CP on Dime #23Five matchups to look forward to on Friday’s NBA schedule…
Wolves @ Cavs: Al Jefferson vs. Ben Wallace
In his first real test as the Cavs’ starting power forward, Big Ben kind of got the business from Kevin Garnett. Jefferson (21.4 ppg, 11.8 rpg) is a bit more ground-bound and theoretically easier to guard; but at the same time, he’s also the focal point of Minnesota’s offense and will get more touches and take more shots than KG.
Jazz @ Hornets: Deron Williams vs. Chris Paul
Always a must-see when these two go head-to-head. With all due respect to Nash and J-Kidd, no point guards are playing better right now than CP (20.9 ppg, 11.2 apg, 3.1 spg in February) and Deron (19.5 ppg, 10.5 apg this month). Not to mention their respective teams are coming off a huge wins against some of the League’s elite squads, with the Hornets having just routed Phoenix and Utah edging out Detroit.
Lakers @ Blazers: Kobe Bryant vs. Martell Webster
Brandon Roy is still listed as doubtful for Friday’s game. If he can’t go, Martell draws the assignment of guarding Kobe, who just gave him 30 points a few days ago. However, in the first half of that game Martell had Kobe frustrated and in foul trouble as the Blazers built a big lead. Kobe’s not letting some kid even think of getting the best of him twice in one week.
Clippers @ Nuggets: Corey Maggette vs. Carmelo Anthony
‘Melo was vocal about his desire for the Nuggets to grab Ron Artest before the trade deadline. But Ron-Ron is still in Sacramento, which means Carmelo’s gonna have to step up his defense whenever Denver faces an elite wing scorer. Maggette stamped 32 points on the Blazers a couple days ago, his fourth 30-point game this month.
Heat @ Sonics: Shawn Marion vs. Kevin Durant
It’s not like Seattle has any other scorers to speak of, which means Marion can devote his full defensive attention to Durant (19.2 ppg). The rookie struggled with his shot in his last game, too, going 4-for-17 in a blowout loss to Denver. If ever Miami was going to get a win to maybe get some kind of momentum going, this game is it.
February 29th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Kobeef says:
Man…you forgot Larry Hughes’ welcoming Washington to Chicago and his matchup with Deshaun. Both have huge egos and Hughes will be motivated to show he was not a waste of money and deserves to be a starter on his (new) home court.
Also, it is always fun to watch Rudy Gay kick Shane Battier’s ass in Houston and think about the irony of that match-up.
Finally, Joe J and Jamal C. is a nice match-up of do-it all SG’s. Al Horford will kill E-City. Hopefully Bibby won’t suck.
February 29th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Nick Barnes says:
Maggette will score his 25-30 but the Clips will lose. What happened to them? In ‘06 they were in the playoffs and had all the bandwagon fans. Then they missed the playoffs in ‘07, Brand and Livingston got hurt, they started losing, and Cassell left. Are they rebuilding AGAIN or waiting for Brand to come back? But I think Brand is a free agent (so is Corey), so he might not even be there. Rebuild around Kaman and Thornton?
February 29th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Nick Barnes says:
Oh, and I bet Tim Thomas feels like a dumbass for going to the Clippers when he could have stayed in Phoenix.
February 29th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Amar says:
CP3 is soo *DUE* for a win against Deron, he can’t even win the skill comp. in front of the home crowd.