PISTONS AT MAVERICKS - tonight

Records: Pistons 11-7, Mavericks 13-5
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Rockets’ offense crumbles in a 90-84 defeat to Minnesota at the Target Center as the Rockets shot a season low 34.8 percent

Tracy Mcgrady was constantly being trapped with a double team and Yao was double and tripled teamed with two 7 footers at times. The offense stalled when the open outside shooters couldn’t make the Timberwolves pay for shutting down the paint.

The ref’s were in fine form though giving guys Technicals for excessive celebrating after making a good play. Each team got one as the NBA tries to take all the emotion out of a competitive sport. Jumping up and down or pumping a fist in the air while running back down the court should not be a foul.
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Spurs win 96-76 over the Bobcats.

Tim Duncan scores 25 (11 in less then 2 minutes in the 4th) and Bruce Bowen gives a lesson to the highest scoring rookie in the league, Adam Morrison. Morrison scored 27 the first time he played the Spurs and only 4 points this time as Bowen climbed inside the rookies jersey and frustrated the kid all night. Bowen was only charged with 2 fouls for the night and scored no points but he doesn’t have to score now that Manu is back.

The Spurs limited the Bobcats to their fewest points of the season and 40.8 percent shooting. Payback for a loss is no fun when the Spurs come for you. The Bobcats are over that overtime win they got the first time they played the Spurs this year.

PISTONS 92, MAVERICKS 82

Mav’s have lost 2 out of 3 since the win streak ended.

Nowitzki hit 9 of 15 shots from the floor, all 10 of his free throws and scored 29 points. Jerry Stackhouse, was scoreless in 18 minutes. How long has it been since he didn’t score in a game when he played 18 minutes? Answer: May of 1999. That tells you how flat the Mav’s were for this game.

Up next: vs. Denver, Saturday

Holiday gift:
This is the third straight year Mavs season ticket holders donated tickets to a game to honor the soldiers. This year’s group consisted of about 130 soldiers from Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.

Rockets 92 - Bobcats 62

Earlier this week, the Spurs held the Bobcats to 76 points and won the game by 20. Now the Rockets hold the Bobcats to 62 and wind by 30. Tracy McGrady had 23 points, five boards, five assists and a pair of steals. Yao Ming had 21 points and six rebounds while Juwan Howard had 12 points and six rebounds.

The Rockets defense was ugly and effective. Their games are just what the coach wants from his team. Forward Adam Morrison, averaging 14.4 points, leads the NBA’s rookies, but Shane Battier shut him down by contesting ever ball that came to the rookie as the rookie got his second straight lesson on how defense is played well. Bruce Bowen of the Spurs shut him down earlier this week.

The 41% shooting the Rockets allow is easily the NBA’s best and the San Antonio Spurs are next, allowing 44%.

next up for the Rockets - Saturday: vs. Washington at Verizon Center
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Spurs -111 Clippers -82

Tim Duncan had a good game with 16 points, 10 rebounds and only played 27 minutes. Manu Ginobili scores 22 points in 20 minutes while taking just 11 shots. Brent Barry made three 3-pointers and scored 16 but the guy who made the game was Tony Parker who scored 9 points but killed the Clips with 15 assists. The clips took the lane away from him so he found the open guy on the parameter and the shooters knock down their shots. The defense had the usual good game and the Clippers were out of the game early.

MAVERICKS 105, NUGGETS 90

The Mavs make 16 of their first 18 shots and score 41 points in the first quarter. Denver scored 41 in the whole first half. The Nuggets bad luck was they had to play the night before at home against Miami, didn’t arrive in Dallas until game day, and Denver didn’t check into its hotel until nearly 4 a.m. It wasn’t much of a surprise then for the Mav’s to run away from them.

Josh Howard scored 30 and grabbed 11 rebounds. Dirk Nowitzki added 25 points and Jason Terry 24. The Mavs also had some injures with Jerry Stackhouse (groin) and Austin Croshere (hamstring) not contributing.

Up next at Utah - Monday
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Rockets 114 - Wizards 109

Yao Ming scored 38 points, grabbed 11 boards, had six blocks along with Tracy Mcgrady’s 28 points, before T-Mac left injured in the 4th period. (back spasms)

Yao may have shot the lights out. The lights in the Verizon Center rafters went dim and did not return to full strength. The game was restarted and the lights reached full power after 3½ minutes.

Gilbert Arenas led his team with 41 points but missed a final 3 point attempt and the Wiz go down in defeat.

Next up Tuesday: vs. Los Angeles Lakers at Toyota Center
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Spurs next up - Today: Spurs at Lakers

Spurs 99 - Lakers 106

Normally, Manu Ginobili scoring 23 points, Tony Parker tossing in 21 points and nine assists, the Spurs shooting 51 percent overall and 52 percent from the 3-point line is a winning combination. Especially when Duncan adds 16 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.

However, when they also get out rebounded 42 to 33 and turn the ball over 19 times, it give a good opponent the chance to win the game.

PLAYERS GET THEIR BALLS BACK!

