Heels in the League (NBA) 11/20/09 (Part 1)

Getting back on track with my post “Heels in the League” (NBA) here is the first half of the games from November 20, 2009. In all there were ten games in the NBA that night, with eight of them having a touch of carolina blue in them, meaning that I will divide the recap in two. In the games there are two head to head match ups with teams having ex Carolina players, so there is going to be plenty to talk about. So, sit back and relax as I give you the games from 11/20/09…

First one of the night is a match up between two teams having ex UNC players on it, with the Cleveland Cavaliers going to Conseco Fieldhouse to take on the Indiana Pacers in front of 18,165 fans. For the visiting Cavs it’s the duo of Jawad Williams and Danny Green, who both get dressed for the game but do not see any action in this game (as has been the case for most of the season). On the other side we have on of Green’s ex team mates, Tyler Hansbrough, who comes off the bench for the Pacers, and plays for 21 minutes. In that time the ex National Player of the Year scores seven points (3 for 9 ~ 0 for 0 ~ 1 for 2) to go along with three rebounds, three steals, two assists, a block and TO. In the end it would be the team from Ohio winning the game, thanks to a 28 to 13 fourth quarter, as Cleveland defeats Indiana by ten, with the final score being 105 to 95. With the W the Cavs are now 9 and 4, while the loss puts the Pacers at .500 for the season, 5 and 5. Jeff Sack (at Slam Dunk Central) talks about James scoring 40 in his recap of the game. Over at Eight Points, Nine Seconds they have the recap of the game.

Box Score — Play-By-Play

The next game on the slate has the Houston Rockets traveling from the lone star state to Philips Arena to take on the Atlanta Hawks in front of 16,674 fans. In this game it’s Marvin Williams getting 40 minutes for the Hawks and coming very close to a double double. The ex national champ under Roy Williams scored 29 points (13 for 19 ~ 3 for 5 ~ 0 for 0) to go along with nine rebounds and a turnover. When it was all said and it would be Atlanta winning a very close one, defeating Houston by the final of 105 to 103. With the win the Hawks are now 11 and 2. Checking out my favorite site for Hawks ball, Peachtree Hoops, here is what they had to say about the game: Marvin and the good Joshettes

Box Score — Play-By-Play

The third game of the night is the one between another two teams that have ex Tar Heels on their rosters. It’s the Orlando Magic versus the Boston Celtics, played at TD Garden in front of 18,624 fans. For the visiting Magic it’s newly acquired Vince Carter, who starts and plays 40 minutes in all. The ex Heel scores 26 points (10 for 29 ~ 2 for 7 ~ 4 for 4) to go along with six boards, six assists and two blocks. If there is a negative in the game is that Carter did turn the ball over six times. On the other side it’s ex UNC big man Rasheed Wallace, who gets 34 minutes and almost achieves a double double off the bench. The ex pupil of Dean Smith had nine points (4 for 16 ~ 0 for 8 ~ 1 for 2) along with 13 boards, three steals, two assists and a block. When it was all said and done it would be the team from the sunshine state winning this one, as Orlando takes down Boston by the final tally of 83 to 78. With the victory the Magic are now 10 and 3, while the loss takes the Celtics to a 9 and 4 record. At Slam Dunk Central Jeff Sack says that Boston’s Friday Blues Continue; Vinsanity And Magic Shut Down Celtics 83-78, and that is the truth, as I watched this one game on tv and his title is spot on!

Box Score — Play-By-Play

The last game for this half of the recap is the one that has the Washington Wizards heading west to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Ford Center in front of 18,203 fans. For the Wizards we see both of the ex Heels starting, with Antawn Jamison (just off of injury) getting 37 minutes at the power forward slot and Brendan Haywood getting one less at the center slot. For the forward it’s another double double night, with 22 points (9 for 17 ~ 1 for 2 ~ 3 for 7) to go with 12 rebounds, two steals, a block and 2 TOs. For the big man in the middle it’s also a double double night, with Haywood scoring 14 points (7 for 11 ~ 0 for 0 ~ 0 for 0) as well as 16 rebounds, two assists and a pair of turnovers. In the end all of that was not enough as Oklahoma City won the game by 19 points, defeating Washington by the final of 127 to 108. With the loss the Wizs slide to 3 and 8 on the season. At the great web site Truth About It there is the recap of the game, with great pictures and plenty of links to other recaps.

Box Score — Play-By-Play