Empty the Bench

That was fun.

On Wednesday night, the NBA schedule-makers gifted us with two juicy duels featuring four of the best Western Conference teams, who also happen to employ four of the finest guards you’ll find anywhere in the basketball collective we fondly call the NBA. In Phoenix, All-Star reserves Steve Nash and Chris Paul’s mano a mano matchup highlighted this contest between the West’s top-two squads, record wise. Over in the Mile High City, ETB favorite and All-Star starter Allen Iverson led his Nuggets onto the floor against the Association’s hottest team, the Utah Jazz, who arrived with a nine-game winning streak and a stud point guard, Deron Williams, who’s been absolutely killing his competitors since being snubbed for a spot on the All-Star team.

Appropriately enough, all four of these teams enjoyed moments of excellence, and as you’d expect each of these talented guards brought their A-game, sinking clutch shots when their respective squads needed them most and generally upping the wow factor to about as high as it can get in a regular-season contest.

These were as close to being “statement games” as it get in early February. And in both instances, in Phoenix and in Denver, 48 minutes were not enough to crown victors in these small yet critical battles. Double overtime for the Suns and Hornets, overtime for the Nuggs and Jazz. Down to the wire in the extra stanzas. Big shots by big-time players. I love the NBA.

Thoughts and analysis on both of these Western Conference duels after the break…

New Orleans Hornets V. Phoenix Suns

Score: New Orleans 132, Phoenix 130 in 2OT
Hero: Peja Stojakovic nailed the buzzer-beating winner from 22-feet
Steve Nash: 32 points, 12 assists, 5 three-pointers, 10 turnovers
Chris Paul: 42 points, 9 assists, 8 steals, 5 rebounds, 4 three-pointers, 1 turnover (!)

With this thrilling road win over the short-handed Suns, the Hornets moved within 0.5 games of the West’s top seed, a spot which has turned into a game of musical chairs these past few weeks. At this point nobody knows who’ll claim the last remaining seat when the music stops on April 16th (which also happens to be my birthday, so start planning your elaborate gifts now).

With Shaquille O’Neal in attendance, the Suns were gamers despite the glaring scoring, rebounding, and defensive holes vacated by Shawn Marion. They pushed the Hornets at every turn and every time the visitors seemed poised to sprint to the finish and a sure victory. Amare Stoudemire was spectacular (and perhaps feeling extra jaunty with Marion, whom he reportedly had issues getting along with, out of the fold), posting 26 points and 20 rebounds to go with 4 blocks. On the other side it was first-time All Star David West playing a big supporting role to his all-world point guard, finishing with 21 points, 13 boards, 2 steals, and 2 blocks (though he did struggle from the field, shooting just 33%).

But this one was all about the point guards, Nash vs. Paul, stalwart veteran vs. rapidly rising star. At times this tilt morphed more into a one-on-one chess match, with a Paul jumper matched by a Nash longball, a Nash layup countered by a Paul layup. Both stepped it up when they had to–Nash’s cajones were hung out in the open for all to see late in the fourth after he nailed a few crucial three-pointers–but the edge on this evening goes to Paul, not only because of his team’s victory, on the road, but for that jaw-dropping boxscore above. I mean, just one friggin’ turnover in over 50 minutes? Seriously? The scary thing is that this kid is still only 22-years-old and is only getting better. Good show, Mr. Paul, good show.

Utah Jazz V. Denver Nuggets

Score: Utah 118, Denver 115 in OT
Hero: Kyle Korver scored 27, including the game-clinching free throws
Allen Iverson: 34 points, 10 assists, 5 three-pointers, 3 steals
Deron Williams: 29 points, 11 assists, 6 rebounds

These two teams will be battling for the Northwest Division crown until the very end (and of course those feel-good Blazers will very much be in the mix as well). They’ll face each other two more times in the regular season, which made this one important not only because of the “statement factor” but also on the more tangible standings.

At home, the Nuggets had one chance to wrap it up in regulation and one to send it to a second bonus stanza, but on both counts fell short. It had to hurt. They had five guys score in double figures, welcomed back the league’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Camby, after a two-game absence with knee troubles (11 points, 17 boards, 4 blocks–I’d say he’s just fine), and got two standout efforts from their scoring stars, Iverson and ‘Melo (29 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 6 turnovers).

It just wasn’t enough.

Iverson was good–very good–but Deron Williams rang the bell late in the fourth, just when it looked like the Jazz’s win streak was about to buried under a few feet of Denver snow. And the Nuggets failed to answer. After Williams calmly sank a three with about 17 seconds remaining to tie the score at 106, Iverson dished to Anthony for an open look at the hoop, but it didn’t drop. Overtime, Korver time (of all people), game over. Utah now owns a two-game lead over Denver as well as a ten-game winning streak they’ll take to Sacramento on Friday.

Since the All-Star reserves were announced last Thursday–Williams was not amongst them–Utah’s point man has averaged 21.2 points, 11.2 assists, and 56% FG.

Allen Iverson and Deron Williams Photo Credit: Icon SMI