An NBA source confirmed to FOXSports.com that the league has decided to scrap the new microfiber basketball and will return to the traditional leather ball shortly after the New Year.

“They had no idea that there would be such a firestorm of issues,” the source said. “Because the players had so many problems with their hands and concerns about holding on to the ball, it made much more sense to return to the ball, I would assume there is some regret for not checking with the players in the first place.”

David Stern admitted as much last week in a New York Times article, saying he should have sought more input from the players before making the switch. He also said he would address player criticisms with the ball’s manufacturer, Spalding.

Last week, Players Association executive director Billy Hunter filed a grievance with the National Labor Relations Board over the league not conferring with the Players Association before changing to the new ball.

Hunter also filed a second grievance regarding zero tolerance by officials on the floor for the questioning of calls made during games.

“The commissioner has said he’s open to any number of things,” NBA spokesperson Tim Frank said. “At this point, we’re not going to announce anything, but we will when the time is appropriate.”

There is no indication that an absolute alteration of the behavior rule will be addressed. However, the old ball will be back.

JAZZ 101, MAVS 79

Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavs with 26 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort. The reason the Jazz have won 16 games this year was on display last night. They out rebounded the Mavs 42 to 26 and only allowed the Mavs to shoot 37 % from the field, including missing 17 of 20 3-point shots.

Coach Jerry Sloan gets win 1,000 and Avery Johnson has to chase him down after the game to shake his hand. Sloan didn’t make a big fuss about the win but everyone else knows how hard it is to win a thousand games in the NBA. Only five coaches have done it now. Johnson only has 90 so far. It was a class gesture on Johnson’s part.
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Spurs 103 Clippers 81

The defense clamped down early on the clips and the offense rolled right over them all night long.

Off the bench, Brent Barry made five 3-pointers, scoring 24 points while Ginobili added 18. Tony Parker scored 21, and Tim Duncan had 17 points and six assists. Duncan was saddled with foul problems early in the game and played limited minutes. The Spurs are tied with the Jazz for most wins at 16 games.

Lakers 102 Rockets 94

The Rockets fell behind early and were going down by 27 points when the coach had seen enough to clear the bench and let the reserves finish the game. A few minutes later, the Lakers did the same. The Rocket reserves then staged a huge run and comeback that startled the Lakers and almost turned the game around. The Lakers starters had to be put back into the game to hold on for the win after the Rockets came to within 2 points.

Looks like the Rockets are missing McGrady who sat out with his back injury.

MAVS 110, LAKERS 101

Nowitzki tallied 23 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists. Josh Howard scored 29, Jason Terry contributed 26 points and a game high nine assists. He seems to be adjusting well to playing more point guard instead of just being the shooting guard.

This team didn’t look like the same team that lost to the Jazz by over 20 points. They moved better without the ball and the cutters were being fed the ball for some easy baskets. It helps too when the team shoots 60 percent for the game.

Next up - 76’ers on Friday.
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Spurs 95 Timberwolves 82

The Spurs turn up the heat on defense in the second half and the T-Wolves commit 17 turnovers as the Spurs put on a clinic in how to defend the pick and roll play.

The players responded to the polite entreaties of their coach who actually said the following with a straight face. “I just asked the guys if it wasn’t that much of a problem or an inconvenience if they picked up the pressure and played a little more aggressively,” Popovich said.  Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said, again with a straight face. “He’s always so polite.”

3rd period scoring for T-wolves = 15
4th period scoring for T-wolves = 11

Tim Duncan scored 24 points and Tony Parker added 23 for San Antonio.

Next up: tonight - NEW ORLEANS HORNETS
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Tonight: Houston Rockets GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

SPURS 103, HORNETS 77

NEW ORLEANS - Manu Ginobili scored 24 points and Tony Parker added 19, leading San Antonio over undermanned New Orleans 103-77. Tim Duncan had 11 points and nine rebounds.

The Hornets dressed only 10 players and fans reserved their loudest ovation for New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister.  The Spurs were playing their fourth game in five nights so the Hornets didn’t get any sympathy

Hornets starting center Tyson Chandler missed the game, starters David West (elbow) and Peja Stojakovic (back spasms) have been out for several weeks, and the Hornets’ top reserve, Bobby Jackson (cracked rib), has been out for six games.

next up: Saturday, Philadelphia 76ers
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Rockets 107 Warriors 109

The Rockets, without Tracy McGrady, wasted a monster night from Yao Ming. He had 38 pts, 18 rebounds with 7 of them on the offensive side. It helped the Rockets to a 4 point lead with 33 seconds to go when Yao took a 15 foot shot and only hit the air. Baron Davis grabbed it and went the other way where Mike Dunleavy is fouled as he makes the shot and makes it a three point play. As the clock is winding down, Davis hits a 3 point shot to take the lead. The Rockets have one last chance with less than 2 seconds and Yao is forced to take his first 3 point shot this year. It is an airball and the game is over.

