- WEEK 9 RECAP -
WRITTEN BY: PROFESSOR X
Week 9 was crazy to say the least. Might have been one of the best set of games ever in terms of scheduling. I am a fan of the Commish unlike Stephen A. Kellerman and I thought he did an excellent job matching teams up. No other league that I know does it like this and it just creates so much suspense and drama. Not to mention it allows teams the flexibility to take bye's last minute and stuff. I did see that he is allowing player adds only until game 8 if the team has a jersey for the player and they have paid. So we are almost at that point and we shall see what the league does to try and take on the Thunder and Rockets. Let's get to it.
PACERS vs HEAT: Nidun plays his former squad and he made sure they wouldn't forget this game. 20/3/3 with a couple steals and a block while hitting three triples seemed like he was on demon time. He had no hit a triple all season until he saw the Heat jerseys. Scoring a season high 20 and getting after it on defence...Nidun came to eat. He made sure the food was HEATED and took his time enjoying his meal. His teammate Duzan put up 22 and looked great in this one and that was pretty much all the Pacers needed and they continue to get better as the season is progressing. Keerth played phenomenal for Miami and hit some big triples in this one (4 of them). He led them in scoring with 18 and his shooting will be key for this team the rest of the way. Markshun and Zaid combined for 2 points and that simply cannot happen regardless of how good the Pacer defence is. Let's see if they can bounce back in a couple weeks.
Final Score: Heat 60 - 46 Pacers Player of the Game: NIDUN CHANDRAKUMAR 20pts/3rebs/3asts/2stls/1blk/1to - 3 Triples
ROCKETS vs PISTONS: Pistons put up a show in the first half led by Kendell Wilson who was making tough shot after tough shot. My guy caught fire and went toe to toe with Dinjiyl and the Rockets. But the Rockets were able to lift off in the 2nd half and that is why this team is downright scary. They can go through stretches and play down to the competition but then they can flip a switch and absolutely start torching the other team. They hit 11 threes and some of them were wide open which they did a great job of finding guys and getting to the open spot. Shang, Dinjiyl and Roshane are all capable of drawing attention and making the right pass and they definitely did that. If Tobi is hitting threes as well...then it's goodnight for sure. Rockets win easy.
Final Score: Rockets 73 - 55 Pistons Player of the Game: TOBI OJAJUNI 13pts/6rebs/2asts/2blks/1to - 83% Shooting - 3 Triples
LAKERS vs GRIZZLIES: Lakers are gaining some momentum. That is 2 in a row and they had 4 guys in double figures! Everyone on the squad can do a little bit of something and so they keep coming at you. They find a way to grind and play tough on both ends which is a nightmare for most teams. Hopefully, they continue to ride this little wave and start putting the fear into the playoff teams. Athletic wings and guards with skilled passing big men is a good mix for sure and they just have to get the consistent shooting to really make a deep push. Grizzlies looked rusty and just out of rhythm. Ben with a double double (21/10) and he will have to shoulder the load down the stretch if they want to make the playoffs.
Final Score: Lakers 62 - 50 Grizzlies Player of the Game: JOVAN BAILEY 11pts/8rebs/3asts/3stls/1blk/0to
NETS vs HAWKS: The Hawks played their best game of the season thanks in part to Cole's big performance with 16 and 11. He also played some tough defence and pretty much was everywhere for the Hawks squad. Took him awhile to find his rhythm this season but he showed us what he is capable of in this one. Big game Cole. Omar was also very solid with 15/4/2 and the Hawks kept up the whole time but just couldn't get over the hump as the Nets were able to make timely plays down the stretch. Shabir and Neil with 21 points a piece to lead the Nets who now have got some momentum going. Neil Powley has made a big difference and the team overall is playing a lot better. They get a big matchup against the Clippers this Sunday which could make or break their season. They have a chance to move into a playoff spot with a win and so let's see if they could ride this momentum.
Final Score: Nets 62 - 57 Hawks Player of the Game: SHABIR ABDALI 21pts/3rebs/2asts/1stl/1to
NEIL POWLEY 21pts/6rebs/1stl/1to
KINGS vs RAPTORS: The Kings had some good news and some bad news in this one. The good news is that they took care of business and got a much needed win to move back into the playoff picture. The bad news is that their top player Damion will be unavailable the rest of the way due to work obligations. So that leaves them in a tough spot. Luckily they have a chance to add someone before the deadline (8 games) and they better work their tails off to find someone who can at least match what DD was giving them. This team has had its ups and downs but they have a very capable team. Craig was great in this one and Vishnu hit 3 bombs to really help seal the win for them. The Raps meanwhile might be the best team we have ever seen...to miss the playoffs. Their starting 5 is really nice but so far it has been a nightmare season thus far. They fortunately get the worst team in the league this Sunday and so the door is not completely shut on a playoff birth. But time is slowly running out.
Final Score: Kings 64 - 60 Raptors Player of the Game: CRAIG HANSON 15pts/13rebs/2asts - 58% Shooting
CAVALIERS vs SIXERS: The Cavs and Sixers combined for 151 points in this game...sheesh. Very little defence but man f**k the D as the offence was so entertaining. Leading the entertainment was Mr. Mines who went crazy once again. This dude dropped a 35 piece combo on Philly and he was calm and cool like usual. The ability to draw fouls, make the right pass, and just use his IQ is off the charts. I still want to see a legit big on the team but for now Abbeshan stepped up huge with 10 points and 16 rebounds. He has been a low key x-factor for the team and this was a big time performance from him. If you can get more rebounds than Kareem Jackson then that is saying something. Cavs are rolling and we shall see if they can keep it going on Sunday against the Magic. The Sixers have so much talent but just the inconsistencies on defence and rebounding is frustrating. Delly was solid and he seems like he is finding his rhythm. Ryan who leads the league in triples hit another 4 in this one. Reem with 23/11/6! But once again the defence overall was what ended up being the difference. They get some time to regroup and come back strong.
Final Score: Cavaliers 80 - 71 Sixers Player of the Game: MICHAEL MINES 35pts/6rebs/5asts/1to - 65% Shooting - 3 Triples
CLIPPERS vs BOBCATS: These two heavyweights end up trading blows but eventually finish the game in a tie as overtime did not solve anything. Javed had an amazing game with 6 triples while Kris G stepped up and dropped 18 for the Clippers. Camby had 17/6/4 for the Cats while Kareem pulled down a game high 15 boards. These two teams have had their battles in the past and would definitely like to see them go at it in the playoffs. The Bobcats are currently holding onto the last playoff spot while the Clippers sit in 6th. Both teams are still working on their chemistry and rhythm and we shall see who makes the most improvements down the stretch.
Final Score: Clippers 65 - 65 Bobcats Player of the Game: JAVED AHMAD 22pts/4rebs/2asts/1stl/0to - 53% Shooting - 6 Triples
MATTHEW CAMPBELL 17pts/6rebs/4asts/1stl - 54.5% Shooting - 3 Triples