Better With Vince Vince Carter is proving just how valuable he is to not only the New Jersey Nets’ success, but Richard Jefferson’s as well. With Carter back in the lineup, the Nets look to win their third straight on Sunday when they wrap up their four-game road trip with a matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Author: Anthony Rome
Ducks’ Getzlaf on a Roll Third-year center Ryan Getzlaf continues to develop nicely for the Anaheim Ducks. His progress has certainly been evident in a couple of outstanding games against the Los Angeles Kings in November. Getzlaf, boasting a seven-game points streak, leads the Ducks as they continue their season series with the Kings on Sunday night.
Shooting Stars A front-office shakeup has resulted in the Dallas Stars playing their best hockey of the season at home. The challenge is continuing that success as they embark on their longest road trip this season. Dallas (11-7-4) goes for its fifth win in a row on Sunday when it meets the New York Rangers (13-8-2) at Madison Square Garden.
Can’t Get It Going The Los Angeles Clippers’ surprising 4-0 start to the season is just a memory. Looking to avoid their sixth loss in eight games, the Clippers meet the New Orleans Hornets at Staples Center on Saturday night.
Intrastate Fued Auburn has owned its bitter Iron Bowl rivalry with Alabama over the last five years. Nick Saban was hired to help end that dominance. The 25th-ranked Tigers look to make it six wins in a row over the Crimson Tide on Saturday in Saban’s first game coaching in this long-time, intrastate feud.
Win Much? Though winning a Big East title is no longer possible, Cincinnati still has much to play for in its regular-season finale. The 24th-ranked Bearcats look to record their most wins in a season since 1953 when they visit last-place Syracuse on Saturday.
Shooting Woes After back-to-back nights of poor shooting, the Denver Nuggets try to snap out of their offensive funk as they visit the struggling Houston Rockets on Saturday. Denver (9-4) has shot below 40 percent from the field its last two games, including a 101-90 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday – ending a six-game winning streak – and a 99-93 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
Building Momentum Again Behind the new "Big Three," the Boston Celtics are putting up impressive offensive numbers. Their defense isn’t doing too badly either. After back-to-back home wins, the Celtics (10-1) try to carry that momentum on the road as they visit the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday.
Leafs Head to Phoenix It’s taken just three games for Ilya Bryzgalov to do what neither Mikael Tellqvist, Alex Auld nor David Aebischer could – entrench himself firmly as the Phoenix Coyotes’ starting goaltender. Coming off his third straight win with his new club, Bryzgalov looks to keep his success with the Coyotes going as they welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night to Jobing.com Arena.
Unstoppable at Home The Colorado Avalanche haven’t had much success on the road this season. But at home they’ve been nearly unstoppable. Colorado goes for its 10th home win in 11 tries on Saturday when it meets the Calgary Flames for the fifth time this season.