There were a fair chunk of screwups — this was no classic  — but two of the best teams in the NBA came through with a solid-enough showing in this Hawks win.

Portland could have had this. Atlanta's defense broke down quite a few times, allowing all manner of Trail Blazers open looks that they just couldn't connect on. Toss in 17 turnovers — not particularly egregious, but more than you'd like in a 95-possession game — and you get the difference.

Atlanta won this game on the boards. The offense sometimes came and went, which was just as often a function of sound Trail Blazer D as it was a letdown on Atlanta's end (the ball movement dried up), but it was quite obvious that the Hawks had their ears pricked up. Lots of talking, lots of pointing, lots of good team play.

There were plenty of hiccups. Joe Johnson(notes) broke plays a little too often early on his way toward missing 18 of 31 shots, but he also put up 35 points, dished nine assists, had plenty of big answerin' buckets, and turned it over only three times, despite dominating the ball for nearly 45 minutes. That's huge. Johnson may not be a game-decider on the level of a Kobe or a LeBron or Wade or Paul, but his ability to keep his team within a possession without making many mistakes keeps him at an All-Star level.

The late-game heroics — 18 points in fourth quarter and overtime — also help.

Jamal Crawford(notes) was another hiccup. He reverted a bit and missed eight of 10 shots while turning the ball over three times. But with the Hawks just owning the offensive glass, limiting Portland's second shots and keeping the turnovers relatively in check (three fewer), the Hawks were in the catbird seat. Even if they were playing from behind for most of the contest.

Eleven extra field-goal attempts for Atlanta, alongside three extra free-throw attempts. This adds up, even if Josh Smith(notes) took a couple of Josh Smith-styled 21-foot clunkers. Otherwise, Smith was on it — 20 points, 16 rebounds, two assists, two steals, two turnovers, two blocks. Al Horford(notes) was smaller than the opposing team's center and power forward, but still managed 15 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Marvin Williams(notes) is still struggling offensively, but he brought the defense, and Mike Bibby(notes) was a constant talker, even if his jumper (11 shots, 10 points) wasn't there.

A big win for Atlanta over a very good team, done without bringing the A-game. Not only that, Philips Arena has really turned into a hellacious place to play. Sure, it's been pretty loud for a few years, but it appears as if the Hawks (with Smith and Horford taking that next step) finally have a team worth fretting over if you're a visiting team. This is fun to watch.

***

Orlando 97, Charlotte 91

Orlando better get its big-boy game back, real soon.

Getting Rashard Lewis(notes) back helps. Lewis was pretty out of step on Monday, he didn't have his 3-point legs back (0 for 6, 4 of 15 overall), but he will be a threat and that will be enough until he rounds into shape. Glad to have you back, but let's still do better than two boards in 34 minutes next time around, ‘Shard.

Having Vince Carter(notes) around helps, but V.C. was kneed by Dwight Howard(notes) on Monday, and never looked right afterward. We can gripe all we want about Vince mugging and drawing out injuries, but the man has some bad luck.

Howard, Mickael Pietrus(notes) and Jameer Nelson(notes) continue to be a type of bad luck on their own.

Nelson continues to work a step slow defensively. Monday's beneficiary was Charlotte's Flip Murray(notes), who shot his way toward 31 points, and nearly had a few more as some bombs spun out. Nelson's trying, though.

Howard and Pietrus. They need to pick it up. Now.

Pietrus seems confused offensively, and he's reaching defensively. He's hurting the team overall, and this is a Magic squad that had hoped to plug him into the starting lineup and at least enjoy some of the sustained play they got last year from the 27-year-old. Monday's play wasn't his worst, but he still has a ways to go.

Howard? He was caught out of position defensively and on the boards quite a bit. He only turned it over one time according to the scorekeepers, but I think a few miscues that were handed to willing Magic passers were more Howard's fault than anyone else's. He missed eight of 14 free throws, and while he's shooting what he shot last year from the free-throw line (59 percent), it kind of hurts when you're unable to get more than five shots off in a game.

Dwight is averaging three fewer shot attempts per game than last season, and that's in a start that has seen Lewis, Carter and Ryan Anderson(notes) miss significant chunks. The Magic have won eight of 11, but very rarely have I felt Howard to be a significant, consistent force on either end. At least in comparison to where he was last season.

This has to change. The Thunder, Celtics, Raptors, Heat, Hawks and Bucks await. The team worked its way toward eight wins by alternating good defensive and offensive nights, but this cannot continue. Both have to show up, at once. The talent has demanded it all year. Soon, the schedule will demand it.

The old Magic, plus depth, have to show up now. Lest I point out how much owner Rich DeVos is paying for this team.

The Bobcats will always work hard. They're well-coached and well-intentioned; they're just not very well. Turnovers hurt the team early on, but it came back due to some sneaky smart play (not always good shots, but oh well) from Boris Diaw(notes), who scored 21. Diaw managed only three rebounds in 44 minutes, but let's be happy with what we have.

Raymond Felton(notes) ran a good game. He finished with only five assists to three turnovers, but he appears to be seeing the floor better this year than he has in the past.

