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Today, we have updates from two nights of games and a look forward to two games (featuring three Hoyas) on tonight's NBA slate.
Friday
Pacers falter in third quarter in loss to Grizzlies - Indy Cornrows
"On a night that would test Roy Hibbert against Marc Gasol, Hibbert certainly showed very little, throwing in just eight points on 4-9 shooting with eight rebounds. Not all of Hibbert's struggles against Gasol were his own doing. Early foul trouble sent Hibbert to the bench, and some poor defensive rotations in general gave solid looks to Gasol, who had no issues knocking down shots for 20 points. Zach Randolph was also a difficult cover for the Pacers, scoring a game high 22 with 13 rebounds, there was no one on the roster capable of matching wits with a player of Randolph's caliber."
Bucks down 76ers 93-81 - October 31, 2014 - NBA.com
Hollis Thompson led the Sixers with 15 points and Henry Sims added 7 points and 8 rebounds, but the 76ers fell to the Bucks 93-81 in Milwaukee.
Saturday
Otto Porter had a very big night at the Verizon Center on Saturday night as he led the Wizards to a commanding victory in their home opener. After Paul Pierce was ejected at the end of the 2nd quarter, Otto poured in 19 points after the break, including a stretch of 6 straight at one point. Otto looked like the player we all knew he was and the Verizon Center crowd loved it.
Wizards vs. Bucks final score: 3 things we learned in Otto Porter's coming-out party - Bullets Forever
"After only scoring two points in the first half, Porter scored 19 of his career-high 21 points, where he played alongside the starters, after Paul Pierce's ejection right before the second quarter which was unnecessary."
Verizon Center chants "OT-TO POR-TER!" - Bullets Forever
Just like old times at the Phone Booth.
Why Otto Porter should start next to John Wall - Bullets Forever
"Does Otto Porter's newfound confidence warrant his insertion into the starting lineup this early in the season? Yes, it most certainly does."
Pistons vs. Nets final score: Detroit loses home opener, 102-90 - Detroit Bad Boys
"Greg Monroe, suspended for the first two games of the year, looked like Detroit's best player for long stretches. Despite coming off the bench for the first time since his rookie year, he scored 18 points (7-12 shooting) with 11 rebounds and three assists in 30 minutes."
Pistons vs Nets: Home opener and Greg Monroe's return spoiled - Detroit Bad Boys
"For whatever reason, Stan thought it best that Monroe come off the bench in the home opener. From hearing the intro for Josh Smith, I don't think the fans were too pleased with this as you could hear a spattering of boos. But that didn't matter to Moose who played just as good as he always does. He looked quite sprite even. Monroe played 30 minutes, going 7-for-12 for 18 points to go with 11 rebounds, three assists and a steal. On one offensive position, you could see how amazing Greg's offense is. Being guarded by Jerome Jordan, Moose got an offensive rebound that caromed out to the three point line. He drove in, spun inside, got Jordan off his feet, spun the other way and got an easy layup. It was seriously a thing of beauty."
Houston uses massive free throw edge to coast past Boston: Rockets 104, Celtics 90 - CelticsBlog
"Jeff Green led the Celtics in scoring with 17 and hit the team's only 3-pointer with about four minutes left in the game."
Pacers fall short to Hawks, but not for lack of effort - Indy Cornrows
"Roy Hibbert also had a solid outing with 14 points and 12 rebounds for his first double double of the year. Hibbert was a huge part of Indiana's success late in the first half to help trim a double figure lead to within five, helping prove an anchor on defense. While 12 rebounds may be a bit high, 14 points and three blocks are well in line with what Hibbert should be capable of on a night to night basis, but of course, with his role expanding due to injury, it's hard to say it's enough or a success if Indiana is expected to win games."
Heat take down 76ers 114-96 - November 1, 2014 - NBA.com
Hollis Thompson had 10 points on 4-8 shooting, 3 blocks, 2 assists, and 1 rebound in 32 minutes. Henry Sims added 9 points on 4-9 shooting and had 4 rebounds, but the Heat thumped the Sixers in their home opener.
No Hoyas played on Sunday night. Here are updated stats for all six Hoyas through Sunday night. Greg Monroe's stats only include one game, but it was a real good game (and off the bench!).
| Player | Minutes | Points | FG% | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks |
| Otto Porter | 26.0 | 12.7 | 57.1% | 3.3 | 0.7 | 2.0 | 0.0 |
| Jeff Green | 33.5 | 17.0 | 37.9% | 5.0 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Roy Hibbert | 31.3 | 114.7 | 56.0% | 9.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 3.7 |
| Henry Sims | 25.7 | 8.7 | 42.3% | 5.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 |
| Hollis Thompson | 32.0 | 10.0 | 37.5% | 2.3 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 1.1 |
| Greg Monroe | 30.0 | 18.0 | 58.3% | 11.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
Monday
Rockets at 76ers - November 3, 2014, 7:00 PM ET - NBA.com
Hollis Thompson, Henry Sims and the flailing 76ers host James Harden and the Rockets. Philadelphia won 19 games last season, its fewest since 1995-96, but beat Houston 123-117 in overtime at the Wells Fargo Center on Nov. 13. Wroten had his only career triple-double in the 76ers' third consecutive home victory in the series and fifth in the last six visits from the Rockets.
Celtics at Mavericks - November 3, 2014, 8:30 PM ET - NBA.com
Jeff Green and the Celtics travel to Dallas to take on the Mavericks. The Mavericks have won eight of nine in the series, including the last four played in Dallas. That's not surprising given that the Celtics (1-1) haven't managed a road win against the West since Feb. 25, 2013, for a franchise-worst 21 straight losses after falling 104-90 in Houston on Saturday.