January 2013 – Page 13 – NBA Blog

Heat re-sign forward Jarvis Varnado to second 10-day contract

The Miami Heat announced today that they have re-signed forward Jarvis Varnado to a second 10-day contract.

Varnado, who was signed to a 10-day contract by the Heat on January 9, appeared in two games with Miami, both victories, totaling two points and two blocks in 12 minutes of action while shooting 1-of-2 from the field.

Varnado was signed earlier this season by Boston on December 14 and appeared in five games with the Celtics totaling six points, three rebounds, one assist and a steal in 18 minutes while shooting 2-of-4 from the field before being waived on January 6. He previously played in eight games (all starts) earlier this season for the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League and averaged 14.0 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.38 blocks and 30.4 minutes while shooting 57.5 percent from the field.

Varnado was originally signed by Miami on September 7 and waived on October 26 after appearing in two games (one start) on the HEAT’s 2012 Summer League team tallying four points, seven rebounds, one steal and a block in 30:07 minutes of action.

Miami Heat sign Chris Andersen to 10-day contract

The Birdman is back in the NBA. Temporarily, at least.

The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed forward/center Chris Andersen to a 10-day contract.

Andersen, a 10-year NBA veteran, has appeared in 482 career games (10 starts) and averaged 5.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.60 blocks and 17.8 minutes while shooting 50.8 percent from the field. Additionally, he has appeared in 31 career postseason games and averaged 5.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.52 blocks and 17.8 minutes while shooting 58.2 percent from the field.

Last season, Andersen appeared in 32 games (one start) with Denver and averaged 5.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.44 blocks and 15.2 minutes while shooting 54.6 percent from the field.

According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, “because of the moves, center Josh Harrellson was not retained after his 10-day contract expired. Also, the Heat announced that center Dexter Pittman again has been recalled from the NBA Development League. The focus Sunday, though, was on Andersen. “It’s a great fit for me,” Andersen said of being called in to provide rebounding and defense. “It’s what I do.” Andersen, known for his colorful tattoos, Mohawk haircut and headband summed up his personality after Sunday’s workout.”

Phoenix Suns name Lindsey Hunter interim head coach

The Phoenix Suns have named former NBA player and Suns Player Development Coordinator Lindsey Hunter the club’s interim head coach, the team announced today.

What this means is, for now, Hunter will act as the team’s head coach. The Suns could wind up keeping Hunter in charge if things go well, but otherwise, they will hire someone else to take the head coach position in a full-time, more long-term capacity.

A 17-year NBA veteran as a player, Hunter retired following the 2009-10 season after a successful career with Detroit (1993-00, 2003-08), Milwaukee (2000-01), the LA Lakers (2001-02), Toronto (2002-03) and Chicago (2008-10). A two-time NBA champion with the Lakers (2001-02) and Pistons (2003-04), Hunter’s teams made 12 playoff appearances in 17 seasons overall. Originally selected with the 10th overall pick of 1993 NBA Draft, the 6-2, 195-pound former guard averaged 8.5 points, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 937 career games (438 starts).

Hunter joined the Suns’ scouting department in 2012 and this season served as the coordinator of the organization’s newly-formed player development department. He served in a similar post with the Chicago Bulls following his retirement.

According to Bob Baum of the Associated Press, “The Suns, with nine new players on their roster this season, have lost 13 of 15, including four straight at home, and at 13-28 have the worst record in the Western Conference. They don’t play again until Wednesday, when they face the Kings in Sacramento. Hunter’s home debut will come Thursday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, who have the West’s second-best record at 32-9.”

Also from the Associated Press: “Gentry was Phoenix’s coach since Terry Porter was fired at the 2009 All-Star break. His time included a run to the 2010 Western Conference finals in 2010, his first full season as coach. But the team failed to make the playoffs the last two seasons. Then Steve Nash departed to the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Suns, under the direction of team president Lon Babby and general manager Lance Blanks, overhauled the roster.”

New guys lift Wolves to 92-79 win over Rockets

Chris Johnson arrived in Minnesota on Friday night just hoping to provide a little bit of energy and make a solid impression in his latest effort to catch on with an NBA team.

About 24 hours later, he was hearing chants of ”M-V-P! M-V-P!” and teaming with another new face to carry the Timberwolves to a much-needed victory.

Johnson and Mickael Gelabale signed 10-day contracts on Saturday morning, then scored the first 23 points of the fourth quarter to lift the Timberwolves to a 92-79 victory over the slumping Houston Rockets on Saturday night.

Johnson, signed from Santa Cruz of the NBA Development League, scored 13 of his 15 points in the fourth. Gelabale, a forward who arrived from France on Thursday, had 10 of his 11 points in the final 12 minutes to help the injury-plagued Wolves snap a five-game skid…

James Harden scored 18 points on 5-of-18 shooting for the Rockets, who have lost seven straight games. Houston shot 32 percent and committed 20 turnovers in another lethargic effort that had coach Kevin McHale scrambling to find anybody who could give them some energy.

The Rockets starters shot 25.5 percent for the game and Harden is shooting 28 percent (23 for 80) over the last three games…

Andrei Kirilenko had 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Luke Ridnour scored 16 points for the Timberwolves, who had lost each of their previous five by double digits and were playing with just nine healthy bodies…

The Wolves were missing C Nikola Pekovic (bruised right quad), F Dante Cunningham (illness), G Alexey Shved (ankle), F Kevin Love (hand), F Chase Budinger (knee), G Brandon Roy (knee), F Josh Howard (knee) and G Malcolm Lee (hip).

— Reported by Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press

Grizzlies beat weary Bulls in OT, 85-82

The game plan was simple for the Grizzles in overtime: Utilize one of the most imposing front lines in the NBA.

Marc Gasol scored 19 points, Zach Randolph had 13 points and 19 rebounds, and Memphis beat the Chicago Bulls 85-82 on Saturday night.

Gasol and Randolph combined for seven of the nine overtime points for the Grizzlies.

”When we got into overtime we went to our horses, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. We played an inside-outside game. Our All-Star bigs took over the game,” the Grizzlies’ Tony Allen said…

Chicago, playing its third consecutive overtime game in four days, didn’t have enough in overtime. The Bulls played without forward Luol Deng and had to fight back from a 17-point, third-quarter deficit.

Butler, starting in place of Deng, scored a career-high 18 points and Boozer added 17 as the Bulls had a three-game winning streak snapped…

Chicago played without Noah in the fourth quarter and overtime.

”That’s just a coaching decision,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said…

Rudy Gay finished with 16 points and Conley had 13 points and nine assists.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Thornton, Evans lift Kings over Bobcats, 97-93

The Sacramento Kings were determined Saturday night to make amends after one of their most embarrassing defeats of the season just 24 hours earlier.

Mission accomplished.

Marcus Thornton scored 18 points off the bench, Tyreke Evans came up big down the stretch, and the Kings held on to beat the Charlotte Bobcats 97-93 for their third win in four games.

After scoring just 69 points in a 16-point loss to Memphis, the Kings made sure there would not be another offensive letdown.

They led most of the way but needed a late burst from Evans, who scored six of the team’s last nine points in the final four minutes. He finished with 16 for the game.

DeMarcus Cousins added 17 points and 10 rebounds, and James Johnson chipped in with nine points and a season-high nine rebounds for the Kings (16-25)…

Kemba Walker had a chance to tie the game but shot an airball on a 3-point attempt with 3 seconds left as Charlotte lost its 14th straight game at home. Walker had 14 points and 10 assists.

Ramon Sessions scored 16 points for Charlotte (10-30) while Gerald Henderson chipped in with 15.

Brendan Haywood had a season-high five blocked shots for the Bobcats. … Thomas tied a season-high seven assists for the Kings and tied a season-high with five rebounds.

— Reported by Steve Reed of the Associated Press

Tony Parker, Spurs hold off Hawks, 98-93

With Tim Duncan given a night off and Manu Ginobili still out with a hamstring injury, Tony Parker took the lead for the San Antonio Spurs.

Parker had 23 points and 12 assists, and the Spurs held off the short-handed Atlanta Hawks 98-93 on Saturday night for their fourth straight victory.

”Tony is just incredible,” said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. ”What competitiveness. What a will to win. What a will to carry the team. He’s really fun to watch at both ends of the court. And he’s been doing that all year.”

The Spurs snapped a streak of three straight road losses with their first win away from San Antonio since Jan. 2.

Matt Bonner added 17 points, and Kawhi Leonard and Tiago Splitter each had 14 for the Spurs.

Parker had 10 points in the final period as the Spurs held off the Hawks’ comeback. He was effective with his drives and when setting up Splitter on pick-and-roll plays…

The Hawks announced about 90 minutes before the game that guard Lou Williams faces season-ending surgery for a torn ACL in his right knee. Williams was hurt Friday at Brooklyn and the tear was found when Williams was examined on Saturday by Dr. Michael Bernot in Atlanta…

Josh Smith led the Hawks with 21 points. Kyle Korver, who started at shooting guard, had 19 points and a season-high eight rebounds.

— Reported by Charles Odum of the Associated Press

NBA fines Shawn Marion for public criticism of officiating

Dallas Mavericks forward Shawn Marion has been fined $25,000 for public criticism of officiating, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.

Marion’s comments were made after Dallas’ 117-114 overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on January 18 at American Airlines Center.

More info will be added to this page this evening.

Lou Williams suffers torn ACL in right knee, out for season

Lou Williams out for season with torn ACL in right knee

The Atlanta Hawks just received some most unfortunate news.

Hawks guard Lou Williams experienced a right knee sprain during Atlanta’s game last night at Brooklyn. X-rays taken during the game at the Barclays Center were negative. An MRI and examination today by Dr. Michael Bernot at Peachtree Orthopedics in Atlanta revealed a tear to his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

“We are extremely disappointed for Lou and our thoughts and support will be with him during his recovery,” said President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Danny Ferry. “He has been a complete professional in every sense of the word and know that approach, along with his work ethic, will serve him well in his rehabilitation.”

Williams will now undergo a period of rest before having surgery to repair the injury at a date to be determined. He will miss the remainder of the season and a timetable for his recovery will be announced following surgery.

The 6-foot-1 guard from Snellville ranks third on the team in scoring (14.1), assists (3.6) and steals (1.1). He is shooting .422 from the field, including career-bests of .367 from three-point range and .868 from the free throw line, in 28.7 minutes per game in 39 games (nine starts).

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Avery Bradley gets more X-rays on ribs

Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley underwent another set of X-rays Saturday on his injured rib, coach Doc Rivers said.

Bradley was injured Wednesday against the New Orleans Hornets and missed Friday’s game against the Chicago Bulls.

A team spokesman later noted the X-rays came back negative. Rivers previously stressed that Bradley’s condition hasn’t worsened at all, but that the lack of improvement prompted another test.

— Reported by Greg Payne, special to ESPN Boston