Stephen Jackson(notes) played 45 minutes in his first game as a Bobcat, and he forced things. Some silly flat-footed 3-pointers in transition (with one defender back), the usual bit. He's always been a natural passer, which has always ticked me off because he so constantly refuses to acknowledge that aspect of his significant ability, but Jax did try to find his Bobcat teammates with limited success. He doesn't know the plays, and he didn't know that Tyson Chandler(notes) doesn't spot up on the baseline.

Jackson made of 4 of 14 shots and had nine rebounds, two assists, four turnovers, two steals and 13 points in his debut.

Charlotte could have had this, but ... no they couldn't. You have to appreciate the way this team works, though. I don't think it was the trade. It wasn't the Bobcats telling themselves, "Coach thinks we're just one player away." These are just good guys. They're just not playoff-good guys.

***

Dallas 115, Milwaukee 113 (OT)

Milwaukee could tail off defensively from here on out. I'm not sure. But even after Monday's game, they give up just under 98 points per 100 possessions a contest, best in the NBA. Whether they're that good for the long haul is up for conjecture. The point is that Dallas, an older team on the second half of a back-to-back, walked into Milwaukee and put up 115 points per 100 possessions.

This is on the Mavs. This was a decisive performance that, even if it ended with the Mavericks taking the loss, tells us that we can't bank on the "Dallas' core is on the other side of 30, and they played last night" warning shot. This isn't to say the team won't drag during some four-game-in-five-night endeavor before the All-Star break — every team does — but we do know for sure that these Mavericks have the mettle to work through those tired legs.

Dallas rode Dirk Nowitzki(notes), to a certain extent, but it didn't actually feel that way. Dirk took 25 shots, nearly twice as much as any other Maverick, but because he had to work so hard to get shots off in the face of sterling defenders like Luc Mbah a Moute and Ersan Ilyasova(notes), it never felt as if he was some in-rhythm superstar.

Because Dirk's so great, though, he still tossed in 32 points, 11 rebounds and — get this — he didn't turn the ball over in nearly 43 minutes of play. This is what allows teams to compete, allows teams the chance to win. You have a superstar who doesn't give the other side extra possessions? You're going to have a chance.

Nowitzki had help. Drew Gooden(notes) came out like a man possessed and sustained that active game, his second terrific outing in a row, finishing with 22 points and 14 rebounds. Four offensive boards for Gooden, who had Andrew Bogut(notes) muttering all night. Jason Kidd's(notes) five turnovers don't tell the story of how careful and considerate he actually was.

Kidd worked a fine floor game, finishing with 17 assists, 10 rebounds and nine points. He also pulled back when the time called for it, letting rookie Rodrigue Beaubois(notes) (12 points on nine shots in 24 minutes) or Jose Juan Barea(notes) handle things.

J.J. shot better in this win, but his defense is still pretty poor, and there's a reason he was -15 on the game. Jason Terry(notes) hit five big free throws (19 points overall), Kris Humphries(notes) continues to play well (six needed defensive rebounds, four points in 16 minutes), and the Mavs just couldn't help but roll.

By two points.

On the other end, this kid Brandon Jennings(notes) (a rookie guard, playing with Milwaukee) nearly led the Bucks to a comeback win down the stretch. Jennings would like some jumpers and floaters back, he still leans too much (especially while going right), but he also finished with 25 points (on 22 shots), eight assists, seven rebounds and only two turnovers.

Milwaukee's bench was big. Dan Gadzuric(notes) had a modest line (three offensive rebounds and two blocks in nine minutes), but he was a game-changing defender out there. Mbah a Moute easily came through with his best offensive performance of the season (13 points, six rebounds, three assists) while playing knockout (if ineffective) defense on Dirk. Ilyasova continues to play terrific basketball — great D, 19 points and 12 rebounds in just under 33 minutes.

And with Jennings somewhat struggling early, Luke Ridnour(notes) played an aggressive, sturdy point guard. He totaled 17 points, six assists, zero turnovers and four steals. All needed, for the Bucks to keep it close.

Very impressed by both these teams, right now.

Each weekday morning, BDL serves up a handful of NBA-related stories to digest with your spider dogs.

Eddie Sefko, Star-Telegram: "In billiards, they call it slop. On a Monday night in Wisconsin, when the troops are falling like flies and the legs are dead at the end of a long road trip, the Mavericks will call it a pure shooter's bounce. Dirk Nowitzki(notes) — given a chance to play hero after rookie Roddy Beaubois made the defensive play of the game — hit an 18-foot jumper at the overtime buzzer that hit front rim, back rim and the backboard glass before falling straight through the net for a 115-113 Mavericks victory over Milwaukee at the Bradley Center. It capped a 32-point night for Nowitzki, left the Bucks completely frustrated after a hard-fought rally and ensured that big-time efforts by Beaubois, Drew Gooden(notes) and Jason Kidd(notes) did not go unrewarded. 'It was a little lucky at the end,' Nowitzki said. 'I thought it was going to swish, then when it rattled off the rim, it seemed like it was in the air forever. The bounce obviously was lucky. But it dropped in and we'll take it.'"

