All-star Game

The NBA returned to action after their field trip to Las Vegas for the All-Star Game and there were several games to choose from.

2007-02-21

The NBA returned to action after their field trip to Las Vegas for the All-Star Game and there were several games to choose from. I decided to take my hometown Knicks to begin their playoff push to beat the Magic. I also liked the Suns who were welcoming back their 2-time MVP Steve Nash against the Clippers in LA who have been mired in a season long funk.

So last night, my picks were as follows:

Knicks -2 vs. Magic
Suns -5.5 at Clippers
Suns/Clippers over 212

The Knicks already matched last season’s win total so with that mini-milestone out of the way, it was time to make a playoff push. First up, the Orlando Magic, one of the teams they figure to battle it out with until the bitter end.

Jamal Crawford and Eddy Curry scored 20 points each to lead the Knicks in this contest. The Knicks fell behind 8-0 before Richardson scored their first points of the game on a three-pointer with 8:44 left in the opening quarter. That sparked an 8-0 run that concluded with another Richardson three-pointer. The Knicks took their first lead of the game, 15-13, on Curry's basket with 4:20 to go in the first quarter, and finished the period up 23-22. Orlando grabbed a 31-28 lead early in the second quarter, but the Knicks went on a 9-0 run and opened up their biggest lead of the half, 37-31 on Steve Francis' jumper with 6:10 left. However, the Magic responded by scoring the next six points, tying the game on a Milicic dunk. The teams traded baskets until Crawford's three-pointer gave the Knicks their 49-45 halftime lead.

J.J. Redick's 3-pointer at the buzzer helped Orlando close to 79-76 at the end of the third quarter. However, the Magic did not get any closer the rest of the way, as the Knicks increased their lead to 91-81 on Stephon Marbury's 3-pointer with 5:31 left. Orlando cut the deficit back to three on Jameer Nelson's 3-pointer with 1:20 left. Curry's ensuing dunk made it 96-91 with 58 seconds remaining, and after Darko Milicic's free throw brought the Magic within four, Marbury and Crawford hit free throws down the stretch to secure the win.

David Lee pulled down a game-high 16 rebounds and added 14 points for the Knicks. Howard finished with 27 points and 14 rebounds for the Magic.

Now in the second game, I was pleased to see that Steve Nash returned to restore order to the Phoenix Suns. Nash had 13 points and 12 assists in his first game back to lead the Suns in a rout over the Clippers. The Suns led wire to wire, mostly by double digits so I knew I had the game in the bag. It was now a matter of finding out if they would score enough for the over to hit for me as well. Nash had a big first quarter, with eight points and seven assists, to help the Suns jump out to a 38-26 lead. They stayed comfortably in front the rest of the way. Stoudemire, who had 22 points and nine rebounds looked like the All-Star he is, now that Nash was back to lead the way. The Clippers were led by Corey Maggette's 19 points and seven rebounds. Elton Brand, back after sitting out two games because of back spasms, had 17 points and five rebounds. Shawn Marion had 10 points in the third quarter and Phoenix had a 92-68 cushion heading into the fourth. I needed 52 points in the 4th to at least tie for the game total but with the game out of hand for the Clippers, I expected them to give up and that’s precisely what they did. The game ended with a 115-90 score and I fell short of sweeping the night. At least I made some money however.

Till next time, may all your bets be winners.

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