NBA Today

News, views, and analysis with ESPN's David Thorpe and SOS lead NBA analyst Cameron Berns.

NBA Recaps
Last night, Tayshaun Prince scored a 34 points with 12 boards as Detroit beat a shorthanded Miami team 91-80. Ricky David led the team with 23, and the Heat were without Dwayne Wade.
The Rockets wanted to exact some revenge on the Jazz, who ousted Houston in last year's postseason. Tracy McGrady scored a league high 47 points to win at SLC 106-95 despite 30 and 16 from Carlos Boozer. They have T-Mac and Yao, Battier and the rookie Luis Scola, and a good PG combo and Mike James and Rafer Alston. David Thorpe sites a John Hollinger prediction which looks good for the Rockets:
"The Professor (Hollinger) picks them to win it all, and he did call out the Spurs vs. Cavs last October as his Finals team, so they have that going for them."
23 points and 11 boards from Amare Stoudamire guided the Suns past the Sonics 106-99 in the home opener for Seattle. But Sonics owner and Oklahoma City native Clay Bennett announced today that he will file for the relocation of the Sonics and the Storm of the WNBA to OKC as soon as next season. Bennett cites the "outdates" KeyArena for his reason for filing for relocation.

News and Analysis
On Wednesday, Orlando blasted the Bucks behind Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard, who Cameron Berns calls "an absolute beast". The Kings were beat up by the Hornets in their return to New Orleans 104-90 behind 22 points and 12 assists from Chris Paul. Berns had this to say about Sacramento:
"Sacramento is the worst team in the NBA. A fire sale may be in Sacramento's future."
The Kings will be without Mike Bibby for a couple of months, and the team signed former Spurs backup Beno Udrih to fill the void. Berns also said that the Lakers have backed themselves into a corner with the Kobe situation, which is likely true despite the statement made by Chicago GM John Paxson that no deal was imminent. I think that the talks are ongoing like Phil Jackson said. Bryant literally has this club taken hostage, even more than Allen Iverson did with the Sixers last year. The Lakers are 0-1, while AI, Carmelo Anthony and Denver are looking good.

Upcoming Schedule
Tonight, an ESPN doubleheader has Gilbert Arenas and the Wizards traveling to Boston for the first regular season game of the KG-Allen-Pierce Celtics. Nash and the Suns battle Kobe and the Lakers in the nightcap.
Saturday night has Roy, Aldridge and Portland taking on Yao, T-Mac and the Rockets on NBATV.
Sunday on NBATV, LeBron and the Cavs take on Phoenix at 8pm.
The Rockets take on the Mavericks on Monday on NBATV.
Tuesday on NBATV, Denver takes on Eddy Curry, Zach Randolph and the Knicks.
The Wednesday ESPN twinbill has Shaq and the Heat taking on Duncan and the Spurs, followed by Cleveland at Boozer, AK, DeRon and the Jazz.
The TNT doubleheader next week will have Detroit and Chicago followed by the Mavericks returning to the Bay Area to take on Baron Davis and the Warriors. That's a must see rivalrous night of action if I do say so myself. And that's your NBA Today.