Tyson Chandler of the New Orleans Hornets has been suspended one game without pay for throwing an elbow and striking Portland’s Joel Przybilla in the neck. In addition, Przybilla has been fined $7,500 for his role in the incident and assessed a Flagrant Foul Penalty One for a forearm to the chest of Chandler, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.
The incident, in which Chandler was also assessed a Flagrant Foul Penalty Two and ejected from the game, occurred with 6:16 remaining in the third period of New Orleans’ 92-77 win over the Trail Blazers last night at the Rose Garden.
Chandler will serve his suspension tonight when the Hornets visit the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center.
The Detroit Pistons announced today that they will assign guard Alex Acker and rookie forward Walter Sharpe to their NBA Development League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, on Friday, January 2.
The New York Times (Jonathan Abrams) reports: In defiance of N.B.A. history and everyday logic, the Nets wear their record inside-out. On the road, they are one of the league’s top teams with a 10-5 record, with as many losses as the Cleveland Cavaliers. At home in the Izod Center, they are 5-12, better than only the Washington Wizards in the Eastern Conference. The end result is that the puzzling Nets are teetering around the break-even mark and in the middle of the pack in the conference. “Right now, we’re a better road team, for whatever reason,” Keyon Dooling said. “It’s kind of unorthodox. But we’ve got to keep chopping wood and trying to get better.” Coach Lawrence Frank has some theories, but solving the problem has been more difficult… According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the 1955-56 Knicks are the only N.B.A. team to finish above .500 on the road (16-13) and below that mark at home (13-15). They went 6-9 in games played at neutral sites. The Boston Celtics, during the 2003-4 season, are the only team this decade to finish below .500 at home (19-22) and qualify for the playoffs, according to Elias.
The Miami Herald (Michael Wallace) reports: Another bout with migraine headaches forced Dwyane Wade to wear tinted goggles during Friday’s practice at AmericanAirlines Arena. Wade, who missed two practices last month because of migraines, said he wore them to help him deal with sensitivity to lights. He said he did not expect to wear the goggles Saturday. ”I’m just protecting my eyes [after] minor headaches,” Wade said. “They [teammates] said I look like a fool. But that’s all right.”
The Bay Area News Group (Curtis Pashelka) reports: Kelenna Azubuike has evolved into one of Golden State’s best all-around players — second on the team in rebounds (158), third in three-point field-goal percentage (.407) and fifth in scoring (13.6 points). “I feel comfortable in any offense,” the 6-foot-5 Azubuike said. “We’ve all just tried to buy into (the new system). It’s helped us play more (as a team).” Azubuike’s play was one of the few bright spots in the Warriors’ 107-100 loss to Oklahoma City on Wednesday as he scored a season-high 24 points, all in the second half. He was 4 of 6 on three-point attempts and 8 of 12 overall, receiving plenty of open shots thanks to the Warriors’ new offensive philosophy.
The Oklahoman (Mike Baldwin) reports: When the Thunder unveils its new mascot after the All-Star break, the yet-to-be-named character will tightrope a rail in Loud City, drop from the Ford Center ceiling and trampoline to the rim with the dunk team. “We want the mascot to be athletic and very mobile but also be a character that’s part of photo ops and interaction,” said Brian Byrnes, vice president of ticket sales and services. “It’s above and beyond what the character does at our games.” … “Once we choose the character, there are a ton of minor details,” Byrnes said. “How big are the eye holes? How big are his hands and feet? What’s the weight of the costume, his depth perception? What type of material do we use to make sure he’s athletic? It’s all part of the process.”
The Detroit Free Press (Vince Ellis) reports: Amir Johnson has averaged five points and 6.5 rebounds over the last four games, but most importantly, the Pistons are playing their best defense of the season as Johnson’s athleticism, quickness and long arms have been put to good use. And to think, before that four-game stretch, Johnson got no playing time against the Chicago Bulls and had six other DNPs after starting the first seven games of the season. Curry sat Johnson earlier in the season because of inconsistent play and the coach was experimenting with the starting lineup. But it was a rough time for the fourth-year player who the Pistons drafted out of high school in 2005.