Block Party

Photo Courtesy: thesportsbank.net

JaVale McGee is turning himself into a household name this season. On the heels of his sensational showing in the 2011 Dunk Contest, McGee posted an improbable triple double tallying 11 points, 12 rebounds and 12 blocked shots - yes, you read that correctly, TWELVE - against the Chicago Bulls last night. It was the most blocks in an NBA game by one player since Keon Clark did it for Toronto almost exactly one decade ago on March 23, 2001. McGee amazingly enough fell short of the Wizards franchise record for blocked shots by a sizable margin. Manute Bol blocked 15 for Washington back when they were still the Bullets in 1987. Elmore Smith holds the NBA record for blocked shots in a game with 17 set back in 1973.

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While McGee's night was impressive, that wasn't the real story from this game. Neither was the fact that the Wizards are now 1-30 on the road this season. The Chicago Bulls are now a half game ahead of the Boston Celtics for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Wrap your head around that one for a second. The Chicago Bulls and Celtics are even in the loss column but the Bulls now have 48 wins to Boston's 47 despite significant missed time from Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah. Miami sits in 3rd place 2 1/2 games back and 3 losses behind the two frontrunners. Homecourt advantage would be huge for any one of these teams, but particularly Chicago who is 30-4 at the United Center compared to just 18-14 on the road.