Wake Forest Athletics
Wednesday Morning Basketball Report
3/25/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 25, 2009
As the National Basketball Association regular season wraps up on April 15, none of the teams with former Demon Deacons officially have solidified a spot in the playoffs but three are in strong position to do so in the Western Conference.
Over the past week, Paul and the New Orleans Hornets have gone on a three-game winning streak and currently are fifth in the West.
On Sunday, Paul netted 27 points in the Hornets' 99-89 win against Golden State. He added eight rebounds and eight assists in the contest.
Paul was 12-of-18 from the floor and 8-of-8 from the line against Memphis on Friday. He amassed 32 points to go with nine assists, five rebounds and five steals.
Paul totaled 26 points, 10 assists and five steals in the Hornets' one-point victory, 94-93, against Minnesota last Wednesday. With 12.6 seconds remaining in the game, Paul found teammate and fellow All-Star David West for a dunk that put the Hornets ahead to stay.
Paul is first or second in multiple regular season NBA rankings including: total assists, total steals, assists per game, steals per game, assists per turnover ratio, triple-doubles and in efficiency ranking.
Staying in the Southwest Division, Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs surpassed 20 points for the first time since Feb. 17 on Sunday at home against Houston. He totaled 23 points and six rebounds in San Antonio's 87-85 loss.
Last night, Duncan recorded more than 20 points again, scoring 21 in the Spurs' one-point victory, 107-106, against Golden State. Duncan had a double-double performance, adding 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Last Friday, Duncan had 15 points and nine rebounds in 32 minutes against Boston in an 80-77 loss.
The Spurs have played very close to opponents in recent games. San Antonio has won or lost its past five games by a combined total of 11 points.
In NBA season statistics, Duncan ranks in the top five in total rebounds, rebounds per game, defensive rebounds, defensive rebounds per game and double-doubles.
For the Washington Wizards, Darius Songaila bested his season marks in field goals attempted and steals in a single game over this week.
Last Wednesday, Songaila had a career-high five steals and a season-high 14 field goal attempts at the L.A. Clippers. In the Wizards 123-108 loss, Songaila had 14 points, six rebounds and five steals in 28 minutes of play.
On Friday, Songaila had a quiet night, finishing with five points and five rebounds at Denver in a 116-105 Washington loss.
Songaila did not play on Monday against Chicago in the Wizards' fourth consecutive loss, 101-99, due to a pinched nerve in his neck, according to the Washington Post. He is considered day-to-day.
Josh Howard (left ankle) of the Dallas Mavericks remained sidelined all week.
All four teams with former Wake Forest standouts on the roster are in action tonight.
San Antonio is the only team on the road as the Spurs take on Atlanta at 7 p.m. (ET). Duncan and the Spurs (46-24) are second in the Western Conference.
New Orleans hosts Denver at 8 p.m. (ET) tonight. The Hornets (44-25) currently are fifth in the conference standings.
Dallas now is eighth in the West with a record of 42-28 and will play Golden State at 8:30 p.m. (ET) tonight.
Although eliminated from playoff contention, Washington (16-56) continues to battle, posting more than 100 points in four of its last six games but only winning one of those contests. The Wizards will tip off against Charlotte at 7 p.m. (ET) this evening. Three-time All-Star Gilbert Arenas may return to the Wizards' lineup for the first time this season on Saturday against Detroit.
For additional updates on the Demon Deacons and their NBA teams, check back next Wednesday.
- WakeForestSports.com -
