Heels in the League (NBA) 11/08/09
(NBA) 11/08/09
Still trying to catch up with my (not so) daily post about the ex UNC players in the National Basketball Association here is my recap from the games from Sunday, November 8, 2009. In all there were six games on tap, of which four featured a touch of carolina blue in them. As we all know be it all of the ex Carolina players or just one, if there is any action there will be a recap that is called “Heels in the League” (NBA). In this edition there is once again a game where you find a head to head match up, so without anymore interruptions, let’s get going with the recap from 11/08/09…
The first match up that features players that once called the Dean Dome home is the game that has the Phoenix Suns heading to the nation’s capital to take on the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center in front of 14,143 fans. For the home squad it’s the duo of Antawn Jamison and Brendan Haywood, and while the ex player of the year does not see any action (still nursing his injury) the ex UNC big man gets the start at the five spot and playes for 32 minutes. For the second time in as many games Haywood gets a double double, scoring ten points (4 for 8 ~ 0 for 0 ~ 2 for 6) and 10 boards (8 on the offensive side). The center also had five blocks int he game and just one turnover. In the end it was Phoenix taking this one by a dozen, beating Washington by the final of 102 to 90. With the loss the Wizs slide to a 2 and 5 record. From the TrueHoop Network, the Truth About it has the recap of the game.
The next game on the schedule for the night is the one between the Orlando Magic and the Oklahoma City Thunder in a game that was played in front of 18,203 spectators at the Ford Center. For the visiting Magic we should have seen Vince Carter, but unfortunately he is still battling an early season injury and does not make a presence in this one. As far as the game goes it’s a blow out with Oklahoma City beating Orlando by 28 points, with the final tally being 102 to 74. This is only the second loss for the Magic, which are now 5 and 2 on the young season.
The third game of the night is the one that has the Minnesota Timberwolves going to the Rose Center to play against the Portland Trail Blazers in front of 20,306 fans. For the visiting TWolves it’s ex Heel Wayne Ellington, who gets 20 minutes off the bench for Minnesota. The shooting guard scored nine points in this one (3 for 8 ~ 2 for 3 ~ 1 for 2) to go along with three rebounds and an assist. Ellington also had three turnovers on the night. In the end, in another blow out that has the ex Heel on the wrong side of the score board, it’s Portland winning it easy, beating Minnesota by 23 points, with the final being 116 to 93. With the loss the Timberwolves slide to 1 and 6.
Finally, in a game where we see ex Tar Heels on both benches, it’s the Golden State Warriors going to ARCO Arena to take on the Sacramento Kings in front of the second lowest attendance involving a Heel (10,760). Both ex UNC players do not see the court in this one, with Brandan Wright still out with and injury for the Warriors and Sean May not being played due to a coach’s decision. In the end it was Sacramento beating Golden State by the final tally of 120 to 107. With the win the Kings are now one game from .500 at 3 and 4, while the Warriors are 1 and 4 after the loss.
