GSRelyea
11-14-2005, 09:50 AM
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2005-11-13-court-coverage_x.htm
Court coverage
A look at the week that was and the week ahead by USA TODAY's David DuPree.
Team of the week
Washington Wizards: They scored a league season-high 137 points in a 41-point win against Seattle on Friday and followed with a 110-95 victory against San Antonio on Saturday. Gilbert Arenas had 43 against the Spurs, the single-game high in the league this season, one day after drilling the Sonics for 32. In the two games, Arenas averaged 37.5 points, 6.5 assists, shot 72.2% (26-for-36) from the field and was 8-for-15 on three-pointers as the Wizards improved to 5-1. "When he gets going, he gets that swagger," teammate Antawn Jamison says. "The guy's unbelievable. I think he still doesn't get the recognition he deserves."
Stepping up
Elton Brand, L. A. Clippers: Averaged 26.7 points and 9.3 rebounds and shot 70.8% as the Clippers won two of three on the road.
Chauncey Billups, Detroit: Had double-doubles in his last two games and averaged 21.3 points and 9.7 assists and was 6-for-11 on three-pointers as the Pistons won three in a row on the road to remain the only unbeaten team (6-0).
Thrills, spills and chills
No average Joe: Joey Crawford, perhaps the NBA's most colorful official, became the fifth referee in league history to work 2,000 regular-season games when he was on the court Friday for the Lakers-76ers. He also has worked 252 playoff games, 36 in the Finals, including the last two Finals Game 7s — last season at San Antonio and 1994 at Houston. Jake O'Donnell, Earl Strom, Dick Bavetta and Tommy Nunez are the others to reach 2,000.
BlooperSonics: Seattle lost by 25, 27 and 41 points last week at Memphis, Cleveland and Washington. "We've got to have more pride," an incensed coach Bob Weiss said. "We're letting people manhandle us. We've got to take it personal and become accountable."
Million Dollar Baby: Minnesota's Kevin Garnett is donating $1.2 million to build homes throughout the Gulf Coast to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. He is teaming with Oprah Winfrey's Angel Network, but the money is coming out of his pocket. "I knew I wanted to do something," he said.
One-liner
Houston's Tracy McGrady was supposed to be out three weeks with back spasms, but he returned with flair after only three games (all losses) Saturday and led the Rockets to a 95-91 win at New Jersey. His line:
Min. FG
M-A 3FG
M-A FT
M-A Reb Ast Stl Blk Pts
38 13-26 4-5 5-6 10 4 1 3 35
This week's big game
Detroit at Dallas: Dallas is better on defense, and Detroit has improved its offense. They'll test each other Saturday. The Dirk Nowtizki-Rasheed Wallace matchup will be a key one.
Thus week's best matchups
Larry Brown vs. Phil Jackson: The NBA's marquee coaches with suspect teams face each other for the first time since the 2004 NBA Finals. Just making the playoffs is the new goal of each (10 ET, Wednesday, ESPN).
USA TODAY Top 10
(Through Saturday; last week's ranking in parentheses)
1. Detroit (1): Pistons can turn it on whenever they feel like it — at either end of the floor.
2. San Antonio (4): Manu Ginobili is finally getting his shooting eye back as thigh bruise heals.
3. Milwaukee (2): Backup point guard Maurice Williams leads the league in three-point shooting with 75% (12-for-16), including game-winner at buzzer against Indiana on Saturday.
4. Washington (8): Wizards are holding opponents to a league-low 39.1% shooting.
5. Dallas (3): Devin Harris is averaging 11.5 points in only 17 minutes a game off the bench.
6. Indiana (6): Pacers are averaging 7.5 more points a game than last season.
7. L.A. Clippers (10): Point guard Sam Cassell is providing the leadership and direction the Clippers needed.
8. Cleveland (-): Won two in a row last week with an average margin of victory of 19.3 points.
9. Minnesota (-): Kevin Garnett ranks among top 20 in scoring, rebounding, assists, field goal percentage and blocked shots.