Next up: at LAKERS

Mavericks 93 76ers 79

Every one expected a blow out by the Mav’s and it looked like it was going to be an easy night for them early. The 76ers were missing their top two scorer’s and were shooting the ball like the basket had a lid on it. Then the game started and the 76ers scored first, making it look easy. Avery Johnson called a time out immediately to set things right for the Mav’s. By the end of the first quarter, the 76ers had only scored 11 points and by half time, only 34. Dallas had scored 49 and it looked like the rout was beginning.

In the 3rd period, the 76ers had some shots falling and made a run, to cut the lead to three but the Mav’s responded and went on to take the win.  The Mavericks finished 8 of 17 from three point range and hit all 17 of their free throws.

Jason Terry led six Mav players in double figures with 18 points. Josh Howard had 15 points and eight rebounds, Dirk Nowitzki, Devin Harris and Greg Buckner all had 13 points while Erick Dampier had 12 and eight rebounds.

Up next: at New Orleans, tonight
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Rockets 101 LA Lakers 112 (2-OT)

Another great effort by Ming is wasted as he nets 35 points, 15 rebounds and a career high eight blocks but, he went 15 of 35 from the field and they miss Tracy McGrady as he sits out another game with the back injury.

Kobe Bryant rose to the occasion with 53 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists as the Lakers rallied from a 21-point deficit for a 112-101 double overtime victory.

Next up: Sunday at LA Clippers

MAVERICKS 90, HORNETS 79

An up and down game begins with the Mav’s scoring the first 11 points in the game but Dirk only scoring 2 points in the half. An early Mav’s lead disappears and the undermanned hornets tie the game at half-time. Then Dirk seems to come alive in the third period and scores 13 on his way to finishing the game with 20 points and 10 rebounds. They also needed Josh Howard’s 23 points and eight rebounds as well as 13 points from Devin Harris. The game also marked the return of Stackhouse who played 18 minutes.

Chris Paul had to play all 48 minutes because of the hornets injuries and scored 30 in the losing effort.

UP NEXT: Monday at Sacramento
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SPURS 103 76ERS 98

All it takes to win the game is Tony Parker scoring 24 points, Tim Duncan adding 21, and a 17 point lead, right? No! The Sixers stage a come back, erase the lead and go up 95-93 lead with less then 4 minutes to go in the game. Then it turns into Manu time. Ginobili buries a 3-pointer, produced a steal, (ran down Willie Green from behind) then ran down the loose ball and tossed in a back-to-the-basket shot as he was fouled. It took him about 2 minutes to take over the game and seals the win for the Spurs as he scores the Spurs last 8 points in the game.

NEXT UP: Wednesday - Grizzlies

Rockets 108 Clippers 103

Rockets end the 3 game losing streak since McGrady went down with his injured back. They only had 10 turnovers instead of the usual 20 plus. Ming handles the double team by passing to the outside open guys who knock down the shot or he hit the cutter to the basket when the guard doubled down on him. Yao finishes with 32 points, 10 boards and 5 assists. Rafer Alston scores 26 with 8 assists.

UP NEXT: Wednesday at Trailblazers

Mavericks 109 Kings 91

The Mav’s make it look easy as they jump out to a 15 point lead early and the Kings try to play catch up all night long.

Dirk Nowitzki poured in 29 points with 13 rebounds while Josh Howard scored 28 points and Jason Terry added 22 points.

The Mav’s now own a 4 game win streak.

Up next: at Seattle on Wednesday

MAVS 103, SONICS 95

Mavericks started out slow, fell behind early and then rallied from a 14-point deficit to win. Dirk left the game with an ankle injury in the first quarter but X-rays taken on his ankle at the arena were negative.

Erick Dampier paced the Mavs with 22 points and 16 rebounds while Jason Terry added 17 points and Josh Howard scored 15 as the Mav’s win its fifth straight.

The big difference, Dallas was 29-of-34 at the free throw line.

UP NEXT: Clippers on Friday
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Spurs 105, Grizzlies 98

Tim Duncan scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a contest between the best and worst teams in the Western Conference.

Michael Finley scored 20 points off of the bench for the Spurs, who won their fifth straight, and their ninth out of ten. Tony Parker scored 18 points and dished out 10 assists. Bruce Bowen scored 13 points for San Antonio, and Manu Ginobli had 12 points and seven assists.

UP NEXT: Rockets on Friday
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Trail Blazers 89 Rockets 87

Yao Ming scored 34 points and pulled down nine boards for the Rockets, who have lost four of five. Rafer Alston scored 20 points and dished out eight assists, and Luther Head scored 17 points for Houston. Houston hit 19-of-20 free throws, with Yao sinking 10-of-11.

Alston hit a three with 1.7 seconds left to bring the Rockets to within one at 88-87. Randolph was fouled immediately following the ensuing inbound pass, leaving only seven-tenths of a second on the clock. Randolph hit his first free throw and missed the second, but Shane Battier was unable to pull down the rebound, turn, and get a shot off before the final buzzer sounded.

UP NEXT: AT Spurs on Friday