Day: March 9, 2017

Timberwolves putting up wins lately

Like that mythical guy pushing the boulder, the Timberwolves still have lots of uphill work to do before they reach the playoffs this season, but Wednesday’s 107-91 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers showed again that they’re beating the rock, step by step.

The Wolves won for the seventh time in 11 games, and they did so against a Clippers team featuring Chris Paul and Blake Griffin back in the lineup together.

The last time these teams played, the Clippers played without either superstar and the Wolves prevailed by a mere three points in L.A. in January. This time, the Wolves won in both measurable and immeasurable categories, starting with the lopsided scoreboard, of course, but also including rebounding (50-36) and points in the paint (62-40).

— Minneapolis Star Tribune

DeMarcus Cousins fined for using bad language towards fans

New Orleans Pelicans forward/center DeMarcus Cousins has been fined $50,000 for directing inappropriate language towards fans on separate occasions, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incidents occurred during the Pelicans’ 105-97 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, March 5 at Staples Center and at the conclusion of the Pelicans’ 88-83 loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday, March 6 at Vivint Smart Home Arena.

Nick Young’s house burglarized

The celebrity burglary thiefstravaganza continues … this time, crooks struck the L.A. home of Lakers star Nick Young (again!) and made off with $500k in cash and jewelry after taking his entire safe!!!

Law enforcement sources confirm … Young’s Valley residence was hit in February when the bad guys entered through an unlocked door and pilfered the NBA star’s valuables.

We’re told crooks took roughly $30k in cash plus 3 gold chains, a custom ring and a locked safe containing other valuables.

— TMZ Sports

Hornets sign Briante Weber to second 10-day contract

The Hornets have signed guard Brianté Weber to a second 10-day contract. Weber signed his first 10-day contract with Charlotte on Feb. 27. The Hornets roster now stands at 15 players.

Weber has seen action in one game with Charlotte, tallying two points at Phoenix on March 2. In his NBA career, the 6-2 guard has appeared in 15 games (four starts) over two seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors and Hornets, averaging 3.0 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 14.5 minutes per contest. Weber appeared in two postseason games with the Heat, logging six minutes of action during the 2016 NBA Playoffs.

The Virginia Commonwealth University product also played with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League this season. The 24-year-old appeared in 31 games (all starts) posting averages of 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 3.3 steals in 36.8 minutes per game. Weber was named NBA D-League Player of the Month in January, and was also selected as a 2017 NBA D-League All-Star.

Mavericks sign Manny Harris and Jarrod Uthoff to 10-day contracts

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have signed guard Manny Harris and forward Jarrod Uthoff to 10-day contracts.

Harris (6-5, 185) is a three-year veteran with career averages of 6.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 17.6 minutes in 89 games (20 starts) with Cleveland and the L.A. Lakers. After going undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft, Harris signed as a rookie free agent with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He saw action in 54 games (15 starts) during his rookie campaign with Cleveland and averaged 5.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 17.3 minutes. Harris was waived by the Cavaliers following his second season in Cleveland and spent the 2012-13 season in Ukraine with BC Azovmash. In 2013-14, he had a short stint back in the NBA with the Lakers that saw him average 8.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in just nine games.

Most recently, Harris was with the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League where he has averaged 26.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.2 steals and 39.2 minutes in 37 games (36 starts) this season.

The Detroit native was an early entry candidate into the NBA Draft after three collegiate seasons at Michigan where he averaged 17.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 34.0 minutes in 98 career games (97 starts).

Uthoff (6-9, 220) went undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft and signed as a rookie free agent with the Toronto Raptors. He appeared in one preseason game for the Raptors before being waived on Oct. 22. He was acquired by Raptors 905 of the NBA Development League on Oct. 30 and was traded the Fort Wayne Mad Ants on Jan. 27. In a combined 35 games (7 starts) in the D-League this season, Uthoff is averaging 10.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 23.9 minutes per contest.

The Cedar Rapids, Iowa native played collegiately at the University of Iowa and, as a senior, earned First Team All-Big Ten and Second Team All-America honors while averaging 18.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 2.6 blocks. Uthoff joins Yogi Ferrell and A.J. Hammons as the third Maverick from the 2016 All-Big Ten First Team.

Harris will wear No. 6 and Uthoff will wear No. 19 for the Mavericks.