Philadelphia 76ers Win Song (Here Come the Sixers) - NBA

The Rolling Stones;Lisa Fischer;Houston Rockets

Tonight's music is all rock'n'roll,with The Rolling Stones' "Stupid Girl" in a slide show format and "Gimme Shelter" in a live promo video featuring Lisa Fischer.They are performing with Lisa at this writing in "On Fire:Rolling Stones Tour."
9 March Macau,China
19 March Perth,Australia
22 March Adelaide,Australia
25 March Sydney,Australia
28 March Melbourne,Australia
30 March Macedon Range,Australia
2 April Brisbane,Australia
5 April Auckland,New Zealand
Lisa Fischer,55,is an African American singer songwriter who has a solo career,but tours and records widely with other top names in the business as well,including Sting,Tina Turner,Beyonce,Alicia Keyes,Chris Biotti and Nine Inch Nails.Known for her accurate pitch,professionalism and graceful onstage presence,she is one of the most in-demand session and backup singers in the world-and that's fine with her.
Fischer won a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Performance for her hit "How Can I Ease the Pain" and is one of the session and backup singers featured in the noted Morgan Neville documentary "Twenty Feet From Stardom."*
The Houston Rockets made a case for their own stardom Friday night as they crushed the Indiana Pacers 112-86 in Houston,led by James Harden with his 28 points,4 rebounda and 4 assists.The Rockets were spot on with 13 threes for their fourth straight win.Dwight Howard signed autographs before the game,then went on to add his 15 points,7 rebounds and 4 assists to the Houston win.

Suns Surpass Pelicans;Knicks Lose Again;McCartney in Moscow

The big scorers were out Friday night in the NBA.For the Golden State Warriors,Stephen Curry posted a huge 52 as they manhandled the New York Knicks 123-103 at Madison Square Garden.The Knicks are now five and a half games out of the final playoff spot.*
It's definitely frustrating,how we're losing the games,Knicks star Carmelo Anthony said.It's time we should have it down pat right now.We should have it.*
Meanwhile,the Phoenix Suns' Goran Dragic scored a career high 40 points in their conquest of the New Orleans Pelicans 116-104 in the Arizona desert city.Anthony Davis scored 32 for the losers.*
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy was shining in the Honda Classic Friday.The former World Number One was looking like his old self with his second round 11 under par 66 at PGA National in Florida.He had shot a 63 in Thursday's opening round.
Brendon de Jonge of Zimbabwe is in second place at -10.Tiger Woods was thankful just made the cut on the tough course with his even par,but Phil Mickelson goes home for the weekend,missing the cut at 1 over par.*
I found some good music this week in the jazzy "Rio" by Duran Duran,now digitally remastered;and Sir Paul McCartney with his exceptional live performance of "Back In The USSR" in Russia itself,complete with dancing girls.Russia's been making the big news lately with the Sochi Olympics and the situation in Ukraine."Well,the Ukraine girls really knock me out.They leave the West behind.And Moscow girls make me sing and shout.And Georgia's always on my mind."(Lennon-McCartney)

Tonight's Music:Paramore and Ke$ha;Golden State Downs Utah

Two contrasting music videos are offered tonight:Paramore's new release "Ain't It Fun" and Ke$ha's 2012 TV performance of "Blow" on Australia's "Sunrise" morning show.Paramore's fun gimmick for this project involved trying to break the most world records in a music video,which,according to website RecordSetter.com,they indeed achieved,breaking such records as:1.fastest time to smash 30 clocks with guitars;2.longest scream while riding in a convertible;3.fastest time to run backwards holding stuffed animals while blindfolded;4.most vinyl records broken in one minute.It certainly succeeded as a publicity stunt,garnering more than two million views on YouTube.As of time of publication,it had also received 60,917 likes.
The real question in music is,whether this or any track can stand on its own,without a gimmick to promote it.*
In the Ke$ha video,she is seen working hard to present her song live on a confined,hot television set,with a gaggle of fans looking on from behind.This seemed to be successful also-not because of a gimmick,but because of the strong effort she made in a challenging setting,performing without a gaffe.Surprisingly,it had only 21,795 YouTube views and 115 likes.*
An environmental concern is raised by Paramore's smashing of clocks with guitars on what appeared to be a rural bridge.Components of the smashed objects could conceivably fall into a waterway or onto another sensitive area.*
Golden State Warrior fans had no concerns as they watched Stephen Curry score 44 points,including 8 threes,in the Warriors' 95-90 victory over the Utah Jazz Friday night.It was Curry's fifth career 40 point-game and his second of the season.
In other NBA action,the Oklahoma Thunder beat the Brooklyn Nets 120-95,led by Kevin Durant's 29 points.Former President Bill Clinton was on hand.You can't imagine the speed of his release,Mr.Clinton said,and his basketball intelligence keeps showing up.He's a great player.*
Weather for Sunday's Super Bowl shouldn't be a problem at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.At game time it will be 40 degrees F,droppping to 32 during the game.

