Sports World: 03/05/10

Watch Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers Live Streaming

Friday, March 5, 2010

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7:00 pm EST Fri Mar 5, 2010

Cleveland’s last two wins came over poor teams that are expected to try and lure LeBron James away from the Cavaliers this summer. Another inferior opponent awaits the Eastern Conference’s top team, but this club won’t be in the bidding for the reigning league MVP. James looks to lead the Cavaliers to their sixth straight win Friday night against the lowly Detroit Pistons, who try to avoid losing their sixth in a row.This summer’s free agent class is filled with All-Star talent that includes Miami’s Dwyane Wade and Toronto’s Chris Bosh. To no surprise, James is the most highly coveted player in the group, and two teams expected to throw the most money at him in the offseason are New York and New Jersey.

James and company made quick work of these overmatched opponents in Cleveland’s last two games. He scored 22 points in just 31 minutes Monday as the Cavaliers led by as much as 49 in cruising to a 124-93 win over the Knicks. Two days later, the six-time All-Star had 26 points and 14 assists, one shy of his career high, in a 111-92 victory over the Nets. Although New York and New Jersey are near the bottom of the East standings, they’re hoping to turn things around by making a big splash this summer.

Watch Los Angeles Lakers vs Charlotte Bobcats Live Streaming

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7:00 pm EST Fri Mar 5, 2010

The Los Angeles Lakers couldn’t parlay Kobe Bryant’s impressive performance into a win to kick off their three-game road trip, but they won’t have to wait long for a bounce-back opportunity against the slumping Charlotte Bobcats. The Bobcats, however, have been anything but pushovers for the Lakers. The Lakers had lost six of seven to Charlotte before pulling out a close home win last month, and they’ll look to complete a rare season sweep Friday night at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Bobcats are seeking their first playoff berth since entering the league in 2004, but since they have never won more than 35 games in any season, it’s hard to find an explanation for their recent success against the Lakers.

Los Angeles won the first three meetings, but even those weren’t easy - twice the Lakers needed fourth-quarter rallies to win by one point. The Bobcats then won six of the next seven, including three victories that required a total of six overtimes. Los Angeles finally got back in the win column Feb. 3 at Staples Center, beating Charlotte 99-97 despite getting just five points from Bryant, who was hobbled by a sprained left ankle. Odom, however, didn’t have to deal with Bobcats All-Star Gerald Wallace, who was sidelined by a hamstring injury.

Watch New York Knicks vs Toronto Raptors Live Streaming

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7:00 pm EST Fri Mar 5, 2010

After watching from home as the Toronto Raptors lost their fourth straight, Chris Bosh is eager to get back on the court and help his team create a little more breathing room in the Eastern Conference standings. Bosh is expected to return Friday night as the Raptors go for their third win over the New York Knicks in as many tries this season. With their star forward sidelined six games by a sprained left ankle, Toronto struggled defensively, allowing opponents to average 113.2 points over the last five games and losing the last four. Bosh is expected to play Friday for the first time since Feb. 17.

Before Bosh got hurt, the Raptors had won eight of 10. He didn’t make the trip to Houston on Monday as Toronto lost 116-92, and now he returns with the team only three games ahead of ninth-place Charlotte in the East. Bosh, averaging team highs of 24.5 points and 11.4 rebounds, insists he is not rushing back too early and that the injury is 100 percent healed. Bosh’s return is certainly an unwelcome sight for the Knicks. He finished with 27 points and 15 rebounds in a 106-104 win at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 28 in the most recent meeting.

Watch Milwaukee Bucks vs Washington Wizards Live Streaming

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7:00 pm EST Fri Mar 5, 2010

The Milwaukee Bucks posted a relatively easy victory over the Washington Wizards in the opener of this home-and-home set. They’re still hoping for a better effort Friday when the teams meet at the Verizon Center. Milwaukee won for the first time in three games against Washington this season, 100-87 on Wednesday, to bounce back after its season-high six-game win streak was snapped with a 106-102 overtime loss at Atlanta on Sunday. Coach Scott Skiles, though, was concerned with what he considered a lackluster effort.

John Salmons continued his surge for Milwaukee with 22 points and is averaging 20.8 in starting the last six games. Salmons was acquired from Chicago on Feb. 18 and has replaced struggling Charlie Bell in the lineup. The Bucks also received a major contribution from another unheralded player in Ersan Ilyasova, who had 19 points, 10 rebounds and six assists off the bench. Ilyasova is averaging 11.1 points on 55.4 percent shooting over his last 10 games.

