|
STAT SHEET STUFFER
|
Tim Duncan did everything against the Clippers except hit his free throws, and he even did that when the Spurs needed him to. With 12.6 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Duncan stepped to the line at 1-for-11 on the evening and coolly hit two foul shots to tie the game. The Spurs eventually won in overtime, and Duncan tallied 27 points, 22 boards, five assists, a steal and a block in the 95-87 home win over L.A.
|
|
|
RICK KAMLA'S FANTASY TAKE
|
In three games since missing time with a concussion, Kirk Hinrich is averaging 24.7 points with six threes. The dude is so tough because he snacks on nails.
|
|
|
|
GAME OF THE NIGHT
|
For the second straight night, the Timberwolves were on the wrong end of a dramatic finish. After an overtime loss to the Sixers on Monday, Minnesota returned home to host the Kings on Tuesday, and again left unhappy. Bonzi Wells hit a high-arcing, buzzer-beating corner 3-pointer to give Sacramento a heartstopping 93-91 win. On the previous offensive possession, Wells had a chance to tie but missed one of two free throws to leave the Kings behind by one. A Kevin Garnett miss and Peja Stojakovic defensive rebound later, Mike Bibby inbounded to Brad Miller who fed Wells just in time for the final shot.
|
|
|
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
|
"Two years go by very fast. I had to get right into the competition of this game. A lot of things have gone under the bridge during that time. It was just exciting to be out there and see these two teams play hard."
- Miami head coach Pat Riley after a 100-97 win over Chicago in his return to the sideline.
|
|
|
STORYLINES OF THE NIGHT
|
 1. Class Act
Five of the first seven players taken in the 2003 NBA Draft were in action Tuesday. First overall pick LeBron James scored 39 and No. 3 selection Carmelo Anthony notched a career high 42 points, while fifth pick Dwyane Wade (14 points, 11 assists), No. 6 Chris Kaman (14 points, 13 rebounds) and No. 7 Kirk Hinrich (26 points, eight assists) had strong outings as well. As a group, the fantastic five averaged 27 points, eight rebounds and six assists on the evening. Fellow class of 2003 members Jarvis Hayes (No. 10) and Nick Collison (No. 12) scored in double figures as well.
2. Riley's Return
Pat Riley made his return to the bench a triumphant one, as the Heat grabbed a 100-97 road win over the Bulls. Shaquille O'Neal scored 30 points and Alonzo Mourning, the only Miami holdover from the last time Riley patrolled the sidelines, added a double-double off the bench. The win is number 1,111 of Riley's illustrious coaching career.
 3. Gilbert Who?
Even with Gilbert Arenas sitting out with a lower back bruise, the Wizards throttled the Nets 94-74 to end a three-game losing streak. Arenas had averaged 27 points and seven assists in those three losses, but Washington picked up the slack with a balanced effort. Jarvis Hayes scored 19 points, and four other Wizards scored 12 apiece in the comfortable home win.
|
|
|
ROOKIE WATCH
|
Sean May, the 13th pick in last year's draft, was one of the few Bobcats that played well during a fourth quarter that saw the Nuggets reel off a 21-3 run to close the game and deal Charlotte a 101-85 home loss. May scored five of his 13 in the final period, and also tallied six boards in just 23 minutes off the bench.
|
|
|
COOL/CLUTCH PERFORMANCE
|
Baron Davis missed a potential game-winning layup at the buzzer in regulation, but luckily he got another chance, and made the most of it. With the game still tied and 4.3 seconds left in OT, Golden State held the ball on the sideline. Mike Dunleavy fed Davis, who dribbled up the sideline and hit a pull-up three with only four tenths of a second remaining. A Ray Allen miss later, the Warriors escaped Seattle with a 110-107 road win.
|
|
|
UPSET OF THE NIGHT
|
Beating a tough team at home is one thing, but could the Hawks take to the road with success? Coming off a victory over the defending champion Spurs, they came into Cleveland looking for a winning streak and left with one after a 100-94 victory over the Cavs. Atlanta, led by Al Harrington's 20, had five score in double figures, to overcome LeBron James' big game (39 points, 10 rebounds, six assists) and defeat the struggling Cavaliers.
|
|
|
SCOREBOARD: Dec. 13, 2005 |
AROUND THE ASSOCIATION ARCHIVE
Bonzi Wells hits the high-arcing corner trey at the buzzer for the win.
