Michael Ruffin had an interesting game today. He got the ball at the end of the game and heaved the ball in a celebratory gesture with a couple o seconds to go as his Wizards were ahead by 3. Only one problem. There was too much time left and the ball was not heaved high enough. So it came down right in to the hands of Morris Peterson who nailed the 3 to send the game to OT. That was Mo Pete's only shot attempt of the game and Michael Ruffin's only brain cramp of the game! Once the game went in to OT,C-Bosh did the rest to seal the game for the Raptors. He had a 37-15-5 night. He is some kind of player. Toronto has to deal with injuries to both Jorge Garbajosa and Andrea Bargnani. Too bad because they can do some real damage in the L-East if completely healthy.
Kobe had 53 big ones, but lost to Houston as Yao had 39 and T-Mac had 30. Kobe did take 44 shots and miss 25 of those, most of the misses coming in the third. But it was amazing to see him dominate the first half and then again lead the team from behind in the fourth. Houston fouled Kwame intentionally to prevent the game-tying 3 - a strategy you see rarely and we also saw why you see it rarely. Kwame rimmed both throws but the second one bounced long and Kobe tracked it down. Of course Kobe took and made a ridiculous 3 to send the game to OT as T-Mac missed the buzzer beater at the other end. In OT, Kobe was still doing good, but they called a travel at mid-court on Kobe, another rare sight - a NBA ref making a tough travel call on a super-star in the final minutes of a game. Houston then closed the door on the Lakers and Kobe had nothing to show for after his great night. He saw first hand what a good team can do as Yao was unstoppable. T-Mac just has such a much easier life than Kobe with Yao to lean on.
Phoenix put Denver away behind a monster night by Marion. The Matrix has been MIA the last few weeks and he came back strong today as he had 33-9. He then suggested he was not in any kind of slump, but just that he doesn't see the ball enough. Typical Matrix, always feeling under-appreciated and over-criticized. D'Antoni said "If he supplies the energy we'll supply the possibilities on the floor" . Typical D'Antoni. These 2 guys have an interesting relationship. Melo had 32-10, but tweaked his ankle towards the end. The Suns needed this game and won it in style.
Spurs did the same with the Jazz as the big 3, Timmy, Tony and Manu, all had good games. Jazz didn't get the big win they were looking for. Dallas kept pace with the Suns and the Spurs as they won an exciting game against the Knicks. They had to deal with Starbury who was on fire. He had 43 today and looked determined to single handedly beat the best team in the league. But he couldn't quite close the deal and Dirk hit some big shots for the Mavs. Nowitzki scored 17 of his 30 in the fourth with 9 of those coming in the last 2 minutes. Good win for him personally. The Clip-joint went in to Sacto and won a big game. They are doing really well now. Some experts are saying they play better without Sam Cassell! Jason Hart is doing a great job at the point. In the East, big night for Chauncey Billups as he had 32 and 14 dimes to take care of the Nets.
Utah @ San Antonio - 93-102
Denver @ Phoenix - 108-125
Houston @ LA Lakers - 107-104 (OT)
Toronto @ Washington - 123-118 (OT)
LA Clippers @ Sacramento - 105-101
Interesting games on the board for Mar 31-St (Saturday)
Cleveland @ Chicago - Another good one in the Central, may be the most balanced division in the league.
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