Month: January 2014

Trail Blazers hit 21 three-pointers vs Bobcats

Here’s the Oregonian reporting on the latest fun show put on by the Portland Trail Blazers, who continue to play like one of the best teams in the league:

Trail Blazers hit 21 three-pointers, destroy Bobcats

The Trail Blazers defeated the Charlotte Bobcats 134-104 Thursday night at the Moda Center, improving to 26-7 on the season and moving into the top spot in the Western Conference.

The Blazers, who are rewriting the franchise three-point record book this season, had another blistering night from behind the arc and threatened to establish an NBA record for long-range shooting in the convincing victory over the Bobcats.

The Blazers made 21 three-pointers — tying a franchise record they set earlier this season — as seven different players made at least one three. The starting lineup was particularly hot, making 14 of 16, but no one was cold as the Blazers shot 64 percent (21-33). Wesley Matthews went 5 for 6, Mo Williams went 3 for 5 and Damian Lillard went 6 for 6, becoming the second player in franchise history to make at least six threes without a miss. Terry Porter also accomplished the feat in 1992.

The 21 threes equaled the franchise record set Dec. 14 during a win at Philadelphia and the Blazers became the first team in NBA history to make 20 or more threes twice in the same season.

Denver Nuggets suspend Andre Miller two games

Denver Nuggets suspend Andre Miller two games

The Denver Nuggets, who have lost eight straight games and been in a free-fall lately, have suspended point guard Andre Miller for two games for conduct detrimental to the team, general manager/executive vice president of basketball operations Tim Connelly announced today.

Miller will miss Denver’s home game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday and will not travel with the team for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center.

Dwane Casey and Jeff Hornacek named NBA Coaches of Month for December, 2013

The Toronto Raptors’ Dwane Casey and the Phoenix Suns’ Jeff Hornacek today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in December.

Casey led the Raptors to an 8-6 (.571) record, including road wins over the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder. The six road wins Toronto posted tied for best in the conference in December (Maurice Cheeks led the Detroit Pistons to six road wins). The Raptors had five players account for double-digit scoring averages on the month, and closed December winning seven of their final nine games.

Hornacek guided the Suns to a 10-3 (.769) record, including wins over the Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers. Phoenix recorded a five-game winning streak between Dec. 4-15, the longest winning streak the Suns have had since January, 2011. The Suns, who rank eighth in the NBA in scoring at 103.7 ppg, eclipsed the 100-point plateau in 10 of their final 11 December contests.

Other nominees for Coach of the Month were Atlanta’s Mike Budenholzer, Golden State’s Mark Jackson, Indiana’s Frank Vogel, Los Angeles Clippers’ Doc Rivers, Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, Oklahoma City’s Scott Brooks, Portland’s Terry Stotts and San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich.

Jrue Holiday feeling at home in New Orleans

Here’s the Philadelphia Inquirer on New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday:

Jrue Holiday feeling at home in New Orleans

Holiday hasn’t missed a game for the Pelicans, who improved to 14-15 with the win and remain on the fringe of playoff contention in the loaded Western Conference. During the first 29 games he averaged 15.3 points, 8.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 34.3 minutes.

“He has the ability to be one of the very few two-way players who plays a lot of minutes,” Pelicans coach Monty Williams said of Holiday.

Williams added that it’s rare that a player who goes so hard at both ends of the court will play more than 25 minutes.

“Jrue does it 35-40 minutes a night and he is about as tough as they come,” Williams said.

Atlanta Hawks assign guard Jared Cunningham to D-League

The Atlanta Hawks have assigned guard Jared Cunningham to the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Danny Ferry.

Cunningham, who was recalled from Bakersfield on December 29, has averaged 18.1 points, 5.4 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 33.1 minutes in eight games (all starts) in two stints with the Jam this season. In his last two contests with Bakersfield, Cunningham has put up 27.5 points, 9.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in 34.5 minutes (.704 FG%, .700 3FG%, .714 FT%).

He has appeared in three games with the Hawks this year.

Lakers guard Jordan Farmar out at least four weeks with hamstring tear

Jordan Farmar

The injury hits keep coming for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Lakers guard Jordan Farmar had an ultrasound test and was examined by Dr. Luga Podesta this morning after injuring his left hamstring in last night’s game versus the Milwaukee Bucks. Results show that Farmar has a tear in his left hamstring, which is expected to keep him out a minimum of four weeks.

Although the hamstring tear is in the same leg, this tear is in a different location than the tear that Farmar suffered on December 1, which kept him out three-and-a-half weeks.

Celtics assign MarShon Brooks to D-League

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have assigned guard MarShon Brooks to their NBA Development League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws.

Brooks, a 6’5” guard, has appeared in nine games for the Celtics this season posting averages of 3.2 points and 1.6 rebounds in 6.8 minutes per game.  Brooks recorded a season-high of eight points twice (December 8 at New York and November 16 at Minnesota) and recorded a season-high five rebounds against Indiana on December 22.

New Orleans Pelicans waive Lou Amundson

New Orleans Pelicans waive Lou Amundson

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that the team has waived forward Lou Amundson.

Amundson appeared in 18 games for the Pelicans this season and averaged 2.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 10.2 minutes per game. The 6’9” forward has appeared in 345 games over the course of eight years in the NBA and holds career averages of 3.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 12.7 minutes per game.

The Pelicans roster now stands at 14 players.

Houston Rockets lament defensive intensity in loss to Kings

Here’s CSN Houston with an update on the Rockets:

Dwight Howard

Several players were asked about any New Year’s resolutions they might be making this year. Dwight Howard said he makes the same one every year, he said he just wants to win a championship.

After the Rockets New Year’s Eve loss at Toyota Center to the Sacramento Kings, 110-106, thoughts in his locker room from Howard and his teammates were far from that.

“We’ve got to learn from our mistakes. This team has beaten us twice the same way and we didn’t learn from it. Until we do, we’re going to continue to lose.” Howard said. “There’s nothing to talk about anymore, everybody’s got to do their part, play defense. It starts on the perimeter. I’m not blaming it on nobody, we’ve all got to play defense better.

“We’ve got to learn at some point. As a team, collectively, we’ve got to learn how to finish these games off and start these games. Until we do, we’re going to keep losing to teams who don’t have a better record than us.”