In the Zone:Carmelo Anthony;Music;More North Wind

It was a career night for Carmelo Anthony and a welcome break from losing as the New York Knicks creamed the Charlotte Bobcats 125-96 Friday Night at Madison Square Garden.Anthony broke the Knicks' five game losing streak and their old scoring record with his 62 points.Bernard King held the old record of 60,which he scored on Christmas Day 1984.King said he was absolutely delighted it was Anthony who broke his longtime record.
It was also a scoring record for the present day Madison Square Garden,which opened in 1968.Kobe Bryant held the old record of 61 points;while Wilt Chamberlain scored 73 points at the old Garden in November 1962 for the San Francisco Warriors,who have since moved to Oakland.*
Other Knicks contributed to the win,including J.R. Smith with his 14 points and Tyson Chandler with 6 rebounds,but they consciously focused the game on Anthony when they realised a record was in the making.Before the game,they had showed him a motivational video by his personal hero,boxing legend Muhammad Ali.It was a night of fun for the Knicks,bringing their season record to 16-27.They held onto third place in the Atlantic Division.
Al Jefferson led the Bobcats with 25 points and 9 rebounds.*
The barnbuster winter of 2014 brought glazed roads to East Texas and Louisiana Friday,freezing bridges and overpasses in unaccustomed Houston and San Antonio,and causing road wrecks.The dipping jet stream will continue sending frigid Canadian air down into much of the country in the new week,making natural gas prices uncomfortably high.This blog has shortened morning walks in the stubborn wind.*
This week's videos of "Lucky Star" and "The Last Time" balance Madonna and The Rolling Stones in their young tracks,the masculine with the feminine.She is the slinkiest singer in that take,let me tell you.The Stones were building their early success in the British Isles,founding what was to come worldwide.

Paramore's Hayley Williams;Canada's New Tennis Star

This week I have posted a live performance of "Misery Business" by Paramore and Shakira's new single "Can't Remember To Forget You" featuring Rihanna.The Shakira song is from her new album,which is slated for a March 25 release.A video of the song is forthcoming shortly.
Paramore has been touring in Australia recently.Singer/songwriter Hayley Williams,along with guitarist Taylor York and bass player Jeremy Davis,comprise the group.Williams,25,is a native of the Deep South.Born in Meridian,Mississippi,she moved to Franklin,Tennessee when her parents divorced in 2002 and still lives there.A precocious talent,by age 14 she was co-writing pop songs in Nashville.
Williams was soon signed by Atlantic Records and insisted on being part of an alternative rock group,not a solo pop artist as Atlantic wanted.The label changed its mind and Paramore was formed.Their first album was released in 2005 on Atlantic's niche label Fueled by Ramen when Williams was 16.Three more have followed,the latest being "Paramore."
In 2010,Williams reached the Top 10,being featured with rapper B.o.B. in his song "Airplane,"which went to number one in the UK and New Zealand.The eldest of three sisters,she is a Christian.
Williams seems to prefer making funny faces when she is photographed.It is rather hard to find recent straight-faced photos of her.She has more than four million Facebook likes.*
The Australian Open is well underway in Melbourne,and Canada's Eugenie Bouchard,19,is all the rage there.An attractive blonde,she has a boisterous male fan club attired in appropriate t-shirts,singing and chanting loudly at her matches.The Montrealer has reached the fourth round,the farthest she has ever gotten in a Grand Slam tournament.
Another glam girl,Maria Sharapova of Russia,has also advanced to the fourth round.*
The New York Knicks did not advance their cause,being blown out by the first place Los Angeles Clippers 109-95 Friday night.Carmelo Anthony did achieve a team milestone with his 26 points and season-high 20 rebounds.He is the first Knick since 2010 to score 25 points and 20 rebounds.

