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DeMarcus Cousins fights urge to reach

The message has been consistent from everyone to DeMarcus Cousins when it comes to fouls.

“Stop reaching,” Cousins said. “Every time I see them hold the ball out I’ve just got to go for it. That’s something I’ve got to continue to work on and stop picking up the cheap fouls.”

Foul trouble kept Cousins out for a significant part of the fourth quarter in Sunday’s 104-97 loss to the Orlando Magic.

Cousins picked up his fifth foul with 6:53 left in the third quarter. He didn’t go back into the game until there was 4:48 left in the game.

— Reported by Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee Blog

Nets offense stinks, says Deron Williams

In a 101-90 loss to the Heat, the Nets offense sputtered through another slow start — with just 35 points in the first half — and ultimately another depressing evening.

“Our offense (stinks),” Deron Williams, who missed a game last week with a ribs injury, said after the Nets shot 33.7 percent with 22 turnovers Saturday. “We’re not very good right now. We’re not playing good. We’re not shooting good. I’m not shooting good. We’re turning the ball over.

“I like the offense. I like the system, I just think we’re not executing good, we’re not finishing, we’re not hitting shots, messing up plays, not in the right spots.”

The point guard’s statement is underscored by the stat sheet.

The Nets are shooting a league-worst 38.1 percent from the field. Their average of 85.44 points per game would be a league worst if not for the Detroit Pistons.

— Reported by Michael J. Fensom of the Newark Star-Ledger

Delonte West says he is banned from the White House

The Dallas Mavericks, at the expense of owner Mark Cuban, will be visiting the White House on Monday in honor of last season’s NBA Championship.

But apparently there is one Maverick who will not get the opportunity to shake President Barack Obama’s hand.

“I’m banned from going to the White House, so I’m not going to make it,” Mavericks guard Delonte West told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “But I’m going home to D.C. I’m just not allowed to go to the White House. That’s what happens when you make bad decisions in your life. You can’t go to the White House.”

— Reported by Fox Sports Southwest

Rookie Brandon Knight quickly gaining experience

When Brandon Knight tries to split a double team too late and smacks into a closed gap, or tries to squeeze an open-court pass that would have gotten there in college, the Detroit Pistons rookie files it into memory.

That is great for the future. There is ample reason to believe that whatever the Pistons’ long-term problems, point guard is not among them.

It also is clear the Pistons need Rodney Stuckey back, or they might not have much of a present.

The Pistons play tonight in Chicago, against the team that started their current slide of three consecutive losses by 16 points or more, something no Detroit team had done since January 1980.

Knight was forced to become the Pistons’ primary point guard midway through Wednesday’s 99-83 loss to the Chicago Bulls and immediately was confronted by Derrick Rose, the NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player, who isn’t likely to be any easier on the youngster tonight.

— Reported by David Mayo of MLive.com

Dwight Howard still hopes to be traded

Dwight Howard’s request to be traded still stands, and the Orlando Magic’s general manager doesn’t feel the team has done much to change the superstar’s mind.

“Nothing has changed,” Howard said before the Magic faced the Sacramento Kings at Power Balance Pavilion on Sunday.

Otis Smith confirmed Howard has not taken his trade request off the table and that Howard’s agent still has permission to speak with three, and only three, teams: the Dallas Mavericks, the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Jersey Nets.

“I think his leaving or going has nothing to do with Orlando,” Smith said of Howard. “I think he wants a bigger market. I can’t do anything about that.”

— Reported by Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel

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U.S. Olympic team could have three Clippers

Is it possible that the Clippers could have three players on the U.S. Olympic basketball team?

Well, yes, it’s possible that Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Chauncey Billups all could represent the United States in the Olympics in London this summer.

Paul said he has been in contact with Jerry Colangelo, director of USA Basketball, and that he hopes to be on the Olympic basketball team for the second time.

Griffin said he was told by his agent that Colangelo wanted to speak with him about being a candidate to try out for the team. Griffin said he planned to call Colangelo this week to express his interest.

Billups said his agent talked with Colangelo.

Colangelo must announce the 18 candidates for the team by Jan. 18.

— Reported by Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times

Andrew Bogut likely back Tuesday for Bucks

Bucks center Andrew Bogut will return in time for Tuesday’s home game against the San Antonio Spurs, his agent David Bauman said Sunday.

In an e-mail sent Sunday, Bauman said: “Andrew is returning to the U.S. in a few hours. Given the time difference and the length of the flight back to the U.S. (from Australia), it is unlikely he will be able to make it back in time for the Bucks’ game in Phoenix. Andrew will be back in Milwaukee Monday and is expected to start and be ready to play in the Bucks’ home game Tuesday night against the San Antonio Spurs.

“Andrew feels badly that he ended up missing four games and he will be ready to play Tuesday without limitations or restrictions.

“We do not expect to comment further, but Andrew appreciates the support and understanding during this difficult time that he has received from his teammates, Bucks management and the Bucks’ fans.”

— Reported by Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Thunder guard Eric Maynor out for season with torn ACL

Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti issued the following statement on the injury status of guard Eric Maynor:

“After further tests and evaluation this morning, it was revealed that Eric Maynor tore his right Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in the fourth quarter of last night’s game in Houston. The injury will require surgery and Eric will miss the remainder of the 2011-12 season.

It is unfortunate to lose a player like Eric, whose work ethic and leadership has contributed to the culture of our organization. Knowing him and the mental toughness he possesses, we are confident that he will do everything necessary to come back from this injury and be prepared for the 2012-13 season. Injuries are part of the NBA, and although it is tough to lose Eric, we must move forward and focus on our continued improvement as a basketball team.”

Grizzlies guard Josh Selby faces marijuana charge

Grizzlies rookie guard Josh Selby is facing a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge after police found probable cause during an Oct. 5 incident at the University of Maryland.

The 20-year-old Selby has been summoned to appear in a Maryland district court Jan. 25.

“I have no comment about it,” Selby said. “It is what it is.”

Maryland makes a distinction between marijuana and all other illegal drugs. Possessing or using marijuana is punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine

— Reported by Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal

Bruised elbow can’t stop Derrick Rose

Even if Derrick Rose believed bad things happen in threes, it wouldn’t matter.

Twice Dwight Howard has knocked Rose out of games with hard fouls in the lane.

But Rose promised before Friday night’s game against the Magic that he would not change his strategy.

“No, I’m still going to attack, go to the hole,” he said. “I’m a drive-first guy. But when you play him, you have to know he will contest everything.”

Rose made the adjustments in the Bulls’ impressive 97-83 victory at the Amway Center. Rather than going all the way to the rack, he pulled up several times to hit floaters over Howard’s outstretched arms.

“Derrick has quite an array of shots,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. “And he’s great at finishing.”

Rose played with a bruised left elbow, the result of hitting the deck Wednesday night on a foul by the Pistons’ Damien Wilkins. He wore a protective sleeve on his left elbow, but it was tough to tell if the injury affected him.

— Reported by Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune