March 2015 – Page 15 – NBA Blog

Willie Reed named D-League Performer of Week through March 1

Willie Reed named D-League Performer of Week through March 1

Iowa Energy forward Willie Reed was today named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played Monday, Feb. 23 – Sunday, March 1. This is the second Performer of the Week honor of Reed’s career. He previously won in March of 2013 as a member of the Springfield Armor.

The newly acquired Reed (6-10, 220, St. Louis) led Iowa to two wins after being traded from the Grand Rapids Drive in exchange for Diante Garrett on Feb. 26. He averaged 29.0 points on 78.8 percent shooting (26-of-33), to go along 13.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals. His debut included a 31-point performance in a 122-112 win over the Sioux Falls Skyforce. It was the second time this season Reed registered at least 30 points in a game. On Feb. 28, he recorded a double-double with 27 points and 20 rebounds in a 96-92 victory over the Erie BayHawks.

Reed has appeared in 33 games –two with Iowa — and tallied 15.5 points, 12.2 rebounds (second in the league) and 2.1 blocks.

Other top performers considered included Bakersfield’s Jerel McNeal, Canton’s Brandon Paul, Oklahoma City’s Talib Zanna, Rio Grande Valley’s Chris Johnson and Sioux Falls’ Scotty Hopson.

Kyle Anderson named D-League Player of Month for February, 2015

Kyle Anderson named D-League Player of Month for February, 2015

Kyle Anderson, a small forward playing with the Austin Spurs on assignment from the San Antonio Spurs, was today named NBA Development League Player of the Month for games played in February. The award is the first monthly honor for Anderson, who was named NBA D-League Performer of the Week on Feb. 9.

Anderson (6-9, 230, UCLA) led the Spurs to an 8-1 month in February, when he scored 20-or-more points five times and recorded four double-doubles. He led the team in scoring three times and was the leading rebounder five times. He dished out team-high assists five times in February. For the month, Anderson averaged 22.8 points to go with 8.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists.

Anderson has played in 16 games on assignment in Austin, averaging 22.1 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists.

Other players receiving consideration for the monthly award were Bakersfield’s Mac Koshwal, Canton’s Brandon Paul, Fort Wayne’s Andre Emmett, Iowa’s Kalin Lucas and Sioux Falls’ Scotty Hopson.

Isaiah Thomas, Damian Lillard named Players of Week through March 1

Isaiah Thomas, Damian Lillard named Players of Week through March 1

Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas and Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Feb. 23, through Sunday, March 1.

Thomas helped the Celtics to a 3-1 week, which included wins over the Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Hornets. He placed third in the East in scoring (22.0 ppg) and tied for seventh in assists (6.5 apg). On Feb. 27, Thomas scored a season-high 28 points and dished out seven assists during the Celtics’ 106-98 win over the Hornets.

Lillard led the Trail Blazers to a 3-0 week, which included wins over the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder. He averaged 26.0 points (third in the conference) and added 5.7 assists and 4.7 rebounds. Lillard capped his week with a 31-point, seven-assist, four-rebound performance on March 1, during a 110-99 win over the Sacramento Kings.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Paul Millsap, Charlotte’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Mo Williams, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Houston’s James Harden, Indiana’s George Hill, Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul, New Orleans’ Tyreke Evans, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, and Phoenix’s Eric Bledsoe.

Frank Vogel, Scott Brooks named Coaches of Month for February, 2015

The Indiana Pacers’ Frank Vogel and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Scott Brooks today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in February.

Vogel led the Pacers to the Eastern Conference’s best record in February at 7-2 (.778). He became the franchise’s all-time NBA coaching wins leader thanks to the Pacers’ second win of the month over the Cleveland Cavaliers, a 93-86 victory on Feb. 27. Indiana also topped the NBA-leading Golden State Warriors. The Pacers shot 47.2 percent from the field to lead the NBA in February, and also held opponents under 100 points in six-of-nine contests.

Brooks guided the Thunder to the best record in the Western Conference in February at 9-3 (.750). The Thunder recorded a seven-game winning streak from Feb. 8-24, winning by an average of 15.6 points during that span. On the month, Oklahoma City’s 111.8 ppg led the league, while its 46.8 field goal percentage placed third. The Thunder went from one game under .500 to five games over thanks to its February performance.

Other nominees for Coach of the Month were Boston’s Brad Stevens, Cleveland’s David Blatt, Houston’s Kevin McHale, Los Angeles Clippers’ Doc Rivers, Milwaukee’s Jason Kidd, and Portland’s Terry Stotts.

