NBA News Blog – Page 1081 – NBA Blog

Stan Van Gundy says Dwight Howard wants him fired

Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said this morning that he knows that superstar center Dwight Howard asked team management to fire him, a charge that Howard denies.

“I know he has,” Van Gundy told reporters after the Magic completed their shootaround. “That’s just the way it is. Again, I’ve been dealing with that all year. It’s not anything real bothersome. You go out and do your job.”

Asked if it makes it harder to coach given that he thinks Howard is not committed to him, Van Gundy responded, “It’s not a matter of being committed to me. It’s a matter of being committed to the team and trying to do everything you can to help the team win games. That’s all I’m concerned with. As far as the other stuff, I don’t think that matters. I don’t need love and support here at my job. I’ll turn to my family for that. I don’t need these guys giving me hugs and pats on the back.”

Asked how he knows it’s true, Van Gundy said, “I was told it was true by people in our management right from the top.”

— Reported by Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel

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Former NBA player Loren Woods charged with DUI

Authorities say former NBA player Loren Woods was arrested on DUI charges in Tampa, Fla.

Jail records show 33-year-old Woods refused a blood-alcohol test when he was arrested early Wednesday. He was later released on $2,500 bail.

According to the NBA’s website, he played for six years, including a brief stint with the Miami Heat.

— Reported by the Associated Press

In another battle of LA, Lakers beat Clippers

Andrew Bynum scored 36 points, Kobe Bryant added 31 and the first-place Los Angeles Lakers outlasted the Clippers 113-108 on Wednesday night, widening their Pacific Division lead to 21/2 games over the second-place Clippers and snapping their rival’s winning streak at six games.

By taking two out of three against their Staples Center co-tenants, the Lakers also earned the head-to-head tiebreaker in a game that could help decide the division winner and playoff seeding in the West. The division winner will likely earn the No. 3 seed behind Oklahoma City and San Antonio.

Former Laker Caron Butler scored 28 points to lead six Clippers in double figures. Chris Paul added 22 points and 16 assists, Blake Griffin had 15 points and 14 rebounds, and DeAndre Jordan had 11 points and 13 rebounds for the West’s fourth-place team – the designated home team. Their winning streak was the franchise’s best in 20 years.

Ramon Sessions added 16 points and eight assists for the Lakers, who won their fourth in a row. Bynum bounced back with an offensive performance that was one point off his season high after missing one game with a sprained left ankle and running afoul of the front office with some questionable on-court behavior.

— Reported by Beth Harris of the Associated Press

Heat win 17th straight at home, beat Thunder

LeBron James had 34 points and 10 assists, Dwyane Wade scored 19 points and the Miami Heat avenged a loss at Oklahoma City last week, rallying to beat the Thunder 98-93 on Wednesday night for their 17th straight home victory.

Mario Chalmers scored 13 points, and Chris Bosh had 12 for Miami, which trailed by 11 in the first half before a comeback fueled in part by Russell Westbrook pulling James down from behind on a fast break in the second quarter.

Kevin Durant scored 30 points for Oklahoma City, and Westbrook added 28, but shot 9 for 26. James Harden had 12 for the Thunder, who lost despite holding Miami to 37 percent shooting.

The win moved Miami (39-14) within two games of Chicago (42-13) in the race for the NBA’s best record. Oklahoma City fell to 40-14.

Durant could have given Oklahoma City the lead with 1:30 left, backing down James and then trying a turnaround from the left side. His shot was way off, hitting the top of the backboard.

— Reported by Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press

Raptors beat fading 76ers by 21

Best team in the Atlantic Division was a nice title for three months.

The Philadelphia 76ers wanted more.

A winning record for the first time in seven seasons. A top-four seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. All of those goals are slipping out of reach for the Sixers.

Andrea Bargnani scored 24 points and DeMar DeRozan had 18 to lead the Toronto Raptors to their third straight win, 99-78 over the Sixers on Wednesday night.

Back in January, the Sixers thumped Toronto 97-62 en route to a sizzling 20-9 start. Those days are over for the fading franchise. Elton Brand and Jrue Holiday had 20 points in Philadelphia’s eighth loss in the last 12 games. The Sixers (29-25) lost their grip on first place in the Atlantic—and end the season with a stretch of nine road games over the final 11 that could jeopardize a playoff spot…

The Raptors got hot in the fourth, shooting 50 percent, while the Sixers missed 17 of 20 shots. Led by Ed Davis’ 14 rebounds, the Raptors outrebounded the Sixers 46-29.

