NBA News Blog – Page 1262 – NBA Blog

Dirk scores 28, Mavericks rally to stun Lakers 96-94 in Game 1

The AP reports:

Dirk scores 28, Mavs rally to stun Lakers in Game 1

Dirk Nowitzki scored 28 points and hit two go-ahead free throws with 19.5 seconds left before Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant made a crucial turnover, and the Dallas Mavericks rallied for a 96-94 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series.

Nowitzki had 14 rebounds for the Mavericks, who dramatically came back from a 16-point deficit in the second half of the perennial playoff teams’ first postseason meeting in 23 years.

Bryant scored 21 of his 36 points in the second half for the Lakers, but he fell down while trying to get the ball from Gasol with 5 seconds to play. After one free throw by Jason Kidd, Bryant missed a 3-pointer just before the buzzer…

Gasol had 15 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists for the second-seeded Lakers, who lost their second straight series opener. Their loss to New Orleans two weeks ago was much more surprising than this loss to the playoff-tested Mavs, but the Lakers’ lack of poise down the stretch should be scary to anybody anticipating a threepeat…

Lamar Odom scored 15 points for Los Angeles, which nursed a small lead throughout the second half until Nowitzki scored in the lane with 40 seconds left to trim the deficit to 94-93. After Jason Terry swiped the ball from Bryant, Gasol fouled Nowitzki on the Mavericks’ inbounds play, allowing the 7-footer to give Dallas its first lead since the second quarter.

InsideHoops.com notes:

The Mavs bench was HOT. Jason Terry shot 6-of-10 for 15 points. Peja Stojakovic was 4-of-8 for 10 points. Jose Juan Barea shot 3-of-6 for eight points. Corey Brewer shot 2-of-4 for five points. And Brendan Haywood hit his only shot attempt for two points. Overall, the Dallas bench hit 16-of-29.

Tyson Chandler, the anchor of the Mavericks defense, was solid with 11 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.

As for the Lakers, Bryant scored 36, but did it on 29 shots and only got to the free throw line five times, making four attempts. Pau Gasol only scored 15, but his 11 rebounds and seven rebounds were respectable. Odom off the bench had 15 points and 12 rebounds. But Ron Artest in 31 minutes tossed up bricks, shooting 1-of-8 for two points and more turnovers than assists.

Joe Johnson scores 34, Hawks beat Bulls 103-95 in Game 1

The AP reports:

Joe Johnson scored 34 points and Atlanta beat top-seeded Chicago 103-95 on Monday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

As if the loss itself wasn’t bad enough, the Bulls got a scare when Derrick Rose came up limping after he turned his left ankle at the end of the game. Their MVP—yes, MVP—stepped on Jamal Crawford’s foot as he dribbled out the final seconds and was helped off by teammates and a trainer…

The Hawks went on a 15-2 run that bridged the third and fourth quarters to turn a 69-65 deficit into an 80-71 lead with 10:27 remaining.

Johnson scored eight points during that stretch, and the Hawks hung on.

Johnson was brilliant, hitting 12 of 18 shots and all five 3-point attempts. Crawford scored 22 points, and Jeff Teague added 10 while starting at the point for the injured Kirk Hinrich and wound up getting the game ball from coach Larry Drew…

Rose twisted the same ankle in the opening round against Indiana, but even before he limped off the court, this certainly wasn’t his best night.

He scored 24 points, but he was just 11 of 27 from the field and did not attempt a free throw.

Luol Deng scored 21 points for Chicago while Carlos Boozer added 14 points and eight rebounds despite a turf toe injury on his right foot. But it was a rough night overall for the Bulls—particularly on defense.

Live fan discussion of this game took place in this forum topic.

NBA mandates metal detectors for playoffs

ESPN Chicago reports:

In the aftermath of the death of Osama bin Laden, the Chicago Bulls will use metal detectors to screen all patrons entering the United Center before Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.

The NBA issued the mandate for the conference semifinals and all subsequent playoff games.

Not all arenas in the league regularly use metal detectors. At the United Center, patrons are visually inspected. Metal detectors are only employed in a full inspection when, according to the venue’s website, it is determined that “the potential is high for inappropriate or illegal items to be brought into the building.”