Christmas Edition:Music and NBA Basketball

The music almost didn't get here tonight.There were more technical problems,but,with persistence,I was finally able to bring it to you.It was challenging,believe me.It's a marginal situation.The slightest defect somewhere along the line can wreck the posting.So you got an old classic,"Chestnut Mare,"and one a little less old,"Holiday."I think it's a good gift for everyone.It's great to hear the Byrds' narrative song,a song that really tells a story.It's a blast to see Madonna dance as well.*
The Golden State Warriors did not get a gift.They got a lump of coal in their Christmas stocking,losing to the San Antonio Spurs 104-102 Thursday night in Oakland.This dropped the Warriors to 14-13,and lifted the Spurs to 21-5.
Stephen Curry and David Lee were outstanding for the Warriors.It was Lee's tenth consecutive double-double game,and Curry made several remarkable shots,both close-in and outside of the paint;but they were hindered by repeated turnovers to the Spurs.You cannot win NBA games that way.*
We never give up,said the Spurs' Marco Belinelli.Everyone was good on defensive and offensive rebounds.It was really tough.This is the NBA,it's nothing easy.We just try to come from the bench and be very aggressive.*
Season's Greetings to all.Happy and Merry Christmas,dear readers.

Houston Dims Golden State;Snowy Jerusalem

The Houston Rockets overpowered the Golden State Warriors 116-112 Friday night at Oracle Arena in Oakland.The fourth period was a closely fought battle after the Wariors had trailed by about 10 points most of the game.In the end,however,the Rockets' powerful combination of James Harden,Chandler Parsons and Dwight Howard was just a bit stronger than the Warriors' top performers David Lee,Harrison Barnes and Stephen Curry.
Dwight Howard said he had been working a lot with the NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwan and Rockets coach Kevin McHale.He contributed 18 points,11 rebounds and 3 assists to the winning effort.James Harden led the Rockets in scoring with his 26 points,2 rebounds and 9 assists.Chandler Parsons added 23 points,1 rebound and 3 assists.
For the Warriors,David Lee topped with 23 points,10 rebounds and 2 blocks.Big man Andrew Bogut impressed with two one-hand jams as the Warriors narrowed the gap and even led briefly late in the game.Warriors star Stephen Curry had an off night with 20 points,2 rebounds and 9 assists.He is 6th in the league in points and assists.*
A vast snowstorm is moving eastward across the United States,buttressed by a stubborn dome of cold air from Canada.It is spanning more than 1,000 miles/1609.3 km.Plowable snow will extend from Missouri east to New Jersey,North to Maine and South to Virginia.
The extent of the snowpack in the US is extraordinary for this date.Last year it covered 30.8% as of 12 December;this year it covers 58.6%.It also goes farther south than normal,reaching all the way to North Texas.This is attributable to the persistent arctic air that has spread so widely.*
Overseas,there has been a rare snowstorm in the Middle East.Jerusalem was in chaos as it faced the worst snow in 50 years,receiving up to 4 inches/10.16 cm.Airports,roads and schools were closed,and the snow even spread into the Egyptian desert just outside Cairo.

