PLAY OF THE DAY

SHOOTING STUDS

A. Jamison, Wizards
111-97 win at Bobcats
35 pts, 13-19 FG, 5-9 3-pt FG, 4-6 FT

Tim Thomas, Suns
129-120 win at Sonics
23 pts, 10-11 FG, 3-4 3-pt FG

Brent Barry, Spurs
96-81 win vs. Hornets
16 pts, 6-6 FG, 4-4 3-pt FG

SHOOTING DUDS

Andrei Kirilenko, Jazz
121-83 loss at Heat
2-9 FG, 7 pts

Darius Miles, Blazers
95-66 loss at Bulls
4-14 FG, 8 pts

Manu Ginobili, Spurs
96-81 win vs. Hornets
0-7 FG, 0-5 3-pt FG, 5 pts

STAT SHEET STUFFER

Washington forward Antawn Jamison played as if he was in his own backyard on Tuesday, and in a way he was. The Charlotte native and former North Carolina Tar Heel put on a show for family and friends, scoring a season-high 35 points and grabbing 16 rebounds in a 119-114 road victory over Charlotte. Jamison shot a scorching 13-for-19 from the field, including 5-of-9 from 3-point land. At one point in the third quarter, Jamison drained three straight 3-pointers, scoring 11 straight Wizards' points in the process. After smoking the Bobcats on Tobacco Road, Jamison will hope to duplicate his effort against them in Washington on Wednesday.

RICK KAMLA'S FANTASY TAKE

"With no Allen Iverson you expected John Salmons and Andre Iguodala to step it up, and that's exactly what happened against the Raptors. Salmons had a career-high 23 points, while Iggy Hop had 19 points -- his average from the previous meetings with the Raptors."

SIXTH MAN OF THE NIGHT

Resurrected from the ether like the Ghost of Point Guard Past, Toronto's Darrick Martin bursted onto the scene Tuesday in the Raptors' 111-97 road win over Philadelphia. An 11-year vet with more pit stops than a NASCAR race, Martin exploded off the bench with a season-high 18 points and 12 assists in 28 minutes. Signed to replace injured rookie Jose Calderon, Martin, shot 4-of-6 from behind the arc and 6-for-6 from the charity stripe. He also gathered two steals, which matched a season high. With the win, the Raptors have won two consecutive, and look for their third in a row against the Pistons on Wednesday.

GAME OF THE NIGHT

In the last matchup between the league's two highest scoring teams, the Sonics and the Suns brought us the highest scoring contest of the year, a 151-149 double-OT thriller capped off by Ray Allen's game-winning 3-bomb. Fast forward a couple of months and the two teams would square off for another shootout. After leading 67-61 at the half, the Suns tallied another 35 points in the third quarter to go into the fourth leading 102-90. Posting four players with 23 points or more, Phoenix launched its way to a 129-120 home victory. Raja Bell led the Suns with 25 points on 10-of-13 shooting, including 5-for-8 from 3-point land. Shawn Marion added 24 points and 11 rebounds, while Steve Nash contributed 23 points and eight dishes. Off the bench, Tim Thomas was near perfect, nailing 10-of-11 shots and swishing 3-of-4 from downtown for 23 points. But not to be outdone, the Sonics unleashed a few weapons of their own. Ray Allen exploded for 33 points, draining 5-of-9 from behind the arc. Rashard Lewis was 10-of-13 for 22 points and Luke Ridnour added 19 points and 13 assists. Although the last game featured an NBA record 32-made 3-pointers, this game featured bullseye-like marksmanship from both teams. Phoenix shot 56 percent from the floor, while the Sonics shot 53 percent.

QUOTE OF THE NIGHT

"They made it hard for us all night around the basket. I'm getting my All-Star ballot back and putting Jake on it. He was terrific."

-- Boston's coach Doc Rivers praises Memphis center Jake Tsakalidis after his 19-point, 16-rebound performance in a 93-76 win over Rivers' Celtics.

