Second Night of NBA Action

 Could the Heat rebound from their loss against Boston? The answer was a yes, by a margin of 10 points. Considering that the Heat were playing the Philly 76ers, the Heat looked liked the team most people thought they would be, completely dominating the less talented Sixers. Lebron James played more of a point guard role last night leading the Heat in assist with 7, and allowing the scoring and rebounding to be left to Dwayne Wade who finished with 30 and 7 respectively. Chris Bosh finished with 15 points for the Heat. Sixers saw some production from rookie Evan Turner who finished with 16 points. Final score: 97-87

 With Cleveland moving on without Lebron James, how would they fair against the Boston Celtics, the team who beat Lebron James and the Heat the night before? Well a lot better than most expected, ending in a win for them and new head coach Byron Scott. Forward J.J Hickson looked like the man for Cleveland, finishing with 21 points and 6 rebounds for the Cavs. Boston made things a little bit easier for Cleveland commiting 19 turnovers, something that a team trying to get back to the NBA Finals just can not do. Rajon Rondo put up some big numbers in the loss, finishing with 18 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assist, and 3 steals. Kevin Garnett was a point away from a double-double with 9 points and 15 rebounds. Final score: 95-87

 KD, Durantula, Scoring Champ, Kevin, Gold Medalist, all those names apply. Last night Scoring Champ seemed to fit more than any other as Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder faced off with Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls. Thunder players Durant and Russel Westbrook fresh off their Gold Medal performances in the FIBA tournament were looking to continue their tremendous play against USA teammate Derrick Rose and the Bulls, and they did. Durant finished the game with 30 points, something he did more times than anyone else last season. Westbrook stepped up for the Thunder, and looked like a front runner for most improved player finishing with 28 points, 10 assist, and 6 assist. The game was close for the first three and a half quarters, but late in the fourth Durant and Westbrook took over, getting the win for OKC. Rose matched Westbrooks' point guard play finishing with 28 points himself in the loss. Center Joakim Noah had a monster game getting his first double-double of the season with 18 points and 19 rebounds. Final score: 106-95

Newly aquired New York Knick Amare Stoudemire went north to face the Toronto Raptors for his first game with his new squad. Stoudemire showed why he was worth all the money, helping the Knicks gain their first win of the season against the Raptors. Stoudemire finished the game with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds, but it was Forward Wilson Chandler that stepped up big for the Knicks in the win. Chandler finished the game with 22 points and 8 rebounds, leading all scorer. Raptor Jarret Jack posted 16 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assist, and 3 steals in a losing effort. Final score: 98-93

Forward Blake Griffin looked great in the preseason, and he continued his tremendous play against the Portland Trailblazers. Griffin who sat out all of last season with a knee injury looked just as explosive as he did when he played at the University of Oklahoma, having his first NBA point as a highlight dunk in the first quarter. Click to see dunk Griffin was all over the glass, running up and down the floor, fighting for loose balls, and reminding Clippers fans why he was drafted first overall in the 2009 NBA Draft. Portland looking for their second win did just that, with solid outside shooting, and dominating on the offensive glass with 21 offensive rebounds. Brandon Roy led his team to a win with 22 points thanks to some great play in the first half. Blazer Nicolas Batum who played well for France in the FIBA tournament played very well posting 15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assist, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Griffin in the lost still put up monster numbers, finishing the game with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 assist. Final score: 98-88

New owner, new head coach, and a new arena on the way, the New Jersey Nets were looking to start a new trend for the franchise: winning. The Nets took on the Detroit Pistons and fought their way to their first win of the season, something that didn't come for them last year until their 20th game against the Timberwolves. Nets Center Brooke Lopez led all scorers with 25 points, but it was the great guard play of point guard Devin Harris that got the win for New Jersey. Harris finished with 22 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assist, and 2 steals. This Nets team looks brand new and a lot of that can be attributed to head coach Avery Johnson. Rodney Stuckey finished with 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assist for the Pistons. Final score: 101-98

Other Games and Scores:

Bucks vs. Hornets

91-95

Kings vs. Wolves

117-116

Hawks vs. Grizzlies

119-104

Bobcats vs. Mavericks

86-101

Pacers vs. Spurs

109-122

Jazz vs. Nuggets

88-110

Rockets vs. Warriors

128-132