Watch Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers Live Streaming

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7:00 pm EST Fri Mar 5, 2010

They haven’t been as dominant at home as in the past two seasons, but the Boston Celtics are enjoying plenty of success on the road. The Celtics will try to win their sixth straight in Philadelphia and hand the 76ers a fifth consecutive loss Friday night. Boston improved to 17-11 at home with Wednesday’s 104-80 win over Charlotte, but the two-time defending Atlantic Division champions won’t come close to the 35-6 mark they posted at TD Garden in 2007-08 and last season. The Celtics, though, have won four of five away from home and are 21-10 in road games.

Pierce and the Celtics return to the Wachovia Center for the first time since a 105-74 victory Nov. 3. Pierce led Boston with 21 points and Rasheed Wallace, a Philadelphia native, hit a season-high six 3s and scored 20 in the Celtics’ the most lopsided road win over the 76ers since a 32-point victory March 24, 1995. Boston has scored at least 100 points in winning its last five games at the Wachovia Center. Boston won 113-110 on Nov. 25 for its sixth straight victory over Philadelphia before falling to the visiting 76ers 98-97 on Dec. 18.

Watch Golden State Warriors vs Atlanta Hawks Live Streaming

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7:30 pm EST Fri Mar 5, 2010

Since letting a large second-half lead slip away in a loss in Oakland last month, the Atlanta Hawks are playing much better basketball. Facing the undermanned Golden State Warriors again could help the Hawks continue their surge. Atlanta looks to win its fourth in a row Friday when it hosts a Warriors team that’s won twice on the road in three months. The Hawks held an 18-point third-quarter lead over Golden State on Feb. 21 but were outscored by 21 in the fourth en route to a 108-104 loss. Playing his first game at Oracle Arena since the Hawks acquired him from the Warriors last summer, Jamal Crawford scored 17 off the bench but was whistled for a technical foul with 34 seconds left, leading to a go-ahead free throw by rookie Stephen Curry.

Picking up a victory over a Hawks team that’s won five of six and is two games behind Orlando for the Southeast Division lead could be a challenge for the struggling Warriors, who have dressed the league-minimum eight players the last four games. Without leading scorer Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins and Corey Maggette, Golden State used its 35th different starting lineup and dropped to 0-2 on its five-game trip with a 117-90 loss to the Magic on Wednesday.

Watch Orlando Magic vs New Jersey Nets Live Streaming

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8:00 pm EST Fri Mar 5, 2010

Before hosting the defending NBA champions in a second rematch of last summer’s playoff finals series and a potential preview for this year’s, the Orlando Magic get what should be another easy tuneup. The Magic look to win their fourth straight Friday when they visit the New Jersey Nets, seeking their third victory in as many games against the league’s worst team. Orlando has a two-game lead over Atlanta in the Southeast Division for the second seed in the Eastern Conference. While that race is tight, the outcomes of its recent contests haven’t been nearly as close.

In the last week, the Magic have posted wins over Miami, Philadelphia and Golden State by an average of 21.3 points. They are coming off a 117-90 victory against the Warriors on Wednesday. Dwight Howard led with 28 points and 12 rebounds, helping Orlando open a 30-point lead early in the second half. The Magic, who split the six games before their winning streak, have averaged 121.5 points and shot 55.1 percent in their last two games.

Watch Sacramento Kings vs Dallas Mavericks Live Streaming

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8:30 pm EST Fri Mar 5, 2010

Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle gave Jason Kidd the last game off in an effort to keep the veteran rested for the postseason. If Kidd plays the next two games, he’ll be going up against two of the best young guards in the NBA. Kidd is expected to return to the lineup as the Mavericks try for their first double-digit win streak in three seasons Friday night when they host Tyreke Evans and the Sacramento Kings. Dallas won its ninth straight Wednesday by beating Minnesota 112-109 without Kidd, who will turn 37 on March 23. The All-Star point guard was given a rest since he averaged more than 37 minutes in a stretch of eight games in 13 days since the All-Star break.

The Mavericks are seeking their first 10-game run since their franchise-record 17-game streak Jan. 27-March 11, 2007, and will play three games in four days, starting with a back-to-back set that could challenge Kidd. After meeting rookie leading scorer Evans and Sacramento, Dallas travels to face reigning NBA rookie of the year Derrick Rose and Chicago on Saturday. J.J. Barea got the start in Kidd’s place Wednesday and rookie Rodrigue Beaubois also got plenty of minutes to help key the victory. Beaubois matched his season high with 17 points.

