NBA Recap: James Harden Drops 46 Points, Kyrie Irving Shines in the Fourth Quarter and More

Another night of great NBA action is over and tonight we had another 11 games all around the league. As well, with the trade deadline less than 13 hours away, we have more NBA trade rumours. So let’s get into the recap.

• We begin in Toronto, Canada where the Raptors welcomed the Memphis Grizzlies. This was the first time both teams met since both Ed Davis and Rudy Gay were swapped in a trade that happened about three weeks ago. Grizzlies’ Zach Randolph and Mike Conley both scored 17 points while Randolph added 18 rebounds, as the Grizzlies defeated the Raptors ending Toronto’s five game win streak. Rudy Gay didn’t have the best night as had 13 points and 9 rebounds against his former team. Brian Burke of Raptors Rapture recaps the game with all the details.

• Next up, we have former Raptor, Jose Calderon and the Pistons taking on the Charlotte Bobcats. Sophomore guard, Brandon Knight led the Pistons to victory as he scored 21 points defeating the Bobcats 105-99. Knight’s night (no pun intended) ended early as he fell down with a knee injury. Nonetheless, Greg Monroe held the team together as he scored 19 points, 10 of which came in the fourth quarter. Edward Shuler Jr. of Roberto Gato recaps the game and everything that went wrong for the Bobcats here.

• Up next we have the Indiana Pacers squaring off against the New York Knickerbockers. The Pacers had a near flawless performance as Paul George led the way scoring 27 points, 11 rebounds, shooting 11-for-17 from the field, in a stunning 125-91 blowout win. Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony had a bad night as he finished with 12 points, shooting 7-for-21. Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reports what went wrong for the Knicks here.

• We now head over to Quicken Loans Arena where the Cleveland Cavaliers welcomed the New Orleans Hornets. Sophomore, All-star, and three-point shooting champion, Mr. fourth quarter, Kyrie Irving, led the Cavaliers to a 105-100 victory, in a close contested game. Irving finished with 35 points, shooting 13-for-22 from the field. He had 20 of those points in the fourth quarter. Still unbelievable that he’s only 20-years-old.  Zachary Kolesar of Right Down Euclid recaps the win here.

• We take a break from recapping, as we head over to the Kings James Gospel. With the february trade deadline looming, Vytis Lasaitis brings you the latest trade rumours. From Hawk’s Josh Smith to Celtics’ Kevin Garnett he has it all right here.

• Next, we have one of tonight’s biggest games as the Atlanta Hawks’ took on the defending champions, Miami Heat. Heat forward, Lebron James, turned into a facilitator tonight as he scored only 24 points and dished 11 assists. Eight of those assists came during crunch time in the fourth quarter. Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald recaps the victory here.

• Following that game, we have a rematch between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Brooklyn Nets. While the Nets won yesterday’s game, they ended up winning again, today. Nets guard, Deron Williams led his squad with 23 points, as the Nets won 97-94. Jonah Mars of From Russia With Dunk breaks down the game with individual player grades here.

• In what was the game of the night, the defending western conference champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder took on former Thunder guard, James Harden, and the Houston Rockets. Harden went off in this game as he scored an unbelievable, record-setting 46 points with eight rebounds and six assists, as the Rockets defeated the Thunder winning 122-119. Thunder guards, Russell Westbrook and Thabo Sefelosha both scored 28 points individually but it wasn’t enough. Andrew Kennedy of Thunderous Intentions breaks down the game here.

• Next up we have the banged-up Minnesota Timberwolves playing against the Philadelphia 76ers. Minnesota’s front court was too much for the Sixers as Nikola Pekovic tied a career high 27 points, adding 18 points to make it a double-double. Sixers’ Spencer Hawes and Lavoy Allen couldn’t match Pekovic as they both combined for 17 points, 14 rebounds. James Glenn of Dunking With Wolves recaps the game here

• Following that game we have the Orlando Magic up against the Dallas Mavericks. Shawn Marion and Elton Brand contributed to the Mavericks scoring 17 points a piece as the Mavericks won 111-96. The Mavericks also had a season high 42 points leading into halftime. Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel writes what went wrong for the Magic here.

• In their first game since the passing of Lakers’ owner, Jerry Buss, the Lakers took on their old rivals, the Boston Celtics. Lakers’ Dwight Howard led the team with a double-double 24 points, 12 assists as Kobe Bryant added 16 points and seven assists. The Lakers won an emotional game defeating the Celtics, 113-99. Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 26 points but it wasn’t enough. Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times reviews the game here.

• Finally, our last game of the night as the Golden State Warriors took on the Phoenix Suns. Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 28 points and eight rebounds while David Lee had double-double 19 points 11 assists. The Warriors have now snapped a six game losing streak with tonight’s win. Daniel Keagle of Sun Gun reviews the game and everything that went wrong for the Phoenix Suns here.