The Jazz came into today undefeated, but the Knicks weren’t going to let them leave that way. Utah cruised to a 5 point halftime lead. The Jazz started the 3^rd quarter off decently, but the Knicks closed the quarter with an 11-0 run that gave them a 7 point lead that they would not surrender. Believe it or not, defense and rebounding won this game for the Knicks. The Knicks won the rebounding battle for the first time all season and caused 22 Utah turnovers. Jamal Crawford led the Knicks with 32 points and Zach Randolph gave a 25 point 14 rebound performance. Carlos Boozer countered with his own 19 point 17 rebound double-double, but it wasn’t enough. The Knicks improve to a surprising 4-2 record and are starting to look like a decent team.

 Boston 88 Detroit 76

This was going to be a big game before the season began, but it became even bigger after the Allen Iverson trade. Would Iverson push the Pistons past the Celtics? If today was any indication, then the answer would be no. Iverson got a standing ovation that drowned out the PA announcer as he was announced to the Detroit crowd for the first time. That was as good as it got for the Pistons. Detroit went into the 2^nd quarter with a 19-17 lead and then got outscored 30-10 to go into the half with an 18 deficit. The game was over at that point, with the Pistons making a late run in garbage time to make the score look somewhat respectable. Tony Allen had a surprising 23 point performance for the Celtics which made up for poor games from Garnett and Pierce. Tayshaun Prince put in a nice 23 point game, but Allen Iverson and the rest of the crew struggled the whole game. 

Los Angeles 111 Houston 82

This game was anticipated as a battle between potential Western Conference contenders.  It was only one night, but the Rockets didn't look like contenders tonight.  The Rockets got off to a hot start and at one point led 32-16.  From that point on the Lakers outscored the Rockets 95-50.  The Lakers shot an amazing 65% in the second half as they continued to bury the Rockets.  Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 23 points and Pau Gasol chimed in with a double double.  Jordan Farmar came off the bench to give the Lakers 16 points and 6 assists.  Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, and Ron Artest combined for a pathetic 23 points.  Backup point guard Aaron Brooks led the Rockets with 20 points, but couldn't keep up with the Lakers by himself.  The Rockets played without Shane Battier again and aren't sure when he will be able to play again.  The Lakers's victory kept them as one of only two unbeatens in the NBA along with Atlanta.

Zach Randolph 25 points 14 rebounds

Chris Bosh 30 points 15 rebounds 3 assists

Dirk Nowitzki 33 points 7 rebounds 3 assists

O.J. Mayo 31 points 8 rebounds 3 assists

Pau Gasol 23 points 15 rebounds 3 blocks

Shaq apparently isn’t an Andrew Bogut fan. After owning the former #1 overall pick on the court, he calls him “Ericka Dampier with a beard.”

Kirk Hinrich is out 3 months. As cold as this sounds, it might be a good thing for the Bulls. They had a logjam in the backcourt.

The Lakers may not be as good as they seem. They’re lighting up the scoreboard, but not very effectively. At least that was until tonight.