Month: February 2011

Celtics F Paul Pierce will undergo MRI Monday

Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce struggled badly in a Sunday loss to the Los Angeles Lakers and didn’t look like himself. Now we may know why. Chris Forsberg of ESPN reports:

Celtics F Paul Pierce will undergo MRI Monday

After being held without a field goal over nearly 40 minutes in Sunday’s win over the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce revealed that he is battling pain in his right hand and left ankle, the latter of which will require an MRI on Monday.

“I sprained my hand in practice [Saturday] and I hit it today,” said Pierce. “I just got to get my foot checked out [Monday], I’m going to get an MRI on it and go from there.”

Pierce missed all 10 shots he attempted Sunday, only the fourth time in his career he’s been held without a bucket and the first time since Dec. 13, 2000, when he went 0-for-7 with nine points over 31 minutes during a visit from Chicago. The only comparable shooting night of his career came on March 2, 1999, when Pierce was 0-for-11 with two points over 25 minutes in Cleveland.

Pierce definitely needs some rest, regardless of what the MRI reveals.

Kings center DeMarcus Cousins will miss Sunday game vs Suns

Sacramento Kings rookie forward/center DeMarcus Cousins will not play in tonight’s game at Phoenix while the organization reviews the situation that occurred in the locker room following last night’s game versus Oklahoma City.

According to multiple reports, Cousins got into a heated exchange with teammate Donte Green and had to be restrained.

Pacers now 7-1 under coach Frank Vogel

The Indiana Pacers are BALLIN now!

Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star reports:

The message was written at the top of the dry erase board in the locker room, above the offensive and defensive schemes the Indiana Pacers needed to execute to get the victory. One phrase said it all.

“(Six) straight ends tonight. Our time is now.”

Message received.

The Pacers used a 14-0 run in the fourth quarter to end their losing streak to the Milwaukee Bucks, winning 103-97 at the Bradley Center on Saturday night.

“That was the only thing that was written on our board,” Pacers forward Danny Granger said. “They had beaten us six times in a row. It was good to get the win out here. We hadn’t won here in a long time.”

The victory kept the Pacers, who hadn’t beaten the Bucks since April 2009, two games up on Charlotte for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and a game behind Philadelphia for seventh.

The Pacers are 7-1 under coach Frank Vogel and have scored at least 100 points in each game.

“It feels good,” center Roy Hibbert said. “It’s a team effort. What I like about this team is if we’re down, if we’re up, we stick together and find out a way to win.”

I’m convinced. The next Pacers game has been added to my DVR list.

Peja Stojakovic hits four threes, scores 22 as Mavs beat Rockets

By Jeff Lenchiner

Peja Stojakovic hits four threes, scores 22 as Mavs beat Rockets

Back 800 years ago, a guy by the name of Peja Stojakovic was a flame-thrower for the Sacramento Kings, ripping the net every night and showing perfect form with one of the league’s best-looking outside shots. Never a great all-around player, Stojakovic was a scorer, and he did it well.

Mostly forgotten about in the past few years, Stojakvoic recently became a member of the Dallas Mavericks, where at least a partial revival was expected. The team has a pretty stacked roster, and all Peja is expected to do is stand outside and hit open shots. Which he was quite good at on Saturday.The AP reports:

Peja Stojakovic is settling in with his new team, adding a valuable dimension to the Dallas Mavericks’ offense.

Stojakovic scored 22 points and broke a tie with Dale Ellis for fourth place in career 3-pointers as the Mavericks beat the Houston Rockets 106-102 on Saturday night.

Dallas acquired Stojakovic on Jan. 24, and the 3-time All-Star wasn’t in playing shape because he’d been sitting out since November. He went 1-for-11 from long range in his first three games before rediscovering his touch on Saturday night and going 4 for 6.

“I was getting good looks in the last couple of games, too, it was just that the shots wouldn’t go,” Stojakovic said. “It’s easy to play with the guys. I get so many good looks because they draw so much attention. Tonight (Saturday), I was able make them.”

Stojakovic now has 1,723 career 3s and trails only teammate Jason Kidd (1,756), Reggie Miller (2,560) and Ray Allen (2,562) in NBA history. Allen passed Miller for the lead Thursday, and Kidd wouldn’t mind at all if Stojakovic eventually leapfrogs him.

The Mavs are without Caron Butler, normally a starter. It’ll be interesting to see how effective Stojakovic remains over the course of the season, both before and after Butler’s eventual return.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Joakim Noah will return soon for Bulls

By Jeff Lenchiner

The Chicago Bulls, boasting a 35-16 record, are having a pretty great seeason considering they’ve only enjoyed the services of starting center Joakim Noah for 24 games.

