:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/5834619/20121230_lbm_sb4_437.0.jpg)
Not a bad time for DeMarcus Cousins to get a triple double, ey? With trade rumors swirling, Cousins showed off his all-around game with 12 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and excellent post defense in a shocking Kings' rout. Isaiah Thomas also scored 27 points after being elevated to the starting lineup, which means that Aaron Brooks should soon be Wally Pipp'd.
As for the Celtics, they do this every year. As much as Celtics fans have every right to be upset that this is happening again, the fact is that Boston looked old and disinterested last January, too. The symptoms are certainly different, but given the organization's track record, it's probably a bit premature to bury them. But man, they have to stop doing this.
This would be a fun first-round matchup given the two games these teams played this season. The Clippers would win, obviously, but Utah would certainly scrap. Nevertheless, L.A. is just rolling along right now, and we all knew it was only a matter of time before it would throw the hammer down. That run finally happened in the fourth quarter, and that's all she wrote.
Caron Butler scored 29 points despite not scoring a single fourth-quarter point. That's how deep the Clippers are.
Dirk Nowitzki is clearly not right, and O.J. Mayo has turned back into a pumpkin after a sizzling start to the season. It all adds up to the Mavericks being a very bad team right now.
If you love Tayshaun Prince isolations, then you'll love the way this game ended. Prince hit two free throws after being fouled by Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, and the Pistons were able to hold on after giving up a 14-point third-quarter lead. Monta Ellis had one of his good games with 30 points, but it wasn't enough.