11/20 NBA Recap: Good Money

Blake Griffin scored a career high 44 points and Rudy Gay's talents outdid those of the team from South Beach. Here's today's NBA recap.

- After turning the ball over to Lebron James late in the game (which turned into a bucket to tie the game), Rudy Gay made up for his mistake by hitting a game-winning shot as the game clock was fast approaching zero. Though Gay only had 15 points in the game, he is vastly improving as a player, helped by his stint with Team USA over the summer. This begs a question for the 2012 Olympics: does the USA stick with the Durant-led team that won with unity, grit, and obviously superior talent, or does the US Olympic committee allow Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and other such stars back on the team even though they weren't willing to play in the FIBA tournament? I say stick with the squad that just won it in Turkey. They were all willing to play, and showed they were just as apt to win as the 2008 squad.

--Blake Griffin scored a career high 44 points and 15 boards in a loss to the run-and-gun Knicks. Griffin is on my short list for players I'd be willing to pay good money just to see him play live. Go watch some of his dunks vs. the Knicks, especially one over Timofey Mozgov. This kid has a bright future in the NBA. But the Clippers, not so much. Despite 69 points between Griffin and break-out SG Eric Gordon, the Clips were unable to run with the Knicks, as evidenced by only 15 points among Eric Bledsoe, DeAndre Jordan, and Ryan Gomes, the Clips other 3 starters. Danilo Gallinari doublde that figure by himself (31 points), while Ama're Stoudemire had 39 points of his own. Clips coach Vinny Del Negro said it best when he said, "We need to get him some help (of Griffin)." They have the help, but not the consistency (save Gordon.) The 1-13 Clippers can't let their opponents play the type of game they want (like they did vs. the Knicks, or their losing ways will continue. Watch the amazing "eff you" dunks right here.

- San Antonio has won its tenth straight game, this time against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It didn't hurt that the Cavs starters only combined for 45 points. Are the 11-1 Spurs a legitimate contender? You bet your lucky stars they are. They have experience, depth (3 players into double figures off the bench), and solid contributions from everybody game in, game out. Are they better than the Lakers? No. Better than the Hornets? I believe so. The Spurs love to sneak up on teams, and they'll be doing the same this year.

- Stephen Jackson recorded the Bobcats first triple-double in franchise history when he had 24 points, and 10 rebounds and assists, en route to handing Phoenix it's third straight loss. So Jackson is now famous for something other than being crazier than Artest during the Pistons/Pacers brawl (though it was more than a brawl, more like Armageddon.) The Suns lost despite heavy scoring, a common theme for Suns teams. They allowed Charlotte to shoot 57% from the field! Charlotte scored 123 points, 20points higher than their season average. And people wonder why Phoenix was never able to capture a title during the Nash/Stoudemire years; they don't play the most important facet of the game, defense.

MVP of the Night: Stephen Jackson (you know the stats) Why the picture with the Santa hat? Because it's hilarious, it's also Christmas season, and he gave the Charlotte Bobcats a triple-double. So there.