Former Miss Michigan Kenya Bell charged with assaulting husband Charlie Bell

Sometimes, relationships go smoothly. But sometimes, stuff goes wrong, and people assault each other with a box cutter.

This is no laughing matter, of course, and I wish the best for everyone.

Khalil AlHajal of The Flint Journal reports:

The Prosecutor’s office has charged Kenya Bell, former Miss Michigan USA, with assaulting her husband, basketball star Charlie Bell, with a box cutter on Sunday, said Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton.

The assault occurred inside Charile Bell’s home in Grand Blanc Township in the presence of two children, Leyton said…

Kenya Bell was arraigned in Genesee District Court today on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and domestic violence, according to court records. She was released on $5,000 bond.

The AP reports:

Prosecutor David Leyton says Charlie Bell sustained minor injuries and says two children were present during the attack. Leyton declines to disclose many details. Bell was a star on Michigan State’s 2000 national championship team.

The 35-year-old Kenya Bell faces charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and domestic violence.

Hope this somehow turns out better than it sounds.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Heat want fans to sing anthem before Game 2

With the news breaking Sunday night that Osama Bin Laden has finally been ejected from humanity, everyone is feeling pretty patriotic, including the Miami Heat.

The AP reports:

Breaking from tradition, the Heat will not have anyone brought in to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before Game 2 of their Eastern Conference playoff series with the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night. Instead, the Heat are encouraging fans to be the singers, making that change less than one day following the announcement that Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan.

“It was a powerful moment—for all of us,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Sunday night’s news that captivated the nation.

The Heat have honored soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan at home games for several seasons, and say Tuesday’s game will include an enhanced military tribute. Members of the armed services will unfurl the 50-foot American flag at center court during the anthem, a job typically handled by Heat employees.

This should be great. I’m looking forward to it.

Kings staying in Sacramento for 2011-12 season

The following is a statement released Monday from Maloof Sports and Entertainment, who own the Sacramento Kings:

“Out of respect to Kings fans and the regional business community, we have decided to remain in Sacramento for the 2011-12 season. The fans’ spirit and energy, specifically our season ticket holders, has been remarkable and we are truly thankful for their loyalty. We also are greatly appreciative of the support from our corporate sponsors as well as other local businesses that have come forward in recent weeks.

Additionally, we would like to take this opportunity to send a heartfelt thank you to the loyal and hardworking team members within our organization. From the game night staff to the front office, coaches, and players, we are grateful for their professionalism and devotion.

During this process, Mayor Johnson has strongly indicated to both the community and the NBA that he is capable of getting the support to build a state-of-the-art entertainment and sports facility that the Sacramento Region and the tremendous Kings fans so rightly deserve. We look forward to seeing Mayor Johnson bring his vision to reality. However, if an arena plan cannot be finalized in a timely fashion, the NBA¹s relocation committee has assured Maloof Sports and Entertainment that it will support an application to move the franchise to another market starting in 2012-13.”

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Sacramento Kings end bid to move to Anaheim

The Kings are in a tough situation. Things are not ideal for them in Sacramento because they need a new arena, but the leading candidate to land the team if they move, the city of Anaheim, is not the best spot either because it’s fairly close to Los Angeles, and it’s unclear that fans there would sell out NBA games. (And there’s way more, but there’s your quick one-paragraph summary.)

An announcement is expected today, but early word is that the Kings may stay in Sacramento, at least for the upcoming season.

Randy Youngman of the Orange County Register reports:

It appears Anaheim and the city-owned Honda Center have been left at the altar again.

Despite months of negotiations with Anaheim arena officials that pushed the Sacramento Kings to the brink of relocating in Anaheim, the Maloof family has at least temporarily abandoned its plans to move to Orange County because of opposition to the move by the NBA.

Officials from Anaheim Arena Management, which had been in relocation negotiations with the Maloofs since September, were told of the family’s decision early Monday morning.

The NBA is expected to issue a statement Monday morning announcing that the franchise will remain in Sacramento and not submit an application to move by Monday’s twice-delayed relocation deadline. A statement from the Kings is expected to follow.

