Inside Hoops – Page 2600 – NBA Blog

Warriors notes

Since starting the season 0-6, the Warriors have gone 42-19 (.697), which is the fourth-highest winning percentage in the NBA since that point (Boston .787, Detroit . 710, L.A. Lakers .705).

Since their 0-6 start, the Warriors have lost two games in a row just one other time this season.

Golden State leads the NBA in scoring, averaging 110.9 points per contest…The Warriors have scored 100-or-more points in 31 straight games.

The Warriors also lead the NBA in fastbreak points (22.1), points in the paint (47.6) and points off opponents turnovers (20.3).

In 58 games played together this season, Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson and Monta Ellis are averaging a combined 61.0 points, 13.8 rebounds, 15.1 assists and 5.03 steals per game, with the team going 40-18 in those 58 games.

Bucks part ways with GM Larry Harris

The Milwaukee Bucks have advised General Manager Larry Harris that he will not be offered a new contract. The team accommodated Harris’ recent request for an early decision on his status. Harris’ contract expires June 30, 2008. By mutual agreement, he is being relieved of his responsibilities so that he can pursue other opportunities.

“Larry Harris has served the Milwaukee Bucks since 1990 with complete dedication and loyalty,” Bucks President Senator Herb Kohl said. “The commitment and effort he provided the organization has resulted in many good outcomes. I believe at this time it is in the best interest of the Bucks to proceed in another direction. Larry’s professional approach has been valued and appreciated by our organization and we wish him the best in future endeavors.”

So now that the Rockets lost

Now that the mighty Celtics put a defensive lockdown on the Rockets, ending Houston’s winning streak, it’ll be fun seeing how Houston does from this point on.

Maybe now the Rockets suddenly become mortal and just another good West squad. Or what if they fall off hard like the Trail Blazers did.

No matter what, give credit to the whole roster, including Rafer Alston who seriously balled up some terrific games. And salute coach Rick Adelman, whose effect took a while to kick in.

Stat-focused notes after Celtics end Rockets win streak

Final Score: Boston 94, Houston 74

POST-GAME NOTES

Team Leaders:
Houston
Points: Luis Scola-15
Rebounds: Luis Scola-8
Assists: Tracy McGrady-8

Boston
Points: Kevin Garnett-22
Rebounds: Kevin Garnett-11
Assists: Paul Pierce-5

Today’s attendance of 18,525 is Houston’s 23rd sellout at Toyota Center this season and marks the largest crowd in team history, surpassing the audience of 18,409 set last game vs. the L.A. Lakers (3/16/08). Houston’s top-five attendance totals at Toyota Center: 18,525 today, 18,409 vs. the L.A. Lakers (3/16/08), 18,402 vs. Cleveland (2/7/08), 18,392 vs. the L.A. Lakers (12/12/06) and 18,375 vs. Phoenix (4/16/07).

The Rockets have now sold out all of their last eight home games, which matches Houston’s longest single-season sellout streak at Toyota Center (eight games from 2/27/05-4/3/05).

The second longest winning streak in NBA history comes to a close at 22 games with a 94-74 loss to the Celtics, which also draws to a close a 15-game home winning streak for the Rockets. It was Houston’s first defeat since a 97-89 setback vs. Utah (1/27/08).

The Rockets scored a season-low 74 points in suffering their largest margin of defeat this season (-20, 74-94). Houston’s 72 points last season vs. Boston (2/26/07) were actually the fewest in the all-time series against the Celtics. The Rockets also registered their fewest points in a second half this season with 34 tonight, edging out a 35-point second half at Toronto (12/9/07).

Houston lost the battle of the boards by a double-digit margin (-10, 35-45) tonight. The Raptors (-13, 35-48 on 12/9/07 at Toronto) and Warriors (-13, 34-47 on 12/31/07 vs. Golden State) are the only other two opponents to have outrebounded Houston by a double-figure total this season.

The Celtics outscored the Rockets 32-16 in the third quarter, setting Houston’s opponent high for third-quarter points this season. The previous high was 31 done twice before (last: 3/2/08 vs. Denver). Houston has now scored a combined 28 third-quarter points over the last two games, including 12 points on 4-for-23 (.174) from the floor in the third quarter vs. the L.A. Lakers (3/16/08).

Rafer Alston finished with 12 points, including a pair of makes from beyond the arc. He now has at least one 3-point field goal made in each of the last 20 games.

Mike Harris came off the bench to notch 12 points (6-10 FG), matching his career-high 12 points (5-8 FG) vs. Charlotte (3/14/08).

Kevin Garnett (22), Leon Powe (21) and Paul Pierce (20) all reached the 20-point mark in tonight’s game. It was the first time this season for a Houston opponent to have three players each score 20 or more points in a game.

CBA finals is Cavalry vs Skyrockets

With the second win in as many days, the Minot Skyrockets advance to the CBA Finals with a 103-89 victory over the Pittsburgh Xplosion. This will be the first time the Minot Skyrockets franchise has participated in the CBA Finals. The last time the CBA Finals were contested in the state of North Dakota was on March 24, 2004, when the Dakota Wizards defeated the Idaho Stampede to with the CBA Championship.