Noah isn’t ready to ball just yet but may be back in action right after NBA All-Star weekend.

According to John Jackson of the Chicago Sun-Times reports (via blog):

Joakim Noah will return soon for Bulls

Joakim Noah cleared another hurdle in his recovery from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. The 6-11 center has begun participating in half-court contact drills during practice and remains on schedule to return to the active roster immediately following the All-Star break.

“He hasn’t been cleared yet to do the (full-court) scrimmaging part, which will be the next step for him,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. “What (trainer) Fred (Tedeschi) has laid out is a plan for progression. (Noah) is cleared for contact and the next phase will be total contact.”

That final phase could come as early as Monday when the Bulls return to the Berto Center for their first practice following the nearly two-week road trip that wraps up tonight against the New Orleans Hornets.

In the games he did play earlier in the season, Noah averaged 14.0 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.6 blocks per outing.

Cavs win! 26-game Cavaliers losing streak ends

By Jeff Lenchiner

Cleveland Cavaliers Forward Antawn Jamison (4) scores during 1st half action against The Miami Heat at the American Airlines Arena, in Miami Florida, December 15, 2010. UPI/Susan Knowles... Photo via Newscom

The Cleveland Cavaliers 26-game losing streak ended Friday night at home with a 126-119 overtime win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Cavs forward Antawn Jamison led with 11-of-20 shooting for 35 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Center J.J. Hickson shot 12-of-19 for 27 points and 14 rebounds, though he had one assist with seven turnovers. And today’s game marked the return of usual starting point guard Mo Williams, who came off the bench and took 18 shots for 17 points and 14 assists with just two turnovers.

In the loss for the Clippers, Blake Griffin had 32 points and 13 rebounds, Baron Davis had 26 points and seven assists, and Randy Foye scored 23.

According to the Associated Press, “Antawn Jamison scored 35 points and made the game’s biggest basket, a 3-pointer with 22 seconds left in OT for the Cavs. Daniel Gibson scored 10 in overtime and J.J. Hickson, playing like a man possessed all night in a matchup with Blake Griffin, added 27 points and 14 rebounds. The Clippers quickly cut a six-point deficit to 120-119 on Randy Foye’s 3 with 44 seconds to go. But Jamison responded by popping outside and draining his 3 from the left wing to revive the hopes of Cleveland fans, whose emotions went up and down all night.”

Prior to tonight’s victory, the Cavs had not won since beating the New York Knicks 109-102 in Cleveland on December 18. And before that, they hadn’t won since November 27 when, playing at home, they beat the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Cavaliers host the Washington Wizards Sunday and the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday as they try to build upon tonight’s short burst of much-needed success.

Pistons in talks with Calif investor on purchase

The AP reports:

The owner of the Detroit Pistons on Friday confirmed she is in negotiations with a California billionaire interested in buying the struggling NBA franchise.

Michael Layne, a spokesman for owner Karen Davidson, confirmed the two-week “exclusivity” window and that the owner was working with investor Tom Gores.

“The parties are continuing to work in a cooperative manner,” Layne said.

It was a rare public statement from Davidson, who has stayed mostly silent about the potential sale. About three hours later, a spokesman for Gores also broke his silence on the matter.

“We look forward to continued discussions with Karen Davidson and her team,” said Mark Barnhill, a principal at Platinum Equity, the investment group founded by Gores in 1995. “We are making progress, and both sides are working hard in hopes of reaching an agreement.”

Barnhill said reports that a deal was in place were “incorrect.”

Caron Butler`s Valentine`s Day tips

Dallas Mavericks forward Caron Butler presents five ways to impress your girl on Valentine’s Day:

1. Take Her To The Spa: It is a relaxing way to enjoy the day together, and you know she’ll love it.

2. A Romantic Dinner: You probably should have reservations at a restaurant by now. If you don’t, then think about staying in and cooking for her. She’ll be impressed.

3. Roses: Do not mess that up. A must on Valentine’s Day.

4. Jewelry: All women love jewelry. Need I say more?

5. Take her to a play: It will show your sensitive side and is sure to score you some points.

6. Bonus-Romantic getaway: Instead of going home that evening, take her to spend the night at a bed and breakfast or hotel.

Mavs guard Dominique Jones has foot surgery

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that guard Dominique Jones underwent surgery to address a stress fracture to the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. The surgery was performed by Dr. T.O. Souryal of Texas Sports Medicine. No timetable has been set for his return.

Jones (6-5, 215) was originally the 25th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. The Mavericks acquired his rights from Memphis in exchange for cash considerations in a draft day trade. Jones has seen action in 18 games for the Mavericks this season and holds averages of 2.3 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 7.5 minutes per game.