Heels in the Pros (NBA) 12/30/11
After a big Friday night on the hardwoods, where in all there were eleven games in the National Basketball Association, it’s time to once again recap what the former North Carolina players did with the daily post called “Heels in the Pros” (NBA) for 12/30/11. Of the games on the schedule four had a touch of carolina blue in them, with a pair of them being a head to head match up with former UNC players on both sides. As the new year comes around and we get ready for the NFL playoffs, the thick of the NCAA BB, it’s great to also keep an eye on how the ex Carolina players are doing in the NBA. So, without further ado, this edition of “Heels in the Pros” (NBA) for December 30, 2011…
First game of the night is a head to head divisional battle as the Cleveland Cavaliers (EC ~ Central) take on the Indiana Pacers (EC ~ Central) in the first of four games between the two teams. The game was played at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in front of a crowd of 13,004. For the visiting team it’s long time vet Antawn Jamison, who started at the power forward slot and got 36 minutes in all. The 14th year man scored 12 points (4 for 14 ~ 0 for 5 ~ 4 for 6) to go with five rebounds, three blocks and a pair of turnovers while having a points differential of -3. For the home squad we have third year pro Tyler Hansbrough coming off the pine for a total of 25 minutes in all. In that time the power forward has a double double scoring 11 points (4 for 14 ~ 0 for 0 ~ 3 for 5) to go with a dozen boards, a TO and a -6 points differential. In the end, in a pretty close game, it was Indiana (3-0, 2-0 at home) winning this one, defeating Cleveland (1-2, 1-1 on the road) by the final of 98 to 91. With the W the Pacers are atop of their division, while the loss puts Cavs 2 games behind them.
The second game of the night has the New Jersey Nets (EC ~ Atlantic) going down south to take on the Atlanta Hawks (EC ~ Southeast) in the second of four match-ups between the two teams. The game was played at the Philips Arena in front of 16,300 fans. For the home squad we have Marvin Williams starting at the small forward spot and playing a total of 25 minutes in all. For the seventh year man it’s a 11 points night (4 for 9 ~ 1 for 3 ~ 2 for 2) to go with six rebounds, two assists, one steal and a +1 points differential. The other former Tar Heel for the Hawks, 17th year vet Jerry Stackhouse, did not play in this on (DNP). In the end it was was Atlanta (3-0, 2-0 at home) winning this one by seven, taking New Jersey (1-3, 1-2 on the road) by the final tally of 105 to 98. As I wrote in an article the Nets have not started off good this season, this game just confirms that statement. But with a division where no one has more than one win even with a 1-3 record the Nets are just 0.5 from the division leader.
The third game of the night, the first interconference match-up, has the Miami Heat (EC ~ Southeast) going up north to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves (WC ~ Northwest) for what is the only game between the two franchises. The game was played in front of 19,356 fans at the Target Center. For the home squad we have third year pro Wayne Ellington, who comes off the bench and plays for 31 minutes. In that time fram the guard scores 11 points (5 for 13 ~ 1 for 6 ~ 0 for 0) to go with five rebounds, three steals, an assist and a TO while having a +9 pts differential. In the end it was a close game that Miami (4-0, 3-0 on the road) took from Minnesota (0-3, 0-2 at home) 103 to 101, with Ellington missing a three pointer with time running out. With the loss the T’Wolves are now 3.5 games behind the division leader.
The last game of the night, another East vs West match-up, has the Toronto Raptors (EC ~ Atlantic) going to the lone star state to take on the Dallas Mavericks (WC ~ Southwest) in what is the only game the two will play against each other in the regular season. The game was played at the American Airlines Center in front of a crowd that numbered 20,307. For the team from Canada it was second year big man Ed Davis, who comes off the pine for 19 minutes of playing time. In that time frame the power forward scored four points (1 for 3 ~ 0 for 0 ~ 2 for 2) to go with six boards, three steals and a -16 points differential. On the other side, for the home squad, we have Brendan Haywood, who starts for the Mavs in the middle and plays 19 minutes. The 11th year veteran scores four points (1 for 2 ~ 0 for 0 ~ 2 for 4) to go with nine boards (five offensive), a TO and a points differential of -8. While, off the bench, it’s shooting guard Vince Carter, who plays 19 minutes as well. In that time the 14th year guard scores 10 points (3 for 7 ~ 1 for 4 ~ 3 for 3) to go with two boards, two assists, a steal and a block while having a pts differential of +18. In the end it’s Dallas (1-3, 1-2 at home) getting their first win of the season by defeating Toronto (1-2, 1-1 on the road) 99 to 86. With the W the Mavs are 1.5 game behind the division leader, while the loss drops the Raptors to being even for the lead in their division. For more about this game check out Pro Hoops Central where Jeff Sack blogs about the game.
Shortlink:
