Play of the week
“He spun him around like a spinning top” is how Pacers play-by-play announcer Chris Denari described Lance Stephenson’s dizzying moves that made Tony Parker a spectator from floor level.
Misplay of the week
With 3.4 seconds left in the fourth quarter and a chance to win the game, Andrea Bargnani is hacked by Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, only no foul was given. The NBA later apologized for the mistake.
How the Canadians fared (stats are per game)
Tristan Thompson (Cavaliers): 25.3 min, 7.7 pts, 7.0 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.3 blk
Samuel Dalembert (Bucks): 20.0 min, 9.0 pts, 4.5 reb, 0.5 blk
Andrew Nicholson (Magic): 17.3 min, 7.8 pts, 2.8 reb, 0.5 blk
Joel Anthony (Heat): Played in three of four games; 3.5 min, 0.0 pts, 1.0 reb, 0.0 blk
Robert Sacre (Lakers): 2.0 min, 0.0 pts, 0.0 ast, 1.5 fouls
Cory Joseph (Spurs): Assigned to the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League.
Kris Joseph (Celtics): Assigned to the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League.
Steve Nash (Lakers): Didn’t play due to broken leg.
Trending Up: Kemba Walker
A big reason why the Charlotte Bobcats have as many wins this year as they did all of last season is the play of their point guards. Yes, Ramon Sessions has been solid for the ‘Cats, but Walker has taken on a leadership role in just his second year in the league. Walker’s numbers are up across the board and he is showing that his NCAA title while with Connecticut was no fluke.
Trending Down: Derrick Williams
With Kevin Love sidelined for the first three weeks of the season, it was supposed to be Derrick Williams’ time to shine. Simply, the second-overall pick in 2011 hasn’t delivered, shooting a meager 37 per cent from the floor and never posting double-digit rebounds in a game. Now that Love is back, it’s time to drop Williams from your roster.
Dunk of the week
Harrison Barnes continued his strong play of late with a double-double on Saturday and in a post-game interview admitted his dunk over Nikola Pekovic was the best of his basketball career.
Block of the week
Deron Williams slips by Chris Paul but forgets there are two all-stars on the Clippers as Blake Griffin delivers a heaping of stuffing on American Thanksgiving weekend.
Line of the week (best stat line)
Kevin Love surprised everybody, including his own teammates when he played on Friday night. He finished with a very Love-like 24 points and 13 rebounds, but admitted he was exhausted after playing 36 minutes.
Tweet of the week
Royce White decided to attack respected Yahoo! writer Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter for an article saying the Houston forward should reevaluate his actions before ruining his NBA career.
If confronting journalists that are telling 1/4 truths is not right, SO WHAT! @wojyahoonba wrote things that weren’t true, I’m on his heels.
— Royce White (@Highway–30) November 24, 2012
Matchup of the week (Nov 26-Dec 2)
The first all-New York showdown will go down Monday night as the Knicks take the subway to Brooklyn to take on the Nets at 7:00 p.m. ET.
