February 2016 – Page 3 – NBA Blog

Suns on 13-game losing streak

Here’s the Arizona Republic reporting on the 14-44 Phoenix Suns, who now have the third worst record in the league, ahead of the Lakers (11-48) and Sixers (8-49):

The Suns did not lose by 40 points again on Thursday night, but saying that is an improvement is like saying this season is better than the inaugural Suns team’s 16-66 campaign.

It is all relative.

Getting dominated for most of Thursday’s game by a formerly equally bad Brooklyn team at home in a 116-106 loss is arguably as bad as Monday’s third-worst rout in franchise history to a good Los Angeles Clippers team on the road.

The latest embarrassing Suns loss was also historic because it gave Phoenix a 13-game losing streak, matching the franchise’s single-season record from 1996. That one ended with a home win against the Nets. Not this time.

The Suns can still tie the franchise record for an overall losing streak Saturday against Memphis because that 1996-97 Suns team opened the season 0-13 and lost the previous season’s finale for 14 in a row.

Clippers defense has steadily improved this season

Here’s the OC Register reporting on the 37-20 Clippers, who have more than survived their time without injured power forward Blake Griffin:

In the first 15 games of the season, the Clippers’ defensive rating was 104.0, 23rd in the NBA. In the 42 games since, that number drops all the way to 99.0, the second-best total in the league, trailing only the San Antonio Spurs (96.5).

As of Thursday, the Clippers had the sixth-best defense in the NBA (100.3).

One reason stands out for the drastic improvement: The Clippers simply got more comfortable with the changes they made.

The biggest switch had to do with DeAndre Jordan, who was moved from the perimeter closer to the paint on pick-and-roll coverage. The change was designed to keep the Clippers from scrambling to cover for one another and to keep opponents from getting open 3-point attempts.

Pelicans: Bryce Dejean-Jones has broken wrist

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that guard Bryce Dejean-Jones has been diagnosed with a fractured right wrist. An MRI today revealed the injury, which will require surgery tomorrow morning. A timetable for his return will be announced appropriately.

Dejean-Jones, 6-6, 203, has appeared in 14 games (11 starts) for the Pelicans, averaging 5.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 19.9 minutes per game.

Prior to joining New Orleans, Dejean-Jones played for the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League, appearing in nine games (seven starts), averaging 19.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.0 steals in 31.1 minutes per game.

Undrafted out of Iowa State, Dejean Jones was a member of the Pelicans’ 2015 Las Vegas Summer League team and training camp roster. In six summer league contests, Dejean-Jones averaged 12.8 points on .619 shooting from the field, including .500 from three point range, to go along with 1.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.2 assists in 21.7 minutes per game. Appearing in all seven preseason contests for New Orleans, Dejean-Jones averaged 8.9 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists.

Timberwolves waive Andre Miller

The Minnesota Timberwolves waived guard Andre Miller today. Their roster currently stands at 14 players.

“Andre was a consummate professional and set a good example for our younger players on what it takes to be a pro in this league,” said Timberwolves general manager Milt Newton. “We wish him the best.”

Miller, in his 17th NBA season, played in 26 games for the Wolves this year, averaging 3.4 points, on 62.1% shooting, and 2.2 assists. He has career averages of 12.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 6.6 assists in 1,291 games.

Wizards sign J.J. Hickson

The Washington Wizards have signed forward J.J. Hickson.

“Signing J.J. for the remainder of the season gives us another solid veteran who will bring more depth to our frontcourt,” said Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld. “His experience, athletic ability and physical presence will be solid additions to our team as we continue our playoff push.“

Hickson (6-9, 242) has appeared in 519 career regular season games (307 starts) in seven-plus seasons with Cleveland, Sacramento, Portland and Denver. He has averaged 9.7 points and 6.9 rebounds while shooting .505 from the field. The former 19th overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft averaged a double-double of 12.7 points and 10.4 rebounds in 80 games (all starts) during the 2012-13 season with Portland and posted 11.8 points and 9.2 rebounds in 69 games (52 starts) with Denver in 2013-14 . Hickson appeared in 20 games (nine starts), with Denver this season, averaging 6.9 points and 4.4 rebounds before being waived on February 19.

