Patrick Patterson returns to Rockets starting lineup

With the Rockets bringing a three-game losing streak into Tuesday’s game against the Clipper, forward Patrick Patterson returned to the starting lineup for the first time since Dec. 14, his last game before missing seven with a bruised right foot.

He moved back in as a starter in time for a stretch of games against Blake Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki and David West, and was happy with the assignment.

“I’m happy and excited to finally get my starting spot back,” Patterson said. “I’ve been wanting it since I first came back, but we were in a groove with Marcus in the starting lineup. Coach said he would put me back in the starting lineup so I’m definitely happy. Of course I feel better than coming off the bench, but as long as I’m playing I’m happy overall.”

— Reported by Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle Blog

Kevin Love undergoes hand surgery, out 8-10 weeks

Kevin Love

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced that Kevin Love underwent successful surgery this morning to repair the third and fourth metacarpal in his right hand. The surgery was performed by Dr. Michelle Carson at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. He injured his hand during the third quarter of the Jan. 3 game at Denver.

Love is expected to be sidelined for 8-10 weeks.

For the season, Love has played in 18 games and leads the Wolves in scoring (18.3 ppg), rebounds (14.0 rpg) and double-doubles (14).

Doc Rivers vs son Austin on Wednesday

After being selected out of Duke by the New Orleans Hornets with the 10th overall pick in last year’s draft, Austin Rivers has yet to play an NBA game in front of his father.

But Wednesday night, when the Celtics host the Hornets, Doc will finally see his son in action.

Asked if he were looking forward to it, Doc said, “I’m actually not. I don’t even know what I’m looking forward to. It’s not like he’s playing a ton anyway. You never know. But as far as him and being on the floor, that’s a different feeling I still don’t know how to feel about it.”

In 36 games this season, Austin, a guard, has averaged 6.3 points, 2.4 assists, and 1.4 turnovers in about 25 minutes of playing time. But he has played less than five minutes in each of the last two games. He hasn’t scored a point in four straight.

“He’s just up and down,” Doc said.

— Reported by the Boston Globe Blog

Sacramento mayor to present counteroffer to keep Kings in town

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson is taking his fight to keep the Kings in California’s capital city to NBA owners.

Again.

Speaking at the annual State of Downtown breakfast on Tuesday, Johnson said he has received approval from NBA Commissioner David Stern to present a counteroffer to the league from buyers who would keep the team in Sacramento. He said the city is in a ”six-week sprint” to put together a proposal for the NBA’s Board of Governors to consider over a potential sale and relocation to Seattle.

The league’s deadline for teams to apply for a move for the next season is March 1, though that has been extended each of the last two years for the Kings. And both times, Johnson – a former NBA All-Star – has convinced the league that Sacramento could help fix the franchise’s financial woes and secure its long-term home in a new arena.

”We want this to be the final act of a saga that’s gone on for far too long,” Johnson said.

People with knowledge of the situation said last week that a group led by San Francisco-based investor Chris Hansen, who wants to return the NBA to Seattle, has contacted the Maloof family about buying the Kings. They spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because no deal has been reached.

— Reported by Antonio Gonzalez of the Associated Press

Thibodeau sees smooth transition for Derrick Rose upon eventual return

derrick rose

Though Derrick Rose still hasn’t been cleared for full contact practice, his eventual return from left knee surgery continues to occasionally dominant Tom Thibodeau’s news conferences.

Rose, who again will travel with the Bulls on their two-game trip to Toronto and Boston, is as competitive as they come. But Thibodeau sees no issue between Rose and the Bulls’ management and medical staff as the plan for his return is formulated.

“We’re not worried about that,” Thibodeau said. “There’s been constant communication with Derrick and the doctors. It’s not going to be a problem.”

Thibodeau got asked this latest dynamic in light of Michael Jordan’s well-publicized frustration with management when he wanted to return earlier from a broken bone in his foot during his second season.

— Reported by K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune

Jonas Jerebko getting no minutes on Pistons

Jonas Jerebko getting no minutes on Pistons

Jerebko began last season as a starter and never griped when Ben Wallace, and later Jason Maxiell, stepped into the starting power forward role.  Jerebko continued to play hard and was praised for energizing the second unit.

