11/4 NBA Recap: The Match Game

This is going to be a short one, as there were only two NBA games last night, and neither of them involved the Celtics (and this is Ultimate BOSTON after all.)

In the first game,the New York Knicks downed the Chicago Bulls 120-112, despite having a double-digit lead going into halftime. The Knicks were led by Danilo Gallinari, who broke out of his horrible start to the season by putting up 24 points on 7-11 shooting, while going 4-4 from three-point range. Also, Knicks player Toney Douglas put up a stunning 30 points coming off the bench, hitting five threes of his own. Raymond Felton continued the trend of PG domincance by putting up 20 points and 10 assists. The Bulls did come back to cut the lead down, mostly due to Derrick Rose's 24 points and 14 assists, but it was a little too little too late. (After re-reading that sentence, "little" doesn't sound like a word anymore.)
The Thunder beat the Trailblazers in a game in which Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were playing a matching game, as they both put up 28 points and 11 rebounds. The Thunder defense, which had been praised before the season, didn't get off to a good start this season. But the defense we knew we'd see came into power during the OT period. The Thunder defense only allowed Portland one field-goal in the extra time, and it was at the very last second, and the basket wasn't going to determine a win or a loss.

Tonight, the Bulls will be playing the Celtics in a PG duel between Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo. These two get compared a lot, and I feel I should weigh in. No Boston bias at all, honest. But although Rose can put up 20 points every night, Rondo is the better PG. The PG is a facilitator, a player who has to control the pace of the game. The PG has to make the right decisions to lead to points, and Rondo is one of (if not) the best in the game at that. Sure, Rondo doesn't have a consistent jump shot, but he can penetrate to the basket. Also, Rondo is THE best passer in the league, bar none, and that should be a PG's main focus. Rose is better at putting up points, but Rondo is the more well-rounded PG.

MVP of the Night: I'm giving it to Toney Douglas and his 30 points off the bench, though Gallinari, Durant, Westbrook, or Felton could've easily won the honor.