NBA Scores & More: Jeremy Lin Buries Raptors, Lakers Handle Hawks, Wizards Stun Blazers

Shumpert switched over to Calderon for the final nine minutes of the game and immediately threw off the rhythm he had established throughout the game. Calderon did not score in the fourth quarter, as Shumpert barely allowed him to halfcourt before getting up into his jersey.

Meanwhile the Knicks, who had scored only 36 points in the first half, were busy getting their offense back on track after getting down as much as 17 points to the Raptors.

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And here’s the thing -- the Heat were playing their third game in three nights, the dreaded back-to-back-to-back, all three games on the road. Not only did they win all three, but they won them all by double digits. The league doesn’t schedule back-to-back-to-backs in non-lockout seasons anymore, but they used to, and this is the first time since 1979 that a team has won three road games in three nights. It’s the first time since 1970 that a team has won three straight by double digits. And continuing with the history lesson, the Heat matched the franchise’s best ever start at 23-7.

The Heat are simply firing on all cylinders right now. Their defense is absolutely stifling. The combination of length, athleticism and energy smothers every route to the basket, cuts off every passing lane and challenges every shot. A lot of it is talent, but there’s also a lot of hard work going into Miami’s success. On one play in the second quarter, James deflected a pass on one side of the floor, which then caromed off the rim into a Pacer player’s hands, where James blocked the shot, and saved the block from going out of bounds on the other side of the floor. That’s three plays on the ball across 50 feet of basketball court with a stop at the rim, all in about four seconds. When your superstar is exerting that kind of effort on defense, it’s difficult for the rest of the team not to follow suit. The pressure defense then leads to transition offense, and no one is better on the break than James and Wade.

So, it wasn’t the cleanest or prettiest of wins, but it was a balanced effort and a solid accomplishment for the Lakers against a top team (albeit playing some of their worst basketball). The win moved L.A. to 17-12 and an impressive 12-2 at home while Atlanta fell to 18-11 overall.

There’s plenty more on the Lakers at Silver Screen and Roll. Check out Peachtree Hoops for Hawks things.