The Skyrockets swept the Xplosion, two games to none to capture the American Conference Championship. They defeated Pittsburgh 105-87 in Game 1 and finished the series with a 103-89 victory tonight in Minot. This two game sweep ends the Xplosion season. They finished with a 29-21 record.

Minot will now travel to Oklahoma to take on the National Conference Champion Cavalry. Games 1 and 2 will take place on Saturday, March 22 and Monday, March 24 in Lawton. Game time is 7:30 central time. Game three will take place in Minot on Wednesday, March 26. Games 4 and 5 will be played on Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29, if necessary, in Minot. Game time is 7:05 central time.

The Skyrockets won the season series 3-1 over the Cavalry in the regular season. Minot won the first three contests, 91-89 (4.5), 97-94 (5.5), and 92-88 (4.0) in overtime. The Cavalry won the last contest 114-98 (6.5).

“This will be a hotly contested series,” said CBA Deputy Commissioner Dennis Truax. “Oklahoma knocked off the two time defending champion Yakama Sun Kings and is on an eight game winning streak. They have Daryan Selvy and Marvin Phillips who are both tough match-up problems. Minot has veterans Ronnie Fields and Kevin Rice who are no strangers to the Finals. The Miners currently have a ten game winning streak. Both teams are evenly matched. It should be a great Finals for our teams and fans.”

D-League expands to Penn. Bring a team to NYC!

Erie, Pennsylvania has been awarded an NBA Development League franchise. The team will join Reno, NV — which was awarded a D-League franchise on Feb. 29 — for their inaugural seasons in 2008-09. More on this here.

I’m actively rooting for the D-League to expand to my quaint, lovable town of New York City as soon as possible. It would be fitting. InsideHoops is run out of NYC. The select few basketball mags that matter are here. The league office is here. A zillion media people are here. Bring us a squad!

And, if not NYC, put a D-League team in Westchester, just north of NYC. But near a Metro North train line, please. We New Yorkers don’t have cars.

There was a rumor a while back, I think from the New York Times, that Harlem might get a team someday, but I asked a few people who know a thing or two about what D-League people are thinking, and no one could confirm anything concrete is in the plans.

– Jeff

Dirk tells InsideHoops Kobe is MVP

I recently met with current league MVP Dirk Nowitzki and got his MVP opinion:

InsideHoops.com: Other than yourself and any of your teammates, who are the official Dirk Nowitzki candidates for the league MVP?

Dirk Nowitzki: That’s tough. LeBron certainly has a case in the East. On the Celtics, KG has had a great year. And in the West, to me it’s been Kobe, the way he’s been scoring, really setting the tone every night for his team, and to me he’s the best player in the league anyway, scoring-wise and all-around player. I’d probably give it to Kobe. Those three definitely deserve it.

The item is here.

– Jeff

Gilbert Arenas speaks on his status

Gilbert Arenas on his knee: “Everything is healing. They want me to wrap (my knee) up and go full speed. I’m going to test it out tonight on the practice court. I’m going to give it a real hard workout and see how it feels in the morning.”

Arenas on his first game back: “They say that when I do go back, it will just be an assist-game for me. They don’t want me to go in there jumping or being acrobatic.”

Arenas on what he expects from himself upon his return: “They told me that this year I won’t be me. Don’t go back and try to be me. I have to come back as an assist man. I have to try to stay out of going to the hole, and I have to be careful.”

Arenas on the timetable for his return: “I’m hoping to play this season. I want to play. It’s hard when you have done something your whole life and then it gets taken away from you. Hopefully I can get back out there.”

More on his injury: “They haven’t actually cleared me to play. I’m just going to practice hard today and tomorrow and the next day, and then see how it feels. If it feels the same as it does now than I might just play, because that means it’s not getting any worse. My main concern is not getting hurt again.”

Trail Blazers assign Josh McRoberts to D-League

The Portland Trail Blazers assigned rookie forward Josh McRoberts to the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League, it was announced Monday by Trail Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard.

“Sending Josh back to Idaho will give him the best chance to develop as the season winds down,” said Pritchard. “Getting the opportunity to play extended minutes is an important step in his rookie season, and we saw good results from his last trip there.”

The D-League assignment marks the second of the season for McRoberts, who posted averages of 7.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 26.5 minutes in eight games with the Stampede from Jan. 9-Feb. 3.

McRoberts, 21, is averaging 2.0 points, 0.8 rebounds and 4.4 minutes in five games with the Trail Blazers this season after being selected by Portland with the 37th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft.

This is the first season the Trail Blazers are affiliated with the Boise-based Stampede.

What if the 2007-08 champs come from the East?

The West is far superior to the East this year. That in no way guarantees that this year’s champions will come from that conference.

The East only has two true championship contenders right now, the Celtics and Pistons. The Magic and Cavs can be mentioned in Eastern conference finals conversations, and it’s certainly possible either of those teams could reach the league Finals, but neither is presumed to be on a championship level.

So what if the Celtics, Pistons or someone else does beat the Spurs, Suns, Mavericks, Rockets, Jazz, Hornets or Lakers in the finals? Should it count?

Of course, it does have to count, but to be fair, perhaps whichever team wins the Western conference finals should be crowned this year’s champion, and whoever comes out of the East gets a handshake, a cookie, and one of those gold stars given to schoolchildren when they tie their shoes correctly.