Dallas Mavericks defeat LA Lakers 101-96. With the Lakers trailing the Mavericks 97-94 with less than a minute left, Kobe Bryant had the ball in his hand when he let the ball go just behind the arc. Unlike the night before the ball did not go through the net instead clanging away into the night. Kobe overall had 20 points but could only knock down six in the first half. Andrew Bynum had 10 points and 11 rebounds, and Lamar Odom shook off the Memphis game with 21 points off the bench. Meanwhile Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry led the Mavs in the absence of Caron Butler with 31 points and 30 points respectively.
LA Clippers defeat Detroit Pistons 97-91. “Fasten your seatbelts folks, we’re going down to the wire,” Clippers announcer Ralph Lawler said in the closing minutes of the game. Rasual Butler was key down the stretch responding to Rip Hamilton’s three that gave the Pistons a 91-90 lead with a three of his own to give the Clippers the lead for good. Five seconds later, Butler hustled down the court and blocked Rodney Stuckey’s layup, drew a foul on the offensive end against Stuckey and hit both free throws to ice the game. The Clippers after losing five games to start Kim Hughes’ tenure as head coach have now won three in a row. Also this is the first time the Clippers have swept the Pistons since the 2000-2001 seasons.
UCSB Gauchos defeat Cal State Northridge Matadors 74-69. The Gauchos win their sixth game in a row and avenge their last defeat in Northridge. With one more win the Gauchos will be assured of winning the Big West regular season title. Of course that means nothing since only the winner of the Big West Tournament is guaranteed a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Tonight’s Action
Oregon Ducks at USC Trojans. 7:30 pm AM 710 KSPN.
Oregon State Beavers at UCLA Bruins. 8:00 pm FS Prime Ticket, AM 570 KLAC.
