Minnesota 98, New Jersey 95

Two ways to look at this one:

The Timberwolves are playing up to their potential, finally, winning games in Golden State, against the Suns and Nets at home, and nearly pulling out wins against the Celtics and Nuggets. Al Jefferson (40 and 19 rebounds ... 40 and 19!) is a friggin' beast.

The Nets don't care, aren't worth our time, just went 0-6 on a Western Conference road trip, and have lost nine straight overall. Here's Dave D'Alessandro on All-Star starter Jason Kidd:

"On the day Jason Kidd's trade request became public knowledge, he was a virtual zero in the fourth quarter, going 0-for-3 with one turnover and zero assists in his last 7:32."

Cleveland 98, Los Angeles Lakers 95

Phenomenal games from both LeBron James (41 points, nine rebounds) and Kobe Bryant (33 points, 12 rebounds, six assists); but as it usually is, the win came to the team with the more productive supporting cast.

Not only did Larry Hughes not stink, which is achievement enough (seriously), he played quite well: hitting 7-13 shots, with four boards, four assists, 16 points, two steals, and two blocks. On the flip side, if Derek Fisher (3-11, one assist, eight points) had even an average game, the Lakers win.

Johnny Ludden is talking about LeBron James' touch down the stretch of games, and he wouldn't be wrong in his assertion that a young LBJ can take things over, though I'd still prefer Carmelo Anthony above all.

Portland 94, Atlanta 93

If the Hawks and Trail Blazers (combined records, 44-40) ended up in the Finals together, they'd play a classic seven-game series and I would not complain one bit. These two teams have put together two of the most entertaining games of the season, and it was a treat to watch Brandon Roy (24 points on 15 shots) take over down the stretch. A treat!

Trail Blazer James Jones hit both his threes to raise his shooting percentage from deep to a ridiculous 50.4 percent.

Phoenix 88, Chicago 77

I think ABC made a good call in dumping this one. This doesn't excuse According to Jim, though. Nothing ever could.

Milwaukee 105, Washington 102, OT

Caron Butler (40 points, eight boards, five steals, just two turnovers in 50 minutes) is a baller, but he's not "a defender." The Wizards improving defense took another hit as they allowed a Michael Redd-less Bucks team to play competent offensive basketball, and failed to get out on Milwaukee's remaining shooters.

And, for no reason, here's a cat listening to the Replacements.

Dallas 90, Denver 85

In spite of their high point totals and two All-Star starters, the Nuggets (14^th in offensive efficiency) aren't the knockout offensive team most peg them for. So, with Carmelo Anthony out and the pace relegated to a crawl against a slow-down Dallas team, 85-point nights result. 

Doris Burke, working for ESPN, called a great game from the color commentator's chair. I'm not saying this because she stood out or because I feel a need to point out how she did - good, bad, or indifferent - because of her gender. She just had a terrific, observant, game. So far, she's the best Disney has in that seat, save for Hubie Brown.

I'm still getting used to ESPN/ABC games: they fill the court with floor-level mics, but put the game on a delay so as not to let any cuss words slip through. As a result, all of their games are filled with muted, second-long pockets of silence, so as not to hear Marcus Camby tell someone to "get that [something] out of here." Thanks, Janet! 

Utah 97, Houston 89

No Yao Ming, no lasting relevance as a result, didn't watch it. 

Sacramento 103, Seattle 101

Kevin Martin? He's the "starts with ‘b' and rhymes with overalls."

Golden State 106, New York 104

With his brother having flown all the way from Latvia to attend the game, Andris Biedrins went off on a lethargic (save for David Lee, 13 boards in 26 minutes) New York frontcourt to the tune of 26 rebounds. Twen-ty six.

Let's say the Warriors sign Chris Webber today.

"The Warriors sign Chris Webber today."

Not funny. Anyway, how long does it take Webber to pull in 26 rebounds?  Are we talking March, here?

Orlando 96, Boston 93

I didn't see much of this one because of the 1 p.m. start (DAVID STERN, THIS IS WHY I DON'T WRITE ABOUT FOOTBALL. I NEEDS MY SLEEPS), and it's hard to take much from it.

I mean, at home, and with Kevin Garnett on the bench, the Magic should be beating the Celtics. And probably by more than three points.

Related: Behind the boxscore