Morning Hardwood: Kobe Explodes ... For 52

A quick look at Thursday night's games ...

He Jazzed All Over 'Em. Ah, national television Kobe Bryant ... you got to love it. Yeah, in case you hadn't realized it yet, let me tell you, this Kobe Bryant fella is pretty darn good at makin' a hoopy. The upcoming '06-07 MVP scored 52 points -- many on NBA all-defensive first-selection Andrei Kirilenko -- to lead the Lakers to a 132-102 beatdown over the Utah Jazz. The runner was falling, he was dunking in traffic ... it was just one of those nights for ol' #8, er, #24. Check this line: 30 points, 9-9 from the floor, and 10-10 from the line. AND THAT WAS JUST HIS THIRD QUARTER, PEOPLE! Ridiculous...

And oh, not to be outdone on the night, Lakers reserve Maurice Evans scored 17 points. (Did that sound sincere?)

Dwyane Wade Sucks. Too soon? D-Wade missed a possible game-winning jumper, and shot only 5-for-23 on the night, as the Pistons held on to beat the Heat 87-85. Coming into the game the GQ stud-muffin had scored at least 33 points in each of the past three. "I want to hit every one of them, but it's not scripted that way," Wade said. Well, sure, not yet. I mean, Commissioner Stern does have final edit, right? Yeah, don't you worry Dwyane...

She Said 'Qui'! E! Online -- with the devil that is Ryan Seacrest -- is reporting that Spurs guard Tony Parker and Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria are engaged. Parker popped the big question -- hopefully in a killer, French-freestyle -- Wednesday night following the Spurs loss in Utah. Mario Lopez was unavailable for comment. But Zach, Screech, if you're reading this; A.C. could really use a call right about now.

"Skeets ... Out!"

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