fBasketballBlog

Bravo, Mr. Pierce. (AP Photo)

[Read the full post at DimeMag.com]

Beast of the Night: Paul Pierce killed the Knicks last night with 32 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 threes and a game-winning jumper right in Amar’e Stoudemire’s goggled eye. He shot 56 percent (10-18) from the field, 100 percent (10-10) from the free-throw line and had two turnovers. Pierce has been relatively quiet in December but this game reminds his owners that there’s nothing to worry about.

Lines for Discussion:
Blake Griffin: 6-16 FG (38%), 8-11 FT (73%), 20 Pts, 18 Reb, 5 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 Blk, 2 TO

Jrue Holiday: 10-20 FG (50%), 1-1 FT (100%), 3 threes, 24 Pts, 6 Reb, 5 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 TO

Amar’e Stoudemire: 15-22 FG (68%), 9-11 FT (82%), 39 Pts, 10 Reb, 1 Stl, 3 Blk, 4 TO

Raymond Felton: 8-16 FG (50%), 7-7 FT (100%), 3 threes, 26 Pts, 14 Ast, 5 TO

Carlos Boozer: 13-17 FG (77%), 8-11 FT (73%), 32 Pts, 12 Reb, 3 Ast, 2 Stl, 1 Blk, 1 TO

Daniel Gibson: 10-16 FG (63%), 2-3 FT (67%), 4 threes, 26 Pts, 3 Reb, 4 Ast, 1 Stl, 2 TO

O.J. Mayo: 10-15 FG (67%), 1-1 FT (100%), 3 threes, 24 Pts, 1 Reb, 4 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 TO

Tyreke Evans: 9-18 FG (50%), 3-3 FT (100%), 1 three, 22 Pts, 4 Reb, 7 Ast, 1 Stl, 4 TO

Channing Frye: 7-17 FG (41%), 7 threes, 21 Pts, 9 Reb, 1 Ast, 1 Stl, 2 Blk

Caron Butler: 10-19 FG (53%), 3-3 FT (100%), 23 Pts, 7 Reb, 4 Ast, 1 TO

Waiver-Wire Watch:
Spencer Hawes, Nate Robinson, Leandro Barobsa, Joey Dorsey, Ed Davis, Jerryd Bayless, Corey Brewer, Martell Webster, Robin Lopez, Taj Gibson

Injuries:
Rajon Rondo (ankle): he sprained it last night and could miss tonight’s game

Shaquille O’Neal (calf): out tonight

Jermaine O’Neal (knee): could return to practice this weekend

Gerald Wallace (ankle): day-to-day

Joakim Noah (thumb): he’ll have surgery on Thursday and is likely out until March

Carlos Arroyo (personal): day-to-day

John Salmons (back): day-to-day

Anthony Morrow (hamstring): out 2-3 weeks

Andrea Bargnani (knee): day-to-day

Andray Blatche (knee): expected to play tonight

Yi Jianlian (knee): sprained MCL will put him out for 2-4 weeks

DeJuan Blair (knee): hurt it last night, day-to-day

Kevin Love (leg): monitor his status