NBA Blog – NBA Basketball Blog
NBA Blog: The NBA basketball news blog section of Inside Hoops
Orlando Magic guard Michael Carter-Williams and guard-forward Terrence Ross have each been fined $15,000 for verbal abuse of game officials and failing to leave the court in a timely manner, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.
The incident occurred at the conclusion of the Magic’s 115-112 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on March 3 at Amway Center.
The Magic lost a close one to the Hawks tonight, and are racking up losses lately. Via the Orlando Sentinel:
The Orlando Magic went from a near-certain victory to a stinging defeat and now they’ll limp into the All-Star break on a five-game losing streak.
Trae Young scored 32 points, including two key free throws with 8.0 seconds left, as the Atlanta Hawks rallied from a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter and stunned the Magic with a 115-112 victory Wednesday night before a crowd of 3,969 at Amway Center.
Orlando (13-23) led 106-90 with 6:08 to play but watched Atlanta (16-20) roar back behind its 3-point shooting.
The Magic are now 13-23, which is the second worst record in the Eastern conference, ahead of the Pistons.
Leading scorers for the Magic this season are Nikola Vucevic at 24.5 points per game, Evan Fournier at 18.5 ppg, Terrence Ross at 15.2 ppg, Aaron Gordon at 13.8 ppg in 19 games played, Markelle Fultz at 12.9 ppg in 8 games played, and Cole Anthony at 11.0 ppg.
The New Orleans Pelicans today assigned forward Wenyen Gabriel to their G League affiliate, the Erie BayHawks.
Gabriel, 6-9, 205, who was originally signed by the club on November 20, 2020, has appeared in four games for New Orleans this season. Gabriel will join fellow teammates Naji Marshall and Will Magnay, who are on two-way transfers from the Pelicans.
The BayHawks currently sit in second place in the G League with a 10-3 record and have clinched a spot in the 2021 postseason. Erie’s next game is Thursday, March 4 against the Oklahoma City Blue at 6:00 p.m. CST.
The Detroit Pistons announced plans today to place a limited number of tickets on sale beginning when the club plays the Toronto Raptors on March 17 at Little Caesars Arena. Working under direction of state and local government health professionals and guidelines, up to 750 fans will be allowed to attend upcoming games in this initial phase. Tickets will go on sale Thursday morning, March 5 at 10:00 a.m.
“In preparation for hosting a limited number of fans during these challenging times, we are grateful to work closely with state and local health professionals, the NBA and Olympia Entertainment in creating a safe and welcoming environment,” said Mike Zavodsky, Chief Business Officer for the Detroit Pistons. “We thank our fans and the community for their continued support during this time as we worked through all necessary steps and benchmarks required for welcoming you back to Little Caesars Arena safely.”
“We are very excited to gradually expand the number of guests in attendance at Little Caesars Arena for upcoming Pistons games,” said Tim Padgett, Olympia Entertainment’s Vice President of Venue Operations. “We appreciate the extensive coordination with, and guidance from, public health and medical experts, government officials, and the National Basketball Association over the past several months. Safety is our top priority. We have developed and invested in a plan that has allowed us to welcome back fans safely to our venues.”
THE TEAM SAYS THE FOLLOWING
The Pistons have worked closely with public health and medical experts, government officials, the NBA and Little Caesars Arena to implement an extensive set of health and safety measures in preparation for hosting more fans. All seats will be physically distanced. Additional measures include: all fans aged two years and older will be required to wear a mask for the duration of their time inside the venue except when eating or drinking at their seating location; marked physical distancing while navigating the venue; completion of health survey screening for all guests entering the arena no more than 24 hours before the game; installation of mobile ticket scanning pedestals; cashless payments in the parking lot and for food and beverage; and any and all bags will be prohibited for all games.
The Knicks were without guard Derrick Rose tonight and likely won’t have his services for the coming days. Via New York Newsday:
The Knicks announced shortly before game time Tuesday that Derrick Rose was out because of the NBA’s health and safety protocols, meaning he will be lost to the team at least through the All-Star break.
While the Knicks did not disclose whether Rose had tested positive or if he was subject to contact tracing, even just the tracing would put him out of action. When Frank Ntilikina was sidelined because of it, he had to remain quarantined in a Miami hotel room for a week. Rose will have to remain in the team hotel in San Antonio. The Knicks have one more game Thursday against Detroit before the break.
The Knicks have been playing a better season than anyone expected, and if the season ended today would make the playoffs. There’s a long way to go, of course, but this season has been a big step in the right direction for the squad.
