Sched Ahead Daily Update, Games of 2/20

OKC keeps on rolling, but Portland's playoff hopes get a nice boost from the Pacers. 

Yesterday's update.

Most recent weekly update, including game category definitions.

Yesterday's Games

1. OKC @ New York.  The "Blunder" dodge a bullet, as the Knicks got a big contribution from T-Mac in his debut with them (26 points), David Lee went for 30 and 10, and newly acquired Eddie House had 24.  It wasn't enough because Durant hit a 3 to send it into overtime and the go-ahead shot with 16 seconds left in overtime, and OKC pulled it out.  KD finished with 36, and Westbrook had 31, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds.  In Sergio's first game for NY, he had 5 points and 6 assists with 2 turnovers in 26 minutes, shooting 2-8 (0-3 from 3).
2. Miami @ Dallas.  Playing their fourth in five nights, the Mavs won a Cat 2 "Jawbreaker" against Miami.  The Heat were without Wade again, but battled into the fourth, before Jason Kidd took over, scoring 14 in the quarter.  That is three straight for the Mavs, after losing their first game after the ASB.  They look ready to run away with the division.  Jason Terry was 0-10.  Why does he never do that against us?
3. Indiana @ Houston.  Houston drops a Cat 1 "Cream Puff", a big blow to their playoff hopes, as Indiana outscores them by 11 in the third quarter to tie the game, and then by 10 more in the fourth for the win.  Granger went for 26 on 12-17 shooting (4-6 on 3s), T.J. Ford had 23, and Troy Murphy had 18 and 12 rebounds.  For Houston, Aaron Brooks had 26 and 7 assists, Scola 25 and 11 rebounds.  In Kevin Martin's Rockets debut, he shot 3-16 (0-3 from 3) but 8-9 from the FT line to end up with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in 31 minutes.  The most important stat was that the Pacers scored 71 in the second half.

In other notes, the Clippers got their first post-coaching change win, with Blake getting 11 points and 12 assists.  Travis is still inactive.

Projections

1. L.A.  60.0 wins.   
2. Utah.  53.6 wins.
3. Denver.  53.5 wins.
4. Dallas.  51.3 wins (up from 50.8).
5. Phoenix.  50.2 wins.  
6. OKC.  49.1 wins (from 48.7).
7. Portland.  46.3 wins.
8. S.A.  45.6 wins.
9. Houston.  43.3 wins (from 44.6).
10. N.O.  42.3 wins.
11. Memphis.  40.5 wins.

The Rockets take a big hit with a home loss to a weak team. 

Tonight

1. Utah @ Portland.  Cat 2 "Jawbreaker" for us, Cat 4 "Rocky Road" for the Jazz.  We've lost 3 straight to Utah, and 3 straight Cat 2 games as well, which does not a playoff challenge make.  Get this one, and it's a solid homestand before we head out on the road, lose it and a 1-2 homestand means you need a great road trip to make up for it.  It's also a conference game, which could be important in playoff tie-breakers against Houston and OKC.  A win would really build the pressure on the teams behind us -- the season is getting shorter, and they need to close the gap.
2. Boston @ Denver.  Cat 2 "Jawbreaker" for Denver.  Both teams get one day of rest after back to backs, but Boston won't have had to travel as far.  Denver will be mad about losing at Washington, but Boston wants to sweep this road trip, and will like their chances.  Could be a real battle.  Nate Robinson is expected to make his debut for Boston.  Chris Andersen is listed as day to day.
3. S.A. @ Detroit.  San Antonio does not like losing to losing teams.  They have now done it once this year, on Friday at Philadelphia.  Expect Detroit to feel the backlash.  If somehow the Spurs do not win this game, it could be a sign the wheels have finally come off their challenge for good, and it will put them under a lot of pressure to even hold a playoff spot -- their remaining schedule is not kind to them.  Who would have thought that this would be a big game for them?  Tony Parker is still fighting injuries.
4. Memphis @ N.J.  Cat 3 "Banana Peel" for the Grizzlies, who seem to have had it all go wrong after a brilliant run that put them into playoff position.  If they manage to lose this, they drop below .500, and the Nets just beat Charlotte, so can still be dangerous.  This begins a stretch of 6 games for Memphis with three Cat 3s on the road against week teams and three Cat 2s at home against stronger teams.  They'd better get at least four of the six, or they'll be out of this race.  Brewer is out indefinitely with a partially torn hamstring.
5. Houston @ N.O.  Cat 4 "Rocky Road" for the Rockets, Cat 2 for the Hornets.  One of the teams behind us will win, one will lose.  It's a back to back for the Rockets.  A win for them and the loss to the Pacers will be forgiven, a loss and they really drop back.  The Hornets probably need this one even more than the Rockets, because the rest of the month is very tough -- they'll be underdogs in their next four games after this one.  Neither team can afford to lose, but one of them will.
6. OKC @ Minnesota.  This could be interesting, a red-hot "Blunder" team on a back to back against a weak Minnesota team that has picked off some Northwest division rivals already this year.  This is definitely a "Banana Peel" for OKC, with possible tie-breaker ramifications as well.
7. Sacramento @ Phoenix.  Cat 1 "Cream Puff" for the Suns.  Sacramento will be on a back to back.  The Kings are still probably going to struggle the rest of the year, but they are probably more dangerous with the addition of Carl Landry.

This is a big night.  At least one of our rivals will lose, probably more than one.  A win would do a lot for our confidence should we meet the Jazz in the playoffs, and would really help our playoff positioning as well.  A loss and we go into the road trip on a down swing.  A win and it sends the message that the addition of Marcus makes us a team to watch.