STORYLINES OF THE NIGHT

1. A Tale of Two Cities
For San Antonio it was the best of times, for New Orleans/Oklahoma City, it was the worst of times. Coming into their matchup on Tuesday, the Hornets were the losers of six straight games. Meanwhile, the Spurs were in search of their league-leading 50th win. New Orleans/Oklahoma City hung tough, but dropped a 96-81 defeat, marking its seventh straight loss. After playing inspiring basketball all season, the Hornets' recent slump has dropped them out of the eighth spot in the Western Conference playoff race and below .500 for the first time since Jan. 28. Contrarily, the Spurs reached 50 wins faster than they ever have in franchise history, doing so despite injuries to starters Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili over the course of the season. In this game, the credit goes to Tony Parker (20 points and 11 assists) and Brent Barry (16 points off the bench on 6-of-6 shooting) for sealing the victory for the Spurs. The win also clinched San Antonio's ninth straight playoff birth, the longest consecutive streak of any team.

2. Californian Clash
A game after being shut down by the Sonics' Ray Allen, the Lakers' Kobe Bryant had no easy task against Sacramento's defensive master Ron Artest. But it was Artest's offense that propelled the Kings to a 114-98 home victory on Tuesday. Artest scored 28 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including 4-for-6 from downtown and 8-of-8 from the line. Bryant, on the other hand, was dogged by Artest in the first half, scoring only nine points on 4-of-12 shooting. With the win, the Kings earned their 13th straight home victory and seventh of eight overall. Since Artest was acquired, Sacramento has really rounded into form, and has not lost a game at home. In their last meeting with the Lakers, Bryant had a field day, scoring 36 points and dishing out a season-high 10 assists in a 106-85 home victory. But the new-look Sacramento received 29 points and seven assists from Mike Bibby, and 18 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks from Brad Miller. The Kings shot 54 percent from the floor, 53 percent from behind the arc, and outscored Los Angeles by 12 on fast break points. The win also moved Sacramento one-half game ahead of the Lakers for the seventh spot in the West.

3. Salmons & Sixers Swim Upstream
Without their star Allen Iverson, the Sixers are facing an uphill battle for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. Iverson missed Tuesday's game against the Raptors due to a sprained right foot, and Philadelphia couldn't prevail, falling 111-97 at home. The Sixers embark on a three-game Western road trip, with Iverson listed as day-to-day throughout. In the meantime, Philadelphia will have to turn to guard John Salmons, who responded brilliantly on Tuesday, scoring a career-high 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting. Salmons, and teammate Chris Webber, who added 23 points and added 11 rebounds, will have to carry the load and earn some key wins so they can remain in the playoff hunt.

ROOKIE WATCH

While rookie Charlie Villanueva has been getting much of the publicity north of the border, Toronto forward Joey Graham has quietly put together some nice games this season. The silky swingman finished one off his season high with 14 points in the Raptors 111-97 road victory over the Sixers on Tuesday. The former Oklahoma State Cowboy and 16th overall selection shot 5-of-7 from the floor and 4-for-4 from the line. Graham also tied a season high by nabbing three steals. With shooting performances like these, Joey will continue to serve notice around the league via tele-Grahams.

COOL/CLUTCH PERFORMANCE

Big-time players always rise to the occasion. Tuesday was no different as Mavericks' star forward Dirk Nowitzki welcomed the Cavaliers and phenom LeBron James to Dallas. Down 19 points in the third, Dallas needed a swing in momentum, and the versatile Nowitzki provided it. Nowitzki scored 21 of his 30 points in the second half, including 13 in the fourth quarter to lead the Mavs to a 91-87 home victory. Nowitzki also helped anchor the defense, rejecting two shots as Dallas held Cleveland to only eight third quarter points. The Mavs finished the season a perfect 15-0 against Eastern Congference opponents, while racking up its 50th win overall. They are currently tied with San Antonio for the top seed in the West.