How confident is Kobe Bryant that he deserves the MVP Award? He intentionally dislocated his right ring finger before their game last night and still dispatched the Cavaliers with relative ease.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have played 20 games at home this season; they've won them all. Lebron James headed a makeshift lineup — one that saw him playing 12 minutes at center. James finished the game with 29 points in 43 minutes as the Cavs beat the New Orleans Hornets, 92-78.

Two double-overtime games, one overtime game, and one game apiece where either offense or defense was played in the L last night.

Can the Celtics' loss to the Warriors really be called "one of the season's biggest upsets" on a night when the Bobcats, Timberwolves, and Grizzlies won?

Lebron James said the only thing he wanted for Christmas was a back scratcher. "I wanted a back scratcher bad as hell. My girlfriend got me pajamas and a back scratcher."

The Lakers' first losing streak, and Denver begins losing some of its shine.

Mark Cuban's nightmare continues, the Celtics look unstoppable, and Kobe fails in the clutch.

Atlanta snaps Cleveland's winning streak, a rare Jerome James sighting, and a debut win for Philly's interim coach.

Tracy McGrady nearly put up a triple double in his return from injury while Boston and Cleveland were both victorious. Again.

Chris Paul had a triple double in the Hornets 109-97 win over the Thunder. With 29 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds, Paul had help from David West who scored a season-high 33 points. Oklahoma City, who fired their coach P.J. Carlesimo Saturday was playing under the guidance of interim coach Scott Brooks. Clearly the…

Vince Carter bitch slapped his former team, scoring 39 points, hitting a game-tying three at the buzzer, and reverse dunking in the Nets 129-127 OT win over Toronto. The loss was bittersweet for the Raptors' Chris Bosh who finished the game with 42 points. New Jersey's Devon Harris contributed his own 30 points to the…

Golden State 121, LA Clippers 103. Get ready to hear the name Anthony Morrow a lot this winter. The undrafted rookie out of Georgia Tech scored 37 points in his first career start. Typically playing as a reserve this season, Morrow shot 15-of-20 in his 42 minutes on the floor last night. "Sometimes I don't shoot…

Philadelphia 94, Indiana 92 - Sixers guard Kareem Rush briefly matched up with his younger brother Brandon Rush last night (pictured) in Indiana. It was the first time two brothers played each other in an NBA game since the infamous 1965 game in which Wilt Chamberlain played his younger brother, Archibald Chamberlain.…

• Good thing Boston didn't keep that Posey guy; he's useless: The Hornets' big free-agent acquisition from this past summer shut down LeBron James at crunch time, and hit an enormous three to seal the victory for New Orleans. Posey's teammate, Chris Paul, had a typically brilliant game - 24 points, 15 assists - to…

The NBA Closer is written by Matt McHale, who plans to spend the day celebrating the Boston's long-awaited 17th title. This almost makes up for Larry Bird transforming into a fat gremlin. When he's not doing green and white shots, he can be found trying not to toss his cookies at Basketbawful. Enjoy!

The NBA Closer is written by Matt McHale, who can't decide whether he likes the fact that ginormous leads are not safe when these teams play. When he's not silently wondering what's going to happen in Game 6, he can be found staring into space with a contemplative look at Basketbawful. Enjoy!

The NBA Closer is written by Matt McHale, who almost feels sorry for the Lakers after last night's debacle. Okay, not really. When he's not dancing his little victory jig, he can be found thanking Sturla for the graphic at Basketbawful. Enjoy!

The NBA Closer is written by Matt McHale, who kind of thinks that Sasha Vujacic looks like Steve Nash's evil, retarded clone. When he's not wondering whether scientists should do a DNA check on those guys, he can be found building the world's largest ball of belly button lint at Basketbawful. Enjoy!

The NBA Closer is written by Matt McHale, who would like to know where the bleep Boston's killer instinct is. When he's not freaking the bleep out over the Celtics playing stall ball, he can be found venting his bleeping angst over it at bleeping Basketbawful. Enjoy!

My name is Matt McHale and Paul Pierce is the motherf—-ing truth. Quote me on that and don't take nothing out. Oh, and please visit Basketbawful. Enjoy!