Month: January 2015

Hawks beat Pistons for 13th straight win

The Atlanta hawks defended their home court Monday, beating the Detroit Pistons 93-82. Paul Millsap and Mike Scott each scored 20 points in the win. For Detroit in the loss, Greg Monroe had 16 points and 20 rebounds, while Andre Drummond had 13 points and 18 rebounds. Here’s Michigan Live reporting:

Hawks beat Pistons for 13th straight win

The two hottest teams in the NBA met Monday in Atlanta, and the Detroit Pistons got another up-close look at just how good the sizzling Hawks are.

Whether making shots or not, the Hawks’ defense always shows up, as it did again in a 93-82 victory in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee at Philips Arena.

The Hawks won their 13th consecutive game and 27th in their last 29, while Detroit lost for just the third time in its last 14 games, with two of those losses to the Hawks.

The Pistons (16-26) lost contact during a late-third-quarter stretch when they had drawn within one point but Jodie Meeks and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope forced 3-pointers in quick succession.

Hassan Whiteside playing well for Heat

Here’s the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reporting on the impressive progress made by Heat center Hassan Whiteside:

Hassan Whiteside playing well for Heat

It has taken Whiteside a short period of time to become a fan favorite. His recent emergence has made him one of the team’s most popular players.

The plan now is to keep him grounded during the success. Teammates have done their best to make sure he stays humble.

Whiteside averaged 12.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.2 blocks the past five games.

“He’s been playing good basketball,” Bosh said. “But I don’t want him getting a big head. I just want him to keep playing hard.”

Dwyane Wade back soon for Heat

Here’s the South Florida Sun Sentinel, reporting on the Miami Heat, who rely on Dwyane Wade and friends more than ever now that LeBron James took his talents back to Cleveland:

Dwyane Wade back soon for Heat

A year ago, Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade had the luxury of taking breaks whenever he needed.

Now, things are different.

Wade is needed much more with LeBron James no longer around. Last year he probably would sit a few more games until he is fully healed. Instead, he is expected back in the lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“I don’t like missing time, because it takes time to get back to that rhythm again,” Wade said. “Even though the games will come fast, the good thing about [being out] was our team was able to finish off the road trip and get a win.”

Al Horford, Mo Williams named Players of Week

Al Horford

Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mo Williams today have won the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week award, respectively, for games played Monday, Jan. 12, through Sunday, Jan. 18.

Horford appeared in three-of-four games during the Hawks’ 4-0 week. He averaged 21.7 points on a league-leading .844 (27-of-32) shooting percentage, and added 8.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists. He posted a triple-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists during a 105-87 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 13. On Jan. 16, Horford shot 8-of-8 from the floor en route to a 22-point night as the Hawks beat the Toronto Raptors 110-89.

mo williams

Williams helped the Timberwolves to a 2-1 week behind averages of 30.3 points (third in the NBA), 6.3 assists (sixth in the Western Conference) and 39.8 minutes (third in the NBA). Both of Minnesota’s wins came on the road. Williams erupted for an NBA season-high 52 points on Jan. 13 during a 110-101 win over the Indiana Pacers.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Charlotte’s Bismack Biyombo, Cleveland’s LeBron James, Detroit’s Brandon Jennings, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Los Angeles Clippers’ Matt Barnes and Blake Griffin, Memphis’ Zach Randolph, and Miami’s Chris Bosh.

Warriors sign James Michael McAdoo to 10-day contract

The Golden State Warriors, who at 32-6 have the best record in the NBA so far this season, have signed free agent forward James Michael McAdoo to a 10-day contract as a Call-Up from the Warriors’ NBA Development League affiliate in Santa Cruz.

McAdoo, 22, has appeared in 22 games (20 starts) with the Santa Cruz Warriors this season, averaging 17.6 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.00 steals and 2.59 blocks and 1.83 blocks (ninth-best in the D-League) in 32.6 minutes while hitting 57.4 percent from the field.

