Inside Hoops – Page 2398 – NBA Blog

Elton Brand out one month

Philadelphia 76ers power forward Elton Brand recieved an MRI last night which revealed a fracture of the humeral head (bone) and a tear of the labrum, which was expected with the dislocation. Sixers team physician Dr. Jack McPhilemy does not feel the injury will require surgery at this time.

Brand will begin rehabilitation immediately and is expected to be out one month.

For the season Brand has been playing 35.2 minutes per game and averaging 15.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.39 blocks on 44.7% shooting.

With 11 wins and 14 losses, the Sixers, who recently fired head coach Mo Cheeks, have not lived up to team expectations this season. If the season ended today they’d finish 9th in the Eastern conference, just missing out on the 8th and final playoff spot, currently held by the Chicago Bulls.

Tyrus Thomas has concussion

Chicago Bulls forward Tyrus Thomas was diagnosed with a concussion after experiencing symptoms during last night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Thomas was evaluated by the Bulls’ team physicians and was seen at Rush University Medical Center last evening for precautionary tests. All tests on Thomas came back normal.

Thomas is day-to-day, pending a resolution of his symptoms, and he will not accompany the team for its game at Boston tomorrow night.

Antawn Jamison strains thumb

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that Wizards All-Star Forward Antawn Jamison has been diagnosed with a strained left thumb. Jamison will be listed as a game-time decision for tomorrow night’s home game versus the Philadelphia 76ers (7:00 pm). Jamison initially injured his thumb in last night’s game in Detroit.

In 23 games this season, Jamison has averaged 19.9 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, and his .473 field goal percentage represents his second-best field goal percentage in his 11 professional seasons (.535 FG% as the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2003-04 in Dallas).

Dec 17: Bulls 115, Clippers 109 OT

The AP reports: After his history-making swipe, Chris Paul helped the Hornets steal a victory from the San Antonio Spurs. Paul set an NBA record with a steal in his 106th straight regular-season game and had 19 points and 12 assists to lead New Orleans to a 90-83 comeback victory Wednesday night. Paul broke Alvin Robertson’s NBA mark—which stood since 1986—when he deflected and quickly corralled an attempted pass by Tony Parker late in the second quarter… David West scored 21 points for New Orleans, hitting a pair of late 3s to help erase a seven-point deficit in the last 5 minutes… Tony Parker led San Antonio with 20 points, and Tim Duncan had 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Dec 17: Hornets 90, Spurs 83

The AP reports: After a costly call in an overtime loss, things turned around in hurry for the Chicago Bulls in another extra period. Derrick Rose converted a decisive three-point play in overtime, and Ben Gordon made a four-point play with 20.5 seconds left in regulation in the Bulls’ 115-109 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night. On Wednesday night, with the Bulls leading Charlotte by three points late in regulation, Rose fouled D.J. Augustin on a 3-point attempt. Augustin made three free throws to send the game in overtime and the Bobcats eventually won. But on Wednesday night with Chicago down four, Rose watched as Ben Gordon was fouled by fellow rookie Eric Gordon. Ben Gordon hit the three and the free throw to send the game in overtime… Los Angeles’ Marcus Camby had a career-high 27 rebounds and scored 19 points, and Randolph finished with 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists. The Clippers also lost in overtime to Charlotte on Tuesday night.

Dec 17: Cavs 93, Wolves 70

The AP reports: LeBron James helped the Cavaliers return to their winning ways with 32 points that sent the Timberwolves to their 11th straight loss, 93-70 on Wednesday night… “We’ve got to keep working at it. Nobody said it was going to be easy,” said Al Jefferson, who had to work for his 20 points against Cleveland’s interior defensive specialist, Ben Wallace. Mike Miller was more aggressive than he’s been for most games this season for Minnesota, finishing with 14 points and seven rebounds on 7-for-12 shooting and Kevin Ollie threw in 12 points against one of his many former teams. But Wallace and Anderson Varejao helped limit Jefferson’s damage underneath, doubling him occasionally and clogging the driving lanes to keep the Wolves from finding an offensive rhythm.

Dec 17: Jazz 103, Nets 92

The AP reports: Deron Williams had 17 points and 11 assists, and Utah overcame a seven-point first quarter and a 22-point deficit to beat New Jersey 103-92 on Wednesday night… Mehmet Okur had 23 points and nine rebounds for the Jazz, who snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 1-1 on a five-game trip… Paul Millsap added 18 points and 12 rebounds in his 13th straight double-double for the Jazz, who made only three field goals during one of the worst quarters in franchise history… Vince Carter scored 32 points for the Nets, who opened a four-game homestand that continues Friday against Dallas, when Jason Kidd returns to the Meadowlands for the first time since getting traded last February. Devin Harris, the key player New Jersey got in return, had 21 points and 11 assists.

Dec 17: Pistons 88, Wizards 74

The AP reports: Allen Iverson left the game briefly after bumping knees with Washington’s Mike James but returned to finish with 28 points on 10-for-16 shooting in the Pistons’ third straight victory, 88-74 over the Wizards. Rodney Stuckey added 18 points and matched his career high with 11 assists for Detroit, which went on a 12-3 run midway through the fourth quarter after the Wizards had pulled to 63-62. The Pistons allowed only three field goals in the final 9 minutes… Tayshaun Prince added 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Richard Hamilton scored 12 points for the Pistons, 6-1 when Stuckey starts at the point… Mike James, inserted into the starting lineup Wednesday, scored 16 points to lead the Wizards. Jamison had 14 points and 11 rebounds despite a sprained thumb suffered early in the game, and Andray Blatche added 10 points and 11 rebounds for Washington, an Eastern Conference-worst 4-19.

Dec 17: Pacers 127, Warriors 120

The AP reports: Danny Granger took a major step in his evolution into a team leader with his fourth-quarter effort against Golden State. The Indiana forward scored 41 points in the Pacers’ 127-120 victory Wednesday night. Most important, he scored 13 points in the final 6 1/2 minutes to carry his short-handed team… Jarrett Jack scored 24 points, Marquis Daniels added 23, and rookie Brandon Rush had 10 points and 11 rebounds in his second career start for Indiana. Jamal Crawford scored 29 points, Marco Belinelli had a career-high 21 points, and Andris Biedrins had 16 points and 10 rebounds for Golden State… Indiana played without starters T.J. Ford and Troy Murphy.

Dec 17: Mavs 96, Raptors 86

The AP reports: Down by 12 points after one quarter, the Dallas Mavericks knew better than to panic. Instead, they waited for the struggling Toronto Raptors to crack. It didn’t take long. Dirk Nowitzki had 27 points and 10 rebounds, and Jason Terry also scored 27 points in the Mavericks’ 96-86 victory over the Raptors on Wednesday night… Josh Howard added 20 points for Dallas in his first start since Nov. 18. Howard, who came off the bench Monday night in a loss to Denver after missing 11 games because of a sprained ankle, scored Dallas’ first nine points and had 11 in the first quarter… Jermaine O’Neal scored 19 points for the Raptors, who have lost three straight and are 2-6 since Jay Triano replaced Sam Mitchell as head coach Dec. 3.