Note that this may just be temporary. The Kings may just remain in Sacramento next season while continuing to seek a new home for 2012-13 and the future.

Hit the InsideHoops.com front page later as official word is released about this.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Udonis Haslem is rusty but physically ready to return for Heat

The Miami Heat are off to a good start in the 2011 NBA Playoffs, holding their own in the first round and clawing their way to a tough win over the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the second round.

Still, the Heat would certainly benefit from an improved supporting cast, especially rugged power forward (and occasional undersized center) Udonis Haslem.

Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald reports:

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra called leaving forward Udonis Haslem off the team’s active list for Sunday, “one of the more difficult decisions I’ve had to make.”

After missing most of the season with a torn tendon in his left foot, Haslem hoped to play Sunday in Game 1 against the Celtics. Instead, he took his normal position at the end of the Heat’s bench and wore a suit instead of a uniform.

Haslem has participated daily in practices with the Heat since the end of the first round.

While Haslem is physically ready to return, Spoelstra determined the Heat’s co-captain is still a little too rusty. Spoelstra indicated he met with assistants before making the decision.

“Objectively, he is not quite there,” Spoelstra said. “He is making great strides.”

I’d guess that we may see Haslem in action for Game 3 in Boston, which isn’t until Saturday.

Dwyane Wade scores 38, Heat beat Celtics 99-90 in Game 1

The AP reports:

Dwyane Wade scored 38 points on 14 of 21 shooting, James Jones set a Miami postseason record with 25 points off the bench, and the Heat beat the Celtics 99-90 on Sunday to open their Eastern Conference semifinal series…

LeBron James finished with 22 points, six rebounds and five assists for Miami, which led by as many as 19 before a fiery finish that saw plenty of players jawing at each other—more than that in some cases. Paul Pierce was ejected with 7 minutes left, after picking up two technicals in skirmishes with Wade and Jones within a span of 59 seconds.

Ray Allen scored 25 points for Boston, which lost for the first time in five games this postseason. Pierce scored 19 and Delonte West finished with 10 for the Celtics, while Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett were held to a combined 14 points on 6-for-19 shooting…

It was physical throughout, with West earning a technical and Jermaine O’Neal picking up a flagrant foul along the way, before things really got hot in the fourth. Pierce took offense with a hard foul by Jones, each getting double-technicals there, and Pierce and Wade—who have a bit of history— renewed acquaintances not long after that.

Referee Ed Malloy called both for double-technicals, and Pierce was screaming as he departed…

And then there was the James factor—Jones, that is.

He drew Rondo’s third foul on a play where he ended up sprawled out under the Boston basket, grabbing his lower back and writhing in pain. Jones inflicted hurt the rest of the quarter, shooting 4 for 5 from 3-point range in the second period alone.

Z-Bo, Gasol power Grizzlies past Thunder to win Game 1, 114-101

The AP reports:

Zach Randolph and the Memphis Grizzlies powered their way to another playoff upset—not that he considers it one.

Randolph had a playoff career-high 34 points and 10 rebounds, Marc Gasol added 20 points and 13 boards, and the Grizzlies outmatched the Oklahoma City Thunder inside for a 114-101 victory in the opening game of the Western Conference semifinals on Sunday…

Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 33 points and 11 rebounds. Russell Westbrook scored 29, but the All-Star tandem couldn’t overcome a big advantage in the paint for Memphis…

Randolph started out with short jumpers to give Memphis the lead for good in the opening 2 minutes, then he followed a 17-5 run fueled by the bench with the Grizzlies’ lone first-half 3-pointer to make it answer Durant’s two-handed alley-oop and make it 54-38 with 2:26 left before halftime.

The Thunder used a 20-7 charge that spanned intermission to get back within 61-58 before Randolph steadied the Grizzlies again. He hit two free throws, a putback, a tip-in and then a jumper that caromed high off the rim before going in during a key stretch to keep Oklahoma City at bay…

The Grizzlies made 12 free throws in the final 3 minutes to close out another win for the underdogs—if you can even call them that anymore.