In my second installment of my Best of the Best, we look back at the week that was, which was a successful one for Green Bay and Wisconsin, as they both are trying to earn first round byes in their respective tournaments.
Best performance: Alec Brown, Green Bay vs. Milwaukee
After a slow start to the year, Brown has really turned it on down the stretch, scoring at least 15 points in nine of the team's 15 conference games. After a poor game against Drake, Brown more than made up for it with a career-high 28 points against Milwaukee on 10-of-12 shooting along with grabbing eight rebounds and blocking three shots. In the two games against Milwaukee on the year, Brown scored 51 points on 19-of-30 shooting and grabbing 16 rebounds and he blocked six shots. Brown will be needed again to produce against Valparaiso today if the Phoenix wants to earn a first round bye.
Honorable mention: Derrick Williams, Wolves vs. Golden State, 23 points and 12 rebounds in Minnesota's 100-99 loss; Dany Heatley, Wild at Phoenix, two goals in Minnesota's 4-3 victory; Ricky Rubio at LA Lakers, 13 points, 13 assists, eight rebounds in 116-94 loss
Best unexpected performance: J.J. Barea, Wolves at LA Lakers
With Minnesota having trouble scoring, it was J.J. Barea who kept the Wolves in the game in the first half. Barea scored 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting and dished out five assists in 25 minutes in Minnesota's 116-94 loss in Los Angeles Thursday night. Barea was one of only two players who shot it higher than 50 percent in the game (Luke Ridnour was the other).
Honorable mention: J.J. Barea, Wolves at Phoenix, scored 16 points in Minnesota's 84-83 overtime loss
Best game: Wild vs. Calgary
Minnesota had just dropped a game in Calgary over the weekend and another loss would be devastating as it tries to keep pace in the Western Conference playoff chase. It looked like it was headed for another Calgary win, as it had the lead with less than five minutes remaining. However, Jason Zucker had other ideas, as he put one past Joey MacDonald to tie the game with 4:19 remaining. After a Calgary penalty carried over to the overtime period, Zach Parise beat MacDonald to give the Wild a big 2-1 victory at the Xcel Energy Center.
Honorable mention: Minnesota Wild, 4-3 at Phoenix
Best play: Derrick Williams reverse slam vs. Golden State
With the Wolves ahead by 87-85, Minnesota needed a basket to gain separation. Barea drove into the lane and found Williams underneath, who sent down a reverse dunk in traffic. Williams was unsure if it went in or not at first, but it did and the Wolves took an 89-85 lead before falling 100-99.
Honorable mention: Ricky Rubio pass to Andrei Kirilenko for the slam and foul, Wolves vs. Golden State
Best moment: Zach Parise's overtime winner vs. Calgary
After a loss to Calgary over the weekend and a 1-0 deficit late in the rematch, Zucker scored to tie the game and send it into overtime. Calgary got a penalty late in regulation, so it carried over into overtime. Minnesota wasted little time capitalizing on the power play. Just 27 seconds into overtime, Mikko Koivu found Parise, who was parked on the doorstep of MacDonald and he lifted the shot over the Calgary goaltender to give Minnesota the much-needed 2-1 victory.
Honorable mention: Jason Zucker vs. Calgary, game-tying goal with 4:19 left to send it into overtime
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