The Wrap-Up: Kobe Bryant returns
Keith Firmin brings you The Wrap-Up on all of last night’s NBA games including Kobe’s return and a Knicks blowout.
Boston @ New York
In the early game Sunday the Celtics crushed the Knicks, holding them to just 11 first quarter points as they won, 114-73. Boston led by double-digits after only three minutes into the first quarter and held it for the remainder of the game. Jordan Crawford was hitting from all angles en route to a game-high 23 points. Jared Sullinger was a +43 plus/minus in the game – the highest of all players. By contrast, Carmelo Anthony was a -40.
Prigioni with the no-look dish:
Miami @ Detroit
The Pistons held a four-game win streak heading into their game against the Heat but it didn’t show as the Heat ran out, 110-95 winners. LeBron James had a game-high 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting, while collecting seven rebounds and nine assists. Andre Drummond led the Pistons with 19 points and 14 rebounds.
Orlando @ Houston
Former Magic player, Dwight Howard, celebrated his 28th birthday on Sunday with a win over his former club, 98-88. He finished with 20 points, 22 rebounds and three blocked shots in Houston’s 15th win of the season. Terrence Jones had 16 points, 13 rebounds and five blocked shots in the win for the Rockets while Glen Davis led the Magic with 18 points.
Indiana @ OKC
After Roy Hibbert’s recent Twitter conversation with LaMarcus Aldridge about the Pacers-Blazers meeting in the NBA Finals, the Thunder gave Indiana a timely reminder that they still exist, beating them 118-94. The former NBA Finalists showed the Pacers exactly what they are about as they shot 61% from the field and grabbed 46 rebounds to Indy’s 29. Kevin Durant had 36 points and 10 rebounds and Russell Westbrook recorded a 26-point, 13-assist, seven rebound line in their 10th win in 11 games. Paul George carried his team’s offensive load as he scored 32 points.
Toronto @ Los Angeles Lakers
Sunday night’s meeting between the Raptors and Lakers was about one thing and one thing only – the return of Kobe Bryant. The Black Mamba stepped on the STAPLES Center floor for the first time in eight months after tearing his Achilles tendon in April, finishing with nine points, eight rebounds and four assists in just under 28 minutes in the Lakers 106-94 loss to the Raptors. Amir Johnson had a big night with 32 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks for Toronto. Rudy Gay was traded to the Kings before the game.
Kobe returns:
Kobe highlights:
Wesley Johnson’s big slam: