Month: October 2008

Oct 9: Nets 109, Heat 105

The AP reports: Devin Harris scored 21 points to lead the New Jersey Nets to a 100-98 overtime victory over the Miami Heat on Thursday night in an exhibition game. Michael Beasley, the second overall draft pick in June, had 21 points for the Heat, but missed a chance to force a second overtime when the second of his two free throws rattled out in the closing seconds… Dwyane Wade also scored 21 points for Miami and was largely rested in the third and fourth quarters, while Vince Carter was limited to only eight points for the Nets before limping off after tweaking his left hamstring.

Wolves sign David Harrison

The Minnesota Timberwolves today signed free-agent center David Harrison, bringing the team’s training camp roster to 19 players.

Harrison, a 7-0 center from Colorado, was selected by the Indiana Pacers in the first round (29th overall) of the 2004 NBA Draft. He has appeared in 189 games (33 starts) in four seasons with the Pacers, averaging 5.0 points and 2.9 rebounds per game while shooting over 50 percent from the field in each of his four NBA campaigns (53.0% for his career).

A three-year standout at Colorado, Harrison left as the school’s all-time leader in blocked shots (225; fourth all-time in the Big 12) and field goal percentage (60.2 percent). He earned First Team All-Big 12 and AP All-America Honorable Mention honors following his junior season.

Magloire breaks left hand

Miami Heat center Jamaal Magloire suffered a fracture of the third metacarpal in his left hand during the third quarter of play in today’s preseason contest against the New Jersey Nets in Paris, France. Magloire was taken to a local Paris hospital for x-rays which confirmed the fracture.

Magloire will not accompany the team to London, England for their second of two preseason games against New Jersey in Europe and will be reevaluated upon his return to Miami.

Magloire was signed by Miami as a free agent on September 2, 2008.

GS waives D.Dowell, J.Williams

The Golden State Warriors have waived guard/forward Dion Dowell and center Justin Williams, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin announced today.

Dowell, who was originally signed as a free agent training camp invitee on September 9, appeared in one of Golden State’s first two preseason games, registering one rebound, one assist and three blocks in 11 minutes last night at Portland.

Williams, who signed as a free agent training camp invitee on September 27, also appeared in one of Golden State’s first two preseason games, logging one point, one rebound and two blocks in five minutes at New Orleans on October 5.

Oct 8: Hawks 100, Suns 96

The AP reports: Marvin Williams scored 19 points, Josh Smith had 18 and the Atlanta Hawks spoiled Terry Porter’s debut as Phoenix coach, rallying to beat the Suns 100-96 Wednesday night. It was the second victory in two exhibition games for the Hawks, who also defeated Orlando on Monday. Williams and Smith got lots of offensive support. Ex-Sun Joe Johnson scored 14 points, Flip Murray had 13 and Al Horford and Acie Law 10 each. Shaquille O’Neal topped the Suns with 21 points and 10 rebounds in 23 minutes. Alando Tucker scored 14, Matt Barnes and Louis Amundson 12 apiece, and Grant Hill 10.

Oct 8: Warriors 110, Blazers 95

The AP reports: Kelenna Azubuike scored 18 points, all in the second half, and Brandan Wright added 16 points and the Golden State Warriors defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 110-95 Wednesday night. Portland center Greg Oden, the first pick of the 2007 draft, scored 14 points and pulled down a team-high nine rebounds. LaMarcus Aldridge also scored 14 points for the Blazers while Jerryd Bayless had 13. Azubuike, who didn’t play during the first half, hit 7 of 10 shots during the second half as the Warriors (1-1) rallied from a four-point halftime deficit.

Oct 8: Wolves 88, Thunder 82

The AP reports: Rashad McCants scored 13 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter and Rodney Carney and Ryan Gomes hit consecutive 3s to help Minnesota spoil the Oklahoma City Thunder’s preseason debut with an 88-82 victory Wednesday night… Al Jefferson added 13 points and nine rebounds for the Wolves (2-0) and Corey Brewer finished with 11 points. Kevin Love and Carney each finished with 10. Damien Wilkins led the Thunder with 19 points, including a layup to tie the score at 78 with 3:04 to play. McCants fouled out on the play, but Wilkins missed the free throw. Wilcox added 17 points for the Thunder, Russell Westbrook had 13 and Kevin Durant finished with 10 points and seven rebounds.

Oct 8: Wizards 89, Grizzlies 80

The AP reports: JaVale McGee, Washington’s first-round draft choice out of Nevada-Reno, had 20 points and eight rebounds Wednesday night to lead the Wizards to a 89-80 preseason victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. McGee shot 8-for-12 from the field for Washington. Andray Blatche scored 14 points and DerMarr Johnson had 11… Rudy Gay scored 21 points on 5-for-19 shooting for Memphis, winless in two games. Hakim Warrick added 16 points, but was 3-for-9 as the Grizzlies shot 35 percent on the night. Greg Buckner finished with 11 for Memphis and rookie Marc Gasol had 10. Meanwhile, O.J. Mayo, the third-overall pick from Southern Cal, connected on 3-of-11 from the field for Memphis and finished with seven points.

Oct 8: Pistons 85, Bucks 71

The AP reports: Arron Afflalo said: “I’m going to find ways to take advantage of what I can do offensively.” He did just that Wednesday, leading the Pistons with 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the floor and connected on all three of his 3-point attempts… The Bucks were missing several key players, including first-round pick Joe Alexander (abdominal strain), Richard Jefferson (quad), Luke Ridnour (knee) and Charlie Bell (Achilles tendinitis). Andrew Bogut played after missing Milwaukee’s first preseason game because of a migraine, but finished with just seven points… Charlie Villanueva had 20 points for Milwaukee and Malik Allen added 18.