Boxed Out: A weekly look at the statistical oddities around the NBA
We're still working on a way to effectively track reader suggestions of dumb defensive lapses and purely unselfish moments. In the meantime, there are plenty of more accessible stat lines to help compose this week's Boxed Out.
Derrick Rose, Monday at New Jersey: 9-for-15 from the field, 21 points, 13 assists, plus-24
This kid is only going to keep getting better and more consistent. That's a sobering thought for Eastern foes.
Al Jefferson, Monday versus Memphis: 16-for-25 from the field, 38 points, 16 rebounds
The other four Minnesota starters combined for 44 points in the Wolves' overtime win. Whale of a game for Big Al.
Shaquille O'Neal, Monday at Oklahoma City: 10-for-12 from the field, 28 points, 16 rebounds
For a guy who was supposed to be over the hill, the large individual's production this year has been rather impressive.
Mario Chalmers, Tuesday versus Cleveland: 7-for-9 from the field, 6-for-7 from three, 21 points, 8 assists, 3 steals, 0 turnovers
That right there, that's a big part of how the Heat overcame a 7-for-23 shooting night from Dwyane Wade and LeBron's 38 points on his 24th birthday to beat the Cavs. That Chalmers held opposing point guard Mo Williams to just 2-of-8 shooting makes his performance even better.
Quinton Ross, Tuesday versus Phoenix: 4-of-5 from the field, 1-of-2 from three, 10 points
Not the world's most incredible stat line, until you remember that Quinton Ross typically can't shoot a ball into the ocean from the shore. That he managed to knock down a few jumpers in this game marked this performance as a rarity.
Dallas Mavericks, Tuesday versus Minnesota: win, 107-100
This is made more notable when one considers that the Timberwolves led this game by a score of 70-41 at one point in the third quarter.
Keith Bogans, Wednesday at Chicago: 28 minutes, 1-for-7 shooting, 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, plus-22
I'm just intrigued that he had the best plus-minus on his team in a 19-point win. Maybe it had something to do with being on the floor with seven teammates who broke into double-figure scoring.
Denver Nuggets and Toronto Raptors, Wednesday in Toronto: 13 players in double figures
Seven for the Nugs, six for the Raps. That's scoring balance for you.
Elton Brand, Wednesday at LA Clippers: inactive
Too bad he's hurt. No doubt the Clipper faithful would have just loved to witness the NBA's final game of 2008 by welcoming their former beloved power forward back playing in another uniform. Especially since he left on such good terms.
Mario Chalmers, Friday at Orlando: 1-for-11 from the field, 5 points, 4 assists, 5 fouls
That right there, that's a big part of how the Heat overcame a 16-for-29 shooting night (33 points, 7 boards, 6 assists) from Dwyane Wade to lose by double-digits to the Magic. Sorry, Mario, fair's fair.
Anderson Varejao, Friday versus Chicago: 9-for-14 from the field, 8-for-13 from the line, 26 points, 8 rebounds
Z who?
Kevin Martin, Saturday at Indiana: 0 starts, 13-for-24 from the field, 7-for-12 from three, 12-for-12 from the line, 45 points, 6 assists
Safe to call this one best bench performance of the year to date. The Kings' starters totaled 48 points in a 122-117 loss to the Pacers.
Von Wafer, Saturday at Atlanta: 40 minutes, 7-for-17 from the field, 17 points
Seventeen shots for Von Wafer in a regular season basketball game. He has been in the league since 2005, played in a total of 62 games for his career and started just two. He had taken as many as 10 field-goal attempts in a game only twice previously and never more than 12 shots in a single contest. He's Von Wafer!
As always, please don't hesitate to let us know what we missed. Babble comes at one. Catch ya on the back side of the meridian.