Inside Hoops – Page 772 – NBA Blog

Hassan Whiteside scoring big for Heat lately

When Charles Barkley suggested that Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside could average 20 points per game, Chris Bosh scoffed at that, saying even 18 a game was unrealistic for Whiteside with a full roster. But since Bosh was sidelined by a blood clot, Whiteside is averaging 18.5 points since the NBA All-Star break, compared to 12.2 ppg since before the break.

That’s a byproduct of playing more minutes (31.4 since Bosh’s health scare, 28.2 before) and taking more shots (11.9 field-goal attempts per game after to 8.2 before). “My numbers went up because my role went up,” he said.

But it’s also the result of the development of his mid-range jumper. Though the Heat doesn’t want Whiteside taking his jumpshot early in the shot clock, he’s shooting 48 percent from 10 to 19 feet since the All-Star break, compared with 40.7 percent before (22 for 54).

— Miami Herald

Manu Ginobili returning for Spurs

Manu Ginobili, who has been sidelined for a month after having testicular surgery February 4, will play in today’s game against the Sacramento Kings.

Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said there’s “not really” a minutes restriction on Ginobili, who has out for the team’s last 12 games.

San Antonio has won seven games in a row, and are undefeated while playing at home (29-0). They are in second place in the Western Conference with a 52-9 record, and are just 3.5 games behind the first-place Golden State Warriors.

— San Antonio Express-News

Suns waive Sonny Weems

The Phoenix Suns waived guard/forward Sonny Weems today.

Weems, in his fourth NBA season, played in 36 games with Phoenix this season and averaged 2.5 points, 1.3 assists and 1.1 rebounds in 11.7 minutes. He originally was signed by the Suns last July.

The Suns’ roster is now just 13 players. According to Yahoo Sports, the team plans to sign Chase Budinger with one of those available spots.

Pistons sign Justin Harper to second 10-day contract

The Detroit Pistons signed forward Justin Harper to a second 10-day contract.

Harper in three games with Detroit this season is averaging 3.3 points and 0.3 rebounds in 7.5 minutes per outing.

Harper, 6-10, 225, averaged 14.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 34 games with the Los Angeles D-Fenders (D-League) this season. He shot an impressive 48.5% from the field, 40.3% from beyond the arc and 88.5% from the free-throw line.

A second-round pick (32nd overall) by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA Draft, Harper saw action in 14 NBA games with the Orlando Magic during the 2011-12 season.

Thunder sign Nazr Mohammed

The Oklahoma City Thunder signed free agent center Nazr Mohammed to a contract today, team Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced.

Mohammed (6-10, 250), who is best used in very limited minutes off the bench, previously spent two seasons with the Thunder (2010-12), appearing in 87 games (eight starts) averaging 3.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in 12.9 minutes per game.

A 17-year NBA veteran, Mohammed owns career averages of 5.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 15.9 minutes in 1000 games (354 starts) with Philadelphia, Atlanta, New York, San Antonio, Detroit, Charlotte, Oklahoma City and Chicago.

Pacers waive Chase Budinger

The Indiana Pacers announced they have requested waivers on 6-7 forward Chase Budinger.

Acquired from Minnesota in a trade last July, Budinger played in 49 games (starting two), averaging 4.4 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.

The Pacers are 32-30 this season, and being led by Paul George (23.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 4.2 apg), Monta Ellis (14.3 ppg, 4.7 apg), George Hill, C.J. Miles, and Myles Turner.

No Rookie of Month award for Kristaps Porzingis

New York Knicks interim head coach Kurt Rambis acknowledged rookie Kristaps Porzingis probably has become a step slower defensively because of the so-called NBA rookie wall, but said he doesn’t believe the team’s losing is shaking the 7-foot-3 Latvian’s confidence or enthusiasm.

Porzingis’ failure to win the Eastern Conference NBA Rookie of the Month award for February (Indiana’s Myles Turner captured it) underscored his downturn. Porzingis had won the award for November, December and January. Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns, who has swept all four Western Conference monthly prizes, is now a heavy favorite to win Rookie of the Year.

In 11 games in February, Porzingis averaged 14.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks, as his shot-blocking and rebounding numbers took a downturn.

— New York Post

Sixers coach expects Dario Saric next season

Brett Brown remains confident that Dario Saric will be a member of the Sixers next season.

“Obviously, decisions are going to have to be made on his part,” the Sixers head coach said today. “But we like what we see and we believe he likes what he sees.”

Sixers player-development assistant Chris Babcock returned Friday after spending eight days with the 6-foot-10 power forward in Turkey. Saric plays for Anadolus Efes of the Turkish Basketball League.

The 76ers acquired the rights to Saric’s in the 2014 NBA draft. They traded their first-round pick, Elfrid Payton (selected 10th overall), to the Orlando Magic for Saric, who was picked 12th, plus they landed a 2017 top-11-protected pick and a 2015 second-rounder. Payton made the NBA’s all-rookie team this season.

— Philadelphia Inquirer

Pistons rookie Stanley Johnson still out

Detroit Pistons rookie Stanley Johnson’s shoulder is still not feeling right and the forward, averaging nine points per game, will not be available for the Pistons against the Knicks on Saturday in Madison Square Garden or Sunday, against the Trail Blazers, at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

But guard Jodie Meeks practiced for the first time in weeks after breaking his toe, and the team also gave forward/center Justin Harper a second 10-day contract, coach Stan Van Gundy said.

“(Johnson) didn’t do anything today,” Van Gundy said, as the Pistons concluded drills in their practice facility. “So, he won’t be ready to go this weekend.”

— Detroit News

Suns struggling badly on road

The only thing worse than sharing a bad franchise record is owning it.

If the Suns lose Friday on the road against the Orlando Magic, it would give Phoenix 18 consecutive road losses for the first time in team history. It would also be the second-longest road losing streak in the league over the past five seasons. The 76ers lost their first 18 road games this season for a streak of 23 in a row dating back to the previous season.

The Suns are losing by an average of 20.7 points per game during their road losing streak that began after a Dec. 7 last-second Suns win at Chicago…

The Magic is coming off a 120-89 Wednesday home win against Chicago and an off-day Thursday while the Suns played in Miami.

— Arizona Republic