, knocking it out of bounds with 7.3 seconds to go. After a timeout, Webber deflected Richie Frahm's pass out of bounds and on their last chance - with four-tenths of a second left - the Timberwolves again turned to Garnett, whose shot in the lane was altered by Webber at the buzzer.
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QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
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"Like coach ( Jerry Sloan) said before the game, 'You've gotta get yourself ready because Detroit comes to play night in, night out. I think tonight, we answered the bell. Coach said not to be intimidated by these guys, and we weren't."
- Utah's Milt Palacio after a 92-78 win over Detroit.
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STORYLINES OF THE NIGHT
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 1. Manic Monday
Only five games were on the NBA slate Monday, but there was plenty of action away from the court. Stan Van Gundy stepped down as head coach of the Heat after leading Miami to the Eastern Conference Finals last season and was replaced on an interim basis by legendary coach and current Heat president Pat Riley. Miami wasn't the only Eastern conference power making noise as Indiana Pacers CEO and President Donnie Walsh announced the franchise would respond to Ron Artest's public request for a trade by seeking offers for the star.
2. Webber sees 20-20
Chris Webber turned back the clock on Monday night, scoring 27 points and pulling down a season-high 21 boards in a 90-89 win over Kevin Garnett and the visiting Timberwolves. It was the ninth 20-20 game of Webber's career. The explosion came when the Sixers needed it most, as Allen Iverson scored a season-low 19 points.
 3. So Long StreaksThe Pistons and Suns both entered Monday with impressive streaks and both squads saw those streaks ended by unlikely opponents. J.R. Smith and Desmond Mason combined for 48 points as the Hornets ended Phoenix's eight-game home winning streak with a 91-87 victory. Detroit went into the night winners of five straight on the road and 10-of-11 overall away from home. The Jazz ended that run with a 92-78 win.
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ROOKIE WATCH
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Not much went right for the Knicks on Monday, but Channing Frye was the exception. The rookie out of Arizona started strong with 16 points in the first quarter and finished the night with a career-high 30 points on 14-of-18 shooting from the floor. He added seven boards and two blocked shots in 112-92 loss to the Bucks.
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COOL/CLUTCH PERFORMANCE
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Kobe Bryant delivered Monday when the Lakers needed him most. With the shot clock about to run out, Bryant buried a desperation 3-pointer well behind the arc that gave Los Angeles a 104-102 lead with 34 seconds remaining and the Lakers held on for a 109-106 win at Dallas. Kobe finished with 43 points on the night.
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UPSET OF THE NIGHT
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Detroit headed into Utah winners of five straight overall and 9-1 on the road to face the 8-12 Jazz. The Jazz were up to the challenge, dominating the rugged Pistons on the boards (55-27) en route to a 92-78 win. Mehmet Okur led the charge with 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Andrei Kirilenko tallied 22 points and 12 boards. The win is even more impressive considering Utah was without rookie guard Deron Williams (ear infection).
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SCOREBOARD: Dec. 12, 2005 |
AROUND THE ASSOCIATION ARCHIVE
Kobe hits long 3-pointer.
