Wake Forest Athletics
Wednesday Morning Basketball Report
1/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 27, 2010
Tim Duncan joined the exclusive 20,000-point club on Friday against the Houston Rockets. Duncan became the 35th player in National Basketball Association history to reach this mark as he dropped in 25 points to go with 14 boards. He is only the sixth player to reach 20,000 career points and 10,000 career rebounds. This week, Duncan also was announced as a starter for the 2010 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 14, in Dallas. It will be his 12th All-Star appearance.
Last Wednesday against Utah, Duncan finished just one point shy of the 20,000 mark after netting 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. The Spurs wrapped up the week on Monday, and Duncan scored 15 points with five boards and three blocks in the contest. San Antonio (25-18) dropped all three of its games this week.
In other Southwest Division action, Chris Paul, Darius Songaila and the New Orleans Hornets went 3-1, winning three games by a total of five points. Paul aided New Orleans' (24-20) efforts by averaging a double-double over the past four games.
In a one-point victory at Portland, Paul tallied a double-double with 24 points, 12 assists, seven rebounds and five steals. He hit a 15-foot jumper that proved to be the game-winning shot with 3.8 seconds left in the contest. In another close victory, 96-94, at Minnesota, Paul had 23 points, nine assists and four boards. Last Wednesday at Memphis, Paul knocked down 21 points with 13 helpers and six rebounds. He scored 26 points at Denver on Saturday on 10-of-18 from the floor and added 10 helpers in the Hornets' only loss of the week. Paul made a shot with 18.4 seconds left that extended the game to overtime but it wasn't enough as the Hornets fell, 116-110.
Paul continues to climb the NBA charts in multiple categories. He sits atop the league in assists per game (11.2) and assists per turnover (4.69). Currently fourth overall in steals (81), Paul ranks second in steals per game (2.25) and total assists (403).
Songaila had a breakout week, recording season highs in almost all scoring categories. He roared past his previous season-high point total on Saturday as he hit 8-of-13 from the floor and a perfect 4-of-4 from the line for 20 points. Songaila also grabbed seven boards in the overtime loss at Denver. He converted a season-high five free throws on Friday and recorded his first three-pointer of the season, finishing the game with 13 points. In the other two Hornets' games this week, Songaila totaled 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
Josh Howard and the Dallas Mavericks lead the Southwest Division, boasting a 30-15 record. Howard scored in double figures twice this week. He totaled 13 points and three rebounds last night against Milwaukee as the Mavs came away with a one-point win, 108-107. Howard scored 11 points at Philadelphia on Friday, and added seven points and two assists in a 40-point blowout of the Knicks on Sunday.
James Johnson played 24 minutes across four games for the Chicago Bulls this week. He knocked down five points on a perfect day from the floor against the Clippers last Wednesday. During his time on the hardwood this week, he also recorded four boards, two points, a steal and a block for the Bulls (21-22).
Jeff Teague totaled 27 minutes of action this week for Atlanta. He combined for six points, four assists and two rebounds as the Hawks (29-14) went on to win all three games.
Check back next Wednesday for another update on how the former Wake Forest student-athletes are doing in the NBA on WakeForestSports.com.