Stenson Tops in Dubai,Adam Scott in Melbourne;Knicks Off

The Super Swede,Henrik Stenson,holds the lead at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai,United Arab Emirates after two rounds.Swede,who earlier won the FedEx Cup on the PGA Tour,is now vying for an unprecedented double by also leading in the European Tour's Race To Dubai,its overall season championship.In Round 2 at Dubai,Stenson birdied the eighteenth hole to take sole possession of the lead with his twelve under par 64,one stroke ahead of Spaniard Alejandro Canizares.
The tournament is being played on the Earth Course,one of two courses at Jumeirah Golf Estates,a luxury resort community in the desert just outside Dubai,the city with the world's tallest building.The top three players on the Race To Dubai leaderboard have a chance to take its gold scepter trophy by winning the DP World Tour Championship tournament.Besides Swenson,they are Justin Rose and Graeme McDowell.
1.Henrik Stenson SWE -12
2.Alejandro Canizares ESP -11
3.Marcus Fraser AUS -8
3.Victor Dubuisson FRA -8
5.Kiradech Aphibarnrat THA -7
5.Ian Poulter ENG -7
5.Justin Rose ENG -7
5.Jonas Blixt SWE -7
9.Peter Hanson SWE -8
9.Francesco Molinari ITA -8
9.Rory McIlroy NIR -8
21.Graeme McDowell NIR -4
47.Peter Uihlein USA +2
Meanwhile,on the PGA Tour of Australasia,Australian sport hero Adam Scott leads the Talisker Australian Masters at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Victoria after three rounds with his -14.American star Matt Kuchar is in sixth place at -9.*
The New York Knicks were off Friday after losing to the Houston Rockets 106-103 at Madison Square Garden on Thursday,their eigth staright loss to the Rockets.This was despite Carmelo Anthony's amazing 45 points and 10 rebounds.The Rockets were led by James Harden with his 36 points.Chandler Parsons conributed 22 points,and Jeremy Lin 21,to the Houston victory.
The Knicks are near the bottom of the table with their 3-5 record,but the season is just getting started.

Tiger Woods in Turkey;Arctic Outbreak;Knicks Win

Tiger Woods zeroed in on the Turkish Airlines Open at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal in Antalya,Turkey on Friday,carding a sterling eleven under par 63.Woods logged a bogey-free round-his third of 2013-and scored nine birdies to lift himself within one shot of the lead,jointly held by Henrik Stenson and three others at -12.
Stenson,the 213 FedEx Cup champion,is currently leading the European Tour overall championship run,the Race To Dubai,which culminates next weekend in the UAE.Woods isn't in that overall competition,but has won 39 European Tour tournaments in his career,with a win percentage of 31.2%.
Stenson is complaining of a sore left wrist.I'm just hanging in and it's day by day,the big Swede said.It's not in great shape,but I'm hanging in there.*
1.Justin Walters RSA -12
Ian Poulter ENG -12
Victor Dubuisson FRA -12
Henrik Stenson SWE -12
5.Tiger Woods USA -11
6.Richard Sterne RSA -10
7.Jamie Donaldson WAL -9
Alejandro Carnizares ESP -9
9.Ross Fisher ENG -8
David Lynn ENG -8
An arctic outbreak is on the way south from Canada,and nothing is stopping it,said The Weather Channel.It is a Blue Norther,and will reach all the way to the Gulf Coast.Forecast models disagree on snowfall.One of them shows heavy snow for the Northeast;another one takes it out to sea.*
The New York Knicks cuffed the Charlotte Bobcats 101-91 at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte Friday night.Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 25 points and 8 rebounds,while Kemba Walker contributed 25 points and 3 rebounds to the Bobcat effort before 16,465 fans at the North Carolina contest.*
Catch the latest music pick on Twitter @Businessblogger.
Update:Tiger Woods played poorly in the third round of the Turkish Airlines Open,dropping to six strokes back of the leader,Victor Dubuisson of France.Woods made three bogeys on the back nine and had trouble hitting fairways.Ian Poulter dropped to second place and Henrik Stenson slipped to third alongside Woods and two others.

Rockets On Playoffs Track;Valero Texas Open

The Houston Rockets continued their drive to the NBA Playoffs by dominating the Portland Trailblazers Friday night 116-98.The Rockets bumped their record up to 43-33 on the strength of James Harden and Jeremy Lin's play.
Harden scored 33 points with 7 rebounds and 6 assists,and has scored at least 20 points 61 times this season,putting him in pursuit of Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon's record of 67 20-point games in a season.Olajuwon was a 12-time NBA All-Star and MVP in 1994.He also played for the Rockets nearly his entire career,retiring from the Toronto Raptors in 2002.The Nigerian-born,7-foot tall Olajuwon is the all-time leader in blocks;8th in total points scored;and 11th in rebounds.
Jeremy Lin contributed 22 points,4 rebounds and 8 assists to the Rockets' important win.For the Trail Blazers,LaMarcus Aldridge led with 32 points,13 rebounds and 3 assists,while Wesley Matthews notched 18 points,3 rebounds and 4 assists.
Portland is out of playoff contention.
Attending the game at the Rose Garden in Portland,Oregon were 20,400 fans.
At the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio,American Billy Horschel topped the leader board after the second round Friday at eight under par.Horschel,26,came in second at last week's Shell Houston Open and has made 9 of 10 cuts this season.He turned pro in 2009.
Former world number one Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland was still in contention Friday at five under par.
The Izod IndyCar Series moves to the Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds,Alabama for the Honda Grand Prix of Alabama on Sunday.The NBC Sports channel will carry the race live at 3pm Eastern.