Watch Indiana Pacers vs Denver Nuggets Live Streaming

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9:00 pm EST Fri Mar 5, 2010

After receiving intravenous fluids before the Denver Nuggets’ last game, Carmelo Anthony had one of his better offensive performances in the last two weeks before enjoying some extra rest on the bench. Anthony hopes he has turned around some recent health problems as he and the Nuggets host the Indiana Pacers on Friday. Following two road losses, Denver returned home and improved to 26-5 at the Pepsi Center with a 119-90 win over Oklahoma City on Wednesday. Anthony finished with 30 points in 32 minutes, scoring 23 in the first half, and the Nuggets held the red-hot Kevin Durant to 19 points.

Anthony, the NBA’s third-leading scorer at 28.6 points per game, was averaging 22.5 in the previous six contests and had shot below 40 percent in the last three. The All-Star forward said Wednesday that he’s been feeling run down since scoring 40 in a 118-116 overtime win at Cleveland on Feb. 18. Anthony has missed 13 games this season because of ankle and knee injuries. After outscoring Oklahoma City 31-12 in the third quarter, Anthony and the rest of the starters were able to enjoy the fourth quarter from the sidelines. He and Kenyon Martin were the only Denver players to be on the court for more than 28 minutes.

Watch New Orleans Hornets vs San Antonio Spurs Live Streaming

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9:30 pm EST Fri Mar 5, 2010

Since defeating the New Orleans Hornets earlier this week, the San Antonio Spurs have enjoyed a couple of days off. There will be no such break for the veteran-laden club over the next 3 1/2 weeks. In the mix for one of the final playoff spots in the Western Conference, the Spurs embark on a demanding portion of their schedule Friday night when they host the Hornets. With less than six weeks remaining in the regular season, San Antonio finds itself in an unfamiliar position - struggling to solidify a playoff spot. The Spurs, who have won the Southwest Division four of the past five seasons, are just percentage points ahead of eighth-place Portland in the West.

The next few weeks appear to be critical for San Antonio’s playoff aspirations, with games against Atlanta, Boston, Orlando, the Los Angeles Lakers and two with Cleveland. Having been off since Monday’s 106-92 win at New Orleans, Ginobili, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker should be plenty rested for the rematch. These aging veterans won’t have much time off over the next few weeks. The Spurs play 15 games in the next 25 days, including five back-to-back sets. San Antonio has actually played pretty well in its last three games, scoring at least 104 points in each of those contests after reaching the century mark twice in the previous eight.

Watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Clippers Live Streaming

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10:30 pm EST Fri Mar 5, 2010

Coming off their worst loss of the season, the Oklahoma City Thunder are looking to get back on track. A matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers could help. The Thunder try to avoid their third straight road loss Friday when they face a Clippers team that’s dropped three of four. With 12 wins in 15 games, Oklahoma City has moved into sixth place in the Western Conference. The franchise hasn’t reached the postseason since the Seattle SuperSonics won the Pacific Division in 2004-05.

Durant, the league’s second-leading scorer at 29.7 points per game, is averaging 35.0 with 9.0 rebounds as Oklahoma City and Los Angeles have split two meetings this season - each winning on the road. After scoring 30 in an 83-79 victory Nov. 11, Durant had 40 but the Thunder shot 38.8 percent in a 101-93 defeat four days later. All-Star center Chris Kaman, who scored 25 with seven rebounds for Los Angeles in that matchup, had 24 and nine Wednesday as the Clippers had their four-game home winning streak snapped with a 127-101 loss to Phoenix.

Watch Nashville Predators vs Detroit Red Wings Live Streaming

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7:30 pm EST Fri Mar 5, 2010

Half of Nashville’s four playoff appearances resulted in first-round losses to the Detroit Red Wings, but the Predators may get a chance to guarantee that doesn’t happen this spring. In three remaining meetings with the Red Wings, Nashville could help keep Detroit out of the postseason altogether, and the Predators will try to continue their own push Friday night at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings have been a fixture in the playoffs for two decades, making it 18 straight times dating back to 1990. The last eight times have been as Central Division champions and they’ve often been near the top of the Western Conference, as they were when they beat Nashville in six games in 2004 and 2008.

But injuries and inconsistency have Detroit currently scrambling. While the Red Wings are in eighth place in the West, five clubs are within four points of them. According to coach Mike Babcock, Detroit “didn’t look like a team that was dying to be in the playoffs” during Wednesday’s 6-3 home loss to Vancouver. Jimmy Howard was pulled after allowing four goals on 21 shots and the Red Wings allowed four straight goals in a 20-minute span to break a 2-2 tie as they fell to 5-6-6 in their last 17 games.

