Inside Hoops – Page 2594 – NBA Blog

MSG fan enters court to congratulate LeBron

Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James unleashed 50 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists on the Knicks in Madison Square Garden Wednesday night. But a potentially scary incident went down.

The New York post (Marc Berman) reports: LeBron James lit up the Garden for 50 points last night and, in a frightening moment, got a high-5 and handshake from a crazed fan who raced onto the court in the final seconds. The incident occurred on the Cavaliers’ bench after King James was removed with 23 seconds left to a standing ovation in the Cavs’ 119-105 victory over the Knicks. The fan was removed by Garden security and arrested.

Bulls suspend Tyrus Thomas for missing practice

Chicago Bulls Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson has levied a two-game suspension on second-year forward Tyrus Thomas for an unexcused absence from practice today. Thomas will serve the suspension during Chicago’s next two games, sitting out versus Cleveland tomorrow night at the United Center and at Boston on Friday.

Thomas (6-9, 215) has appeared in 54 games, including 17 starts, and averaged 6.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg and 1.2 apg in 17.3 mpg. He has also shot .412 from the field and .729 from the free throw line.

Scot Pollard out for season

The Boston Globe (Marc Spears) reports: Celtics forward/center Scot Pollard said before tonight’s game against the Detroit Pistons that he will be out for the rest of the season with a torn tendon in his left ankle. Pollard has had a lingering left ankle injury since October that hasn’t healed. The original injury revealed a slight tear that became a lot worse as shown on an MRI today, Pollard said.

Nowitzki supended for foul on Kirilenko

Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks has been suspended one game without pay, and his Flagrant Foul, Penalty One against Andrei Kirilenko of the Utah Jazz has been upgraded to a Flagrant Foul, Penalty Two, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 7:04 remaining in the first period of the Mavericks’ 116-110 loss to the Jazz on Monday, March 3 at EnergySolutions Arena.

Nowitzki will serve his suspension when the Mavericks host the Houston Rockets Thursday, March 6 at American Airlines Center.

Some positive-slanted Pacers notes

In the Pacers’ two wins last week, Mike Dunleavy scored a career-high tying 36 points in each game. That is the first time that a Pacers’ player has scored 30+ points in consecutive game since Jermaine O’Neal did so in four straight games during the 2004-05 season. In the game at Toronto, Feb. 29, Dunleavy tied a career-high with six 3-pt field goals–his most ever with the Pacers.

In the last three games of this past week the Pacers averaged 36.3 free throw attempts per game and outscored the opposition, 88-58, from the line. Through the first 57 games, the Pacers averaged just 24.0 free throw attempts per game and had been outscored, 1,347-1,053, at the line.

When the Pacers scored 122 points at Toronto last Friday and followed that up with a season-high 128 points vs. the Bucks Sunday, they scored 120+ points in consecutive games for the first time since 1993.

With just six more 3-pt field goals made this season, Kareem Rush will become the third Pacers’ player to have hit 100 or more this season. That will be the first time in franchise history that three players have ever hit 100 or more 3-pt field goals in the same season.

With 10 steals and just nine turnovers vs. the Bucks on Sunday, Mar. 2, the Pacers had more thefts than turnovers for the first time this season. Indiana has averaged 12.0 turnovers per game in the last 15 games, compared to an average of 16.69 topg in its first 45 games.

Bucks to honor Brian Winters March 18

On Tuesday, March 18, during halftime of the Bucks/Heat game at the Bradley Center, the Milwaukee Bucks will continue their season-long, 40th anniversary celebration of the greatest players to ever put on a Bucks uniform when they honor Brian Winters and re-dedicate his #32 retired jersey banner. The ceremony will be the fifth of the season so far: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – Nov 21; Sidney Moncrief – Jan 19; Junior Bridgeman – Feb 9; Bob Lanier – February 20.