Knicks Cruise Past Bobcats;March Madness Upsets

The New York Knicks cruised past the Charlotte Bobcats Friday night at Madison Square Garden,111-102.The Knicks brought their record up to 45-26 on the season,having already clinched a spot in the NBA Playoffs,while the Bobcats fell to a dismal 17-55.
Leading the Knicks effort were J.R. Smith with his 37 points,2 rebounds,1 assist and 1 block;and Carmelo Anthony,who scored 32 points,along with 11 rebounds and 2 assists.The Bobcats were supported by Gerald Henderson,who notched 35 points,7 rebounds and 3 assists.
The crowd of 19,033 at the Garden also honored Knicks great Walt Frazier on his birthday before the game.MSG announcer Mike Breen and reporter Jill Martin presented Frazier,beaming in a desert camo suit,with his bobblehead doll likeness.
Upsets at the NCAA Basketball Tournament included the following:
4 Michigan 87,1 Kansas 85
3 Marquette 71,2 Miami 61
4 Syracuse 61,1 Indiana 50
15 Florida Gulf Coast University lost to 3 Florida 62-50 Friday night,ending their improbable advance up the bracket.
In PGA golf at the Shell Houston Open in Humble,Texas,second round standings were as follows:
Steve Wheatcroft(USA) -10
Jason Kokrak(USA) -9
DA Points(USA) -9
Brian Davis(England) -7
Stewart Cink(USA) -7
Bill Haas(USA) -7
Angel Cabrera(Argentina) -6
Cameron Tringale(USA) -6
Henrik Stenson(Sweden) -5
Brendon de Jonge(Zimbabwe) -5

Mickelson's Great Start;Lakers End Road Woes

Phil Mickelson continued his dominance at the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on Friday,pretty much coasting to a 17 under par 65.His superlative performance was only marred when he botched the 18th hole,where he double-bogeyed,derailed by a water hazard.Nonetheless,Mickelson,42,had a magnificent day overall,and felt that he was playing really well.
Also playing well before the huge,raucous Arizona crowd of more than 100,000 golf fans at Scottsdale were Bill Haas,with his 13 under par 64;and Keegan Bradley,who shot a 12 under par 63.
The atmosphere was more like that of an NFL football game than a typically polite golf tournament.TPC Scottsdale is singularly boisterous among PGA Tour venues.Weekend attendance will surely top that of the Super Bowl in New Orleans.
In NBA action Friday night,the Los Angeles Lakers ended an eight game road slump by besting the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center in Minneapolis 111-100.The crowd of 18,547 saw the Lakers nearly drop another away game when the Timberwolves drew within 4 points of the Lakers in the fourth period.A strong showing by Pau Gasol,however,helped save the night for Los Angeles,as he refurbished their lead with several baskets.
Gasol led the Lakers with 22 points,12 rebounds,2 assists and 3 blocks.Koby Bryant added 17 points,7 rebounds and 8 assists;and Steve Nash contributed 17 points,7 rebounds and 7 assists.Bryant said we're playing pretty well.All in all,we're pretty pleased with the performance,playing for each other.I like where we're at right now.
For the Timberwolves,Alexey Shved led with 18 points,4 rebounds and 6 assists;followed by Derrick Williams with 15 points and 9 rebounds;and Nikola Pekovic with 14 points and 9 rebounds.
It was 3 degrees F outside Target Center,while much further south the Mid-Atlantic region felt their own bitter winds and low wind chills on Friday as the seesaw temperature regimen of this winter continued.