Rick Bonnell, Charlotte Observer: "You find Stephen Jackson(notes) a high-maintenance player? Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown knows high-maintenance, and it doesn't rattle him. 'I can deal with (high-maintenance) kids. All you have to do is be straight with them,' Brown told the Observer Monday. 'After six years with Allen (Iverson in Philadelphia), I don't look at anybody as a challenge. (Jackson) wants to play and he's a competitor. Guys like that you can make work in your locker room.' The Bobcats acquired wing scorer Jackson, along with point guard Acie Law(notes), from the Golden State Warriors Monday, giving up starting shooting guard Raja Bell(notes) and reserve forward Vlade Radmanovic. Brown is enthusiastic about this deal, and Jackson played at shooting guard against the Magic on Monday night."

Mike Bresnahan/Broderick Turner, L.A. Times: "Pau Gasol practiced Monday. Translation: Here we go again. This time, the Lakers forward seemed upbeat that he would not have another setback in his prolonged recovery from a strained right hamstring. On a day filled with injury news — Kobe Bryant(notes) practiced, but Luke Walton(notes) will be out at least six weeks because of an injured back — Gasol's possible return Thursday against Chicago carried more weight than everything else combined. 'It's possible,' Gasol said Monday. 'I definitely need a couple days of testing it out and making sure that it's not getting aggravated. I didn't get this far to take another [break] because of trying to do too much too quick and setting myself back again.' [...] Gasol has gone through a practice on two separate occasions over the last few weeks, only to report soreness the next day and be forced to dial back his regimen. 'This time it felt different,' Gasol said. 'I feel pretty confident that [today] will be another good day.'" 

Brian Schmitz, Orlando Sentinel: "Suspension-free, Rashard Lewis(notes) was back in Amway Arena for the first time in a month and a half. He had arrived earlier than any of his Magic teammates on the floor, as per his pre-game shooting routine. He noticed something he hadn't ever seen before in the rafters: The 2008-09 Eastern Conference championship banner. 'I haven't been in the arena and it was something I missed,' he said, referring to the banner-raising opening night. 'I was looking at the banner and it brought back memories of something we had accomplished.' Lewis scored just 10 points in a rusty return to help the Magic beat the Charlotte Bobcats 97-91 on Monday night. They improved to 8-3, but 8-3 is a Magic mirage of sort. Lewis realizes this version of the team does not yet resemble the team that won the East and reached the NBA Finals last season. 'We should start playing well soon,' he said. When? Coach Stan Van Gundy was understandably glum at first, lost in thought. 'I'm just waiting to see us play well,' he said."

Jason Quick, The Oregonian: "As is customary for pregame and postgame interviews, Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan on Monday stood in front of a backdrop that carries the team's logo and one of its sponsors. Only this time, the cloth backdrop — held in place by duct tape — fell off the wall, partially draping McMillan's right shoulder as he answered a question from a national reporter. 'I will pretend I didn't see that,' McMillan said after looking out of the corner of his eye. Three hours later, he could have said the same thing after the Blazers wilted much in the same fashion as the silver backdrop, losing a 10-point fourth-quarter lead before falling 99-95 to Atlanta in overtime. So what was very nearly a perfect five-game trip instead turned into a series of what-ifs and could-haves, should-haves that led to the end of the Blazers' six-game winning streak. 'It was OK,' center Greg Oden(notes) said of the 4-1 trip. 'But it could have been great.'"

Mark Bradley, AJC: "Before Monday's game, someone mentioned to Mike Woodson that his team, wonder of wonders, had just ascended to the top of Marc Stein's NBA power ratings on ESPN.com. In case you missed that, let me repeat it: The Atlanta Hawks are, at least for this week, regarded as the finest basketball team in the best league in the world. The ... Atlanta ... Hawks. 'That's pretty nice,' said Woodson, smiling as he spoke. And Woodson, as you know, is frugal with his smiles. But think about where this franchise and this coach have been, and where they are now: From 13-69 in 2004-2005 to No. 1 after Week 3 in November 2009. (And not just according to ESPN. The power ratings by John Schuhmann of NBA.com likewise have the Hawks at the top. Can the BCS be far behind?) [...] 'It's just Week 2, though,' counseled Randolph Morris(notes), who was seated alongside. (Actually, it's Week 3. But close enough.) 'We want to be there at Week 50.' Which would be shortly after Halloween 2010, which I don't believe is what Morris meant. Still, you get the drift. It's a long season, et cetera. But you know what? These Hawks might be No. 1 for a while yet."

Kate Fagan, Philadelphia Inquirer: "Marreese Speights is the one with the partially torn knee ligament, but it looks as if 76ers coach Eddie Jordan will do the tweaking, possibly to his starting lineup. When reporters were permitted to watch the Sixers' practice yesterday at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, power forward Elton Brand(notes) was working with the second unit even as Speights walked the sideline, a brace supporting the partly torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Seeing Brand in a white practice jersey instead of first-team blue certainly raised eyebrows, but it did not necessarily guarantee that Jordan intended to change his starting lineup. But Jordan's and Brand's words afterward certainly pushed one closer to that conclusion. Asked about Brand's sporting second-team white, Jordan said he had him playing center with the second unit. Asked if that might indicate an impending switch in the starting lineup, Jordan said, 'Um.' He paused and smiled. 'Who knows?' he said."

