Boxed Out: A weekly look at statistical oddities around the NBA
In the travesty of travesties, it appears that I can't find a box score for the celebrity game that took place on Friday night of the NBA's All-Star weekend. So we'll have to live with hitting the statistical highlights and lowlights of a short work week in the Association, complete with a triple-double from a certain point guard with whom you might be familiar. It's time for this week's edition of Boxed Out:
Marreese Speights, Monday versus Phoenix: 24 minutes, 11-for-16 from the field, 24 points, 7 rebounds, plus-9
Highly productive in half a game's worth of playing time. Certain Suns have been known not to guard people inside.
Antonio Daniels and Rasual Butler, Monday at Memphis: 5-for-27 from the field, 19 points
The absence of Chris Paul really depleted the Hornets' backcourt. It didn't help that Peja Stojakovic went 7-for-22 and Devin Brown came off the bench to give this team a 2-for-13 effort. This sort of thing is what allowed the Memphis Grizzlies to win a game in which they shot 36.4 percent, turned the ball over 19 times and went minus-12 in turnover differential.
But credit Memphis for out-rebounding New Orleans by an insane 64-38 count. It isn't often that a team grabs 20 offensive rebounds in a game.
Rafer Alston, Monday at Milwaukee: 2-for-8 from the field, 9 points, 2 assists, 4 turnovers, minus-25
He continues to be rather bad...
Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, Monday at Milwaukee: 3-for-17 from the field, 10 points
...but the stars on Rafer's team weren't much better.
Richard Jefferson, Charlie Villanueva and Ramon Sessions, Monday versus Houston: 27-for-45 from the field, 76 points
These guys just don't get enough pub amongst the league's star trios.
LeBron James, Tuesday at Indiana: 15-for-21 from the field, 13-for-14 foul shooting, 47 ponts, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 7 turnovers, 1 personal foul
He's really good. But his one foul (phantom or otherwise) came with less than a second to play in a tie game. Will we see Joe Crawford, Eric Dalen and Bennie Adams in this year's postseason?
Linas Kleiza, Tuesday at Miami: 2-for-11 from the field, 0-for-6 on threes, 4 points, minus-10
Presumably not exactly the way the former Missouri Tiger meant to celebrate the Zou's win over rival Kansas the night before.
San Antonio Spurs and New Jersey Nets, Tuesday at New Jersey: 13 turnovers
This isn't the first time we've had the Spurs involved in a game featuring an abnormally low number of turnovers. Those fellows like to take care of the rock.
Tim Duncan, Tuesday at New Jersey: 11-for-17 from the field, 27 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 blocks
I really enjoy his work.
Randy Foye, Tuesday versus Toronto: 11-for-22 from the field, 3-for-6 on threes, 8-for-8 foul shooting, 33 points, 8 rebounds
Another impressive rebounding game for the diminutive guard. Not so bad on the scoring either.
Richard Hamilton, Tuesday at Chicago: 37 minutes, 11-of-21 from the field, 30 points, 8 assists
The Pistons' starting backcourt in this game, which included Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo, totaled 20 points and five assists.
Erick Dampier, Tuesday versus Sacramento: 6 offensive rebounds (16 total)
The Kings as a team earned themselves three second chances on the boards.
New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors, Tuesday at Golden State: too many points
I can't help throwing my hands up in the air on this one and simply linking you to the box score. That's because these two teams followed up their early-season 138-125 shootout (a Knicks victory in November) with a 144-127 festival of no defense. Eight players scored in double-figures for the Warriors. Both teams had a player break 30 points and at least two more break 20. Lots of baskets hit. Few missed. You'll want to check out the whole shebang.
Vladimir Radmanovic, Wednesday versus Washington: 8-for-14 from the field, 5-for-10 from the field, 21 points
Trade paying dividends!
Mo Williams, Wednesday versus Phoenix: 18-for-26 from the field, 7-for-9 on threes, 44 points, 7 assists
He's been good for the Cavs. They've been even better for him.
Dwight Howard, Wednesday versus Denver: 4-for-7 from the field
He was the only Orlando player not to shoot below 50 percent for the game.
Hakim Warrick, Wednesday at Philadelphia: 43 minutes, 12-for-19 from the field, 7-for-9 foul shooting, 31 points, 8 rebounds
Nice game for a guy who never seems to be lacking for energy.
Roko Ukic, Wednesday versus San Antonio: 9-for-13 from the field, 22 points, plus-14
Good to know Rajon Rondo isn't his only victim this season.
Ramon Sessions, Wednesday versus Indiana: 15 points, 17 assists, 7 rebounds
The other two members of the Bucks' big three went for 49 points between them. Stars rising!
Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets, Wednesday at Houston: 43 turnovers
Sloppy and sloppier.
Lamar Odom, Wednesday at Utah: 8-for-13 from the field, 19 points, 19 rebounds
At some point, we've got to give him some recognition for his inspired play of late. It's not exactly a habit for LO.
Nate Robinson, Wednesday at LA Clippers: 13-for-28 from the field, 2-for-11 on threes, 33 points, 15 assists, 9 rebounds
Heckuva way to step in for the injured Chris Duhon.
Al Harrington, Wednesday at LA Clippers: 8-for-24 from the field, 1-for-10 on threes, 19 points, 11 rebounds
And the technical foul for hanging on the rim that allowed the Clippers to cut the Knicks' lead to two in the final minute before tying it on a Zach Randolph lay-up.
Baron Davis, Wednesday versus New York: 5-for-17 from the field, 13 points, 20 assists
When is the last time this guy had a decent shooting game?
Steve Novak, Wednesday versus New York: 8-for-10 from the field, 6-for-8 on threes, 23 points
No shortage of shooting accuracy for this fellow.
Michael Beasley, Thursday at Chicago: 9-for-10 from the field, 21 points
And now he'll presumably be taking over at the small forward spot in Miami.
Brandon Roy, Thursday at Golden State: 14-of-21 from the field, 37 points
You know we don't go too long without giving him a mention somewhere.
Rajon Rondo, Thursday at Dallas: 44 minutes, 9-for-14 from the field, 19 points, 15 rebounds, 14 assists
It was incredibly fun to watch him tear up Jason Kidd and the Mavericks.
Kevin Durant, Friday versus Rookies: 17-for-25 from the field, 4-for-8 form the field, 8-for-8 foul shooting, 46 points, 7 rebounds, MVP
He is going to be participating in All-Star weekend's Sunday festivities for a long, long time.
That will do it for this week's Boxed Out. Please don't hesitate to shout out your favorites or let us know what we missed. Babble coming at you in the afternoon.
You know how this ends, but we'll say it anyway: Catch ya on the flip side of the meridian.