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New Orleans, 3/8/10 – Coming in on a four loss skid, Hornets fans were hoping their team could keep it close, something to keep them from leaving the Bee Hive before the end of the fourth quarter.  The Warriors were on a four game slide of their own, in the midst of a season that has been disappointing, put nicely.

The promise of slump-snapping win though, brought a certain sense of focus.  That focus was on offense, with both teams shooting a lights out 59% from the field.  Lack of defense notwithstanding, home-team fans got their money’s worth, as the Hornets triumphed 135-131.  A marquee performance by New Orleans rookie Darren Collison also meant they got something extra in the bargain.

Collison, who has taken over point guard duties from the injured Chris Paul, has obviously been paying close attention to his All Star teammate’s tutelage.  Be that as it may, ending the night with 20 assists to his credit – pulling even with Uber PG Steve Nash for most so far this season & falling one short of Paul’s own franchise record – left him humbled.

”Those are the guys, for us young guys, that we look up to in the NBA,” Collison said. ”So to be mentioned in the same breath, it’s crazy. I still think I need a lot of work, but it feels good for right now.”

Perhaps Collison was referring to his seven turnovers when talking about “still needing a lot of work”, but when factoring in 16 points in addition to those assists, you know this guy is going places.  All that passing resulted in six Hornet players scoring in double figures, led by power forward David West & rookie shooting guard Marcus Thornton, who notched 28 points each.  Even more remarkable was that Thornton did that damage coming off the bench, in barely 29 minutes.  West also did an admirable job cleaning the glass, snatching up 13 boards.  Hornets center Emeka Okafor helped with the window washing, picking up 11 of his own, & 22 points to boot.  In fact, between the two of them, Okafor & West actually out-rebounded the entire Warriors team, who grabbed only 23 collectively.

Seemingly, this was a night for rookies to shine.  Golden State’s Reggie Williams, an NBA freshman recently plucked from the Development League (or D-League as it’s popularly known) put in 28 points on 10 of 16 shooting.

”I was just knocking down shots. The long-range jump shots were falling,” Williams said.

Anthony Morrow also notched 28 – including six three point heaves for the Warriors, who had five other players in double figures.  In a seesaw game, Hornets fans surely thought New Orleans would fall again, as the Warriors led by a field goal (123-121) with only 3:09 remaining to play.

Lacking the ability to stop your opponent from scoring however dammed the Warriors.  Unable to prevent West’s bucket on a tricky lay-up, Golden State was similarly unable to stop a 9-0 Hornets spree.  Another GSW rookie, Stephen Curry (check him out here toasting Nuggets defensive ace Chris Andersen) continued his promising development behind a contribution of 12 points, half of those coming on back to back three’s with 30 seconds left on the clock.  Too little too late though, as Collison, West, & Thornton continued their strong play & delivered the win.

Miami, 2/9/10 – As the Rockets went crashing earthwards in the vicinity of South Beach, they could take heart in being beaten & battered  before the Heat pummeled them for a 33-point victory.  After all, Miami was rabid to break a five game slump & get their mojo back.  Putting forth a stellar effort that saw six players score in double figures, the Heat got what they needed, blowing out Houston 99-66 to the delight of hometown fans.

Despite starting a season sans 7’6” center Yao Ming (broken foot) & minus franchise goldbricker Tracey McGrady (take your pick, chronic poor attitude mostly) the Rockets have flown higher & farther than many expected.  Wily coach Rick Adelman has forged a strong, team-first group playing as more than the sum of its parts.  Perspective-wise, while their record (27-24) makes for ninth place in a beastly Western Conference, in LEastern Conference terms that’s a game ahead of Charlotte (26-25) for the sixth spot.

For the 26-27 Heat then, a depleted Rockets were perfect prey for them.  Dwayne Wade stuffed his staff sheet, notching 17 points, 7 dimes, 5 steals, & 4 rebounds – in barely 29 minutes of game time.  Five other Heat players got in on the act, with Udonis Haslem in particular standing out with his own 14 points & 14 boards.  Considering the Heat could suit up a whole entire extra player if need be though, predicting victory wasn’t exactly rocket science.

“We caught a Houston team that was a little beat up, and that certainly was a factor,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said.

Missing both swingman Trevor Ariza & point guard Kyle Lowry in addition to the aforementioned Ming & McGrady, Houston was simply overmatched.  Down 56-31 by halftime, the Rockets ended shooting only 30% from the field.  Lead by Luis Scola’s 12 points, Space City’s squad also suffered a lackluster showing by guard Aaron Brooks, whose 10 points (season average 19.4) & 1 assist (4.9 usually) helped seal their fate.

Regardless of circumstances, Miami should take heart in their big night.  A win like this always feels good on your home court, even if your fans are leaving early on account of lopsided win.  With their next five games on the road, Miami needed a confidence booster.  Houston find themselves in a limbo kind of place.  Ming is back next season, but speedy recovery from an injury referred to as “career threatening” will be difficult.  McGrady probably won’t be in a Rockets uniform much longer – all the better for a Rockets team happy to be rid of his baleful influence & monster contract.