Marc Stein, TrueHoop: "There is some hope, according to NBA front-office sources, for a three-way deal that is currently in the exploratory-discussion phase. Sources told ESPN.com that the Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings, in considering the feasibility of a Samuel Dalembert(notes)-for-Kenny Thomas swap, have discussed expanding that concept with Boston by trying to draw in the Celtics on a potential three-way deal that would land Andres Nocioni(notes) with the Celts. Sources further stressed over the past 48 hours that this should be classified as an ongoing conversation as the teams involved decide how much they like what's on the table. But the full deal as it stands, if it eventually gets that far, would send Nocioni to Boston, Kenny Thomas(notes), Tony Allen(notes) and Brian Scalabrine(notes) to Philadelphia and Dalembert and J.R. Giddens(notes) to Sacramento."

Charles F. Gardner, Journal Sentinel: "Ersan Ilyasova might have been the hero Monday night, but Bucks point guard Brandon Jennings(notes) didn't see him on the team's final possession in overtime. Instead it was Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki ... 'I wanted the ball at the last second,' Jennings said. 'Unfortunately I didn't know Ersan's man had doubled me. When I looked back at the tape, I saw he (Ilyasova) was wide open for the jump shot.' Ilyasova recorded his first double-double of the season with 19 points and 12 rebounds, and he combined with reserve guard Luke Ridnour(notes) to fuel the Bucks' second-half rally. The 6-foot-10 Ilyasova had 17 points and nine rebounds after halftime while shooting 6 of 11 from the floor, including 4 of 6 from three-point range. 'The second half was great for us,' Ilyasova said. 'To come back from 18 points (down) is not easy against Dallas.' Ilyasova also shared defensive duties on Nowitzki with Bucks forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute(notes). 'He's one of the best players in the NBA,' Ilyasova said of the Dallas all-star. 'He can shoot; he can drive. I tried to do my best and just force him into tough shots, contested shots.'"

Frank Isola, New York Daily News: "Mike D'Antoni blamed himself Monday for the Knicks' 1-9 record, saying he 'should take all the responsibility' for the worst start in franchise history. 'My job is to get them to play,' D'Antoni added. 'So far we haven't done that. That's about all I can say. I'm leading the team and I haven't led them anywhere so far.' D'Antoni is in the second year of a four-year, $24 million contract. His record as Knicks' coach is 33-59 heading into tomorrow's game at Indiana. Although there have been calls for D'Antoni's head, team president Donnie Walsh reiterated that he fully supports his coach. 'I hate to put a coach in this position,' Walsh said. 'It's a difficult position and I've definitely done that. I'm happy with Mike. I'm very happy with Mike.'"

Frank Dell'Apa, The Boston Globe: "Coach Doc Rivers is taking the blame for the Celtics' recent downturn. He offered a mea culpa after practice yesterday, saying the team was not fresh in back-to-back defeats vs. Atlanta and at Indiana last weekend, and added that Paul Pierce(notes) (left knee sprain) should not have played against the Pacers. 'I told him, No. 1, I shouldn't have played him, in my opinion,' Rivers said of Pierce. 'He talked me into it and I shouldn't have played him. No. 2, he's not going to practice [yesterday or today]. I told him that after the game.' Pierce, though, did participate in agility drills yesterday, then went to the sideline as the Celtics scrimmaged, working out on a stationary bicycle, then going to the locker room to have his knee taped. Pierce's status for tomorrow's game against Golden State at TD Garden has not been determined."

Jeff McDonald, S.A. Express-News: "Manu Ginobili says the tight left hamstring that, depending on who you ask, kept him out of the fourth quarter of Saturday's loss to Oklahoma City is feeling fine. Ginobili re-iterated Monday that he never wanted to come out the Thunder game, and said he expects to be ready to play Wednesday at Dallas. 'I think I'm ready,' Ginobili said. 'I've got to convince, as always, Mr. Popovich.' [...] Unlike that night, Ginobili thought he could have finished the game against the Thunder. Never one to argue with a coach, Ginobili said he did not petition Popovich to put him back in. 'I didn't even have a shot to try to convince him,' Ginobili said. 'He just sat me. I never said my hamstring was hurting. I never said I wanted to rest. He just thought it was the best option, and he went for it. He's the one who decides who's in and who's out.' Ginobili very much expects to be in against the Mavericks. He hopes Popovich agrees."

Michael Grange, The Globe and Mail: "I'm getting the sense that the Raptors are going to make a waiver claim on Pops Mensah-Bonsu(notes) who was released last week by the Houston Rockets. With Reggie Evans(notes) still struggling to have his foot heal, the talk around the arena yesterday was of the wistful variety: wouldn't it be nice to have an energizing; rebounding game-changer off the bench. The release of Quincy Douby(notes) opened up the roster spot; Pops deal isn't guaranteed. Don't be shocked if the Raptors pick him up."

The Rockets are just a coach's dream. They had every chance to give up on this game early on, but kept at it and — cliché alert — honestly took the contest one possession at a time. A real "chop wood, carry water" night out for these Rox.

Quite a bit that we'll have to remember here.

* The Lakers are playing without Pau Gasol(notes). They're playing without a player who — if healthy, and if he kept up the defensive touch we saw in last summer's Finals — could be this league's best power forward.

* Kobe Bryant(notes) is still learning how to work out of the post.

* Ron Artest(notes) is still learning this offense.

* Derek Fisher(notes) is pretty bad, right now.

No excuses, the Lakers didn't play a smart game, but this is all fixable for the defending champs. Mainly because Kobe can do better, Ron can slow down, and ... well, the point guard position is a HUGE problem right now.

Kobe has to get better. Three or four of his attempts spun in and out, but even if they all dropped in, Bryant would have still finished with a 9-20 mark, and more turnovers than assists. He forced it, even if a good chunk of the forces were solid shots, and he hasn't had the patience to look for cutters in a way that the apex of the triangle offense demands.

Artest, superficially, had a good game. 22 points on 16 shots, but his and Kobe's singular offensive focus made it easy for the Rockets to load up on everyone else. Scorers are meant to be all-around players in this offense, and both Bryant and Artest made it so the teammates' hands were cold, and not ready to contribute.

The same would be said for Andrew Bynum(notes), had he not been taking a series of shots he should have been taking. Bynum's a scorer, and he doesn't get the ball in the apex position that his two veteran teammates receive the rock in. 21 points, 11 rebounds, five blocks, and only 12 shot attempts for Bynum. He should have gotten the ball more often.

Onto the victors — Houston works.

The Lakers ran out to a quick lead, and made it seem as if Houston had all the talent of a minor league squad, designed to barely raise a hackle.

Instead, the Rockets came back, quickly, and pulled away as the second half revealed itself to shine on a Laker team that had little interest in defending properly or working its offense the way it was supposed to be run.

Shoddy, shoddy defense for Los Angeles. Houston piled up 51 fast break points, and yet they also had the Lakers' number in the half court, with types like David Andersen(notes) (19 points and six rebounds in 24 minutes) continually pulling up for open jumpers, Kyle Lowry(notes) managing six rebounds (that's it?) and eight assists, and Carl Landry(notes) (15 and 10) able to finagle his way toward scoring in the paint.

Aaron Brooks(notes) was the star, here, destroying every Laker point guard on his way toward 33 points. It also seems as good a time as any to point out something we saw last spring - Brooks pulls up for more 26-footers than any NBA'er since Dan Majerle. It's not even close. The shot clock doesn't even have to be winding down. If he's open, it doesn't matter that he's three full paces behind the three-point line. That shot is going up. Sometimes, it goes in.

Trevor Ariza(notes) tries too hard (his usage hasn't met his effectiveness, so far this year), Chase Budinger(notes) does great things defensively that aren't always picked up in the stat ledger, same for Chuck Hayes(notes) and Shane Battier(notes) (but you knew this, already), and the Rockets are a bunch of workers.

Los Angeles? They try, too, and the team is playing without its second-best player. The squad just needs to smarten up a bit.

A different point guard would be nice, too.

***

Dallas 95, Detroit 90

First off, Detroit coach John Kuester drew up a last-second play for Ben Gordon(notes), the hope being that Gordon could nail a game-tying three-pointer.

The potential problem with this has to do with Gordon's night, up to that point. He had missed 14 of 15 shots from the floor, alongside throwing away four turnovers (and nearly causing a few more, to these eyes) to two assists and just one rebound in 40 minutes. Gordon, a career 41.5 three-point shooter entering the night, had missed all six of his three-point attempts.

So do you go to Ben Gordon, with the game on the line?

Of course you do. Hell yes, you do.

Why?

Because Gordon, and I'm paraphrasing here, is "a career 41.5 three-point shooter."

And after Sunday's outburst? He's a 41.4 percent three-point shooter.

And this streak? This bad shooting night? It's a streak. It's a bad shooting night.

Bad shooting nights end, at some point. Either in game, or the next time out. Gordon wasn't clanging away because of brilliant Maverick D, he was clanging because he was clanging tough, long, shots. All his shots are tough, long, shots. And even with all those missed tough, long, shots (in his career, and on Sunday), he's still going to toss in that three-pointer better than every two out of every five times, a mark that ranks him among the game's elite.

Though Will Bynum(notes) (the game's star) had hit a flat-footed three-pointer a few minutes earlier, you go to your best three-point shooter in that instance, down three. Unless he has a matchup problem and can't get the shot off. Jason Kidd(notes) made Gordon flinch on the last shot, but you have to go to him. You'd be silly, and boasting a goldfish's memory, if you didn't.

Great game, from both ends. The Mavericks backcourt can't guard anyone, so Bynum absolutely had his way in the loss - 27 points in under 30 minutes on just 16 shots. The Pistons also took in an active night from Ben Wallace(notes) (three blocks, 10 boards, nine points in 34 minutes), and Rodney Stuckey(notes) played well (28 points) though he turned the ball over five times.

Dallas' win was a team win. Dirk got his 25 (six boards, ugh, and five assists), and hit the game-clincher with less than a minute go, yelling "that's my shot" several times toward the crowd after Detroit called a timeout to regroup. Drew Gooden(notes) FINALLY had something we couldn't call an "unyieldingly awful game" with 11 and 11, while Rodrigue Beaubois(notes) came through with 14 points and four assists in 19 minutes.

