It was a tough week for the Blue Devils on the court, but a few spectacular performances from a former standout still provided some positive highlights for Duke fans to enjoy:
Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers: It seemed unlikely that Kyrie Irving could have a better performance later in the week after scoring a then season-high 38 points on 13-of-23 shooting Tuesday, when the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons 103-95. The streaky shooter knocked down 6-of-10 3-pointers and added six assists and three steals in 42 minutes But the fourth-year pro was just getting started.
Irving had a historic performance Wednesday night as the Cavaliers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 99-94 for their eight straight win. In 39 minutes and on 17-of-36 shooting, he totaled a career-high 55 points—the most ever by a Cavalier at Quicken Loans Arena—and added five assists, four rebounds and two steals. With less than 10 seconds left, the teams were tied at 94. A clutch 3-pointer by Irving, his 11th of the night, over the outstretched hand of Nicolas Batum broke the tie and put Cleveland in position for a big win without LeBron James. With the two free throws he scored before the game ended, Irving also set the highest scoring mark in the NBA this season.
In addition to lighting up the scoreboard this week, Irving was named an All-Star Game reserve. He will make his third All-Star Game appearance Feb. 15. The Cavaliers, now 27-20 and fifth in the East, will host the Sacramento Kings Friday night
Mason Plumlee, Brooklyn Nets: Due to Juno, the snowstorm that recently lashed New York, the Brooklyn Nets couldn’t host the Trail Blazers as the game was postponed Monday night. The Nets lost to the Atlanta Hawks 112-102 Wednesday night, their 11th lost in 14 games this month.
Plumlee’s numbers were decent against the Hawks, as the second-year big man totaled 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting, seven rebounds and three blocks in 31 minutes. The 6-foot-11 center will try to become the first Net to win the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest NBA All-Star Saturday night, which will take place in Brooklyn Feb. 14 this year.
The Nets are now 18-27 and half a game back of the Hornets for the eighth seed as the All-Star break approaches.
J.J. Redick, Los Angeles Clippers: The Clippers had another good week, notching three wins to keep climbing in the West standings and move their win streak to six. Sunday against Phoenix, Redick scored 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range. But the sharpshooter's success did not continue, as he scored just six points on 2-of-10 shooting the next day against Denver.
Redick did not get a chance to bounce back this week, as the 6-foot-4 guard was sidelined Wednesday by back spasms. Redick, who is averaging 14.9 points per game, is questionable to return Friday, when his team visits the New Orleans Pelicans. Redick is scheduled to join Plumlee in competition All-Star Saturday night in the 3-point contest.
The Clippers are now 32-14, tied for fourth in the West.
Austin Rivers, Los Angeles Clippers: After scoring his first points as a Clipper last week, the 6-foot-4 guard totaled six points in Los Angeles' first two games this week and added four rebounds and two assists. But it was Wednesday night when Rivers demonstrated that he could become a key player coming off the bench for the rest of the season for his dad's team. The Winter Park, Fla., native went 2-of-4 from distance, scoring 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting, and added 1 rebound and 1 assist in 22 minutes.
The Clippers' game Friday will bring Rivers and his former team, the New Orleans Pelicans, together in a Western Conference battle.
Luol Deng, Miami Heat: January has been an incosistent month for the Heat, who went 6-6. They won two games, against the Indiana Pacers 89-87 and Chicago Bulls 96-84, but lost one, against the Milwaukee Bucks 109-102, this week. Deng led Miami’s dramatic win against the Pacers with 23 points and added five rebounds and three assists in 35 minutes Friday.
In his return to Chicago, where the 6-foot-9 small forward played for 10 seasons scored the fourth-most points in team history, the Sudanese player received a warm tribute and a standing ovation. The forward recorded a double-double, totaling 15 points on 5-of-15 shooting and added 10 rebounds and four assists Sunday.
However, Deng injured his calf that night and was ruled out for Tuesday’s loss to the Bucks and will also miss Friday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks. The 29-year-old is averaging 14.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.
Lance Thomas, New York Knicks: The New York Knicks had five games this week, but one of them was postponed because of Juno Monday. They lost two, against the Charlotte Hornets 76-71 Saturday and the Indiana Pacers 103-82 Thursday, and won the other two, against the Orlando Magic 113-106 Friday and Oklahoma City Thunder 100-92 Wednesday. The Knicks are one of the worst teams in the NBA with a 9-38 record, but Thomas had another notable week.
The forward had solid performances in the four games, averaging 12.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest. As a consequence of his solid performances in his 20-day trial period, the Knicks announced that they would sign the Brooklyn, N.Y., native for the rest of the season Thursday.
Gerald Henderson, Charlotte Hornets: The Hornets are still battling for a spot in the playoffs, as they are now 19-27 and currently eighth in the Eastern Conference.
The Hornets played three games this week, with two loses and one win. Henderson scored six points and added no rebounds and two assists in Friday’s loss against the Cavaliers. However, the 6-foot-5 guard improved his numbers in the following two games, totaling 32 points on 11-of-29 shooting and adding four assists and two blocks. Henderson, averaging 10.5 points and 2.3 assists per game, should have a key role the rest of the season if he can stay healthy.
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