Monday 3 January 2011

THROUGH THE WIRE: MONDAY (01/03/11)

Nov 1, 2010; Los Anglees, CA, USA; General view of the Staples Center exterior before the NBA game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Clippers. Photo via Newscom

24. Maverick player Caron Butler could miss some significant time for Dallas. The defensive maestro and potent scorer is currently enduring a knee injury. The initial diagnosis is a torn patellar tendon and this is not good for a team that has a lot of guys currently with notes from the doctor in hand. Sure the Mavs have a lot of stars but Butler is one of their most facilitating. Caron was having a career year with a season best 30 points at the weekend, but then his year got thrown into jeopardy with this injury. Dallas have had a matrix of injury troubles with Shawn Marion missing time and Texan gunslinger Dirk Nowitzki also down on one knee. Time for the Mavs to re-engage.

48. Another former Mavs player is in the injury wars. Washington Wizard, swingman Josh Howard (who was swapped for Caron Butler) missed D.C.'s Saturday night game against the New Orleans Hornets. The star talent already spent 10 months on ice and rehab after surgery on a torn ligament in his left knee. Now it still looks like versatile player isn't right. Coach Flip Saunders insists that the resting of Howard is just "precautionary". Still Wizard fans will hold their breath until Josh is back to his old tricks.

82. A gnarly, Memphis Grizzlies 104-85 win made it a sad start to the new year for the Lake Show. This is the Lakers fourth loss in six, so that slump they thought they were out of is still flagging this team. Coach Jackson had some choice words for his team including this press soundbite, "I think we took for granted the fact that we've been beaten in Memphis and everybody thought we were going to come out here and play better and no one took responsibility on themselves to play better." At one point at Staples the Lakers were down by 26 and the boos rang out from the home faithful. Bryant had 28 points, trying to bring the Lakers back (he had 17 in the third alone) as he didn't want to have foam fingers thrown at his team again. He was the one that got mad, again however as he was issued a tech late in the game. This was Kobe's fifth technical foul in seven games. These are clearly frustrating times in La, La, Lakerland.

O.T. The injury trouble may continue for Dallas, but so does their Maverick play. With a win against Cavs they ensured their loss streak was capped at 3...the Celtics were also victorious as Rajon Rondo returned from injury to lead his hot team past Canada's cold Toronto Raptors...the Blazers are looking even hotter. As Portland trailed their eighth straight win against a Houston team with a lot of problems...it's also looking bright this January in the ATL, where the Haws rose above the L.A Clippers. With J. Johnson and Smith, rallying and shooting from the clip...impressive Timberwolve Anthony Tolliver may be injured but he's still resilient, practicing with his Minnesota team...while Stan Van Gundy better practice what he preaches, in terms of watching what he says. Aint that the 'truth', as the Orlando Magic head coach has been fined for comments in two separate incidents. What do you tell a man with two fines? Nothing, he's already been told twice. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

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