Beaubois needs to play more. There's no way around it. He's a lockdown defender who didn't miss from the floor in this game in six tries (hitting both attempts from behind the arc), and yet he lost time to Jose Juan Barea(notes) and Jason Terry(notes) (who combined to miss 10 of 13 shots from the floor) in the second half, with Dallas coach Rick Carlisle even going to a three-guard lineup with Jason Kidd in the hope of slowing down Will Bynum. Beaubois is averaging nearly seven points per game this season in single digit minutes per game.

Rick needs to calibrate his late-game lineups better, essentially doing the opposite of what I just asked of Detroit coach John Kuester ... but not really. Jason Terry has a long history of shooting and playing well, but he wasn't on this night. Leave him out there, even though it's possible that the veteran Terry might play worse from game to game. Barea? Come on. The guy was getting torched.

Good win for the Mavs, who put up 25 assists on 36 shots.

***

Los Angeles Clippers 101, Oklahoma City 93

Baron Davis(notes) won this game for the Clippers. He's been downright horrible at times this season, but his attitude and decision-making has gotten gradually better as the year moves along (and as he's gotten more and more healthy and in shape), and his presence in the final two minutes pushed the Clippers to a win.

Not that they would have lost without him. This was a pretty even game, though the Clippers were up for most of it. It's just that Davis' play late (a key three-pointer, an assist to Chris Kaman(notes), a tough rebound late, and a steal on Kevin Durant(notes)) was the thing that turned this from a close game that could have gone either way to a certain win for Los Angeles.

OKC just struggles to score. The team entered the contest 25th in offensive efficiency, and though tonight's performance (about 104 points per 100 possessions) will help that slightly, the Thunder managed just 17 fourth quarter points — less than half of what they produced in the third quarter.

Russell Westbrook(notes) did well in pushing the ball and finding others (nine boards, seven assists, three turnovers in almost 37 minutes with two steals), but he needed 17 shots to score 17 points, and clanged a key jumper late. RW's other, young, guard help didn't really help much — Thabo Sefolosha(notes) and James Harden(notes) missed a combined 16 of 17 shots.

Kevin Durant did not. 40 points on 25 shots. Whoa. And he looked, watching the game, like someone who was pouring in 40 points on 25 shots.

The Clippers were in this because Chris Kaman brought his touch, and went into his (effective) moves quickly. 25 points on 15 shots for Kaman, a few days after needing 26 attempts to score 20 points against this same Thunder defense — a team defense that is one of the best in the NBA.

Baron Davis had 24 points, six assists, five boards, four turnovers, and three steals, and Al Thornton(notes) (20 points) actually got to the line. 6-9 from the stripe for Thornton.

***

Phoenix 101, Toronto 100

One of the games of the year, if not the most enjoyable experience I've had watching a game this season. I've had a bit of a trying morning, and yet it can't come close to ruining what was fantastic contest between two teams that really, truly, wanted this.

Playoff atmosphere from the outset, as well, which was wholly deserved. And something needs to be pointed out — the Raptors entered this game as the league's worst defensive team, and the Suns entered as one of the league's worst. The rather respectable score doesn't reflect a bad night shooting, or a series of poor decisions, or a lucky bounce for either defense — both these teams competed defensively in a way I haven't seen from either side thus far this year.

I mean that. A one-point game, and both teams were right around the 110 points per 100 possessions mark, which is pretty impressive (defensively) for two standout offensive teams like this. Any non-Raps/Suns fan has to back me up here, the teams were trying. Trying to cover, switch, pick up in transition (Toronto was especially impressive in that area), stay down (Phoenix was awfully impressive in that area), and win out.

What resulted was a November classic.

Chris Bosh(notes) and Toronto leaked out early. 25 and 10 rebounds for CB, who continues to tear through this league. Little bits helped, too. Marco Belinelli(notes) was aggressive, mostly to a good extent. Amir Johnson(notes) finished well and helped defensively. Actually, in terms of standouts, that was it.

Hedo Turkoglu(notes) looked great, and his last two (potentially game-deciding) shots rimmed out, but he also needed 20 shots to score 20 points. This is part of the game, when you take so many long jumpers, but it's not part of an efficient game. Ask Ron Mercer, who's not part of this game, any more.

Same thing for Andrea Bargnani(notes), who was frustrated by foul trouble and did try hard defensively. Still, 15 shots for 17 points, and just four rebounds in 34 minutes. He did stymie Steve Nash(notes), defensively, on two possessions. The beard's coming in, too.

The Suns made some mistakes, as well. Each of Grant Hill's(notes) shots looked good, but he missed seven out of eight attempts. Each of Jason Richardson's(notes) shots looked awful, and he ended up with eight points on 11 field goal tries. Leandro Barbosa(notes) was effectively limited by a Raptors defense that was clearly paying attention to his every move, and Channing Frye(notes) missed two out of his eight three-point attempts. For shame.

Otherwise, sound game. Steve Nash gave 23 points and nine assists, and Amar'e Stoudemire(notes) came through with 30 points and eight rebounds. The team defense was very good, much improved, and the squad missed a spate of open shots.

