Hi, my name is Gilbert and I’m
addicted to gambling.
1. Stick to the video poker
The NBA doesn’t like for their players to gamble. In fact, they don’t even like them mentioning gambling, and that’s not good news for Gilbert Arenas. Turns out that Arenas made two separate $10 bets with fans in attendance as the Wizards traveled to play Portland last Wednesday. Agent 0 bet that he would drain the winning shot in the game but he blew his last second chance to pick up an Andrew Jackson. Arenas, who admittedly plays video poker during halftime of his games, later wrote about the incident in his blog but the NBA removed the references and gave Arenas a stern talking to about his action on the side. But losing the bets wasn’t the most humiliating part of the game for Arenas. The big mouthed superstar guaranteed he would drop fity’ on the Blazers but came up just 31 shy. Oh, so close.
2. Phoenix falters as Bibby bombs
It appears that Phoenix might have put it on cruise control against Sacramento yesterday since they have already wrapped up the Pacific Division and Mike Bibby made them pay for it. Bibby was an assassin from behind the arc as he made it rain in Pacman-esque fashion, hitting 9-of-12 3-pointers en route to 37 points. With the loss Phoenix is now just three games ahead of San Antonio for the third spot in the West and the Spurs are getting hot as the regular season draws to a close. SA got 64 points off their bench in a 120-79 routing of the Sonics last night as the starters got to take a majority of the night off. In fact, the only highlight of this game came when former NFL quarterback Warren Moon threw a couple autographed footballs into the stands during a timeout.
3. That’s all you got?
Hey, four consecutive games with at least 50 points is pretty darn impressive, but unfortunately Kobe Bryant’s scoring streak came to an end last night against the Golden State Warriors. But nobody can complain about a 43 point offensive outing that resulted in a 115-113 victory. However, this was the first game since the hot span began that the Mamba struggled to strike. 15-of-33 isn’t horrible but most coaches would be content with forcing Kobe to jack up 33 shots for his 43 points. Still, no matter how you look at it, 268 points in five games is a mind boggling number to wrap your mind around. But have no fear, when one streak ends for Kobe it is merely a matter of time before another one begins.
Sunday’s Player of the Day: Jermaine O’Neal vs. Chicago 40 min, 39 pts (FG: 15-24, FT: 9-12), 14 reb, 2 stl
Monday’s Game to Watch: Denver (35-33) @ Detroit (44-25) The Pistons are the best defensive team in the Eastern Conference but they are going to have their hands full as they take on the high scoring duo of Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson. Luckily, Detroit will have Rasheed Wallace back in their starting lineup after he had to sit out against Milwaukee on Sunday following his 18th technical foul of the season. Denver is holding on to the 7th spot in the West after Melo racked up 27 points and AI had 18 points and 12 assists in a victory over Cleveland on Sunday.
Buzzer Beater: In one of the strangest situations in the history of the NBA, Randolph Morris could play a game in the NCAA tournament and a game in the NBA all in the same week. Morris originally declared for the 2005 draft but was not selected, so he returned to Kentucky and played two more seasons as a free agent who was ineligible to be drafted. But after Tubby Smith split for Minnesota Morris decided to sign with the New York Knicks and could even see action against Orlando on Monday. NY is currently only 1 ½ games out of the playoff picture and the sudden addition of Morris could be a big addition for Isiah Thomas and his boys. Or Morris could be hitting the wall after going through a full college season. But either way, its gotta be a thrill for Morris.