After going undrafted in the 2014 NBA Draft out of North Carolina, McAdoo played for the Warriors 2014 Summer League team and signed as a free agent with Golden State on September 2, 2014. In five preseason games, the 6’9” forward averaged 5.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.20 steals in 13.0 minutes per contest. He led the Warriors in points (20) and rebounds (7) in Golden State’s 104-101 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Des Moines, Iowa, on October 16. He was waived by Golden State on October 24.

McAdoo will wear uniform #20.

Timberwolves sign Miroslav Raduljica to second 10-day contract

The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed center Miroslav Raduljica (pronounciation: rah-DOO-liht-zah) to a second 10-day contract. He was previously signed to his first 10-day contract on Jan. 8.

Raduljica has appeared in three games with Minnesota, averaging 2.7 points and 1.0 rebounds in 6.3 minutes per game.

After going undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft, Raduljica was originally signed by Milwaukee on July 26, 2013. The 7-footer spent the 2013-14 season with the Bucks, averaging 3.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 9.7 minutes in 48 games. Raduljica was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers on Aug. 26, 2014, and was subsequently waived on Aug. 29. The 27-year-old signed with Shandong of the Chinese Basketball Association on Sept. 19, 2014, and averaged 18.3 points, 9.1 rebounds and 26.4 minutes in 14 games this season.

Bucks sign Kenyon Martin to second 10-day contract

Bucks sign Kenyon Martin to second 10-day contract

The Milwaukee Bucks (21-19 this season) have signed veteran forward/center Kenyon Martin to a second 10-day contract, General Manager John Hammond announced today.

The Bucks used Martin sparingly during his first 10-day deal. He appeared in three games during that time, averaging 2.0 points and 1.0 rebounds in 5.1 minutes per game. Martin signed his initial 10-day contract on Jan. 9.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “a fairer test for Martin will come over the next 10 days, as the Bucks play five games. Milwaukee returns to action at home Monday night against Toronto and also plays Utah and Detroit at home this week. Then the Bucks will play at San Antonio on Sunday to open a three-game trip that also includes visits to Miami and Orlando. Martin’s second10-day deal will conclude Jan. 28, the day before the Bucks play the Magic.”

Milwaukee is enjoying a better-than-expected season, despite losing prized rookie forward Jabari Parker to a season-ending injury 25 games into his career. The team is led by point guard Brandon Knight (18.2 ppg and 5.1 apg).

Spurs sign JaMychal Green to 10-day contract

The San Antonio Spurs have signed forward JaMychal Green of the Austin Spurs to a 10-day contract.

Green, who is 6-8 and 230 pounds, has appeared in 20 games for the Austin Spurs of the NBA D-League this season, averaging 23.0 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.65 blocks in 31.8 minutes. He currently ranks seventh in the league in both scoring and rebounding. Green was recently named NBA D-League Player of the Month after helping lead his team to a 9-1 record in the month of December.

The Alabama native suited up for the Silver and Black during the 2014 preseason, and in four contests averaged 7.5 points and 3.8 rebounds in 11.4 minutes. Green also played on the San Antonio Spurs summer league team in both 2012 and 2014.

Prior to this season, Green played in France for Chorale Roanne during the 2013-14 campaign and the Austin Spurs during the 2012-13 season. He played collegiately for the University of Alabama (2008-12).

Green will wear No. 41.

According to the San Antonio Express-News, “after waiving Daye, the Spurs will be obligated to pay what is left of his $1.063 million contract. The Spurs could have pieced together the same move at a lower cost over the summer, but opted to guarantee Daye’s contract in full. That gave the Spurs a full 15-man roster, and resulted in Green beginning the season as a free-agent in the Development League.”

Kendall Marshall out for season with knee injury

kendall marshall

Milwaukee Bucks guard Kendall Marshall will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during the second quarter of Milwaukee’s win against the New York Knicks in London, England on Thursday, Januarty 15.

In 28 games this season, Marshall averaged 4.2 points, 3.1 assists (2nd on team) and 1.0 rebounds in 14.9 minutes per game while helping the Bucks to a 21-19 record. He connected on career-high percentages from the field (.455) and free throw line (.889) and posted a three-point field goal percentage of .391 (18-46).