NBA Christmas Round-Up: December 25, 2010 - - Part I
New York Knicks 103 - Chicago Bulls 95
The first Christmas match-up took place at the Madison Square Garden, in which the host New York Knicks trounced the visiting Chicago Bulls, 103-95.
Amare Stoudemire and Raymond Felton scored 20 points apiece for Knicks in the season’s eighteenth victory. Raymond Felton played one of his best matches in Knicks uniform,
turned the second half into the favor of Knicks as he scored 16 of his 20 points and dished out eight of his 12 assists in the second half, adding five steals as well.
"We did a beautiful job defensively," "They're a really good defensive team, but for us, we've been talking about defense now for the past -- actually the whole year --
but more so the past week about communicating, helping the helper, so it's really showing." - - Stoudemire said.
Carlos Boozer posted game-high 26 points and 19 rebounds for the Bulls in the defeat. Derrick Rose had 25 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds in Bull’s just second defeat
in the previous 11 games.
The nerves of both teams were frayed with an eagerness to win at the great occasion of Christmas. However, the New York Knicks rocked the court with full support of the
home crowd, who cheered them at every single basket.
Both teams started ice-cold; anyhow, the home team maintained one point lead at the end of first quarter, 21-20.
Chicago fought hard in the second quarter and Boozer made a jumper in front off the bench to give Chicago a 54-52 at the intermission.
The Knicks were back into the track as they hit six 3-pointers in the third quarter and established an 85-83 lead to the final stanza.
The New York played the final quarter defensively, while on the other hand the Bulls were scoreless until there was 1:52 left in the final buzzer at the same time Ronnie
Brewer missed two free throws and an excellent opportunity to cut down Knick’s lead. The Bulls did not get closer than six points in the entire fourth quarter and the Knicks stamped another great home victory with flying colors.
"We're really playing great defense right now," "Our offense is clicking right now, as well. Our defense has really been great over these past couple of games. That is why
we are winning games. We beat a good team today. They are one of the best teams in the league right now, in my opinion. So, it's just a good win for us, especially on Christmas Day." - - Felton said.
Orlando Magic 86- Boston Celtics 78
The Orlando Magic with a thrilling 86-78 home victory at the Amway Center broke the 14-game winning streak of Boston Celtics.
"You see what the possibilities are," "You see that you have a chance to be a really good team. We are not there yet by any means, but you have a chance to be a very good
team. In addition, I think that right there, that belief and that confidence that if we will stay with it, we can be very good. - - Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said.
Brandon Bass registered team-high 21 points and Hedo Turkoglu had 15 points in the eighteenth victory of new-look Magic.
Only two of Boston’s starters scored points in double figures. Kevin Garnett posted game-high 22 points in the defeat. Paul Pierce added 18 points in the season’s only fifth
defeat of Celtics.
Boston headed the first half successfully and maintained 46-36. They tried hard to make the score respectable in the third and played some tenacious shots around the court.
However, the Celtics maintained a 77-72 lead with 2:42 left.
Nelson was the big name for the final stanza as eight of his total 20 points came in the game's final stretches. In addition, he answered with a three-pointer to get the
home crowd back in the game pushed the Magic to its home success.
"We're showing what we can possibly be. I know everyone talks about our height, that we are small decides Dwight. However, you still have to guard us, too, on the outside.
There are times during the game when we have five guys out on the perimeter, and you have to guard us. Tonight we showed that no matter how many guys you've got down there, No.1 Dwight's going to foul them all out, and No. 2, you've got to guard us still.”
-- Magic guard Gilbert Arenas.
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