1.   He also had an alarmingly poor first half this season.

2.   He missed three entire games and parts of others in the first half last season.

3.   In the second half last season, the offense got worse while the defense got better.

4.   It needed to find a resolve and inner strength lacking during many second halves this season.

5.   Less obviously, two big plays in a row for a defense that has had trouble making one per half this season.

6.   Miami had not trailed in the second half this season.

7.   Particularly in second halves this season.

8.   The scoring outburst was the most the Lakers have surrendered in any half this season.

9.   The Sonics needed a balanced attack considering Payton played his worst half this season.

10.   Their bugaboo of the first half this season came creeping back, at the worst possible time, and handed the win to the Patriots.