NBA news and notes

Bulls point guard Derrick Rose has been on fire in February

Three Points

1. FIFTY APLENTY: New Orleans forward Anthony Davis scored an NBA season high of 59 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in a victory over Detroit on Sunday, two days after Portland guard Damian Lillard erupted for 51 points in a win against Golden State. With Davis and Lillard joining Jimmy Butler, DeMarcus Cousins, Stephen Curry (two), James Harden and Kemba Walker, seven players have already posted 50-point games in 2015-16 – one behind the most ever for a season, according to Elias Sports Bureau. A record eight players had 50-point games during the 1989-90 season: Larry Bird, Tom Chambers (two), Terry Cummings, Dale Ellis, Patrick Ewing, Michael Jordan (three), Hakeem Olajuwon and Karl Malone (two).  2. VC AND SIR CHARLES: Grizzlies guard Vince Carter’s most productive stretch of the season has him on the verge of a milestone. The 39-year-old Carter needs eight points to pass Charles Barkley (23,757) for 24th place on the NBA’s career scoring list. Carter ranks seventh among active players with 23,750 points. In addition, Carter on Friday became the sixth player in NBA history to make 1,900 career three-pointers – part of a 15-point performance in a win over Minnesota, which was followed Sunday by a season-high 16-point effort in a loss to Toronto. Five of Carter’s seven double-digit scoring outings this season have come in his last eight games.  3. ROSE IN BLOOM: Bulls guard Derrick Rose is playing better and better as the season progresses. The 2010-11 Kia NBA MVP is averaging 21.1 points (on 46.2 percent shooting), 5.7 assists and 5.7 rebounds in his last 10 games. In three games since the All-Star break, Rose has led Chicago to a 2-1 record by averaging 26.0 points and shooting 57.4 percent. His strong performance comes at an important time for the Bulls, who are battling for playoff position. Chicago is tied with Charlotte (both 29-26) for seventh place in the Eastern Conference, with only two more losses than third-place Boston (33-24). ______________________________________________________________ Weekly Primer  Monday, Feb. 22: In the opener of an NBA TV doubleheader, Golden State continues a six-game road trip at Atlanta (8 p.m.). The Clippers play host to the Suns in the second game (10:30 p.m.).  Tuesday, Feb. 23: NBA TV's doubleheader opener has Anthony Davis’ first game since his 59-and-20 effort as the Pelicans take on the Wizards in Washington (7 p.m.), followed by Nets-Trail Blazers (10 p.m.).  Wednesday, Feb. 24: Along with ESPN’s doubleheader of Wizards-Bulls (8 p.m.) and Spurs-Kings (10:30 p.m.), Toronto-born Andrew Wiggins and the Timberwolves make their one regular-season visit to Air Canada Centre to meet the Raptors (7:30 p.m., NBA LEAGUE PASS).  Thursday, Feb. 25: The Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard and the Rockets’ James Harden, two of the seven players with 50-point games this season, go head to head at Portland in the second game of TNT’s doubleheader (10:30 p.m.). The opener features the Thunder visiting the Pelicans at 8 p.m.  Friday, Feb. 26: The East’s top two teams square off for the third and final time of the regular season as the Cavaliers face the Raptors in Toronto (7:30 p.m., NBA LP). The clubs split their first two matchups.  Saturday, Feb. 27: The Warriors and Thunder are set to play each other twice in five days, starting here in Oklahoma City at 8:30 p.m. on ABC. The rematch is at Golden State on Thursday, March 3 at 10:30 p.m. on TNT.  Sunday, Feb. 28: The red-hot Hornets open the week trailing the Hawks by one game for sixth place in the East. The teams play each other in Atlanta (3:30 p.m., NBA LP). __________________________________________________________________ What They're Saying  Anthony Slater, The Oklahoman: “Around the Thunder facility, [guard Russell] Westbrook is legendary for his instant explosiveness. Nine in the morning, guys tricking in, flip-flops, Starbucks coffee, no one is warm yet. But Westbrook can roll out of bed with playoff energy.”  Paul Flannery, SB Nation: “[Warriors forward Draymond] Green didn’t just break the mold, he invented a new model: A hybrid frontcourt player who can guard multiple positions, switch on screens and knock down jump shots. He’s also a gifted passer, a skill that has elevated him beyond the ranks of role players into the realm of the truly elite. Who would have guessed that everyone would be looking for the next Draymond Green?”  Paul George, Pacers forward: “[Rookie teammate Myles Turner’s] biggest quality is that he’s not afraid. He’s never afraid, he’s never shying away from the moment. He asks questions, he wants to learn, wants to get better, works hard. It’s everything you want in a young player. He has it and he’s going to be special for us.” Source: NBA Media Central