Watch Philadelphia Flyers vs Buffalo Sabres Live Streaming

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7:30 pm EST Fri Mar 5, 2010

In his first appearance for the Buffalo Sabres since leading the United States to an Olympic silver medal, Ryan Miller picked up right where he left off with another stellar game. Unfortunately, Buffalo was unable to provide the same offensive support he enjoyed in Vancouver. The punchless Sabres hope the addition of forward Raffi Torres can help their sluggish offense get on track Friday night when they host the Philadelphia Flyers. Despite allowing an overtime goal to Sidney Crosby in a 3-2 loss to Canada in Sunday’s gold-medal game, Miller was still selected the tournament MVP after posting a 5-1 record with a 1.35 goals-against average in the Olympics.

Miller became an instant hero for the U.S. and received a 45-second standing ovation from the hometown fans before Wednesday’s game against Washington. He continued his impressive play from the Olympics by stopping 37 of 39 shots against the high-powered Capitals, but it wasn’t enough as the Sabres lost 3-1. Buffalo is fifth in the Eastern Conference - six points ahead of sixth-place Philadelphia - but has been slumping, going 1-6-2 since Feb. 1.

Watch Vancouver Canucks vs Chicago Blackhawks Live Streaming

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8:30 pm EST Fri Mar 5, 2010

There are 13 Olympians on the rosters of the Chicago Blackhawks and the Vancouver Canucks, six of which represented the United States and Canada on Sunday in what has quickly emerged as international hockey’s best rivalry. The Blackhawks and Canucks are building a pretty good feud of their own on the NHL ice. Vancouver has won two of three against Chicago after coming up short in last spring’s physical playoff series, and it will look for a second victory at the United Center on Friday night in a matchup of Western Conference powers. The Canucks and Blackhawks split four regular-season meetings last season before Chicago rallied from a 2-1 series deficit to knock off Vancouver in six games in the West semifinals.

A 7-5 win in the clincher was highlighted by three goals from Patrick Kane and two from captain Jonathan Toews, who starred for the U.S. and Canada, respectively, in the Olympic tournament that concluded with Canada’s thrilling overtime triumph. Rivals just days ago, Kane and Toews have had two games to get back on the same page, along with fellow Canadians Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith.

Watch New Jersey Devils vs Calgary Flames Live Streaming

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9:00 pm EST Fri Mar 5, 2010

A loss at the Olympics earned Martin Brodeur a spot on Team Canada’s bench, but the NHL’s all-time wins leader will certainly not be spending much time there down the stretch for the New Jersey Devils. When he’s been on the ice in Calgary, he’s never been beaten. Brodeur and the Devils look to notch back-to-back wins for the first time in nearly two months Friday night against the Flames, whose slide down the standings continued with a poor showing coming out of the Olympic break. After losing 5-3 in the preliminary round to the United States and ceding the starting spot in Vancouver to Roberto Luongo as Canada won gold, Brodeur returned to the crease and helped the Devils to a 4-3 win at San Jose on Tuesday.

New Jersey has plenty of work to do if it hopes to win the Atlantic Division after stumbling into the break on a 5-10-2 stretch. The team hasn’t won consecutive games since beating Montreal and the New York Rangers on Jan. 9 and 12. Even Brodeur has struggled, with a 3.18 goals-against average in his last nine starts. The four-time Vezina Trophy winner will hope to fare better at Calgary, where he has two wins, three ties and a 1.33 GAA in five career appearances.

Watch Minnesota Wild vs Edmonton Oilers Live Streaming

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9:00 pm EST Fri Mar 5, 2010

The Minnesota Wild are hoping for a string of big performances from Niklas Backstrom down the stretch as they try to reach the playoffs. That’s exactly what he’s delivered in his career against the Edmonton Oilers. Backstrom looks to follow his second shutout of the season by continuing his domination of the Oilers when the Northwest Division rivals meet Friday night in Edmonton. Minnesota came out strong following the Olympic break with a 4-0 victory at Calgary on Wednesday behind Backstrom’s 29 saves. He recorded his 19th career shutout after allowing a total of 10 goals in his two previous road games.

Backstrom’s best record against any opponent is his 14-1-0 mark with a 1.64 goals-against average in 17 career starts against Edmonton. He’s posted a 1.23 GAA in winning his last four starts against the Oilers. Minnesota is 2-1 against Edmonton, with the home team winning each matchup. Though they’re only two spots ahead of the league-worst Oilers in the Western Conference, the Wild are within four points of the eighth and final playoff berth.

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