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Andrew Bogut cleared to return after concussion

Andrew Bogut cleared to return after concussion

Warriors center Andrew Bogut, who was diagnosed with a concussion on October 28, has completed the NBA’s concussion protocol and has been cleared to play. He is expected to be in uniform for tonight’s game against the Detroit Pistons at Oracle Arena.

Bogut left Golden State’s Opening Night victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on October 27 with 7:07 remaining in the third quarter and did not return to the game.

Andre Drummond, James Harden named Players of Week

Andre Drummond, James Harden named Players of Week

Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond and Houston Rockets guard James Harden were today named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Nov. 2 through Sunday, Nov. 8.

Drummond helped the Pistons to a 2-1 week behind averages of 22.0 points (fourth in the East) and a league-leading 24.3 rebounds. He collected a point-rebound double-double in all three contests, and had two games where he posted 25-plus points alongside 25-plus rebounds. Drummond, who shot 68.9 percent from the field for the week, becomes the first player to open a season with consecutive Player of the Week awards since LeBron James in the 2011-12 campaign as a member of the Miami Heat.

james harden

Harden led the Rockets to a 4-0 week behind a league-best 38.5 points. He also chipped in with 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals. Harden scored 37 points to open the week during a win against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Nov. 2, and closed the week with back-to-back 40-point performances in wins over the Sacramento Kings on Nov. 6 and the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 7.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Paul Millsap, Cleveland’s LeBron James, Detroit’s Reggie Jackson, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Indiana’s Paul George, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin, Orlando’s Evan Fournier, Philadelphia’s Jahlil Okafor and Portland’s Damian Lillard.

Orlando Magic notes, Nov. 9, 2015

Below are team notes on the 3-4 Orlando Magic

Orlando kicks off a four-game week tonight when they take on the Indiana Pacers at 7 p.m. at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. On November 11, the Magic will host the Los Angeles Lakers, and on Friday, November 13, the Magic will take on the Utah Jazz at home before ending the week at the Washington Wizards Saturday (7 p.m.). All games are broadcast exclusive locally on FOX Sports Florida.

Evan Fournier is coming off a career week with the Orlando Magic. On Nov. 3, Fournier scored a career-high 30 points and hit a pair of 3-pointers in the final 1:13 of the game to lift Orlando to its first victory of the season over the New Orleans Pelicans. On Nov. 4, he had another 20+ scoring performance, adding 29 points, including two free throws with 1.1 seconds left in regulation to send the Magic to overtime against the Houston Rockets. Fournier finished the week as the leading scorer for the Magic, averaging 21.8 ppg. over the four-game stretch.

From the floor, the Magic are holding opponents to .410 (256-of-625 FG), which ranks fourth in the NBA (as of Nov. 8). In addition, Orlando is holding the opposition to shoot .292 (61-of-209) from beyond the three-point arc, which ranks sixth in the league (as of Nov.8).

The Orlando Magic are averaging 6.71 blkg. (47 blocked shots) this season, which ranks second in the NBA (as of Nov.8).

Orlando went 3-1 last week, including wins over the New Orleans Pelicans, Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers. The Magic notched their first win of the season (103-94) on Nov. 3 on the road against the Pelicans, and then took the Houston Rockets to overtime before falling, 114-119. Following a home win on Nov. 6 against the previously unbeaten Toronto Raptors (92-87), the Magic defeated Philadelphia, 105-97, at Wells Fargo Center.

Perhaps Kobe Bryant may sit some back-to-back games

Here’s ESPN.com with the latest on Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who may be playing his final season in the league:

Perhaps Kobe Bryant may sit some back-to-back games

Los Angeles Lakers coach Byron Scott and Kobe Bryant recently sat down to discuss how they will approach back-to-back games this season — if Bryant will play in some, rest in others, etc. But Bryant, in his 20th season, made it known he doesn’t want to miss any games.

“Coach, this might be my last year, so, if possible, I would like to try to play every game,” the 37-year-old Bryant said, according to Scott.

Initially, Scott said he was on board with the plan. But now, entering the Lakers’ first of 17 back-to-back sets this season — the Lakers play in Miami on Tuesday and then in Orlando on Wednesday — Scott appears to be having some second thoughts.

Pistons visit Warriors tonight

Here’s the Detroit News reporting on the 5-1 Pistons, who visit the 7-0 Golden State Warriors tonight:

After the Pistons had their best quarter, a 41-11 advantage in taking a comeback win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night, their thoughts quickly turned to the next challenge.

In a difficult back-to-back situation, the Pistons get a shot at the defending-champion Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on Monday night. Following their 120-103 victory over the Blazers for a 5-1 start — their best since 2007-08, they’ll have a true measuring-stick game to gauge where they stand with their hot start.

Golden State is the NBA’s lone unbeaten team left at 7-0, coming off a 103-94 victory over Sacramento on Saturday night.

Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson go wild, Pistons now 5-1

Here’s Michigan Live reporting on a big Pistons comeback win that featured monster performances from point guard Reggie Jackson and center Andre Drummond:

Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson go wild, Pistons now 5-1

What will be remembered back home as a Detroit Pistons comeback not soon to be forgotten is simply a meltdown here.

The Portland Trail Blazers had no answers in a fourth quarter when they were outscored 41-11 and lost 120-103 to the Pistons, so it is to be expected they had few answers afterward.

“Well, it was a shame we threw away three good quarters of basketball but Detroit obviously outplayed us in the fourth quarter,” Portland coach Terry Stotts said. “Their defense picked up and we had a lot of turnovers that either they caused, or were self-inflicted.

“Hand it to them, being down … they kept playing and obviously we didn’t handle it very well. We’ve got to learn from it and move on.”

Andre Drummond had 29 points and 27 rebounds, and Reggie Jackson scored 26 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter for Detroit.

Celtics assign Jordan Mickey and James Young to D-League

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have assigned forward Jordan Mickey and guard/forward James Young to the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League.

Mickey, a 6’8” forward, played in seven preseason contests with the Celtics this year and averaged 5.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 9.8 minutes per game. He was selected with the 33rd overall pick by the Celtics in the 2015 NBA Draft and in two regular season appearances with the team has recorded a total of five points, three rebounds, one assist and one block in five minutes of action.

Young, who is in his second NBA season, appeared in seven preseason matchups for the Celtics this year and averaged 4.4 points and 1.4 rebounds in 13.7 minutes per game over that span. He played in 17 contests for the Red Claws last season and averaged 21.5 points, including shooting 44.2 percent from beyond the arc, 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals in 32.9 minutes per game.