Heat assign Andre Dawkins to D-League

The Miami HEAT announced tonight that they have assigned guard Andre Dawkins to their NBA Development League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

Dawkins has appeared in three games with the HEAT this season totaling three points and one rebound in 13 minutes of action. He previously appeared in three preseason games with Miami and averaged 10.3 points, 1.0 rebounds and 16.7 minutes while shooting 52.9 percent (9-of-17) from the field and 58.3 percent (7-of-12) from three-point range.

OKC Thunder are finally healthy

Here’s the Oklahoman reporting some good news about the OKC Thunder. That their players are healthy enough to stand up, jump, move around and many other things that are useful when playing pro basketball:

OKC Thunder are finally healthy

For the first time this season, the Oklahoma City Thunder has its entire roster healthy.

Each of the team’s 15 players participated in Wednesday’s practice, resulting in a packed set of adjacent courts inside the team’s training center, a scene that hasn’t been seen all season.

“It’s great that we have our entire roster able to participate in practice and have the chance to play in games,” said coach Scott Brooks.

Perry Jones, who has been sidelined since Nov. 4 with a knee contusion, became the last player to rejoin the team. His right knee will continue to be monitored but he is now available to play in games. Jones has appeared in only five games this season but was showing promise before sustaining his injury. He scored a career-high 32 points in a three-point road loss to the Clippers on Oct. 30 and had a 20-point performance two nights later at Denver.

Young Magic guard Victor Oladipo still improving

Here’s the Orlando Sentinel reporting on talented young Magic guard Victor Oladipo, who is still on the rise as he develops, and as his team learns how best to utilize him:

Young Magic guard Victor Oladipo still improving

During Tuesday night’s 98-97 heartbreaking loss to the same Warriors who decimated the Magic a week earlier, Oladipo markedly improved his decision-making. In one of the most efficient performances of his brief pro career, Oladipo sank 10 of his 14 shot attempts and scored 27 points.

“He’ll continue to work on his game and continue to play with these guys,” coach Jacque Vaughn said. “He’ll continue to learn how to play with that mask on, and things will become more comfortable with him.”

Oladipo has struggled at times to adapt to the point guard spot since the Magic selected him second overall in the 2013 NBA Draft. A natural shooting guard, he had never played the point before, and his first regular season felt like on-the-job training.

Goran Dragic still adjusting to new Suns role

Here’s Arizona Sports reporting on Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic, who with an adjusted role isn’t doing quite as big things on the basketball court as he did in 2013-14:

Goran Dragic still adjusting to new Suns additions

Dragic’s numbers have dropped from his All-NBA Third Team performance last season, when he averaged 20.3 points on 50.5 percent from the field and 40.8 percent from three-point range.

One of the main reasons for this decrease is Dragic’s new role on the team. With the arrival of Isaiah Thomas, Dragic has spent most of his time at the shooting guard position, while Thomas and Eric Bledsoe split the point guard duties. Dragic said it’s been a difficult transition for him.

“It’s really hard,” Dragic told Burns and Gambo Wednesday on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. “It’s hard to explain, but for people working in jobs, let’s say they’re working marketing and then they move them to a different position.”

Jabari Parker, Andrew Wiggins named NBA Rookies of Month for October/November, 2014

jabari parker

Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Andrew Wiggins today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in October/November.

Parker, the second overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft, ranked first among all rookies in scoring (11.9 ppg). Additionally, among first-year players, Parker ranked second in rebounding (6.1 rpg) and steals (1.33 spg). Parker recorded a career-high 23 points against the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 19, in a triple-overtime victory. He also recorded double-doubles in two of his first three career games.

andrew wiggins

Wiggins, the first pick in June’s Draft, ranked second among all first-year players in scoring (11.6 ppg) and first in three-point field goal percentage (.440). Among Western Conference rookies, he ranked first in steals (1.13 spg) and minutes played (28.7 mpg). On Nov. 22 vs. the Sacramento Kings, he led Minnesota with a career-high 29 points during a 113-101 loss.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month were Brooklyn’s Bojan Bogdanovic, Houston’s Kostas Papanikolaou, Minnesota’s Zach LaVine, Orlando’s Elfrid Payton and Philadelphia’s K.J. McDaniels.

Jimmy Butler, Stephen Curry named NBA Players of Month for October/November, 2014

Jimmy Butler

Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry were today named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in October/November.

