CBS Sports (Tony Mejia) reports: Portland continued its unlikely run, winning its ninth consecutive game by rallying from a 7-point fourth quarter deficit against Toronto behind Brandon Roy’s 25 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Roy is headed towards a third consecutive Western Conference Player of the Week award and has the Blazers in the playoff hunt through the quarter point of the season. “He’s not just having a hot streak,” coach Nate McMillan said. “What we’re seeing out of him is what he is capable of doing.” Given his production and the steady development of LaMarcus Aldridge, Travis Outlaw and Martell Webster, it’s scary to think what the Blazers would be doing if top draft pick Greg Oden were healthy. As it stands now, they’re right in the chase for the top spot in the Northwest Division.
Author: Inside Hoops
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Part-owner of Kings arrested
The AP reports: A part-owner of the NBA Sacramento Kings was arrested on a domestic violence charge, but his attorney said Friday there was no physical contact or abuse and no violence. Robert Hernreich, of Edwards, faces two counts of second-degree criminal trespass, harassment and domestic violence, all misdemeanors, the Eagle County sheriff’s office said in a statement. The charges stem from an incident Thursday night. Eagle County sheriff’s did not release additional details or immediately return messages left by The Associated Press.
Heat file protest over Shaq fouling out
The AP reports: As expected, the Miami Heat formally filed a protest with the NBA on Friday over what they contend was a critical scoring error in Wednesday night’s overtime loss at Atlanta. The issue is whether Shaquille O’Neal actually committed six fouls in the game.
Mourning always fought hard
Yahoo (Adrian Wojnarowski) reports: Everyone told Alonzo Mourning to walk away with the Miami Heat’s championship two seasons ago. What else was left? Perhaps the parade down Biscayne Boulevard would’ve been a perfect storybook ending for everyone else, but ’Zo’s journey had been so different, so dramatic, maybe it wasn’t perfect for him. His life, his story, had never been neat and tidy this way. So yes, the disturbing tearing of tendons and muscles on Wednesday night was a horrible scene. Mourning crumpled to the floor clutching his knee, his basketball season, his career, over. And then, there was ’Zo. They wanted to carry him off the court, but he bit his lip, climbed to his feet and declared that he’d be damned if they were going to wheel him out of the gymnasium. He threw his arms around his teammates, and Alonzo Mourning, the last tough guy, limped to the locker room.
Nuggets sign Jelani McCoy, again
The Denver Nuggets have signed F/C Jelani McCoy, team Vice President of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien announced today.
McCoy appeared in five games for the Nuggets this season, averaging 3.0 mpg before being waived on Dec. 19.
Morris Almond scores 51 in D-League game
Morris Almond tied the NBA Development League scoring record, pouring in 51 points to lift the Utah Flash to a 118-116 overtime victory over the Austin Toros Friday at the McKay Events Center.
“It all came in the flow of the game.” Almond said of his record-tying offensive performance. “I am just happy to be able to get some minutes and contribute. Everybody contributed to this win.”
The Flash (6-5) complete a six game homestand by hosting the Bakersfield Jam on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. The Toros (7-4) return home to face the Tulsa 66ers, after finishing 0-3 on a three-game road trip and dropping from first place in the Southwest Division.
Pistons recall Cheikh Samb from D-League
The Detroit Pistons announced today that they have recalled Cheikh Samb from the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League.
In two games (both starts), Samb averaged 13.5 points, 9.5 assists and 4.0 blocks in 31.5 minutes with the Mad Ants.
Samb was acquired by the Pistons on draft day from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Maurice Evans on June 28, 2006. Drafted by the Lakers with the 51st pick in the second round of the 2006 NBA Draft, Samb spent the 2006-07 season playing overseas with WTC Cornella in the Spanish LEB2 League.
The 7-foot-1, 215-pound center made his NBA debut with the Pistons at the L.A. Lakers on November 16, scoring two points with four rebounds and two blocks in 15 minutes. In two NBA games this season, Samb is averaging 1.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 10.5 minutes per game.
Desmond Mason out 6-8 weeks
Milwaukee Bucks forward Desmond Mason will undergo surgery tomorrow to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb that he injured in Wednesday night’s game against Sacramento, General Manager Larry Harris announced today.
Mason is expected to be out of action for six-to-eight weeks.
Spurs re-assign Darius Washington to D-League
The San Antonio Spurs announced today that they have re-assigned guard Darius Washington to the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League (D-League).
The 6-2, 195-pound Washington was signed by the Spurs on October 1. He has appeared in 18 games with the Silver and Black, averaging 2.9 points and 1.1 rebounds while shooting .438 from the field.
Washington was originally assigned to the Toros on 11/29. He was recalled by San Antonio on 12/13.
Washington started all four games he appeared in with the Toros, averaging a team-best 28.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.0 steals in 38.5 minutes of action. The 6-2 guard recorded his first professional triple-double when he finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists vs. Tulsa on December 8.
Alonzo Mourning has season-ending surgery
The Miami Heat announced today that Alonzo Mourning underwent successful surgery this afternoon to repair a torn patella tendon and a torn quadriceps tendon in his right knee. The surgery, a two-hour procedure, was performed by team physician Dr. Harlan Selesnick at Doctors Hospital in Coral Gables.
No timetable has been set for his recovery, but he will miss the remainder of the regular season.
Mourning, currently in his 15th NBA season, has appeared in all 25 games for the HEAT this season, and has averaged 6.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.68 blocks in 15.6 minutes per game.