So, I'm sitting here watching the GS-DAL game and figured I'd do a bit of blogging on it (unless it gets out of hand and I end up switching to The Daily Show) and other assorted NBA stuff.

So, it's a few minutes left in the second quarter right now, 54-41 Dallas with Baron on the line. Inexplicably, the Warriors have seemed to come out with no energy at all. In a game that will be huge in deciding who gets in down the stretch, they're giving up a ton of easy buckets and not getting back in transition at all. Now, they've never been defensive stalwarts, but the complete lack of hustle to get back on D is alarming.

Jason Kidd has double digit assists already and Baron Davis has 18 or 20 points.

Monte Ellis is showing off his ability to score efficiently. He's a superb finisher down low and has really made huge strides with his mid-range jumper. Unlike a lot of young players, he knows his limitations and works within the confines of what he can do, and it makes him really effective. When he adds three point range look out, he's gonna be scary.

The commentators have hit on this a few time, but Dirk is not himself tonight. He's missed a lot of elbow jumpers and even got one of his fadeaways blocked (which never happens, it's as unblockable a shot as there is in the NBA today). I wouldn't be surprised if he's still being affected by this injury

I've been playing a lot of ball lately and rounding back into basketball shape after not having played consistently for a while. One of the things I've been reminded of is that it takes some time to get your timing back, and that particularly affects post players since both rebounding and shot-blocking are heavily dependent on timing. Those of you expecting Andrew Bynum to come back and immediately make an impact, keep that in mind.

50-60 at the half. It's pretty incredible that GS is playing so poorly and allowing Dallas so many open opportunities, yet they're only down 10. As has been the case many times this year, their guards are carrying them so far (15 and 18 for Baron and Monte, both on 7-12 shooting).

For Dallas, Kidd has 11 and 6, only it's 11 assists and 6 rebounds. Only 2 points, but he's dominating in other ways tonight. Josh Howard is showing off his pretty pull-up jumper and has dropped a few pretty dimes as well. He's got 18.

Toronto got robbed tonight when the officials waved off a beautiful lob play that got them a great look with only .5 seconds on the clock.

The hustle hasn't gotten any better for the Warriors. They're getting killed on the glass and in transition. How do you not bring more energy in a game of this magnitude? 75-59

5:40 left and it's a 15 point game. Golden State has to start making their move now if they want to have a chance here.

the Hornets panned Miami tonight to retain the top spot in the West. I'm not going to make a decision until the end of the season, but Chris Paul is making an incredible case for MVP this year.

BTW, any team who loses to the Heat for the rest of the year should be  completely embarrassed. Their starting lineup tonight? Chris Quinn, Daequan Cook, Ricky Davis, Earl Barron and Mark Blount. No, I'm not kidding. On the plus side, Sports Nerd favorite Stephane Lasme got some burn and had 4 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal and 4 fouls in only 18 minutes.

This game might as well be over. Dallas is up by 18 with 2 minutes left in the 3rd, and the Warriors look completely dead. Looks like the Mavs are finally going to pick up their first win against a post-.500 team in the J-Kidd era.

Now, here's a question for Josh Howard. You've gotten any shot you wanted all game, the Warriors haven't been able to guard you at all. You've got plenty of shot clock left. Why do you settle for a step-back fadeaway jumper from 19 feet? It amazes me sometime when guys almost go out of their way to take a tougher shot.

I'm switching over to The Colbert Report for the 4th quarter, I think you can put this one in the books.