Month: November 2015

Pistons visit Warriors tonight

Here’s the Detroit News reporting on the 5-1 Pistons, who visit the 7-0 Golden State Warriors tonight:

After the Pistons had their best quarter, a 41-11 advantage in taking a comeback win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night, their thoughts quickly turned to the next challenge.

In a difficult back-to-back situation, the Pistons get a shot at the defending-champion Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on Monday night. Following their 120-103 victory over the Blazers for a 5-1 start — their best since 2007-08, they’ll have a true measuring-stick game to gauge where they stand with their hot start.

Golden State is the NBA’s lone unbeaten team left at 7-0, coming off a 103-94 victory over Sacramento on Saturday night.

Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson go wild, Pistons now 5-1

Here’s Michigan Live reporting on a big Pistons comeback win that featured monster performances from point guard Reggie Jackson and center Andre Drummond:

Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson go wild, Pistons now 5-1

What will be remembered back home as a Detroit Pistons comeback not soon to be forgotten is simply a meltdown here.

The Portland Trail Blazers had no answers in a fourth quarter when they were outscored 41-11 and lost 120-103 to the Pistons, so it is to be expected they had few answers afterward.

“Well, it was a shame we threw away three good quarters of basketball but Detroit obviously outplayed us in the fourth quarter,” Portland coach Terry Stotts said. “Their defense picked up and we had a lot of turnovers that either they caused, or were self-inflicted.

“Hand it to them, being down … they kept playing and obviously we didn’t handle it very well. We’ve got to learn from it and move on.”

Andre Drummond had 29 points and 27 rebounds, and Reggie Jackson scored 26 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter for Detroit.

Celtics assign Jordan Mickey and James Young to D-League

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have assigned forward Jordan Mickey and guard/forward James Young to the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League.

Mickey, a 6’8” forward, played in seven preseason contests with the Celtics this year and averaged 5.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 9.8 minutes per game. He was selected with the 33rd overall pick by the Celtics in the 2015 NBA Draft and in two regular season appearances with the team has recorded a total of five points, three rebounds, one assist and one block in five minutes of action.

Young, who is in his second NBA season, appeared in seven preseason matchups for the Celtics this year and averaged 4.4 points and 1.4 rebounds in 13.7 minutes per game over that span. He played in 17 contests for the Red Claws last season and averaged 21.5 points, including shooting 44.2 percent from beyond the arc, 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals in 32.9 minutes per game.

Spurs assign Jonathon Simmons to D-League

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have assigned forward Jonathon Simmons to the Austin Spurs of the NBA Development League.

Simmons, 6-6/195, was signed by San Antonio on July 22, 2015, after spending the past two seasons with the Austin Spurs. The Texas native made the team after attending an open tryout in Austin in 2013. Last season Simmons was named to the NBA D-League All-Defensive Third Team while appearing in all 50 games, averaging 15.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.00 steals in 33.8 minutes. Simmons shot .494 (277-561) from the field, .398 (51-128) from three-point range and .750 (153-204) from the charity stripe.

During his two years with Austin, Simmons appeared in a total of 94 games, averaging 12.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.00 blocks in 28.8 minutes while shooting .506 (446-882) from the field, .352 (76-216) from beyond the arc and .736 (22-303) from the foul line.

Simmons has not appeared in a game with San Antonio this season.

LaMarcus Aldridge vs. Blazers coming soon

Here’s the San Antonio Express-News blog reporting on Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who through five games this season is averaging 14.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per outing on his new squad:

LaMarcus Aldridge vs. Blazers coming soon

The Spurs have to face Charlotte tonight at the AT&T Center and Sacramento on the road Monday, but Wednesday’s must-see game in Portland – LaMarcus Aldridge’s homecoming – is already on their minds.

Aldridge played nine seasons for the Trail Blazers before signing in free agency this summer with the Spurs, an acquisition that has the potential to add more hardware to the team’s already crowded trophy case. Although many fans in Portland likely understand the Texas-ex’s desire to win a championship and appreciate his All-Star efforts for the Blazers, there will be many more who will shower him with boos for the move.

With that in mind, the Spurs are bracing for what Danny Green said will be a “more hostile” environment than usual.

Nets lose to Lakers 104-98, fall to 0-6

The Brooklyn Nets, playing at home, had their best chance of the new season to break their losing streak and enjoy victory. They were up against the Los Angeles lakers who entered the game 0-4. But as three-pointers continued to clank, the Nets lost 104-98 and fell to 0-6 for the season.

In the win for the Lakers, Kobe Bryant (5-of-16) had 18 points, D’Angelo Russell (6-of-9) and Jordan Clarkson (6-of-12) each had 16 points, and Julius Randle (5-of-9) had 14 points with seven rebounds. Roy Hibbert blocked three shots.

In the loss for the Nets, Brook Lopez (8-of-19) had 23 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, Joe Johnson (8-of-16) had 22 points, Jarrett Jack (8-of-22) had 18 points, seven rebounds and 12 assists, and Thaddeus Young (7-of-15) scored 14. But the Nets as a team shot just 3-of-19 from three-point range.

GAME NOTES

The Nets held the Lakers to 18 points in the first quarter, marking the fewest points the Nets have allowed in a first quarter this season.

Brook Lopez has moved past Richard Jefferson into third place in Nets NBA history in field goals made (2,943), trailing only Vince Carter (3,216) and Buck Williams (3,981).

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson started the first game of his NBA career tonight, and he grabbed an impressive 11 rebounds in 25 minutes.

Deron Williams is used to playing with injuries

Here’s the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporting on the injury-filled reality of Mavericks point guard Deron Williams:

Deron Williams used to playing with injuries

Because of multiple injuries he’s incurred over the past three years, Dallas Mavericks point guard Deron Williams has become reluctantly accustomed to not being able to shift his game into another gear.

It’s frustrating, to say the least. Especially for a player who earned All-Star credentials from 2010-’12.

“That’s kind of how it’s been for me the last four years,’’ Williams said of injuries that have ransacked his body in recent years. “So at least I’m use to it and I’m just trying to get through it.

“I know, at least this time, it’s nothing serious.’’

Dwight Howard out Friday vs. Kings

Here’s the Houston Chronicle reporting on the 2-3 Rockets:

Dwight Howard out Friday vs. Kings

The Rockets’ hopes that Dwight Howard would be available to play both games of their road trip back-to-back ended before Friday’s morning shootaround began.

Howard was ruled out for Friday’s game at the Sacramento Kings while the Rockets continue to manage his workload in back-to-back games. He is expected to play Saturday against the Clippers in Los Angeles.

Forward Terrence Jones, out since playing the season’s first two games because of a cut eyelid, and Pat Beverley, who suffered a concussion on Wednesday, did not make the trip. Forward Donatas Motiejunas has not yet been cleared to practice since last season’s back surgery.

Dewayne Dedmon to start tonight for Magic

Here’s the Orlando Sentinel with an update on tonight’s Magic lineup:

Dewayne Dedmon to start tonight for Magic

Dewayne Dedmon started six games during the 2013-14 season and 15 more games last season, so moving into the Orlando Magic’s starting lineup tonight against the Toronto Raptors won’t be new to him.

Still, now that a right-knee bone bruise will prevent Nik Vucevic at least from playing tonight, Dedmon wants to show how much he’s grown since he last started on April 11, 2015.

“It’s definitely an opportunity,” Dedmon said. “I definitely don’t want it to come like this, with the big fella going down. But you’ve just got to take it in stride. You hope he gets back as soon as possible, but it’s definitely an opportunity for me to showcase a little bit.”