fBasketballBlog

[Read the full, original post at Dimemag.com]

If you want to see Dirk bring back the headband, raise your hand! (Flickr/Keith Allison)

Beast of the Night: Dirk Nowitzki hit the game-winner in Milwaukee last night and put up with 32 points, 1 three, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block while shooting 48 percent (12-25) from the field, 88 percent (7-8) from the line and zero turnovers. Diggler’s on a tear.

Notable lines:
Brandon Jennings – 8-22 FG (36%), 5-8 FT (63%), 4 3ptm, 25 Pts, 7 Reb, 8 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 Blk, 2 TO

Jason Kidd – 3-7 FG (43%), 3 3ptm, 9 Pts, 10 Reb, 17 Ast, 2 Stl, 5 TO

Andre Miller – 4-10 FG (40%), 6-6 FT (100%), 14 Pts, 3 Reb, 5 Ast, 3 Stl, 3 TO

Josh Smith – 8-14 FG (57%), 4-7 FT (57%), 20 Pts, 16 Reb, 2 Ast, 2 Stl, 2 Blk, 2 TO

Stephen Jackson – 4-14 FG (29%), 4-8 FT (50%), 1 3ptm, 13 Pts, 9 Reb, 2 Ast, 2 Stl, 4 TO

Rashard Lewis – 4-15 FG (27%), 2-2 FT (100%), 10 Pts, 2 Reb, 1 Ast, 1 Stl, 3 TO

Waiver wire watch:
Drew Gooden, Rudy Fernandez, Flip Murray, Ersan Ilyasova

Injuries:
Kelenna Azubuike (knee): surgery, out for the season

Paul Pierce (knee): questionable Wednesday

Shaquille O’Neal (shoulder): unlikely tonight

Shawn Marion (ankle): day-to-day

Erick Dampier (illness): return date unknown

Richard Hamilton (ankle): questionable tonight

Rodney Stuckey (calves): likely to play tonight

Troy Murphy (back): questionable tonight

Luke Walton (back): pinched nerve, out at least six weeks

Kobe Bryant (groin): he’ll be on the court

Pau Gasol (hamstring): unlikely tonight, might play Thursday

Jermaine O’Neal (hip): should return tonight

Mario Chalmers (shoulder): questionable tonight

Michael Redd (knee): return still a few games away

Eddy Curry (calf): could return Wednesday

Jeff Green (hip): should be OK

Omri Casspi (ankle): should play tonight

Andres Nocioni (hip): questionable tonight

C.J. Miles (thumb): could return in two weeks

Raja Bell (wrist): might choose to have surgery so he can be a healthy free agent this summer

Who to watch tonight:
Anthony Morrow, Corey Maggette, Anthony Randolph, Monta Ellis, J.J. Hickson, Earl Watson, T.J. Ford, Amar’e Stoudemire