This is the start of a new series that highlights Duke players in NBA action the previous night. Going to do my best to put one of these up every day, but may miss the occasional day. Anyway, here we go.
Dec 10, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving (2) drives against New York Knicks point guard Raymond Felton (2) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
As always, there were plenty of former Duke Blue Devils in action last night. One of them went off 37 points, another two carried their squad’s offense, and both of the Plumlees were in action, too!
Kyrie Irving broke out of a slump and went off on the New York Knicks, totaling 37 points, 11 assists, a rebound, and a steal in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 109-94 win at Quicken Loans Arena. The third-year guard shot 14-23 from the field, the first time in nine games he has been above the fifty percent mark, and made 4 of 7 three-point attempts.
Shane Battier scored 5 points and collected a block and a rebound in 15 minutes in the Miami Heat’s 90-84 loss against the Indiana Pacers. Battier hasn’t finished a contest with double digit scoring since the season opener.
Elton Brand isn’t the score he used to be, but he is still finding ways to contribute for the Atlanta Hawks. The 34-year old totaled 3 steals, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks, and an assist in 15 minutes during the Hawks’ 101-92 loss to the Thunder.
Mason Plumlee played just 11 minutes in the Brooklyn Nets’ 104-96 victory over the Boston Celtics. Plumlee, a rookie, never took an official shot during his time on the court, but hit all four of his free throws and pulled in a rebound and a steal, as well.
Kyle Singler was rather uneventful in the Detroit Pistons’ 121-94 blowout loss at the the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Singler played eleven minutes, but only came away with 2 rebounds and 4 personal fouls to show for it.
Carlos Boozer and Mike Dunleavy were the only two Chicago Bulls players to finish with more than 13 points in last night’s 78-74 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Boozer totaled 21 points and 12 rebounds in 37 minutes while Dunleavy led the way with 24 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks. Chicago’s other former Duke star, Luol Deng, sat out with a sore left achilles tendon.
Miles Plumlee wasn’t involved in the Phoenix Suns’ gameplan much last night, but the forward still managed to score 6 points and pull in 6 rebounds in 19 minutes during the Suns’ 114-108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Ryan Kelly, who plays for the Lakers, never entered the game.
In D-League action, rookie Seth Curry continued his tear through the league. Curry led the Santa Cruz Warriors to victory with 25 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals. He could find way his onto an NBA team any week now, and he certainly isn’t hurting his cause with his stellar play so far.