Syracuse Basketball: Orange in the Pro’s

With the medical issues that I have had (and no I won’t be going into that) I am going to start the “Orange in the Pro’s” (NBA) on this blog, which talks about the former Syracuse players that are now in the National Basketball Association. Of course, for those that follow this blog you would know that Paul Harris is going to try to go to the NFL now. However, back to the NBA now, where last night there were ten games in all, of which four had a former Orange in them. So, without further ado, here is this edition “Orange in the Pro’s” (NBA) for 02/06/12…

In the first game of the night it’s a inter conference match up as the Utah Jazz {WC ~ NorthWest} (13-10 ~ 2-6 on the road) come to the Big Apple to take on the New York Knicks {EC ~ Atlantic} (10-15 ~ 6-7 at home) in the only game between the two franchises. The game was played at Madison Square Garden in front of a crowd that numbered 19,763. For the home squad it’s Carmelo Anthony, who starts but only plays six minutes in this one. The ninth year small forward scores two points (1 for 2 ~ 0 for 0 ~ 0 for 0) to go with a reound and an assist while having a +7 pts differential. In the end, as far as the game went, it was New York winning this one by double digits, taking down Utah by the final of 99 to 88. With the W the Knicks are in third place in the division, 8 games behind the leader, while in the playoff race they are in tenth place, but just 1 game back of the last team in.

The next game is once again a East vs West match up with the Phoenix Suns {WC ~ Pacific} (10-14 ~ 5-8 on the road) taking on the Atlanta Hawks {EC ~ SouthEast} (16-9 ~ 8-4 at home) in what the first of two games between these two franchises. The game was played in front of a crowd of 11,823 at the Philips Arena. For the team from the West it’s Hakim Warrick, which however in this game does not play (DNP – Coach’s Decision). As far as the game it was Phoenix winning this one, beating Atlanta by the final of 99 to 90. With the W the Suns are third in their conference and 6 games behind the leader, while being 11th in the playoff race, 3.5 games behind the eighth team.

The second to last game of the night involves the Sacramento Kings {WC ~ Pacific} (9-15 ~ 3-11 on the road) taking on the New Orleans Hornets {WC ~ SouthWest} (4-21 ~ 2-12 at home) in what is the second of four games between the squads, with Sac Town winning the first game. The game was played at the New Orleans Arena in front of an attendance of 13,222. For the visiting team it is Donte Greene, who does not play in this game (DNP – Coach’s Decision). The game was won by Sacramento, taking down New Orleans by 8, with the final being 100 to 92. With the W the Kings are still in last place in their division, 7 games back, while being in second to last in their conference, 5.5 games behind the last spot for the post season.

And finally it’s the Houston Rockets {WC ~ SouthWest} (14-11 ~ 4-8 on the road) going to the mile high city to take on the Denver Nuggets {WC ~ NorthWest} (15-10 ~ 7-5 at home) in what is the first of four match ups. The game was played at the Pepsi Center in front of a crowd of 14,501. For the road team it is Jonny Flynn, who does not play in this game (DNP – Coach’s Decision). The game went to Houston, who defeated Denver by the final score of 99 to 90. With the win the Rockets are now in second place, 2.5 games behind the leader, while being the in a four way tie for the last playoff spot.