NBA Today - March 25
Sat, Mar 24, 2007
By Associated Press
SCOREBOARD
Sunday, March 25
Golden State at L.A. Lakers (9:30 p.m. EDT). The Warriors look to stop Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who has scored 50 or more points in each of his last four games. Oddsmakers have listed the Lakers as 3 1/2-point favorites and the total is set at 223.
STARS Friday
- Kobe Bryant, Lakers, scored 50 points in Los Angeles' 111-105 win over New Orleans.
- Baron Davis, Warriors, had 34 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds to lead Golden State to a 135-128 victory over Washington.
- Jason Terry, Mavericks, scored 29 points as Dallas downed Boston 109-95.
- LaMarcus Aldridge, Trail Blazers, scored six of his 27 points in overtime as Portland overcame an early 15-point deficit to beat Atlanta 102-100.
- Rashard Lewis, SuperSonics, finished with 22 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, to help Seattle to a 85-82 comeback win over Minnesota.
BRYANT BLITZ
Kobe Bryant became the second player in NBA history to score at least 50 points in four straight games in leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 111-105 victory over the New Orleans on Friday night. Bryant, who has now scored 50 or more points in seven games this season and 18 times in his career, has finished wit 65, 50 and 60 in his previous three games, all Lakers victories. Only Wilt Chamberlain has exceeded that mark, scoring at least 50 points in seven consecutive games during the 1961-62 season.
DOUBLE FIGURES
Philadelphia used seven players in double figures in a 106-97 victory over Charlotte on Friday night. Guard Andre Miller led with the starters with a team-high 19 points. Willie Green scored 18, Steven Hunter had 12, Rodney Carney 11 and Samuel Dalembert added 10 for the Sixers, who had lost their previous two games to Houston and Detroit by a combined 71 points. Kyle Korver and Joe Smith had 13 and 11 points, respectively, in reserve.
PLAYOFF RACE
Orlando moved up a spot in the Eastern Conference playoff standings with a 90-82 win over New Jersey on Friday night. The Nets came into the game seventh in the playoff hunt, one place ahead of the Magic. ... Indiana's 95-70 victory over Miami, only its second win in four games after an 11-game losing streak, put the Pacers in eighth.
STRONG IN DEFEAT
Center Tyson Chandler had 22 points and 22 rebounds for New Orleans in its 111-105 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers Friday night. ... Reserve Salim Stoudamire scored a career-high 37 points for Atlanta, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter and adding eight in overtime in a 102-100 loss to Portland. ... Paul Pierce led Boston with 30 points, but was held to 5-of-18 shooting in a 109-95 loss to Dallas. ... Gilbert Arenas had 29 points and a season-high 13 assists against his former team as Washington dropped a 135-128 decision to Golden State. ... Eddy Curry scored 27 points with nine rebounds in New York's loss to Cleveland.
SPEAKING
''I went over to the sideline and I said ... watch this 3, I've got a 3 for you. Then I knocked down a 3 and gave him a high-five.'' - Kobe Bryant, whose 3-pointer from the corner prompted a rumble from the hostile crowd and excitement for a young boy in a courtside seat during the Lakers' 111-105 win over New Orleans on Friday night. It was Bryant's fourth straight 50-point effort, becoming only the second NBA player to accomplish the feat.
Iguodala back for 76ers, Mourning still out for Heat
Sat, Mar 24, 2007
By Associated Press
MIAMI -- Philadelphia 76ers guard Andre Iguodala returned to the team's starting lineup in Miami on Saturday, one night after sitting out a game with a strained lower back.
Iguodala had played in 232 straight regular-season games before missing the 76ers' win over Charlotte on Friday. He averages a team-best 18.1 points.
The Heat played again without backup center Alonzo Mourning, who was inactive with knee tendinitis for the third consecutive game. Miami is also still without guard Dwyane Wade (dislocated shoulder) and forward Jason Kapono (sprained ankle), neither of whom is expected back in the lineup before next month.
Kings Ron Artest will start today after missing one game (personal reasons) according to the Sacramento Bee.
Bucks Earl Boykins is expected to make his return today are missing the last 10 games with a thumb injury.
Blazers Zach Randolph is expected back today after missing the last 3 games for personal reasons, but is not expected to start per coach Maurice Cheeks.
Rockets Tracy McGrady missed practice on Saturday due to an illness, and has been added to the injury report as qestionable for tonight.
Pistons Rasheed Wallace has been suspended for Sunday's game, after recieving his eighteenth technical foul.
Hornets Peja Stojakovic is doubtful (back)
Kings Brad Miller is doubtful (foot)
Lakers Smush Parker is questionable (ankle)
Nuggets Marcus Camby is doubtful (back)
Rockets Dikembe Mutombo has been added to the injury report as out of tonight's game due to a lingering knee injury.