2011 NBA Lockout Simulation: Scores and Results for Week 5
Each Wednesday until the beginning of the NBA's abbreviated season, WhatIfSports.com's NBA simulation engine will simulate the previous week's unplayed games, using the NBA's actual 2011-2012 pre-lockout schedule. The NBA simulation includes cumulative standings updated each week, a game of the week, a player of the week and statistical leaders.
The statistical inputs to the NBA simulations are based upon analysis of each team's roster, depth charts and statistically-based player rankings. Rosters reflect all transactions prior to the lockout and rookies are based on players of statistical equivalence.
Just when the NBA was at its darkest point, the lockout threatening to cancel the entire season amid a quagmire of courtroom litigation, the players and owners reached a compromise to salvage the 2011-12 campaign. A 66-game season is set to begin on December 25th.
It's a Christmas miracle!
In the meantime, we'll continue our NBA lockout simulation, revealing the previous week's results every Wednesday. Finally, on December 24, we'll simulate the remainder of the pre-lockout schedule and announce end-of-season superlatives such as MVP, Rookie of the Year and All-NBA teams.
NBA Week 4: November 30 - December 6
The defending champion Dallas Mavericks have shaken off a slow start to win five of their last six matchups. At 11-8, they sit two and a half games back from the Southwest Division-leading San Antonio Spurs (13-5) and one and a half back from the Memphis Grizzlies (11-5).
As he's done the previous 11 seasons, Dirk Nowitzki leads the Mavericks in the scoring column, averaging 23.4 points per game. Defensive lynchpin Tyson Chandler is back in his second season manning the middle. He has averages of 12.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game.
New acquisition Rudy Fernandez, acquired in a draft-day trade, is longing for his native Spain more than ever as he's been limited to 4.2 points and 8.8 minutes per game.
The Washington Wizards' John Wall is suffering through a bit of a sophomore slump. As a rookie, he averaged 16.4 points and 8.3 assists on 40.9 percent shooting. This year, his averages have dropped to 13.2 points and 7.1 assists per game on 34.7 percent shooting.
The inaccuracy isn't just isolated to Wall, however. The Wizards are shooting 41.3 percent as a team and their record sits at 6-10, including 6-1 in the friendly confines of the Verizon Center and 0-9 on the road.
For the rest of this week's action, view the full team-by-team scoreboard.
Interested in learning which players have dominated the stat books, or who the early leaders are in the MVP race? Check out the season's statistical leaders.
Game of the Week: Orlando Magic at New York Knicks
| Magic | 20 | 28 | 28 | 44 | 120 | Boxscore |
| Knicks | 22 | 18 | 25 | 46 | 111 | NBA SimMatchup |
| Player of the Game: Dwight Howard - 23 points, 16 rebounds, 3 blocks |
The Orlando Magic are in win-now mode and the New York Knicks serve as a chilling reminder of their sense of urgency.
With star Dwight Howard's contract set to expire and no new deal on the table, Magic brass fear he could leave the team empty-handed in the offseason or force a disruptive midseason trade, just as Carmelo Anthony did when he coerced his way from the Denver Nuggets to the New York Knicks last season.
In the meantime, the Magic's best leverage is to produce a winner, and they're off to a good start. Orlando entered the game having won six in a row, with victories over Boston, San Antonio and Miami during that stretch. New York sported its own four-game winning streak, as well as home court advantage, creating a perfect setting for our Game of the Week.
Quarters one through three merely served as a preamble, with the Magic holding a 76-65 advantage. Then the Knicks cranked it up offensively, scoring 46 points in the game's final stanza.
Alas, the Magic countered with 44 points of their own and won in convincing fashion, 120-111.
Ultimately, the better shooting of Orlando carried the day. The Magic connected on 50 percent of field goals (42-for-84), as well as 50 percent of three-point attempts (12-of-24). The Magic bench outscored the Knicks bench 46-36, led by 18 points from J.J. Redick and 10 from Ryan Anderson.
Howard, the league leader in rebounds, demonstrated his prowess with 16 boards. He added 23 points and three blocked shots, but accounted for eight of the Magic's 17 turnovers.
Anthony led all scorers with 27 points. Amare Stoudemire and Chauncey Billups each chipped in 19 points, while Landry Fields pulled down 12 rebounds.
Player of the Week: LeBron James, Miami Heat
| Boston | 11 | 6 | 0.647 |
| New York | 8 | 9 | 0.471 |
| Philadelphia | 8 | 9 | 0.471 |
| Toronto | 3 | 14 | 0.176 |
| New Jersey | 2 | 16 | 0.111 |
| Chicago | 13 | 3 | 0.813 |
| Indiana | 9 | 11 | 0.450 |
| Cleveland | 7 | 9 | 0.438 |
| Milwaukee | 7 | 10 | 0.412 |
| Detroit | 6 | 11 | 0.353 |
| Orlando | 14 | 3 | 0.824 |
| Miami | 10 | 6 | 0.625 |
| Atlanta | 8 | 8 | 0.500 |
| Washington | 6 | 10 | 0.375 |
| Charlotte | 4 | 14 | 0.222 |
| Utah | 13 | 5 | 0.722 |
| Portland | 12 | 6 | 0.667 |
| Denver | 9 | 7 | 0.563 |
| Minnesota | 9 | 8 | 0.529 |
| Oklahoma City | 7 | 12 | 0.368 |
| Sacramento | 10 | 9 | 0.526 |
| Golden State | 10 | 9 | 0.526 |
| L.A. Lakers | 8 | 9 | 0.471 |
| Phoenix | 8 | 9 | 0.471 |
| L.A. Clippers | 6 | 12 | 0.333 |
| San Antonio | 13 | 5 | 0.722 |
| Memphis | 11 | 5 | 0.688 |
| Dallas | 11 | 8 | 0.579 |
| Houston | 9 | 7 | 0.563 |
| New Orleans | 7 | 9 | 0.438 |