Isaiah Thomas sits out practice with sore wrist

Here’s ESPN Boston reporting on pint-sized Celtics All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas:

Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas sat out Wednesday’s off-day practice because of soreness in his left (shooting) wrist, but said he expected to be in uniform for Thursday’s game against the visiting Milwaukee Bucks.

Thomas said his wrist swelled after he fell on it “a few times” during Monday’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Thomas didn’t seem himself during that game, struggling with his 3-point shot (2-for-7) and reluctant to drive at the basket (no free throw attempts). He finished with 18 points on 8-of-20 shooting overall.

The Celtics took Tuesday off and the team’s medical staff held Thomas out Wednesday as a precaution.

Derrick Rose misses game vs Wizards

The following needs to be stated right away: Bulls guard Derrick Rose has been healthy lately. So now that I’ve stuck that fact into your head, here’s the latest from CSN Chicago:

Derrick Rose was announced as a late scratch with right hamstring tendinitis in the Bulls lineup, about 45 minutes before the Bulls’ game against the Washington Wizards.

It’s the second game Rose has missed this month, his best statistical month since the 2011-12 season before the first of his three knee injuries. Taking the game off before the start of a three-games-in-four-night stretch seems to be the aim, as he said his body doesn’t feel 100 percent and he doesn’t want to risk serious injury.

Suns claim John Jenkins off waivers

The Phoenix Suns today claimed guard John Jenkins off of waivers.

Jenkins, a 6-4, 215-pound wing, began the season with Dallas where he led the team and ranked fifth in the NBA with 19.7 points per game in seven appearances during the preseason. He played in 21 regular season games with the Mavericks, averaging 3.3 points in 9.2 minutes. The fourth-year NBA veteran has played in 119 career games with Atlanta (2012-15) and Dallas (2015-16), averaging 5.2 points while shooting 44.6 percent from the field, 35.7 percent from three-point range and 85.3 percent from the free throw line.

Originally the 23rd overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft by Atlanta, Jenkins averaged a career-high 6.1 points in 61 games his first season, ranking fifth among rookies by shooting 38.4 percent from three-point territory. The 24-year-old owns 18 career double-digit scoring games and three with 20-plus points, including a career-best 23 points at San Antonio on April 6, 2013. In addition to his NBA experience, Jenkins has played in 17 career D-League games with Bakersfield, Fort Wayne and Idaho, averaging 19.7 points on 50.0 percent shooting.

A native of Hendersonville, Tenn., Jenkins played collegiately at Vanderbilt University and earned All-SEC First Team honors in the final two of his three seasons with the team. Jenkins averaged 16.9 points for his career as he helped the Commodores reach the NCAA tournament in each of his three seasons, the only time in program history that Vanderbilt has earned three consecutive NCAA tournament berths.

Jenkins will wear uniform number 23.

Beno Udrih needs foot surgery, out three months

Miami Heat guard Beno Udrih will undergo surgery for a torn plantar plate in his right foot and is expected to miss three months.

Udrih has appeared in 36 games (five starts) with the HEAT this season averaging 4.4 points, 2.5 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 16.3 minutes while shooting 43.4 percent from the field. He was originally acquired by the HEAT, along with Jarnell Stokes, via trade with the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Mario Chalmers and James Ennis earlier this season on November 10.

Pistons sign Justin Harper to 10-day contract

The Detroit Pistons have signed forward Justin Harper to a 10-day contract. This after the team just announced that forward Stanley Johnson is out for perhaps one week with a shoulder injury.

Harper, 6-10, 225, averaged 14.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 34 games with the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League this season. He shot 48.5% from the field, 40.3% from beyond the arc and 88.5% from the free-throw line.

A second-round pick (32nd overall) by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA Draft, Harper saw action in 14 NBA games with the Orlando Magic during the 2011-12 season.