NBA scores: George Hill sinks the Lakers, 76ers survive Mavericks
George Hill’s game-winner and the 76ers’ escape against the Mavericks highlighted Tuesday’s NBA slate.
At this point, Mike D'Antoni would probably saw off his left leg if it meant getting Steve Nash on the court. Without Nash, the Lakers' offense faltered again in an ugly loss that was sealed by a game-winning floater from George Hill with 0.1 seconds remaining. Kobe Bryant outscored the rest of his team despite dealing with the flu, but nobody else really came to play offensively. That includes Pau Gasol, who didn't exactly endear himself to frustrated Lakers fans with a 2-9 shooting performance and some ghastly pick-and-roll defense on Hill's game-winning shot.
The Lakers are now 7-8 despite a home-heavy schedule. Yup.
A fun game that the 76ers nearly blew in the closing seconds. Vince Carter partied like it was 2001 to close the gap to two points, and O.J. Mayo had two free throws at the end of the game that could have tied it. He missed both (the second on purpose), but the ball somehow bounced to Jae Crowder for one last decent three-point attempt that clanked off the backboard.
If you take away the final three minutes of the game, Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner were the two best players on the floor. That's good news for a 76ers team that needs its young backcourt to develop.
Timberwolves 97, Kings 89
Twenty-three points, 24 rebounds and one absurd one-handed fadeaway push shot to seal the game with 27 seconds left. Welcome back, Kevin Love.
Raptors fans probably appreciate the Rockets putting them out of their misery early instead of keeping the game close and letting the Raptors blow it in the end like usual. On the bright side, rookie Terrence Ross was quite good in garbage time.
A team of five Anderson Varejaos would probably be the best in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers' other four starters are Dion Waiters, Tristan Thompson, Alonzo Gee and Jeremy Pargo. This Byron Scott quote pretty much sums it up.
Byron Scott's opening statement: "Andy Varejao is fantastic. Everyone else sucked tonight." #Cavs
— M.S. Boyer/J. Valade (@PDcavsinsider) November 28, 2012
