Author: Inside Hoops

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Mar. 28: Pacers 123, Nets 115

The AP reports:  Troy Murphy sat out Wednesday with strep throat, but he recovered and had 21 points and 17 rebounds in a 123-115 win over the Nets Friday. The Pacers halted a two-game losing skid to remain in the Eastern Conference playoff picture… “He’s just been great for us,” Danny Granger, who led the Pacers with 26 points against the Nets, said… Mike Dunleavy scored 19 points and Marquis Daniels added 14 for the Pacers, who have won five of seven. Vince Carter scored 33 points, Devin Harris scored a career-high 27 and Josh Boone had 15 points and 16 rebounds for the Nets, who left the game disappointed.

Andrew Bogut has procedure to fix broken nose

Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut underwent a successful procedure this afternoon to reduce a displaced nasal fracture (broken nose), Director of Player Personnel Dave Babcock announced today.  The procedure was performed by Dr. Paul Lowenstein, M.D., at Elmbrook Hospital in Brookfield, WI.

Bogut sustained the injury in the fourth period of Wednesday night’s game in Atlanta.  He left the game to receive treatment and did not return to action.

Bogut will be required to wear a protective mask for the remainder of the season, but will not play tonight against the Orlando Magic.  After tonight, he will be listed as day-to-day.

In 68 games this season (all starts), Bogut has averaged 13.9 points, a team-high 9.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and a team-high 1.76 blocked shots.  Among Eastern Conference centers, Bogut ranks second in scoring, second in double-doubles (32), third in blocked shots and fifth in rebounds.

A midget lives in beard of Drew Gooden

I have determined why Drew Gooden has such wildly inconsistent games even moreso lately than ever. It’s because a midget has secretly moved into Gooden’s giant beard. Even Drew doesn’t know he’s there. And sometimes, before games, the midget takes a nap, forgets to sneak out before tipoff, and has to stay hidden in there during the game, weighing Gooden down and causing him to play badly. But when the midget sneaks out before the game, Gooden is lighter, more agile and puts up big stats.

Gooden was fairly inconsistent in the past, and I have no secret explanation for that.

Clippers sign Marcus Williams and waive Aaron Williams

The Los Angeles Clippers today signed free agent forward Marcus Williams from the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League for the remainder of the season and waived forward Aaron Williams. Marcus Williams is the 23rd Gatorade Call-up from the NBA Development League this season.

Selected in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs, Marcus Williams appeared in seven preseason games with the Spurs and averaged 3.3 points and 2.6 rebounds before being waived on Oct. 27 and joining the Toros. The former University of Arizona standout re-signed with the Spurs on Dec. 26 and played in one game before being waived on Dec. 29.

The Seattle, Washington native has been a leader for the Toros in the D-League this season, earning D-League Player of the Week honors for the week of March 10, 2008. In 36 games with the Toros, Williams averaged 19.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals in 34.9 minutes. Williams started 23 games and also shot 52 percent from the field.

After starring at Roosevelt High School in Seattle, Williams enjoyed a stellar two-year career at the University of Arizona, being named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman Team in 2005-06 after playing in 33 games and averaging 13.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists. Williams averaged 16.6 points and 6.7 rebounds in his sophomore year.

The Clippers signed Aaron Williams as a free agent on Aug. 1, 2006 and the veteran forward appeared in a total of 68 games over the last two seasons, starting 12 games. This season, Williams has missed a total of 19 games due to injury while averaging 2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in 9.9 minutes in 30 games.

Marcus Williams will be in uniform and available tomorrow night in Los Angeles when the Clippers host the Memphis Grizzlies at STAPLES Center.

Rumors: Do Sonics want to extend Wilcox?

Friday InsideHoops NBA rumor mill gossip: The Sonics aren’t sure about giving Chris Wilcox an extension. Raptors plan on keeping Jose Calderon but may deal him or T.J. Ford. Raef LaFrentz won’t request trade. Nuggets may sign D-League player soon. If Sonics leave, Seattle could eventually get expansion team. Ben Gordon or Larry Hughes gone from Bulls this summer? Suns may have told Shaq to stop insulting Heat. NBA defends legit bloggers from Mark Cuban. Greg Oden caught playing pickup ball. Nene plays. Much more. Read NBA rumors.

Mar. 27: Warriors 111, Blazers 95

The AP reports: Stephen Jackson scored 14 of his 24 points in the third quarter and the Golden State Warriors bolstered their playoff position against the short-handed Portland Trail Blazers in a 111-95 victory Thursday night. The Warriors caught a lucky break when Portland All-Star guard Brandon Roy stayed home to nurse a sore groin… Golden State broke open a close game with a dominant third quarter, where its aggressiveness on offense paid off with 20 free throw attempts in the quarter… InsideHoops.com Stat Notes: For Golden State, Jackson shot just 8-of-20 for his 24. Monta Ellis had 18 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Kelenna Azubuike scored 14, Baron Davis had 12, 7 assists and 4 steals, and Al Harrington shot 5-of-5 for 10 points. For Portland, Steve Blake shot 8-of-12 for 22 points and 6 assists. Jarrett Jack had 19, LaMarcus Aldridge 17 with just 5 rebounds but 6 assists, and Martell Webster needed 14 shots for his 14 points.

Mar. 27: Pistons 85, Heat 69

The AP reports: Arron Afflalo, starting in place of the injured Richard Hamilton, had a career-high 15 points as the Pistons clinched the Central Division title with a 85-69 victory over the Miami Heat… Miami, which has lost 13 of 15, dressed nine players, including four rookies and two second-year players… Reserve Jason Maxiell had 15 points for Detroit, while Billups added 13 points and 11 assists… Detroit outscored Miami 42-24 in the second half, holding the Heat to 27 percent shooting.

Mar. 27: Nuggets 118, Mavs 105

The AP reports: “Everybody was excited to see Nene back out there, just to see him back in his uniform, seeing him smile again after the stuff he’s been through,” said Carmelo Anthony, who scored 32 points and keyed the decisive run in the Nuggets’ fourth straight win. Nene had been out since Jan. 11, and it’s been just over a month since he underwent chemotherapy… Anthony also chipped in 10 boards and eight assists, helping Denver overcame a 30-point night by Josh Howard and 19 points and 15 assists from Jason Kidd… Kidd was left unguarded on the left elbow and swished a 3-pointer in the third quarter to give the Mavericks a 79-71 lead. The Nuggets responded with an 18-2 run, with Anthony scoring half of the points.

Mar. 26: Bobcats 108, Lakers 95

The AP reports: Jason Richardson had 34 points and 10 rebounds, Raymond Felton added 13 points and 10 assists, and the lowly Bobcats stunned the Lakers 108-95 on Wednesday night in a game where Kobe Bryant drew two technical fouls in a span of 29 seconds late in the fourth quarter and was ejected… Matt Carroll added 18 points and Gerald Wallace had 15 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Bobcats (26-56), who won for just the second time in eight games and snapped a six-game road losing streak. Emeka Okafor had 11 points and 11 rebounds for Charlotte, which outrebounded the Lakers 52-40. Bryant had 27 points and six rebounds before leaving with 3:40 left and the Bobcats in control. Lamar Odom had 18 points and nine rebounds, Ronnie Turiaf scored 12 and Sasha Vujacic and Walton added 11 each for the Lakers.