January Recap | Part One
1 Feb
AP - This is the first part of a special feature NBA monthly recap. These articles will be posted at the conclusion of every NBA month starting with the top games of the month as listed below.
10. Jan 1,
Philadelphia 76ers at Los Angeles Clippers
Without Webber once again, Allen Iverson and the Sixers endured one of the weirdest meltdowns this season. At the end of the third period, everything seemed to be smooth sailing for the Sixers as they led 67-66. However, for some strange reason, the Sixers didn’t make a basket till there were 2 minutes left in the game.
“It was like everything gone still for us (Philadelphia) and the Clippers just absolutely thrashed us in the final quarter,” Jamaal Mashburn who scored 21 points said. Allen Iverson led the Sixers with 13, 10, 10 and 5 but Iguodala shot just 1 from 15 from the field.
- - -
9. Jan 15,
Washington Wizards at Los Angeles Lakers
Gilbert Arenas led the Wizards with 35 points and 11 assists. Kobe Bryant was one step ahead most of the night to finish the game with 47 points and 14 assists. The Wizards had kept the game close for the majority of the first half before the new look Lakers dominated on defence to put themselves ahead for the last quarter.
Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown were the catalysts for success in the third quarter before Bryant took over down the stretch to secure the win for the home side. Brown who was playing his old team had the highlight of the night when he went coast to coast and dunked the ball. “I didn’t know he was capable of that,” A stunned Phil Jackson said.
- - -
8. Jan 9,
Charlotte Bobcats at Portland Trailblazers
Zach Randolph dominated in the low post for the Portland Trailblazers as he rolled to a career high 43 points and 10 rebounds. “I felt so good tonight,” The young forward said after the game, “It’s the best I’ve felt since the knee surgery!” Theo Ratliff’s 28 points and 15 rebounds and Martell Webster’s 16 points helped pace the Blazers to the 25 plus point win.
The Bobcats struggled from tip off but did see four players reach double figures. As Coach Bickerstaff said though, “We didn’t come out too well tonight. The team needs to come out and play every night or they will get creamed like Portland did to them.” Kareem Rush led the club with 24 points.
- - -
7. Jan 3,
Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers
This was the game that’s most probably why the Cavs have moved one place ahead of the Pistons. Thanks to the efforts of Ilgauskus and Hughes, James’ slightly ‘off’ shooting night was turned into a good win for the Cleveland team. The Pistons’ Rip Hamilton suffered a horrible shooting night as the Pistons failed to stage a final push towards the win in the last period.
Minority owner Usher was sitting courtside for the first time this season and was pleased with the Cavs’ win saying, “You people should quote me in a month. The Cavs will lead the division thanks to this win.”
- - -
6. Jan 31,
Utah Jazz at Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron James is starting to show why he is a great player. He finished with 37 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steal but it was his clutch shooting that stood out in this game. James stopped the Jazz from making a successful comeback as he hit two treys from the baseline in the final 23 seconds to conserve a Cavs’ victory.
Rookie Deron Williams impressed the Cavaliers’ crowd with a stunning all-around game finishing with 23 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals. Andrei Kirilenko who had a fallout with Jerry Sloan ended up playing 39 minutes off the bench and recorded 16 and 12.
- - -


5. Jan 4,
New Jersey Nets at Chicago Bulls
The Nets learnt that the bulls were for real; the hard way. Kirk Hinrich was magnificent with a mind boggling performance with 47 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. “Kirk was unstoppable,” Jason Kidd of New Jersey said, “He just hit a whole lot of threes over me. He’s definitely a force to be reckoned with.” Kidd finished with 12, 4 and 4 as his 3 for 12 shooting was solely influenced by Hinrich’s defence.
Richard Jefferson contributed 24 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks but it wasn’t enough to offset the performances of the Bulls. Tim Thomas had 24 points while Chris Duhon played a team game finishing with 17 points and 12 assists while Michael Sweetney set the tone on defence with 15 rebounds. “We did so well,” Luol Deng said, “That we didn’t miss Tyson (Chandler).”
- - -


4. Jan 23,
Los Angeles Lakers at Milwaukee Bucks
The Lakers made sure that they moved into first place in the Pacific Division in style as they decimated the Milwaukee Bucks away. Kobe and his crew didn’t let the Bucks get to 20 points in three different quarters and thanks to this, the Lakers were able to win by 25. Kobe Bryant’s huge triple double of 43 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists alone was why the Lakers won.
Chris Mihm played his bets game of the season with 20 and 12. The Bucks had four guys in double figures with Michael Redd leading the way with 32 points. The Bucks fell to the second last spot on the ladder with this loss and will probably now allow rookie Andrew Bogut play more in future games.
- - -


3. Jan 3,
Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trailblazers
Zach Randolph started the month hot as he chipped in 28 points and 15 rebounds in a last second win over the Memphis Grizzlies. The game saw plenty of lead changes and a magical effort from off the bench for vet Eddie Jones. Jones scored 28 points in just 19 minutes including 5 three pointers in the second half.
Theo Ratliff was effective in shutting down Pau Gasol as he limited the Grizzlies’ star to just 4 of 18 shooting. Shane Battier finished with 16 and 12 for Memphis while Mike Miller gave the Grizzlies one last lead with 7 seconds left in the game off a jump shot. However, it was off-season acquisition Juan Dixon who scored the game winning jumper from the high post.
- - -


2. Jan 10,
New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets at Indiana Pacers
Ron Artest must have got a bit of inspiration after the retiring of famous Pacers’ icon Reggie Miller. Artest prevented the Hornets from winning the game with his buzzer beating bucket that sealed a two point win. Miller who is known for many late game heroics had his number 31 sent into the Conseco Fieldhosue rafters after 18 years playing for Indiana.
Artest, known more for his defence, finished with 29 while Jermaine O’Neal added 17 and 11 and Stephen Jackson had 15, 6 and 5. The Hornets fell behind the Pacers after halftime but it was PJ Brown’s career high 22 fourth quarter points and 11 rebounds that put the visitors back within reach of a win. Brown finished with an outstanding 30 and 20 effort. Chris Paul came off the bench to add 23 points and 5 assists.
- - -


1. Jan 1,
Chicago Bulls at Orlando Magic
It was trip back down memory lane for the Orlando Magic as Grant Hill played like his young self. The forward who has been plagued with injuries for much of the latter part of his career enjoyed a field night as he dominated from all over the court with 38 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. Dwight Howard wasn’t surprised with his captain’s effort, “Grant really showed the crowd why he used to be considered the next Jordan. He’s proved that he’s worth all that money from his contract!”
It was Chicago who had the last laugh though as Tyson Chandler’s dunk with 14 seconds left helped them pull out with the win. Coach Skiles was pleased with the team’s efforts, “Sure, we let the Magic really have Grant Hill in a bit of a groove but we did control their other players really well.” Dwight Howard only scored 11 on 4 for 14 shooting while Steve Francis did have 8, 8 and 8 but shot 3 for 11 from the field. Chandler finished with 23 and 13 while Hinrich scored 20 to help pace the Bulls.
Coming Up Next: Season Standings
Last edited by
Fresh8 on Fri Apr 14, 2006 2:57 pm, edited 6 times in total.