Jazz playing good basketball lately

Utah Jazz playing good basketball lately

Here’s the Deseret News reporting on the Utah Jazz, who are 23-35 and have won six of their last eight games:

It began a positive, albeit not steady, incline with the team’s first win over San Antonio followed by an impressive 3-3 showing on the pre-Christmas trip.

Even with last Wednesday’s disappointing loss to the Lakers, the Jazz are playing their best basketball of the season, especially defensively.

Since the All-Star break — or the trade deadline when Enes Kanter was dealt to Oklahoma City, you decide — the Jazz have won four of five games while limiting opponents to an astonishingly low 82.8 points per game.

That’s helped the Jazz climb to the 23rd spot in the NBA’s defensive efficiency ratings for the season. Utah is giving up 104.4 points per 100 possessions this year compared to a league-worst 109.1 last season (and even more than that earlier this season).

Warriors give credit to Celtics

Warriors give credit to Celtics

Here’s ESPN Boston reporting on the Celtics, whose effort is winning them some respect even in losses:

The Boston Celtics already had overhauled their roster twice before visiting the Golden State Warriors in late January. The Celtics still looked a bit different to the NBA’s best squad on Sunday because of two more swaps at February’s deadline.

The Warriors showered the current version of the Celtics with praise after rallying from a 26-point deficit for a 106-101 triumph at TD Garden.

“We studied them [this weekend] and the trades they made, obviously they’re not as familiar with each other but the talent they have and the pace that they try to play at now is tough and they showed that obviously in the first quarter,” Steph Curry said. “We had to make adjustments, we didn’t want to be down 26.”

Echoed Splash Brother Klay Thompson: “[The Celtics have] improved since the last time we played them. They play real well together, I’m just happy we grinded it out.”

Andrea Bargnani getting buckets for Knicks

Andrea Bargnani getting buckets for Knicks

Here’s the New York Post reporting a bright spot for the Knicks lately:

Andrea Bargnani insists his recent surge is all about being aggressive — and shedding rust. He has scored double-figure points in six straight games (15.7 ppg) and has scored 61 (20.3) in his last three, including 19 against the Raptors.

“Just be aggressive, do what I do,” Bargnani said, noting the rust is coming off after his long inactivity — plus the games Friday and Saturday were his first back-to-backs since Jan. 16 and 17 of last year.

“I feel good, pretty good. This is the first back-to-back in 13 months for me,” said Bargnani, who has shot 21-of-45 (47 percent) in those last three games. “I’m happy we won both games so that’s pretty good.”

Markieff Morris wants more home team support from Suns fans

Markieff Morris wants more home team support from Suns fans

Here’s the Arizona Republic reporting on the Phoenix Suns, who got wrecked by the San Antonio Spurs Saturday. But after the game, Suns forward Markieff Morris spoke up about what he feels is a regular problem that goes beyond one mere game. He wants Suns fans in Phoenix to be loud and proud about supporting their squad:

Markieff Morris wants more home support from Suns fans

After the Suns set a 47-year-old franchise low by scoring 24 points in a half and matching their worst margin of defeat this season, Morris used the postgame forum Saturday to complain about Suns fans at home games.

Morris has not been alone in recent murmuring about the lack of fervor from home crowds, but he was the first to be so publicly critical of it on the strangest of nights to do so.

“I don’t think we have a home-court advantage,” Markieff said. “It does not feel like a home-court advantage at all. Some games are going to be bad. You can’t win every game. That comes along with sports. Nobody wins games. We need the support. We need, as a team, to know that our fans are going to be behind us and I don’t feel like this year they’re behind us enough.

“I feel like we do have those genuine Suns fans but, for the most part, I feel like we had more San Antonio than Phoenix fans tonight.”

Spencer Dinwiddie plays well for Pistons in loss

Spencer Dinwiddie plays well for Pistons in loss

Here’s Michigan Live reporting some silver lining for the Detroit Pistons, who lost Saturday to the Washington Wizards:

Detroit Pistons rookie Spencer Dinwiddie wasn’t ready to take over the starting job at point guard, which is why the team traded for Reggie Jackson. But Saturday night, in an ill-fated comeback attempt, the second-round draft pick offered some hope for the future.

The Pistons lost 99-95 to the Washington Wizards, but Dinwiddie rallied them from a 21-point deficit in the second half, and even scored the go-ahead basket in the fourth quarter.

The deficit was too big however, and the Pistons (23-36) lost lost their third in a row, while the Wizards (34-26) broke a six-game losing streak.

Dinwiddie a second-round draft pick from Colorado, had 20 points, eight assists and four rebounds. Monroe led the Pistons with 21 points and 10 rebounds.