Not a massive amount, though. This was an eye-opening defensive outing, for both teams, one that tells me that there's no reason why each can't ascend to the ranks of the below-average, defensively. Laugh at this all you want, but improving to 17th or 18th in defensive efficiency on the year could make the difference between a lower-rung playoff team in 2009-10, or a squad that barely makes the playoffs in spite of its offensive aptitude.

Wherever it heads from here, I care little. This game was too much to get too far ahead.

Bob Kravitz, The Indy Star: "This is what a leader does — what Danny Granger(notes) didn't bother to do — after Tuesday night's miserable effort against the Nuggets, the Pacers' third straight poor performance of this young season. A leader, the guy with the big contract, the face of the franchise, he sticks around after a lousy game and does his best to explain what just happened. It doesn't matter if he doesn't have any answers for a 111-93 loss. We asked T.J. Ford(notes), who stuck around like (almost) everybody else, to explain what happened and he said this: 'I don't know,' he said, shrugging, shaking his head. 'I don't know.' Pause. 'I don't know.' Pause. 'I don't know.' Pause. 'Pfffffft ... I don't know.' At least Ford was there. At least Granger's teammates were there, answering questions, trying to make sense of how an offensively gifted team has become bad and boring these first three games. And where was Granger? By the time the media arrived, he was gone, his locker clean and empty. Can anybody imagine if Peyton Manning flew the coop after a painful Colts loss?"

Frank Dell'Apa, The Boston Globe: "The NBA office has not made a determination regarding an inquiry into a conflict between New Orleans guard Chris Paul(notes) and the Celtics' Rajon Rondo(notes) Sunday night. A double technical foul was assessed to Paul and Rondo after they tangled in the second quarter of the Celtics' 97-87 win over the Hornets. After the game, Paul and Rondo argued near the Celtics bench and were separated by team security. Celtics coach Doc Rivers and Rondo said the league has not contacted them. 'I have no comment on it, really,' Rondo said after last night's 105-74 win over Philadelphia. 'They've got to do what they've got to do.' Said Rivers, 'I don't expect anything to come of it.'"

Brian Schmitz, Orlando Sentinel: "And they call this place 'The Palace?' For the Orlando Magic, who entered the building as NBA royalty, it's more of a prison. There's simply no escaping their Detroit demons. The Pistons did not resemble the same team that has bedeviled the Magic for years and years, but the result was no different. Despite missing two starters, the rebuilding Pistons beat the Magic 85-80 to hand Orlando its first loss of the season on Tuesday night at the, ahem, Palace of Auburn Hills. The Magic were looking to become the first team in franchise history to start a season 4-0, and they had Vince Carter(notes) back in the lineup [...] It was set up on a tee for them, right? Instead, the Pistons defeated the Magic for the 20th time in their last 25 regular-season meetings. Rich DeVos doesn't really own the Magic; the Pistons do. How do you figure it?"

Ray Richardson/John Shipley, Pioneer Press: "[Wolves GM David] Kahn said Monday's moves [picking up the options on the contracts of Kevin Love(notes) and Corey Brewer(notes)] haven't painted the team into a corner. 'I don't want this to be some sort of signal that we will trade Corey, because I don't believe that, but I do believe this is a trader's league right now,' he said. 'And I believe as we demonstrated this summer, you can move players if need be. So I don't look at this decision today on Nov. 3 as saying, 'This is the cap number we'll have next summer.' I believe there are all kinds of possibilities that can occur with this team, particularly when you frame it from the standpoint that Kurt and I are still ... have a lot of evaluation and learning to do about this team.'" 

Elliott Teaford, L.A. Daily News: "Is it true? Sasha Vujacic(notes) would neither confirm nor deny reports that he is dating tennis superstar Maria Sharapova. He said he liked tennis, then he directed a handful of reporters to 'Go ask Lamar about his personal life. I'm sure he wants to talk about it.' [...] So, is the Machine dating Maria? The Machine wouldn't say for sure. When told Sharapova 'is very nice,' Vujacic said, 'I know.' When told Sharapova 'is very smart,' he responded, 'I know.' Moments earlier, Lakers public relations czar John Black busted Vujacic's chops for keeping his relationship a secret from him. 'I thought you were my guy,' Black said, laughing as Vujacic smiled and turned a darker shade of crimson."

Paul Coro, Arizona Republic: "Suns guard Leandro Barbosa(notes) probably could drive past anyone with a hand tied behind his back. But Barbosa's sore right wrist took hits in the previous two games, prompting him to sit out Tuesday night's game against the Heat. 'I definitely want to play and be there for my teammates, but I want to be able to do something,' said Barbosa, who did not shoot a jumper in Sunday's game. 'I don't think I can play with one hand.' Barbosa tried passing and catching Tuesday morning, and it 'shocked' his hand. His shots were short, and he said he barely could open his hand. His status will be re-evaluated for tonight's game at Orlando. Barbosa sprained the wrist in early September during the FIBA Americas Championship. Barbosa, who had an MRI exam, has a small cyst in his wrist. He was told the cyst is too small to remove surgically."