Today, that backup job belongs to Charlie Villanueva.  In the last 24 games, Jerebko has appeared once, for six garbage minutes.

“Of course, I’m disappointed,” Jerebko said.  “But all I can do is keep working hard and that’s what I’m doing.  I feel good about what I’m doing.

“I just go into the gym every day and do the same things I always do.  Just trying to get better.  Do what I can control.”

— Reported by David Mayo of Michigan Live

Dwight Howard says shoulder feels OK

dwight howard

Two days removed from playing for the first time in a week, Lakers center Dwight Howard provided a positive prognosis surrounding his right shoulder.

“It’s fine,” he said. “I haven’t had any issues.”

Howard will play tonight when the Lakers (16-21) host the Milwaukee Bucks (19-17) at Staples Center. But Howard missed Monday’s practice in favor of getting treatment on his right shoulder, which had a separated labrum. That injury stemmed last week from the Clippers’ Caron Butler and Denver’s Andre Miller fouling him on his shoulder. Howard then missed the next three games to restrengthen the shoulder before being susceptible to more contact inside.

— Reported by Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News (Blog)

Knicks reportedly recorded in-game conversations between Bulls and Melo

carmelo anthony

In the wake of an incident between Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Garnett that resulted in Anthony’s suspension, the Knicks recorded all in-game conversations between the forward and players around him Friday against the Bulls, a league source has confirmed.

Owner James Dolan ordered Madison Square Garden technicians to place two microphones on opposite ends of the court, a move league sources told ESPN The Magazine’s Chris Broussard was put in place in order to protect Anthony.

The Knicks were trying to ascertain whether other players were going overboard in their trash talking against Anthony, sources told Broussard.

It is not clear whether the recordings will continue, but sources tell Broussard that any move to paint them as Dolan “spying” on Anthony is “flat-out wrong.”

— Reported by Ian Begley of ESPN New York

Dallas Mavericks open to making trades

Memo to the rest of the NBA: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is in “Let’s Make a Deal” mode.

“We’re letting everybody know that the “Bank of Cuban” is open,” Cuban said Monday night, a couple of days after declaring that there was a “100 percent chance” the Mavs would aggressively pursue trade opportunities before the Feb. 21 deadline.

“If it’s the right deal, we don’t mind taking back money. But we’re not going to do a trade just to do a trade. It’s got to be worthwhile.”

The Mavs have the ability to take back significantly more salary in trades because they are under the salary cap. Cuban has continually insisted that is a primary reason he opted for financial flexibility instead of re-signing several key contributors to the Mavs’ 2010-11 title team, not just because they wanted to have enough salary cap space to sign a superstar in free agency.

— Reported by Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas

Monster game from DeMarcus Cousins helps Kings beat Cavs

DeMarcus Cousins

DeMarcus Cousins didn’t let his frustration affect his game, which hasn’t always been the case this season for the emotional Sacramento Kings center.

Despite drawing a technical and flagrant foul during a short span in the third quarter, Cousins regained his focus and still had one of his best games of the season.

Cousins had 26 points, 14 rebounds and six assists in helping the Kings snap a four-game losing streak with a 124-118 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night.

The maturity of Cousins hasn’t gone unnoticed by Kings coach Keith Smart, who in late December suspended the third-year center following a verbal confrontation on the court.

Smart was pleased how Cousins handled a potentially damaging situation against Cleveland. He was called for a technical foul in the third quarter after committing his first foul of the game. Less than a minute later, Cousins was called for a controversial flagrant 1 foul against Zeller…

The Kings leading scorer and rebounder, Cousins made 7 of 14 shots, hit all 12 free-throw attemps, and also contributed three blocks and two steals, the second one which he converted into a layup late in the game…

Marcus Thornton had 20 points and Tyreke Evans added 18 for the Kings. Fredette had 16 points, John Salmons 14 and rookie Thomas Robinson tied a career high with 12 points and added seven rebounds.

Reserve Dion Waiters scored a career-high 33 points for the Cavaliers, who have lost three straight and eight of 10. CJ Miles scored 17 points and Tristan Thompson had 17 points and 15 rebounds. Kyrie Irving had 15 points, but shot 6 of 19 and had six turnovers.

— Reported by Jeff Weidel of the Associated Press