This was the last slate of games before all-star weekend, and I'll be honest, a lot of guys seem ready for the break.  There was only one game that had some poor outside shooting all around, but there were a lot of missed shots overall, and some will enjoy a trip to Dallas while others a trip home.

Dakota Wizards 109, Bakersfield Jam 100 (Highlights) (Box Score)

• Scott has written before that Blake Ahearn probably didn't have coming off the bench in mind when he asked to be traded, but the Jam probably didn't think they were getting so few assists from him, either.  Just three in 31 minutes, although he did a good job of getting to the free throw line and finished with 24 points on 11 shots. (Scott's rebuttal: if no one else is going to score on the team, somebody has to!)
  
• Newly-named D-League All-Star Brian Butch showed why with four points on 2-6 shooting, four rebounds and three turnovers.  Oh, wait, nevermind.  Let's keep move on.
• Renaldo Major had a terrific game off the bench, 17 points and 12 rebounds, with seven of those boards coming on the offensive end.  He's really picked it up the last few weeks, and he's probably the best sixth man in the league.
• Romel Beck has also been playing well, scoring 24 points last night.  He's gotten a little lost in the shuffle this season with so many talented wing players (though maybe that's just me), but he's been a consistently solid performer for Dakota this season.

Jump for the rest of the games.

Sioux Falls Skyforce 100, Albuquerque Thunderbirds 90 (Highlights) (Box Score)

• After a very good first quarter, the Skyforce tailed off for the rest of the game.  This game was a lot closer than it should've been considering that Chad Toppert was the only Thunderbird who seemed able to shoot.
• Toppert was a perfect 7-7 from outside (the rest of his team was 2-8, by which I mean Antoine Agudio was 1-6) and 9-10 overall on the way to 27 points.
• Sioux Falls has made some really solid additions over the past few weeks.  Alexander Johnson is a nice complement for Reggie Williams, and finished with 24 points on nine shots and eight rebounds.  Greg Stiemsma is back from injury (which doesn't really count as an addition, but sort of does) and had five blocks.  Jared Newson was acquired via a trade from Bakersfield for Keith Brumbaugh, and has shown to be a decent bench option.  They're going into the all-star break with a stronger roster than they started the season with.
• Carlos Powell shooting 1-9 is bad, but you have to love that he tied the game high with seven assists.  Great all-around skill-set.
• Hey Scott, Marcus Hubbard didn't shoot any threes in this game.  Does that mean he qualifies as a center? (Well, according to the D-League, he played center all last season AND for the D-League Select Summer League Team AND for the other random traveling team, so yes :-) - Scott)
  

Tulsa 66ers 102, LA D-Fenders 90 (Box Score)