Photo. Marc Morrison
Anyone who’s actually watched the Rockets/Jazz series (not just the highlights) can tell you this much: Tracy McGrady didn’t play any differently in last night’s Game 3 win than he did in the previous two losses. But because he knocked down some shots in the fourth quarter and found a way to shake […]

Photo. Tadder
Whether he was just trying to build suspense or he’s been operating on J.R. Rider Standard Time, Gilbert Arenas‘ comeback in D.C. was plenty dramatic. After going M.I.A. for morning shootaround and pre-game warmups — even the actually beginning of the game — Gil strode out from the locker room halfway through the first […]

Kevin Garnett (photo. Gary Land)
Before the Celtics and Suns tipped off last night ,we went over the many reasons why the C’s, despite having locked up the Atlantic, shouldn’t take the game lightly. Turns out there was nothing to worry about, as Kevin Garnett (30 pts) and crew were extra-focused, jumping out to a double-digit […]

Photo. Gary Land
Starting with Sunday’s Rockets/Lakers game (following Hornets/Pistons on the undercard), this is like Sweeps Week if you’re a hoop fan. There are a ton of big-time NBA matchups on tap, and coupled with the Big Dance starting on Thursday, you’d better make sure your cable bill isn’t past due … Last night’s marquee […]

Ben Gordon (photo. Stephen Hill)
Is it really possible that this comic tragedy of season could culminate in a playoff berth for the Bulls? Things have been so crazy around this team that someone needs to write a book (if the beat writers are unavailable, we nominate Joakim Noah), and yet here it is six weeks […]

“Have your ball back, Chauncey.” (Photo. Gary Land)
Early on it looked like the Pistons were going to make life miserable for the Nuggets: It seemed every Detroit bucket in the first quarter was a layup or a wide-open jumper, and every play Chauncey Billups called was executed to perfection. But some 1-on-1 play by A.I. […]

Ray Allen (Photo. Jordan Brand)
There’s really no point in watching a Spurs game until the fourth quarter, is there? No matter how bad Tim Duncan and Co. might have played in the first 36 minutes, those last 12 is when they’ll hit that “Champions” switch and either win or fall just short. Yesterday in Boston […]

New American pastime?
Apparently there were other sports-related things on TV yesterday besides You-Know-What. Heat/Wizards was supposed to be a chance for D-Wade and Shaq to officially get back on track: national TV audience, playing at home, riding a two-game win streak, coming off an impressive W at Phoenix, and facing a Gilbert-less Washington squad. So […]