Inside Hoops – Page 1179 – NBA Blog

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist injury update: Cast removed from broken hand

The Charlotte Bobcats have been solid this season, putting together a respectable 14-15 record, and doing it with defense. Here’s the Charlotte Observer blog with an update on injured SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who in 18 games played was averaging 9.1 points per game before suffering an injury:

The cast has been removed from Charlotte Bobcats forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s broken left hand, but that doesn’t mean he can start practicing just yet.

Kidd-Gilchrist had a doctor’s appointment Friday, where it was determined he’d healed enough that the cast could be replaced with a splint. Kidd-Gilchrist broke the hand at the base of his left ring finger during the Bobcats’ Dec. 3 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

Zach Randolph fined $25,000 for public criticism of NBA officiating

Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph has been fined $25,000 for public criticism of officiating, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

Randolph made his comments following the Grizzlies’ 100-92 loss to the Houston Rockets on Thursday, Dec. 26, at Toyota Center.

Playing without injured, defensive-minded star center Marc Gasol, the Grizzlies are 12-16 so far this season and sit last in the competitive Southwest division.

Al Horford suffers complete tear of right pectoral muscle

Atlanta Hawks forward/center Al Horford left last night’s game at Cleveland due to a right shoulder injury and did not return. An MRI and examination today by Dr. Michael Bernot at Peachtree Orthopaedics in Atlanta revealed a complete tear of his right pectoral muscle.

“We will work with Al and complete our due diligence to determine the next best steps for him,” said President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Danny Ferry. “Injuries are part of the challenge of an NBA season.”

Horford is out indefinitely and an update on his status will be given in the near future. It is feared, but not yet confirmed, that he could be out for a long time.

Cavaliers assign Sergey Karasev to D-League

The Cleveland Cavaliers have assigned guard/forward Sergey Karasev to the Canton Charge, the Cavaliers exclusively owned and operated NBA Development League team, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Karasev has played in 14 games for the Cavs, averaging 2.2 points and 1.0 rebounds in 8.9 minutes per game and one game for the Charge, finishing with 16 points and three rebounds in 30 minutes against Tulsa on Dec. 11th.

Karasev will be available for tomorrow night’s Charge home game against the Reno Bighorns at the Canton Memorial Civic Center at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday’s game against the Erie BayHawks in Canton at 5:00 p.m.

Luke Zeller joins Austin Toros of D-League

The Austin Toros today announced they have acquired center Luke Zeller. Zeller (6-11, 245, Notre Dame) joins the team in Tulsa and will wear jersey No. 21 when the Toros take on the 66ers tonight at 7:00 p.m. at SpiritBank Event Center.

A member of the Toros’ 2012 D-League championship team, Zeller played in 24 games during the 2011-12 season averaging 9.1 points and 5.3 rebounds in 25 minutes.

His last stop was with the Phoenix Suns during the 2012-13 season. Zeller’s professional career includes stints in Japan, Lithuania, and the D-League with the Bakersfield Jam.

Russell Westbrook had knee surgery today, back after All-Star break

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee earlier today, Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced.

“Russell has been playing pain free, but recently had experienced increased swelling. After consultation and consideration by his surgeon in Los Angeles, a plan was established to monitor the swelling that included a series of scheduled MRIs,” said Presti. “On the most recent MRI it was determined by the surgeon that there was an area of concern that had not previously existed, nor was detectable in the previous procedures, and it was necessary to evaluate Russell further. The consulting physician determined that arthroscopic surgery was necessary to address the swelling that was taking place. We know that Russell’s work ethic and commitment will help him return to the level of play that we have all come to appreciate.”

Westbrook is expected to return post All-Star break, which is February 14-16, 2014.

Knicks having trouble defending the pick-and-roll

Here’s ESPN New York on a key Knicks defensive issue:

More often than not, defending the pick-and-roll has been a mystery for the Knicks this year.

According to Synergy Sports, they are giving up the second-most points per play in the NBA to both the ball handler and the screener on pick-and-roll plays this season.

At issue is the Knicks’ decision to switch defenders on pick-and-rolls. Often, the switching leads to a mismatch (think small guard defending big man or plodding big man defending a quick point guard).

Mike Woodson wants all of the switching to stop.

“I don’t want to switch,” Woodson said after Thursday’s practice. “I’ve always wanted to put the emphasis on our perimeter guys to guard perimeter players. Bigs are supposed to guard bigs and when there’s some breakdowns there is supposed to be help. It’s a team defense.”

Sixers assign guard Lorenzo Brown to D-League

The Philadelphia 76ers today announced that they have assigned guard Lorenzo Brown to the Delaware 87ers of the NBA Development League.

Brown was a member of the Springfield Armor before signing as a free agent with the Sixers on Nov. 20. He was the third GATORADE Call-Up of the NBADL season. Brown has appeared in 13 games with the Sixers.

NBA says Blake Griffin should not have been ejected from Clippers vs Warriors game

Rod Thorn, NBA President, Basketball Operations, issued the following statement today regarding the ejection of Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin with 10:43 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Golden State Warriors’ 105-103 win over the Clippers on Dec. 25, at Oracle Arena:

“After a league review of the Clippers-Warriors game, we have come to the conclusion that Blake Griffin should not have been ejected from the game. A common foul should have been called on Griffin for initially attempting to dislodge the Warriors’ Andrew Bogut and a technical foul should have been assessed to Bogut for grabbing Griffin by the shirt and wrestling with him.”

According to the Associated Press, “With Griffin gone, the Clippers missed several key chances in the waning moments. “If you look at it, I didn’t do anything and I got thrown out of the game. It all boils down to they (referees) fell for it,” Griffin said after the game. “To me, it’s cowardly basketball. I don’t know their intentions, but it worked. … If I knew the answer I’d probably be in a different position. Tonight I got two technicals for nothing.”

Detroit Pistons assign Tony Mitchell and Peyton Siva to D-League

The Detroit Pistons announced today that the team has assigned rookie forward Tony Mitchell and rookie guard Peyton Siva to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League (D-League).

Mitchell has appeared in 10 games this season with the Pistons averaging 1.1 points and 1.1 rebounds in 4.0 minutes per game. He was drafted 37th overall out of North Texas where he led the Sun Belt Conference in blocks at 2.7 per game.

Siva has appeared in 13 games this season with the Pistons averaging 0.3 points, 0.6 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 5.8 minutes per game. Siva, the 56th selection in the second round of the 2013 NBA Draft, won an NCAA Championship and was named to the Final Four All-Tournament Team as a senior at Louisville last year.