Winters joined the Bucks in 1975 from the Lakers along with Junior Bridgeman, David Meyers and Elmore Smith in exchange for Karee Abdul-Jabbar and Walt Wesley. The South Carolina alum went on to play eight seasons in Milwaukee and averaged 16.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists throughout his 582 games wearing his #32 Bucks jersey.

An All-Rookie selection with the Lakers, Winters was an All-Star in his first season in Milwaukee when he averaged 18.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists. He was also an All-Star in 1978 with averages of 19.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists. His 19.9 points and 4.9 assists that year were both career-highs. Winters had his share of individual success, but the Bucks also advanced to the postseason in six of his eight seasons with the squad.

Winters still ranks among the franchise leaders in points (9,743, eighth), field goals (4,131, sixth), games (582, fifth), assists (2,479, third), minutes (18,422, fifth), steals (718, fifth), free throw percentage (.843, ninth) and three-point field goal percentage (.363, tenth). One of the league’s best shooters during his playing days, Winters’ numbers probably would’ve been boosted had he had the three-point line his entire career. It came into existence after he had been in the league for five seasons.

Winters’ #32 was originally retired on October 28, 1983.

Pistons sign Theo Ratliff

Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has signed center Theo Ratliff.

“We are pleased to add Theo Ratliff to our roster,” said Dumars. “Theo will give us a solid veteran presence in the locker room and add depth to our front line. Having started his career here in Detroit, he understands the culture of our organization and what is expected.”

Ratliff was waived by the Minnesota Timberwolves on February 29. In his first year with the Wolves, he appeared in 10 games (six starts) this season and posted averages of 6.3 points (.511 FG%), 3.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 21.4 minutes per game. He missed 45 games due to soreness in his right knee, and underwent arthroscopic surgery on Dec. 18.

The 13-year NBA veteran began his career in Detroit, playing two-plus seasons (1995-97), averaging 5.4 points and 3.9 rebounds in 175 games. In 689 NBA contests with Detroit, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Portland, Boston and Minnesota, he has career averages of 8.0 points (.497 FG%), 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game.

Celtics sign Sam Cassell

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have signed guard Sam Cassell. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

A terrific aging point guard with an engaging personality and sweet mid-range jump-shot, Cassell is expected to play back-up behind starting point guard Rajon Rondo.

Cassell, a 6’3”, 193 pound guard, is in his 15th season in the NBA. Cassell was averaging 12.8 points and 4.7 assists in 25.4 minutes per game this season for the Los Angeles Clippers in 38 games. The former All-Star has appeared in 115 career post-season games and has posted career averages of 13.6 points and 4.9 assists in his playoff career. Cassell has posted career averages of 15.9 points, 6.0 assists and 1.07 steals in 976 career games.

Gordan Giricek joins Suns

As expected thanks to a zillion newspaper reports saying it was going to happen, the Suns have signed Gordan Giricek. No word if Giricek will invite Jazz coach Jerry Sloan to his house to celebrate.

Giricek isn’t exactly a speed demon, but the dude can shoot. He shot a career-best 42.6 percent from beyond the arc in 2006-07 with the Jazz and owns a 36.7-percent career three-point average. And in the 24 playoff games he’s played, Giricek has hit 46.3% of his threes.

Suns sign Linton Johnson to second 10-day contract

The Phoenix Suns signed forward Linton Johnson to a second 10-day contract yesterday, the team announced.

The 6-8, 205-pound Johnson signed his first 10-day contract with the Suns on Feb. 22, 2008. The four-year NBA veteran has averaged 2.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 10.0 minutes in four games with Phoenix.

The Suns (39-20) sit just 2.5 games out of the top spot in the highly-competitive Western Conference and tonight kick-off their two-game road swing through Portland and Denver by taking on the Trail Blazers (31-29) at the Rose Garden. Slated to tip-off at 8 p.m. Phoenix time, the game can be seen on My45 or heard on Sports 620 KTAR.