In 10 games played for the Knicks this season, Rose is averaging 12.5 points and 4.9 assists in 24.6 minutes per outing.
Talented Sacramento Kings rookie Tyrese Haliburton has opened eyes with his impressive play. But the show is currently on hold until after the NBA All-Star break. Via the Sacramento Bee:
Kings coach Luke Walton said rookie Tyrese Haliburton will not return until after the All-Star break and Buddy Hield’s status is uncertain for Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Haliburton is out due to left calf soreness and Hield is questionable with a right ankle sprain as the Kings (13-21) prepare to play the Lakers (24-11) on Wednesday night at Golden 1 Center.
Haliburton has missed the past two games after developing soreness in his calf in a 140-121 loss to the New York Knicks on Thursday at Madison Square Garden.
Some Phoenix Suns team game notes, as they face the Lakers tonight:
At 22-11, the Suns have their best 33-game start to a season since 2007-08 as they face the reigning champs for the first time in the regular season.
The Suns have won 4 straight on the road, the team’s longest road winning streak since December 2014.
The Suns have won 11 of their last 13 games overall, and they have won 13 straight when allowing fewer than 120 points.
Devin Booker was named the Western Conference Player of the Week for Feb. 22-28, his 2nd career P.O.W. honor with both coming in the last 3 weeks. He is the first Suns player to win Player of the Week twice in a 3-week span since Steve Nash in January 2007.
Booker scored a season-high 43 points on Sunday at Minnesota, his 99th career 30-point game as he closes in on No. 100.
Chris Paul has 15 assists in 2 straight, a first for him since March 2016.
The Lakers will be lacking in the big-man department tonight as they face the Suns. Via the OC Register:
The Lakers are starting to feel the squeeze of attrition in a pandemic-stricken season.
Veteran center Marc Gasol will be the latest Laker to miss time due to the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols: Gasol is listed out for Tuesday night’s game against the Phoenix Suns, the team reported to the NBA on Tuesday afternoon…
Gasol’s absence leaves the Lakers’ punishingly thin at center, which has been a sticky position this season, to begin with. With All-Star forward Anthony Davis out, the only remaining player above 6-foot-10 is Damian Jones, the center recently signed to a 10-day contract who is listed as questionable with a strained back.
The Charlotte Hornets will welcome back a limited number of fans at Spectrum Center, starting with the team’s game on Saturday, March 13 against the Toronto Raptors at 7 p.m.
The Hornets’ reopening plan has been approved by state and county authorities, allowing the team to host fans at 15% capacity, which is approximately 3,000 fans per game.
Prior to reopening to the general public, the Hornets will host frontline healthcare workers from longtime partner Novant Health on Thursday, March 11 vs. Detroit. The Hornets will provide 500 complimentary tickets to Novant Health employees as a thank you for their work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are thrilled to welcome Hornets fans back to Spectrum Center, even though it will be in a limited capacity,” said Hornets President & Vice Chairman Fred Whitfield. “The energy, excitement and passion that our fans bring every night to Spectrum Center has been missed by our players, coaches and staff, and we cannot wait to have them back in the Hive. This is a great first step for not only our fans, but our city and our entire community.
“On behalf of our entire organization, I’d like to thank Governor Cooper, Mecklenburg County Manager Dena Diorio and our state and county health officials for their leadership, guidance and input throughout this process as we worked to reopen Spectrum Center to our fans.”
The team also laid out a long list of health safety standards they plan to adhere to.
Thanks to all the winning they’re doing this season, the Jazz have a target on their backs. Via the Salt Lake Tribune:
First came the 11-game winning streak. Then a follow-up nine-game winning streak. The surge to the top of the NBA standings. The universal praise from opposing coaches. The growing-if-guarded optimism from fans. The recognition and acknowledgement from national media types. The begrudging top position in pundits’ respective power rankings.
Yeah, the Utah Jazz were unquestionably the hottest team in the NBA.
And now, as a result, they are perhaps the most targeted.
Monday night’s loss in New Orleans was their second defeat in three games, and their third in the past six. Even many of their wins of late have been increasingly hard-fought. The price of Utah’s early success, it would seem, is that they are no longer perceived as simply a feel-good story, a scrappy team collectively playing over their heads, but rather a legitimate threat deserving of opponents’ full attention every night now.
It’s a good problem to have. Teams playing harder against the Jazz in the regular season will help toughen the Jazz up and prepare them for the playoffs. Utah’s eyes should be on the prize. They’re serious this season. And should welcome their opponents’ best.