Inside Hoops – Page 924 – NBA Blog

David Blatt and Steve Kerr named NBA Coaches of Month for March, 2015

David Blatt and Steve Kerr named NBA Coaches of Month for March, 2015

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ David Blatt and the Golden State Warriors’ Steve Kerr today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in March.

Blatt led the Cavaliers to the best record in the East during March at 11-4 (.733). The Cavaliers averaged 107.0 points and surrendered just 97.9 points in March, en route to posting the best differential in the conference at +9.1 ppg. Cleveland went 5-0 at Quicken Loans Arena, where it has now won 16 consecutive games.

Kerr guided the Warriors to the NBA’s best record in March at 16-2 (.889). The Warriors averaged 108.4 points and surrendered just 96.3 points, which accounted for a +12.1 ppg differential, good for second in the West. Golden State closed the month with 10 consecutive wins, including six against teams that would be in the playoffs if the season ended today.

Other nominees for Coach of the Month were Boston’s Brad Stevens, Brooklyn’s Lionel Hollins, Oklahoma City’s Scott Brooks and San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich.

Lakers waive Steve Nash, sign Jabari Brown to multi-year contract

Lakers waive Steve Nash, sign Jabari Brown to multi-year contract

The Los Angeles Lakers have waived guard Steve Nash and signed guard Jabari Brown to a multi-year contract, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

Brown, previously signed to 10-day contracts on March 10 and March 20, has appeared in 10 games for the Lakers, averaging 9.4 points on 50.0% (32-64) shooting, including 45.8% (11-24) from three-point range, in addition to 1.7 assists, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 24.5 minutes per game.

Monday, Brown had the best performance of his NBA career, scoring a career-high 22 points on 7-10 shooting (3-4 from beyond-the-arc), playing 34 minutes in an overtime victory at Philadelphia.

Prior to joining the Lakers, Brown was a member of the Lakers NBA Development League affiliate, the Los Angeles D-Fenders, where he led the D-League in scoring at 24.4 points per game to go along with 4.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 39 games (25 starts). A 2015 NBA D-League All-Star, Brown tallied two of the highest single-game scoring outputs in the D-League this season, finishing with 50 points on January 10th at Sioux Falls and 48 points on February 28th versus Bakersfield.

Glen Davis fined for kicking seat cushion

Glen Davis fined for kicking a seat cushion into the stands

Los Angeles Clippers forward Glen Davis has been fined $15,000 for kicking a seat cushion into the spectator stands, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 4:16 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Clippers’ 119-106 win over the Boston Celtics on March 29 at TD Garden.

To view the play, click on this link.

Rodney Hood diagnosed with concussion

Rodney Hood diagnosed with concussion

The following is a medical update on Utah Jazz guard/forward Rodney Hood:

Hood has been diagnosed by the Jazz medical staff with a concussion, after receiving an elbow to the head during the third quarter of last night’s 104-84 victory at Minnesota.

Per the NBA’s Concussion Policy, Hood will now begin the NBA-mandated Return-to-Participation Exertion Protocol. This process includes a series of steps designed to ensure an athlete exhibits symptom-free behavior before resuming basketball activities. There is no predetermined timetable to complete the protocol, as each case is unique and recovery times for players may vary.

As a result, Hood will be listed as OUT for Wednesday’s game vs. Denver and his status moving forward is day-to-day. Further updates will be provided when appropriate.

Kevin Durant had bone graft surgery today

Kevin Durant had bone graft surgery today

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant underwent bone graft surgery today for the fifth metatarsal of his right foot, Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced.

The procedure was performed by Dr. Martin O’Malley with Thunder medical personnel present at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. Durant will miss the remainder of the 2014-15 season and is expected to return to full basketball activities in the next four to six months.

The reigning NBA Kia Most Valuable Player appeared in 27 games (all starts) during the 2014-15 campaign, averaging 25.4 points on 51.0 percent shooting from the floor (238-of-467), 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 33.8 minutes per game.

Trail Blazers clinch spot in 2015 NBA Playoffs

Trail Blazers clinch spot in 2015 NBA Playoffs

The 48-25 Portland Trail Blazers have officially clinched a spot in the 2015 NBA playoffs, joining the Warriors, Grizzlies, Rockets and Clippers in the West so far, leaving three West spots still up for grabs. Here’s the Oregonian reporting:

The Blazers dominated the the Suns after halftime and emphatically punched their postseason ticket with a 109-86 win in front of a sellout crowd of 19,441 Monday night at the Moda Center.

“It wasn’t like it was earth shattering,” Blazers coach Terry Stotts said, downplaying the the playoff berth. “Honestly, our goal was beyond just to make the playoffs.”

Portland led by six at the half before putting the game away to open the third quarter. The Blazers hit 12 of their first 15 shots, including 4 of 5 three-pointers, en route to scoring 35 points in the first 9:05 of third quarter.

When the buzzer sounded at the end of the third, the Blazers had the game in hand with a 92-65 lead and the starters got to watch the final twelve minutes from the end of the bench.

Blazers sign Tim Frazier for remainder of season

Blazers sign Tim Frazier for remainder of season

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed guard Tim Frazier for the remainder of the season, President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Frazier, 24, signed two 10-day contracts with the Philadelphia 76ers last month, averaging 5.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.00 steal in six games (three starts).

Frazier (6-1, 170) joins the Trail Blazers from the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League, where he posted averages of 16.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 9.5 assists and 1.66 steals in 41 games (40 starts) this season.

The D-League leader with four triple-doubles, Frazier is a three-time D-League Performer of the Week. Frazier played for Penn State from 2009-14, earning First Team All-Big Ten honors his junior year.

He will wear No. 10 for the Trail Blazers.

D-League: Westchester Knicks fire head coach

D-League: Westchester Knicks fire head coach

Here’s the New York Post reporting on the Westchester Knicks, who are the New York Knicks’ D-League team:

Kevin Whitted is out as head coach of the D-League affiliate Westchester Knicks, and assistant coach Craig Hodges will take over for the final few games of the season.

There was tension between the two coaches throughout the on-court flop of a debut season, and Phil Jackson’s man won out.

The Westchester Knicks, running the triangle offense with little success, have the second-worst record in the D-League at 10-36 with four games remaining.

Nets beat short-handed Lakers 107-99

InsideHoops.com Postgame Notes

BROOKLYN — Behind 30 points and 11 rebounds from center Brook Lopez, 18 points, eight rebounds and seven assists from small forward Joe Johnson, and 17 points from guard Markel Brown, the Nets beat a badly short-handed Lakers squad 107-99

Jeremy Lin, Nick Young, Ed Davis, Carlos Boozer, Kobe Bryant (out for season) and Julius Randle (out for season) did not play for Los Angeles, whose squad today resembled the bargain bin at Walmart.

NETS NOTES

Nets swept season series with Lakers for first time since 2005-06 season

Brook Lopez averaged 28.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in his four games this week.

Nets guard Markel Brown scored a career-high 17 points today.

The Nets got 11 steals today, their most since a January 22 game against the Clippers.

The Nets are now 32-40 this season, and just 14-20 at home as they battle for a playoff spot.

Knicks sign Ricky Ledo to second 10-day contract

Knicks sign Ricky Ledo to second 10-day contract

New York Knicks President Phil Jackson announced today that the team has signed guard Ricky Ledo to a second consecutive 10-day contract.

Ledo, 6-7, 195-pounds, is averaging 7.2 points and 2.2 rebounds over 18.5 minutes in five games with the Knicks, and 3.7 points over 10.4 minutes in 10 games overall with both Dallas and New York.