Butler led Chicago and ranked ninth in the NBA scoring (21.9 ppg) as the Bulls posted an 11-6 mark, good for first place in the Central Division. He topped the 20-point mark 11 times, including two 30-point outings, raising his scoring average more than eight points from last season, when he averaged 13.1 points. Butler shot .498 from the field while posting seven games with double-figure free throw attempts to rank fourth in the NBA in free throw attempts per game (8.8). Butler also led the NBA in minutes (39.3 mpg).

stephen curry

Curry guided the Warriors to a 14-2 record to start the season, ranking fifth in the NBA in scoring (23.8 ppg) and assists (7.8 apg), seventh in steals (1.94 spg), third in free throw percentage (.923) and second in three-point field goals made (51). He was one of two players in the NBA to shoot at least 49 percent from the field (.496), 40 percent from three-point range (.418) and 90 percent (.923) from the free throw line. Curry posted four 30-point games and one 40-point game. He also dished out at least five assists in all 16 games.

Other nominees for Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month were Atlanta’s Jeff Teague, Cleveland’s LeBron James, Houston’s James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, Memphis’ Marc Gasol, Miami’s Chris Bosh, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis, Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard, Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins, Toronto’s Kyle Lowry, and Washington’s John Wall.

Dirk Nowitzki making sure to get enough rest

Here’s the Dallas Morning News blog reporting on veteran Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki, who is sitting tonight’s game against the Bucks out in order to rest his body and maintain health:

Dirk Nowitzki making sure to get enough rest

Nowitzki fought through tightness in his back during most of the double-overtime win at Chicago on Tuesday night.

When he woke up Wednesday in Milwaukee, he said he felt pretty good. But the decision was made with a busy schedule upcoming that a second rest day in three games was appropriate. The Milwaukee game is the second of six games in nine days for the Mavericks.

“We got almost the most games in the Western Conference and we got some tough games (upcoming),” Nowitzki said. “We got a back-to-back next week that obviously I plan on playing. So I guess it’s the best, especially after double-OT last night, to take a night off and rest and get ready for Friday for myself.”

Monta Ellis, not afraid to shoot

Here’s the Dallas Morning News reporting on Mavericks shooting guard Monta Ellis, who knows very well that he’s on the court to fire the rock:

Monta Ellis, not afraid to shoot

You may not always like the way Monta Ellis plays or some of the decisions he makes. But there is no denying he’s not afraid in any situation. He knew he was going to be questioned for shooting so much against the Bulls. And yet, he kept shooting. And he made a good enough number of those 35 shots (16) to make this an all-star caliber night. Kobe Bryant would be very proud. And Ellis’ 38 points were his most as a Maverick. He had 37 twice last season. And none of his buckets was as big as the 3-pointer with 39.9 seconds left in the second overtime, which put the Mavericks up by a point. Oh, unless it was the three free throws he made with 1.2 seconds left to get to the first overtime. So, you get the picture. He made a slew of big plays.

Knicks off to 4-15 season start

Here’s the New York Post reporting on the 4-15 Knicks, who weren’t expected to do big things this season but on paper at least appeared capable of playing a bit better than they have thus far. Through Tuesday’s games, the team has the third worst winning percentage in the NBA:

The 4-15 Knicks lead the NBA in the unofficial stat of “comeback losses.’’

You’ve seen the drill. The Knicks get pummeled for three quarters, then come roaring back when their opponent relaxes to nearly steal the win.

Tuesday’s 98-93 Nets heartbreaker marked the fourth time this season the Knicks fought back to within one possession of tying or winning the game after trailing by at least 15 points in the third quarter — only to lose.

Hence comes a misleading stat — and Derek Fisher’s misleading perception — on how close they are to turning this around. According to the Wall Street Journal, the Knicks are 2-10 in games separated by 5 points or fewer with five minutes to go. In the Knicks’ 19 games, a league-high 12 have been separated by five points or fewer entering the final five minutes of regulation.

Mike Miller may get increased role on Cavs

Here’s the Akron Beacon Journal reporting on the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are still adjusting as a team and have more work to do as they aim to reach their potential:

Mike Miller may get increased role on Cavs

Mike Miller’s role with the Cavs appears to be expanding.

Cavs coach David Blatt conceded Wednesday he’s going to try to get Miller consistent rotation minutes after he provided the much-needed spark in a victory Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks. Miller had six points, seven rebounds and a huge block in 18 minutes – all in the second half – to give the Cavs their fourth consecutive victory.

Asked if the performance merited a larger role, Blatt simply responded, “Hopefully, yes.”