The Denver Post (Chris Dempsey) reports (via blog): The tattooed words on Renaldo Balkman’s calves say everything the man is about, and, incidentally pretty much do all of the talking for the Nuggets soft-spoken forward. “Hustle,” on his left calf. “Harder,” on his right. No one on the team hustles quite like Balkman. It is equal parts inspiring and breathtaking, and it is necessary for a team that many times lacks the all-out effort needed to carry it through tough games. Yet, Balkman is a spot player. Yes, he’s received more time lately – a 24.7 average in the Nuggets’ last three games. But consider the circumstances. He remains mainly an injury-replacement player, so this latest stretch of more court time can’t be construed as anything other than that. He’s played, and started some, when Kenyon Martin has been out. Evidence that the Nuggets are actually fitting him into the lineup will come when the team is completely healthy and intact and he’s still playing.
Month: March 2009
Knicks sign Cheikh Samb to second 10-day contract
The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that center Cheikh Samb has been signed to a second consecutive 10-day contract.
Signed to his first 10-day contract on Mar. 2, Samb, 7-1, 245-pounds, has yet to appear in a game for New York.
The Knicks roster is currently at 14 players.
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Jackson leads Warriors to 116-112 win over Nets
The AP reports: Monta Ellis returned to the lineup after missing seven games to attend to a family emergency. It was though he never left. “Monta is a great player and I am not surprised at anything,” Warriors forward Stephen Jackson said after scoring 29 points in Golden State’s 116-112 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday… Ellis and center Andris Biedrins bolstered the Warriors with their return to the lineup, and Jamal Crawford scored 15 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter as the Warriors, who ended a three-game slide, delivered a blow to the Nets’ playoff chances. Biedrins, who missed the past five games, contributed 10 points and 13 rebounds. Corey Maggette added 18 points. Devin Harris had 31 points and 12 assists for the Nets, who have lost five of six on the road and missed a chance to move into eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
Dirk scores 29, Mavericks beat Trail Blazers 93-89
The AP reports: Dallas remained in eighth place in the West after Dirk Nowitzki had 29 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Mavericks to a 93-89 win over Portland on Wednesday night. Better things aren?t far out of Dallas? reach, though, as the Mavericks won for the seventh time in nine games. “This is big for our confidence right now,” said Dallas guard Jason Terry, who scored 24 points… LaMarcus Aldridge led Portland with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Roy had 22 points and eight rebounds. Joel Przybilla pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds for the Blazers. Jason Kidd was three points short of a triple double, with seven points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
Balkman rises, Nuggets beat Thunder 112-99
The AP reports: Renaldo Balkman to the rescue, of all people. The Denver Nuggets snapped a three-game losing streak with a 112-99 win over Oklahoma City on Wednesday night that was fueled by Balkman, who made the most of a rare start with a double-double… With Kenyon Martin’s bad back putting him in street clothes again, Nuggets coach George Karl needed some size in his starting lineup, so he inserted Balkman… Carmelo Anthony led seven Nuggets in double figures with 22 points. Jeff Green’s 19 points led the Thunder, who had won five of six since losing leading scorer Kevin Durant to an ankle injury. Earl Watson added 18 points for Oklahoma City.
Bryant scores 37, Lakers beat Rockets 102-96
The AP reports: Kobe Bryant scored 18 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter and the Los Angeles Lakers ended Houston’s 12-game home winning streak with a 102-96 victory. Artest, the fiery forward who’s one of Houston’s top 1-on-1 defenders, used all of his tactics in vain to stop Bryant in the final quarter. He also had a dismal offensive night, scoring only 11 points on 4-for-16 shooting with six turnovers… Pau Gasol scored 20 points and Josh Powell added 17 for the Lakers, who overcame the absence of Lamar Odom to snap a three-game road losing streak… Reserve Von Wafer scored 20 points for the Rockets, who’ve lost all three meetings with the Lakers this season.
Wolves snap 10-game skid, beat Memphis 104-79
The AP reports: Kevin Love had 19 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high four assists and the Timberwolves snapped a 10-game losing streak with a 104-79 victory against the Grizzlies on Wednesday night. Mike Miller, who for reasons unknown has been a reluctant shooter most of the season, had 18 points and 11 rebounds and Ryan Gomes scored 25 for the Wolves… O.J. Mayo had 18 quiet points and Mike Conley Jr. had 17 for the lethargic Grizzlies, who trailed by 21 points after one quarter and lost for the 11th time in 12 games.
Wade does it again, lifts Heat past Celtics
The AP reports: It’s that time of year, where little aches and pains are starting to add up for Dwyane Wade. Sore knee, stiff ankle, that sort of thing. He tried to say it was a problem Wednesday. “I was only able to get 32,” Wade said, unable to hold in a laugh— knowing those 32 points were good enough for the Miami Heat. Wade continued his post-All-Star offensive tear, hitting the game-sealing 3-pointer with 34 seconds left, and the Heat held on to beat the injury-depleted Boston Celtics 107-99… Ray Allen hit his first six shots and finished with 27 for Boston, but only three of those came after halftime—as he missed six of his final seven shots. Leon Powe had 23 points and 13 rebounds for the Celtics, who got 16 points from Paul Pierce.
Robinson scores 30, helps Knicks top Pistons in OT
The AP reports: The Knicks rallied after halftime on the road for the second time in two nights Wednesday, beating the Detroit Pistons 116-111 in overtime… Nate Robinson had 30 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter and overtime. In Tuesday’s win over Milwaukee, the reserve scored 13 of his 32 points in the fourth… Antonio McDyess had 21 points and a career-high 22 rebounds—Detroit’s first 20-20 game in over 11 years, and his first since 2001. That, though, wasn’t enough to overcome the absence of Rasheed Wallace (calf) and Allen Iverson (back)… David Lee had 16 points and 18 rebounds for the Knicks, who trailed 83-71 in the early seconds of the fourth.
Magic clinch playoff berth, beat Bulls 107-79
The AP reports: Tony Battie had 18 points and eight rebounds, and the Magic got a big boost from the bench to clinch a playoff spot with a 107-79 win over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night… J.J. Redick had 13 points, and Marcin Gortat added 13 points and 15 rebounds in reserve for the Magic, who have won five of their last six games and moved closer to taking another Southeast Division title… John Salmons had 18 points and eight rebounds, and Brad Miller added 11 points for Chicago, which shot a mere 31.4 percent from the floor and had 16 turnovers.