— Reported by Dan Gelston of the Associated Press

Spurs beat Celtics for 9th straight win

Tim Duncan had 10 points and 16 rebounds and the San Antonio Spurs won their ninth straight game, recovering to beat the Boston Celtics 87-86 on Wednesday night after blowing a 17-point, first-half lead.

Duncan also stopped Paul Pierce on the final play, forcing him into a step-back jumper that bounced off the rim at the buzzer.

Danny Green scored 14 points and Gary Neal had 13, including a 3-pointer with 2 minutes left that gave the Spurs the lead after Boston went on a 13-4 run to move in front.

Rajon Rondo had 17 points and 11 assists for Boston. The Celtics had won five in a row.

Pierce had 15 points and 10 rebounds, but he couldn’t maneuver into open space after Boston inbounded the ball with 7.9 seconds left. Duncan stayed on him, forcing Pierce to step back near the top of the key for a floater that clanged harmlessly off the rim.

Avery Bradley scored 19 points off the bench for Boston, and Kevin Garnett had 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Ray Allen returned after missing six games with a sore right ankle and added seven rebounds and five points, including a 3-pointer in the final minute that brought Boston within a point.

— Reported by Jimmy Golen of the Associated Press

Seattle Mariners insists NBA arena objection all about traffic

Seattle Mariners President Chuck Armstrong insists the team’s objections to a proposed new NBA/NHL arena in Seattle’s SODO neighborhood are strictly about traffic concerns and not about possibly seeing dollars spent elsewhere.

The Mariners were on the defensive Wednesday after the franchise sent a letter to city of Seattle and King County leaders voicing their concerns over the proposed new arena that would be adjacent to the Mariners’ Safeco Field parking garage.

— Reported by Tim Booth of the Associated Press

Cavs rookie Kyrie Irving out 7-10 days

Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving did not travel with the Cavaliers to Milwaukee in order to obtain an MRI at the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Sports Health today and undergo additional examination from Cavaliers Head Team Physician Dr. Richard Parker.

Irving experienced additional contact on his right shoulder, that was previously contused/sprained during the Cavaliers game last Friday night at The Q vs. Milwaukee, during last night’s game at The Q vs. San Antonio. The contact resulted in the aggravation of his right shoulder contusion/sprain. The MRI taken today confirmed this result.

Irving will now undergo a period of rest and treatment for the shoulder and then transition into a period of rehabilitation. He is currently projected to be out for the next seven to 10 days and his status will be updated as appropriate.

Mike Miller returns to practice for Heat

Swingman Mike Miller returned to practice, participating in Tuesday’s morning shootaround. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said it’s the most encouraging sign since Miller sustained a sprained left ankle March 10 against Indiana.

There is still no date on when he is expected back in uniform. Miller has missed the past 12 games.

“He went through about half the shootaround,” Spoelstra said. “He’s making progress.”

— Reported by Shandel Richardson of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Warriors recall Chris Wright from D-League

The Golden State Warriors have recalled forward Chris Wright from the Dakota Wizards of the NBA Development League, the team announced today.

Wright, 23, was assigned to the Wizards on March 24 and has appeared in six games for the Warriors’ D-League affiliate since that time, averaging 17.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in 27.8 minutes per contest, while shooting 58.2% (46-79 FG) from the field. The 6’8” forward helped lead the Wizards to a 5-1 record during his stint with the team, including victories in their last five contests to secure a spot in the 2012 D-League Playoffs.

This was the second assignment of the season for Wright, as he previously was assigned to the Wizards on January 26 and averaged 20.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 2.33 blocks in 31.0 minutes over three games before being recalled on February 6. Overall, he has appeared in nine games with the Wizards this season, averaging 18.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.33 blocks in 29.0 minutes of action.

Wright will rejoin the Warriors in Minnesota in time for tonight’s game against the Timberwolves. He has appeared in 17 games with Golden State this season, averaging 2.1 points and 1.1 rebounds in 4.7 minutes.