Day 15 of the delayed/cancelled NBA simulation season as it was originally scheduled:
Orlando continues to struggle, Blake Griffin posts a monster game in a loss, while the Lakers overcome John Wall to remain unbeaten.
Orlando Magic 83, Indiana Pacers 88
Through eight games Indiana and Orlando now have matching 3-5 records. While the Pacers could be disappointed, the Magic should be panicking with the team proving to Dwight Howard that it isn’t a championship contender. Howard shot 9-13 from the field, but hit just 3 of 8 free throws for 21 points. He also grabbed 12 rebounds and 2 blocks, but turned the ball over 7 times. Gilbert Arenas had 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. The Pacers were led by A.J. Price who had 17 points after making 5 threes. Darren Collison added 12 points, 8 assists, and grabbed 8 rebounds.
Phoenix Suns 97, Detroit Pistons 106
Detroit has to be one of the biggest surprises of the year as the win pushed its record to 5-2. Charlie Villanueva, Richard Hamilton, and Rodney Stuckey all scored 17 points while Greg Monroe posted a line of 13 and 8. Steve Nash and Aaron Brooks combined for 17 points and 11 assists for the struggling Suns.
Los Angeles Clippers 90, Houston Rockets 96
Houston had five players score in double figures and got a double-double (16/10) from Luis Scola en route to a nice road win. It was an uncharacteristically poor shooting night for Kevin Martin (5-14), but he made up for it by being perfect (9-9) from the free throw line. Blake Griffin was a beast for the Clippers with 25 points and 16 rebounds, but he shot just 9 for 23 from the field.
Washington Wizards 85, Los Angeles 101
The Wizards are the latest team to succumb to the Lakers and their frontline. L.A. is now 9-0 while Washington is just 1-5. The frontcourt trio of Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, and Pau Gasol combined for 56 points and 22 rebounds shooting 24 of 36 from the field. John Wall had himself a game for Washington with 22 points and 18 assists, but his team was -7 on turnovers and shot just 44 percent from the free throw line.
