Heels in the League (02/27/09)

02/27/09

With a lot of games on tap last night, eleven altogether, and many ex Chapel Hill ballers playing, it’s time to look at my daily post I call “Heels in the League”. In a game that has nothing to do with ex UNC players, but has a lot to do with the playoff possibilities, the Bucks (eighth in the East) lost last night, giving New Jersey, Charlotte and Washington all a chance of gaining a game on Milwaukee.

In the first game of the night, held at the Amway Arena, it’s the Detroit Pistons being hosted by the Orlando Magic. For the Pistons it’s ex UNC big man Rasheed Wallace, who plays 31 minutes, scoring six points on a 2 for 11 shooting, while grabbing ten boards against the Magic. Wallace also collected three assists and two steals. In the end it was enough, as Detroit (28-29, 14-14 away) won the game by 8, upsetting Orlando (42-16, 22-7 home) 93 to 85. With the win the Pistons, who are seventh in the East, moved two games up on the Bucks.

The second game on the slate for last night was the Chicago Bulls heading to the nation’s capital to face the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center. For the home squad it was Antawn Jamison taking to the court for 29 minutes and getting a double double out of it. The ex NPOY under Dean Smith goet 27 points (9 for 18 shooting) along with 11 rebounds (5 on the offensive side). Jamison also had two assists and a steal in the game. When it was all said and down Washington (14-44, 10-21 home) beat Chicago (26-33, 10-22 away) 113 to 90 in front of a very special Bulls fan, the President of the United States, Barack Obama. With the win the Wizs, even if out of it, move to 12.5 games behind the eighth seed Bucks.

The next game with a touch of carolina blue is the Miami Heat heading north to Philips Arena where they squared off against the Atlanta Hawks. Ex national champion Marvin Williams got 40 minutes for the home team as he score 13 points (5 for 15) and added 3 rebounds, two assists and a steal on the night. The ex Heel also had a turnover against the Heat, but overall it was a good night for Atlanta (33-25, 20-6 home) defeating Miami (30-27, 11-17 away) 91 to 83. The Hawks, who are fourth in the East, got a game closer to the Magic, who are in third place, but it’s unlikely that they will catch them, as Orlando is 9 games ahead of Atlanta.

The next game, one between divisional foes, it’s the Los Angeles Clippers and the Sacramento Kings, held at ARCO Arena, we once again see Rashad McCants taking the floor for the home team. The ex Heel and national champ got 24 minutes in this game, where he scored 12 points on a 6 for 11 shooting night. McCants also added six rebounds, two steals, one assist and a block, while just committing one turnover in that time span. As far as the game went McCants and team mates can celebrate as Sacramento (13-47, 9-20 home) defeated Los Angeles (15-44, 7-23 away) by a dozen, 98 to 86. While it was nice to see a W for the Kings, with 22 games to go they are out of contention for a playoff bid.

Last game of the night has the Charlotte Bobcats heading to ORACLE Arena to face the Golden State Warriors. For the Bobcats we see one of the two ex Heels getting playing time, which would be as we all know Raymond Felton. In this one the ex speedy guard from Chapel Hill got 26 points off of a 9 for 16 night, in 36 minutes of playing time. Felton just missed out on a double double, as he also had nine assists against the Warriors. The ex Heel also recorded three rebounds, four steals and a block. On the other side of the coin, he did commit six TO’s in the game. However, when it was all said and done, it was Charlotte (24-35, 8-20 away) bringing hom the W in this one, as they took down Golden State (20-38, 15-14 home) by a final tally of 112 to 109. With the win the Bobcats move up a game, and are only three games behind eighth place (tied with Indiana, who lost to Boston).

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