Bulls Hamper Heat;Aggies Blast Sooners

The Chicago Bulls cuffed the Miami Heat 96-89 Friday night at American Airlines Arena in Miami.Carlos Boozer led the victors with 27 points,12 rebounds and  a late game steal.It was the Heat's lowest point total in a home game this season.
Miami's LeBron James notched his 31st straight game with 20+ points,leading all players with 30 points ,but was also unable to capitalise on a rare Clear Path to the Basket foul against him when he missed a free throw.Joakim Noah added 12 points for the Bulls,and Miami's Dwayne Wade scored 22.
Chicago raised its record to 18-13 with the win,while Miami dropped to 22-9.
At the AT and T Cotton Bowl in Dallas,the Texas A and M Aggies blasted the Oklahoma State Sooners 41-13.The Sooners were no match for freshman Johnny Football Manziel,the Aggies quarterback and 2012 Heisman Trophy winner,who rushed for a record-breaking 227 yards and 2 touchdowns,and receiver Ryan Swope,who became an Aggies all-time leader with his 103 yardage on the night.Manziel threw for 287 yards,while Sooners quarterback Landry Jones passed for 278 yards.
A zonal flow locked the jet stream north of the border this week,holding back colder temperatures,and it will be several more days before a likely pattern change makes early winter more seasonal for much of the US with frigid Canadian air.

Lakers Lose Again;Senden Leads Aussie Open

This guy is off the charts,said  commentator and NBA great Magic Johnson of Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook.All season long,he has been in control,leading in points and assisting,too.He learned from losing to the Miami Heat last year and worked on his game all summer.
The Thunder are too fast and too athletic for the Los Angeles Lakers,Johnson added.
The Thunder edged the Lakers 114-108 Friday night at Chesapeake Arena in Oklahoma City.It was the Thunder's seventh straight victory,bringing their record up to 16-4.The Lakers are bitterly disappointed with their 9-11 tally.
Kevin Durant was the standout for OKC with his 36 points and 9 rebounds,while Westbrook added 33 points and 1 rebound.For the Lakers,Kobe Bryant scored 35 points with 3 rebounds.
At the Emirates Australian Open at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney,Australia's John Senden shot a third round 7 under par 70 Saturday to surpass England's Justin Rose's 5 under par 70.The late spring sky was clear,but blustery winds marred the Saturday afternoon play.
Justin Rose said the boys are having a tough time.It's difficult to hit the ball in from 3 feet.I think everyone's gonna have problems like that out there today.
Rose had ended his round with a double bogey.
Colorado's ski resorts are looking forward to more snow this weekend.Steamboat Springs,Vail and Aspen may get 6-12 inches through Sunday.Northern Minnesota is also expecting snow.The Midwest has been gravely short on snow so far this year.

Grizzlies Replace Knicks;Air Force Earns Bowl

A spate of late games delayed publication tonight.At FedEx Forum in Memphis,the Memphis Grizzlies knocked the New York Knicks out of top position in the NBA and seized it for themselves with their 105-95 victory.Down by 21 points in the fourth period,the Knicks reduced that gulf to eight points,but couldn't close the deal.Shooting was lackluster by the Knicks,who had come into the game with a 6-0 record.
Leading the Knicks was Raymond Felton with his 18 points and 3 rebounds;Zack Randolph notched 20 points and 15 rebounds for the Grizzlies.At 7-1,the Grizzlies have a 4-0 record at home.The Knicks continue to top their Atlantic Division,with the Brooklyn Nets being second at 4-2.
In college football,Air Force dominated Hawaii 21-7 at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs,earning bowl eligibility for a school record 6th straight season.The Falcons scored all their points on the ground;indeed,they didn't throw one pass the entire game.Cody Goetz ran for one touchdown,while Wes Cobb added two more.
Goetz says he is mocked for his diminutive stature by opponents,but they shut up when he runs the football into the end zone.He is able to hurtle over them.
Air Force held Hawaii to zero first down conversions in the second half.They are expected to play in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl on December 29 in Fort Worth,Texas.

Knicks Stay On Top;Sandy Suffering Continues

The New York Knicks continued their outstanding start to the new NBA season Friday night,topping the Dallas Mavericks 104-94.The Knicks are now 4-0,and are the only unbeaten team in the NBA.It is their best start since 1993-94,when they went on a 7-0 run to begin a road to the NBA finals.
Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 31 points and 7 rebounds.For the Mavs,OJ Mayo contributed 23 points.
Let's pause to remember the suffering that still goes on in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.Our thoughts,prayers and other support are needed in the New York/New Jersey area,where many thousands continue to lack lights,heat and easy access to food and medicine.Some are stuck on the upper floors of high rises.They rely on the American Red Cross and other helpers.
The lower third of Manhattan remains in the dark.To contribute,please visit www.redcross.org

