NIGHT IN THE NBA -- November 7

There are a lot of references to +/-. This is the same as the Hockey stat. How many points this player’s team outscored their opponent by when he was on the floor. Or a negative number is how many they were outscored by.

Cleveland 105 Toronto 93 – Sam Mitchell death watch continues. Now the question is will he win a game before being canned …. Illgauskas and Snow were both +18 in the game … Chris Bosh is coming into his own, but it is hard to tell how special he really is playing on this bad a team …. Sam Mitchell is threatening changes, but you shouldn’t make that threat if you don’t have anyone to change to.

Miami 90 New Jersey 89 – Interesting that this was such a low scoring game …. New Jersey’s lack of a bench is really hurt them …. Surprisinging numbers on the +/- front as Antonie Walker and Jason Williams had the best days for the Heat …. It is amazing that Alonzo is able to handle 38 minutes a night, last night he had 11 points, 11 rebounds and 5 blocks …. Miami played just 7 players again…. New Jersey won this game on the offensive glass.

Utah 95 Charlotte 91 – Another close game win for the Jazz …. Another super low shootng % against the Jazz. The Bobcats shot just 35%. The Jazz were one of the three worst defensive teams in the NBA last year. If they defend this year they will be the most improved team in the NBA. Thus, far they have been great defensively. Andri Kirlenko is the reason. He blocked 7 shots last night. They were very good defensively last year when he was playing and feel apart after he got hurt….. Do you think having a 7 footer matters, Greg Ostertag was +13 last night …. If the defense holds when Carlos Boozer returns will be interesting.. .. The Jazz guards are soo bad I can’t imagine they win a lot this year …. I really like Sean May and think he will be a great pro. Last night was the first night that he seemed aggressive. He took 14 shots in 24 minutes but made only 5. He grabbed 8 rebounds. He missed a ton of camp so it will take time …. Raymond Felton had his first double figures assist game with 10. Felton was +14 and May was +10. Emaka Okefor on the other hand was –16.

Minnesota 93 LA Clippers 78 – The Clips are tough when Cassell or Mobley is hitting. When neither or hitting this is what happens …. Clippers went 0 for 13 from 3 …. KG is unreal. He had 22-11-8 and 3 blocks and 3 steal. He dropped 22 with only 11 shot attempts …. KG was +24 … The Clippers starts just got their asses handed to them. In other words, they didn’t come to play. Let me think Cassell in his old stomping grounds takes his buddies out for night … Just a thought.

San Antonio 104 Chicago 94 – Interesting dichotomy at the SA point guard position. Tony Parker was a +16 when he was on the floor and Nick Van Excel was a –9 when he was on the floor…. Duncan is amazing. 24-16-4 and 6 blocks in 42 minutes. And he only took 15 shots…. Brent Barry played only two minutes. His role is diminishing. I would like him backing-up Luke …. Kirk Hinrich is a really nice player and a great defender. However, every now and again he has a night like last night when he goes 4 for 19. My theory is that he works so hard every night that some nights he has nothing.