Of course it was the Clippers. Before you could look at the schedule and imagine a scenario where the Cavaliers never win another game until Jared Sullinger comes to save the day, you had to remember there is still one NBA franchise out there that can out-pathetic Cleveland. And don’t let the Blake Griffin hype overwhelm you — ultimately the Clippers are still the Clippers … The streak is over at 26. After the final buzzer sounded in overtime of the Cavs win over the Clips, the camera panned to Antawn Jamison, deep in another zone, staring ahead as confetti and chaos exploded around him. His face read something like, “Good Lord, this is sad.” Around this time last year, Jamison came to Cleveland hoping to win a championship. Now he’s showering in party favors after his team registered their 9th win of the season in February … Throughout the fourth quarter and overtime, it was J.J. Hickson (27 points, 14 rebounds, 4 blocks) putting the clamps on Griffin (32 points, 13 rebounds) while getting his own buckets on dunks, three-point plays, and even banking in a free throw. In perhaps the biggest play of Cleveland’s season, Hickson had a ridiculous block on a Griffin dunk attempt that led to a transition trey for Mo Williams (17 points, 14 assists) for a six-point Cleveland lead late in the fourth. On the final regulation possession, it was again Hickson who saved the Cavs’ asses, blocking a Baron Davis (26 points) runner at the buzzer that would’ve won it for L.A. … In the final minute of overtime, with Cleveland nursing a one-point lead, Jamison (35 points) banged a wing three. When Randy Foye‘s three rimmed out, Cleveland and their announcers could finally smile: “The 55-day run through darkness is finally overrrrrr!” … So this is what the defending champs should look like? One night after winning in Boston, the Lakers went into a hyped-up MSG and abused the Knicks, winning by 17. Kobe Bryant had everything working early, even the patented “Bad pass to Bynum so he can get it back” move. That was actually the only shot he missed in his first five; the ball barely hit the rim on the other four, all long jumpers and threes. Kobe was so hot in the first quarter (19 points) that when he matched up at the top of the key to end the frame, Raymond Felton was smiling. He knew it was coming. After another 20-footer splashed down in his face, all Felton could do was nod his head … Who handled Lamar Odom‘s stitch work on his head? Were they drunk? … In the second half, every mini-run that New York made was ultimately shut down by the Lakers’ too-efficient offense. Kobe and Pau Gasol (20 points) had their “Black Swamba” routine working while Shannon Brown and Odom were putting in work off the bench … So if last night was Phil Jackson‘s final game at MSG, we figured he would’ve done something special to commemorate it like Michael Jordan did. Maybe he should’ve rocked the old-school suspenders? …
For all of the talk of the Spurs being so smart and consistent in their execution, their final-minute possession while down two in Philly was gross. First, they nearly threw the ball into the backcourt trying to get it to Tim Duncan (16 points, 13 rebounds). Then, Manu Ginobili went behind his back and away from his strong hand, only to end up shooting one of the most awkward-looking air balls you will ever see. From there, the Sixers made their free throws en route to one of Philly’s biggest wins of the season, a 77-71 slugfest over the Spurs behind Jrue Holiday‘s 27 points … Wondering whether or not the Jazz would beat the Suns last night wasn’t as interesting as guessing how the Utah crowd might react to Deron Williams. Angry? Appreciative? Deron tried to do some damage control between the time Jerry Sloan abruptly resigned and when he’d have to face Sloan’s biggest fans, but Karl Malone‘s pre-game comment that Sloan wasn’t the type of guy to give up and quit meant someone needed to be the scapegoat … Deron got a mix of cheers and boos during pre-game intros, but the loudest boos didn’t come until later, after the Jazz offense went anemic in the second half and the Suns wrapped up an impressive, come-from-behind win … Like every team that gets a new coach, Utah predictably came out with a ton of energy. Andrei Kirilenko had a three-point play just six seconds into the game, and barely two minutes in the Jazz were up 9-0. By halftime, the Jazz had a huge lead and Williams (19 points, 14 assists) was thoroughly dominating Steve Nash (18 points, 10 assists). But in the second half, Utah was held to 27 total points and Phoenix’s bench combo of Marcin Gortat and Hakim Warrick completely changed the momentum. You ever played in a game where you came out so fired up that you were completely spent and gasping for air by the first time out? That’s what happened to the Jazz last night … So how much is Ty Corbin going to differ from the old regime and let Utah run/freelance? It might be what Williams wants, but with the rest of that lineup, too much freelancing could result in a Lottery trip … Other headlines from around the League: David West had 17 points and 17 rebounds to lead New Orleans past Orlando; Brook Lopez put up 31 points and 11 rebounds as New Jersey beat Charlotte; LaMarcus Aldridge dominated Toronto with 37 points and 10 rebounds in a Portland win; Danny Granger had 19 points to lead Indiana past Minnesota; Dwyane Wade scored 24 to lead the Heat to another win over the Pistons; and Mike Conley had 23 points and 8 dimes as the Grizzlies held off Milwaukee … We’re out like the streak …
