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STAT SHEET STUFFER
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Steve Nash has taken more of a scorer's role this year, but is still leading the NBA in assists. Wednesday he did it all, hitting 10-of-15 from the field and a career-high seven 3-pointers on his way to 31 points while notching eight rebounds and nine assists in the Suns' 109-91 blowout win over the Pacers.
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RICK KAMLA'S FANTASY TAKE
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Doc Rivers has been desperate for defense down low and Kendrick Perkins gave him 12 points, 19 rebounds and two blocks on Wednesday. Don't waste another second, pick up Perkins now.
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GAME OF THE NIGHT
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Cleveland's big three might have been making the offense roll all night, but Donyell Marshall rocked when it mattered most. Marshall followed a Cleveland miss and was fouled for a traditional three-point play to tie the game with 46 seconds left in regulation. After the teams traded a pair of free throws and headed to overtime, Marshall opened the extra period with a pair of 3-pointers to give the Cavaliers a lead they would never relinquish in a 112-105 win over the Clippers. Elton Brand poured in 33 points and snared 13 rebounds in defeat, while Zydrunas Ilgauskas (29 points), LeBron James (28) and Larry Hughes (23) all played well for Cleveland.
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QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
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"Gilbert is the only point guard in the league who's got basically everything. He's got the height, he's got the quickness, he's got the jump shot, he's got hops, he can dribble. He can defend when he wants to. You don't see too many point guards like that."
- Portland's Darius Miles talking about Wizards point guard Gilbert Arenas, who scored a game-high 28 points in Washington's 96-89 home win over the Blazers.
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STORYLINES OF THE NIGHT
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  1. How Long Has It Been?
The stellar backcourt duo of Baron Davis and Jason Richardson came up big in Wednesday's 113-106 home win over the Kings, combining for 58 points and 22 assists. The victory closes out an 11-6 opening month for Golden State, with the 11 November triumphs matching a franchise record. The mark was set during the Warriors' championship 1974-75 campaign, almost five full years before either Davis or Richardson were born.
 2. A Whole New Ballgame
The New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets edged the Nuggets for a 102-95 road win behind Desmond Mason's 26 points, giving them their fourth road victory on the season and evening their record at 7-7. Last season, the Hornets didn't win their seventh game until Jan. 22 and didn't earn their fourth road win until March 18. And the latest date that the 2004-05 Hornets were at .500? After an opening night loss, they never again balanced their record.
 3. Defense Does It
A year ago, the Suns were a powerhouse on offense but tended to give up a lot of points on the other end. This season, even without the injured Amaré Stoudemire, Phoenix's offense is still clicking. The difference is the 'D', as the Suns are allowing almost 15 points less per game than they did a year ago. Point in case: A decisive 109-91 home win over the Pacers with the help of Shawn Marion's 21 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks.
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ROOKIE WATCH
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 Another day, another solid outing for the Knicks' rookie big man Channing Frye. Frye was instrumental in New York's home comeback win over Chicago with 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting and eight rebounds.
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COOL/CLUTCH PERFORMANCE
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The Knicks lost all four games to the Bulls a year ago, and throughout most of their Wednesday matchup, it looked like the trend would continue. Enter Jamal Crawford, a former Bull who had struggled this season in his new role as a reserve on Larry Brown's New York squad. Crawford scored 23 of his season-high 28 points after halftime, and played a key role in an 18-2 Knicks run to start the fourth quarter that turned a deficit into a 109-101 win.
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SCOREBOARD: Nov. 30, 2005 |
AROUND THE ASSOCIATION ARCHIVE