Eddie Sefko, The Dallas Morning News: "On a drab, lifeless Tuesday night at American Airlines Center, everybody found out how quickly a dud can turn into a stud. It happened with Dirk Nowitzki(notes). And it happened with a dull game that turned absolutely mesmerizing, thrilling and historic in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks looked dead for three quarters, and Nowitzki was searching for a pulse, too. Then, as if the paddles had jolted him back to life, Nowitzki dominated the fourth quarter, and the Mavericks pulled off a 27-point turnaround for a determined 96-85 victory over the Utah Jazz. Nowitzki had 29 points in the fourth quarter, smashing the Mavericks record for points in a quarter set by Mark Aguirre in the first period against Denver on March 24, 1984. 'We really couldn't get anything going for three quarters, and it was just ugly — there was a lid on the basket,' Nowitzki said. 'Defensively we were actually decent, but offensively we just couldn't get going, and then in the fourth quarter we just left it all out there and see what happens and it worked out for us.'"

Lisa Dillman, L.A. Times: "What had been widely anticipated finally happened [on Monday], with the Clippers taking small forward Al Thornton(notes) out of the starting lineup. Thornton, who was a combined four for 18 in back-to-back losses at Utah on Friday and at home against Dallas on Saturday, was supplanted by Rasual Butler(notes), who had 12 points against Minnesota, including eight in the fourth quarter. 'You also have to take into consideration the personnel he's playing against,' Dunleavy said. 'He's had four pretty rough customers: [Ron] Artest in the first game, Grant Hill(notes) in the second game, [Andrei] Kirilenko the third game, and then [Shawn] Marion in the fourth game. All those guys, other than maybe Grant Hill, are bigger and stronger than he is. I think it's too early to jump the gun on it.'"

Michael Wallace, Miami Herald: "For the third time in four games, Wade basked in the role of playmaker. Or so it seemed. He didn't have much in the tank when the team needed him to take over. Wade led the Heat with 23 points on 7 of 18 shooting. Take away the outcome, and his stat line is pretty nice. He also finished with seven assists, nine rebounds and two steals. But the four turnovers, the 0 of 3 clip from three-point range and the three fouls in the fourth knocked him off his rhythm. [...] Although Spoelstra accepted the blame for the finish, he also had a hand in the rotation down the stretch, too. Foul trouble was a factor for Michael Beasley(notes). But Wade didn't get three of his four fouls until the fourth quarter. So it was beyond questionable to leave a lineup in the game that consisted of reserves Carlos Arroyo(notes), Dorell Wright(notes), James Jones(notes), Joel Anthony(notes) and Udonis Haslem(notes) for that critical stretch when the Heat saw its lead slip away. When that group came back onto the court after a timeout, you had to wonder if the team's primary closers should have been in instead."

Dave Feschuk, Toronto Star: "Charles Oakley's phone went to voicemail for the umpteenth time the other day. Still, a repeat caller never tired of hearing a four-word message delivered in the former Raptor's gruff mumble. 'The President,' Oakley announced, before a dramatic pause. 'Not in.' He's expected to be in the Air Canada Centre on Wednesday night, when Toronto's NBA team, as part of its 15th-season festivities, reportedly plan to honour him. We say 'reportedly' because Oakley, when he was finally reached for an interview Tuesday, insisted his impending presence in Toronto was 'no big deal.' 'I'm just signing some autographs, hanging out,' he said. 'I just hope they don't boo me again.'"

Mike Bresnahan, L.A. Times: "Pau Gasol's hamstring now stretches all the way to Spain ... sort of. The Lakers sent the information from Gasol's latest medical test to his personal physician and also his parents, who are in the medical field in Spain. (His mother is a doctor and his father is a hospital administrator.) The Lakers declined to reveal the results of the MRI exam, citing the need for confirmation from Gasol's chosen recipients, but his strained right hamstring doesn't appear to be bad enough to keep him out much longer. He went through a 'pretty good workout' after the team's Tuesday afternoon shoot-around, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said. Gasol will not play tonight against Houston, his fifth consecutive game on the sidelines, but what about Friday against Memphis, his old team? 'We'll see,' Jackson said. 'We hope he can get a practice in this week.'"

Eddie Sefko, Star-Telegram: "Heckling by Los Angeles Clippers fans may have led to the Mavericks' Drew Gooden(notes) saying some allegedly insensitive comments during the Mavericks' game at Staples Center on Saturday. Gooden did not play and was dressed in street clothes behind the bench. According to the Web site Outsports.com, Gooden yelled a homophobic slur at a pair of fans seated near the Mavericks bench. The Web site said Gooden yelled the slur at actor Chris Wylde, who is married and is not gay and was attending the game with a friend. Owner Mark Cuban would not comment, but e-mailed Wylde, according to the Web site, and said the team would deal with Gooden internally. He sent an e-mail to the Web site saying that some of the heckling was not as innocent as fans suggested, although he added that even so, it doesn't excuse homophobic commentary." (Note: A team source has denied the claims. According to NBA spokesman Tim Frank, the league is reviewing the incident.)

New York Post: "You might think nothing would frighten Stephon Marbury(notes) more than being an unemployed basketball player. On the contrary. Thursday night, the former Knick drove to Blood Manor, the haunted house on West 27th Street, and sat outside in his Ford Escalade for half an hour, signing autographs, chatting and shaking hands with dozens of people on line. Marbury maintained he was 'way too scared' to go inside. And he didn't — he just enjoyed the spectacle."