10. Miami (-): Next eight opponents have a combined13-30 record.
Court coverage
A look at the week that was and the week ahead by USA TODAY's David DuPree.
Team of the week
Washington Wizards: They scored a league season-high 137 points in a 41-point win against Seattle on Friday and followed with a 110-95 victory against San Antonio on Saturday. Gilbert Arenas had 43 against the Spurs, the single-game high in the league this season, one day after drilling the Sonics for 32. In the two games, Arenas averaged 37.5 points, 6.5 assists, shot 72.2% (26-for-36) from the field and was 8-for-15 on three-pointers as the Wizards improved to 5-1. "When he gets going, he gets that swagger," teammate Antawn Jamison says. "The guy's unbelievable. I think he still doesn't get the recognition he deserves."
Stepping up
Elton Brand, L. A. Clippers: Averaged 26.7 points and 9.3 rebounds and shot 70.8% as the Clippers won two of three on the road.
Chauncey Billups, Detroit: Had double-doubles in his last two games and averaged 21.3 points and 9.7 assists and was 6-for-11 on three-pointers as the Pistons won three in a row on the road to remain the only unbeaten team (6-0).
Thrills, spills and chills
No average Joe: Joey Crawford, perhaps the NBA's most colorful official, became the fifth referee in league history to work 2,000 regular-season games when he was on the court Friday for the Lakers-76ers. He also has worked 252 playoff games, 36 in the Finals, including the last two Finals Game 7s — last season at San Antonio and 1994 at Houston. Jake O'Donnell, Earl Strom, Dick Bavetta and Tommy Nunez are the others to reach 2,000.
BlooperSonics: Seattle lost by 25, 27 and 41 points last week at Memphis, Cleveland and Washington. "We've got to have more pride," an incensed coach Bob Weiss said. "We're letting people manhandle us. We've got to take it personal and become accountable."
Million Dollar Baby: Minnesota's Kevin Garnett is donating $1.2 million to build homes throughout the Gulf Coast to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. He is teaming with Oprah Winfrey's Angel Network, but the money is coming out of his pocket. "I knew I wanted to do something," he said.
One-liner
Houston's Tracy McGrady was supposed to be out three weeks with back spasms, but he returned with flair after only three games (all losses) Saturday and led the Rockets to a 95-91 win at New Jersey. His line:
Min. FG
M-A 3FG
M-A FT
M-A Reb Ast Stl Blk Pts
38 13-26 4-5 5-6 10 4 1 3 35
This week's big game
Detroit at Dallas: Dallas is better on defense, and Detroit has improved its offense. They'll test each other Saturday. The Dirk Nowtizki-Rasheed Wallace matchup will be a key one.
Thus week's best matchups
Larry Brown vs. Phil Jackson: The NBA's marquee coaches with suspect teams face each other for the first time since the 2004 NBA Finals. Just making the playoffs is the new goal of each (10 ET, Wednesday, ESPN).
USA TODAY Top 10
(Through Saturday; last week's ranking in parentheses)
1. Detroit (1): Pistons can turn it on whenever they feel like it — at either end of the floor.
2. San Antonio (4): Manu Ginobili is finally getting his shooting eye back as thigh bruise heals.
3. Milwaukee (2): Backup point guard Maurice Williams leads the league in three-point shooting with 75% (12-for-16), including game-winner at buzzer against Indiana on Saturday.
4. Washington (8): Wizards are holding opponents to a league-low 39.1% shooting.
5. Dallas (3): Devin Harris is averaging 11.5 points in only 17 minutes a game off the bench.
6. Indiana (6): Pacers are averaging 7.5 more points a game than last season.
7. L.A. Clippers (10): Point guard Sam Cassell is providing the leadership and direction the Clippers needed.
8. Cleveland (-): Won two in a row last week with an average margin of victory of 19.3 points.
9. Minnesota (-): Kevin Garnett ranks among top 20 in scoring, rebounding, assists, field goal percentage and blocked shots.
10. Miami (-): Next eight opponents have a combined13-30 record.