Jan 5th 2009 8:38AM by Tom Ziller (author feed)
Filed under: Clippers, Knicks, Trail Blazers, NBA Last Night

Rule: if you drop 30 points on Boston, you get special consideration for Doing Lines. Welcome to the club, Wilson Chandler. The spiritual guide to D’Antoni Ball in the Big Apple dropped 31 points on 19 FGAs, and added eight rebounds and no turnovers. The hardest things to do against Boston: shoot efficiently and protect the ball. You’re a man, Mr. Chandler. (Al Harrington also dropped 30.)

Nicolas Batum has been cold as a starter in Portland, but Sunday’s loss to the Lakers featured a break-out of sorts: matched up against clone Trevor Ariza, Batum had 17 points on perfect 6-6 shooting, along with five rebounds, four assists and no turnovers. Batum’s starting because of his defense and his willingness to stand in the corner and hoist up open threes. It’s a boon when he can make those shots.

(20 rebounds, averaging 21/game over last four)Maybe soon they’ll replace Camby’s cousin as the rebound arbiter. Seems a little unfair.