Mavs Best Magic;Market Claims Quarter

The Dallas Mavericks were behind most of Friday night's game at Amway Center in Orlando,but the Orlando Magic's poor ball handling finally caught up with them,yielding a 100-98 victory to the Mavs.Dirk Nowitzki powered the Mavs with his 28 points,while Jameer Nelson and Ryan Anderson topped the Magic's scorecard with 24 and 21 points,respectively.
The Magic committed 16 turnovers in the game,costing them 20 points.
It was completely irrational,but many Americans plunked down cash for the Mega Millions multi-state lottery,which has a payout of more than a half billion dollars.They would have a much better chance playing other,less popular drawings-even the regular state lottery drawings.
The stock market was totally healthy in Q1-its best quarter since 1998,with the S&P 500 Index appreciating a terrific 12%.Many retail investors completely missed out on the rally,as revealed by the persistently anemic volume.On the week,the S&P rose 0.81%,elevated by positive consumer sentiment and spending growth.
Next week will be backloaded by the Labor Department's unemployment report released on Good Friday.Eastern Orthodox Holy Friday will be a week later.The S&P futures climbed to a 5.00 gain on Friday evening,while bond index futures receded.

Market Quiet;Tornadoes Strike

The stock market was slightly positive this week,with the S&P 500 Index managing a gain of 0.28%.This mirrors the economy,which is growing at a leisurely pace of 1.8%,according to the latest GDP number.PIMCO's new normal hypothesis is definitely being borne out by such reports as the recovery fails to gather much steam,but is nonetheless real.The prospect of further economic stimulus from the Federal Reserve is unlikely as long as data continue on the current positive track,which leaves traders in a guarded mood in light of the Iranian situation,high oil prices and question marks in Europe.
Frankly,things are looking a bit toppy at this point,in the absence of further indications.One could come next Friday with the employment report due from the Labor Department.The Institute for Supply Management will also release its service sector data next week,but the winding down of earnings season leaves everyone feeling a little flat.
An early severe weather season is punishing the Midwest and South as tornado outbreaks from Indiana to Alabama had fatal consequences.Entire small towns were razed to the ground by fierce winds that left 31 dead in Indiana,Kentucky and Ohio.A cold air mass from the Rocky Mountains clashed with warm air,resulting in the unusually violent beginning to meteorological spring,which started March 1.
The Phoenix Suns bested the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night at U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix.Jared Dudley,26,led the Suns to their conquest,scoring the game high 22 points,with 7 rebounds and 4 assists.For L.A.,Blake Griffin topped the stats with 17 points,7 rebounds and 1 assist.The Clippers fell to 21-12 on the year,while Phoenix still lags behind them with a record of 16-20.
The S&P futures dropped 5.70 Friday evening,while bond index futures rose.

Knicks Lose;Market Logs Modest Gain

Jeremy Lin could not get his team to victory Friday night as the New York Knicks lost to the New Orleans Hornets at Madison Square Garden.The 89-85 loss breaks a 7-game winning streak that saw the celebrated point guard emerge from media obscurity.The full glare of the spotlight will be on Lin Sunday as the Knicks play on national television.The game will be carried by ABC beginning at 1 pm Eastern.
Commentator and NBA legend Magic Johnson was critical of Lin's performance.He's got to get a better understanding of the point guard position,Johnson feels.You've got to turn to Amare Stoudemire,who scored 26 points on the night along with Lin.Lin's job is how to win tonight,turning the ball over to Carmelo Anthony and Stoudemire.He must not get caught up in the hype.This was great for Jeremy Lin tonight.It's not all gonna be well.I just want him to go back and watch the films and get better for Sunday,Johnson counseled.
Lin turned the ball over to the Hornets nine times-the worst in his career.
The market did well this week,adding a modest 1.38%,or 8.24 on the year.Positive manufacturing reports from the Empire State and Philly Fed led the way,and hope for a Greek debt deal also assisted.
Next week will be conditioned by the Greek outcome,as well as earnings reprts from Wal-Mart,Home Depot and Hewlett-Packard.In additon,home sales and consumer sentiment numbers will be released.
The S&P futures added 4.89 ahead of the long Presidents' Day weekend,and bond index futures declined.
Wal-Mart(WMT),Home Depot(HD),Hewlett-Packard(HPQ)