NBA News Blog – Page 1308 – NBA Blog

LaMarcus Aldridge scores 42 in win over Bulls

The AP reports:

LaMarcus Aldridge scored so easily against Chicago that he allowed himself a broad smile and a few high-fives from teammates before the game was even over.

“It was fun,” he said after putting up a career-high 42 points Monday night in the Portland Trail Blazers’ 109-103 victory over the Bulls.

So was there a little I-told-you-so feeling after not being selected for the All-Star game? No, Aldridge insisted.

“Me getting 42 tonight isn’t going to change their mind, so what is it going to do for me?” he said. “I thought tonight I just came out and got those easy dunks early and that was my big thing that got me going.”

Derrick Rose had 36 points for the Bulls, who lost their second straight.

Spurs assign James Anderson to D-League

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have assigned rookie James Anderson to the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League. This is Anderson’s second assignment to the Toros this season while rehabbing from a stress fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot which he was diagnosed with on November 11.

Anderson, a 6-6, 215-pound guard, was originally assigned to Austin on January 26. He appeared in two games for the Toros, averaging 14.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in 14.0 minutes. He shot .556 (10-18) from the field, .444 (4-9) from three-point territory and .714 (5-7) from the free throw line. Anderson was recalled by the Spurs on January 29 and saw limited action in three games.

Before the injury, Anderson appeared in six games for the Spurs, averaging 7.0 points and 1.5 assists in 17.7 minutes.

For the season he has appeared in nine games, averaging 5.2 points and 1.1 assists in 13.0 minutes. He is shooting .432 (16-37) from the field and .500 (11-22) from three-point land.

Rockets recall Ishmael Smith from D-League

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has recalled guard Ishmael Smith from Houston’s single-affiliation NBA D-League partner Rio Grande Valley. Smith, who had been re-assigned to the Vipers on Feb. 1, is expected to join the Rockets for tonight’s game in Denver.

Smith (6-0, 175, Wake Forest) has averaged 12.5 points, 7.9 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.50 steals over eight games (five starts) in a pair of stints with the Vipers this season. He was originally assigned to Rio Grande Valley on Jan. 17 and recalled by Houston on Jan. 24. With the Rockets, the undrafted rookie free agent has averaged 2.8 points and 2.2 assists in 26 games (three starts).

Sixers recall Craig Brackins from D-League

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that they have recalled rookie forward Craig Brackins from their NBA Development League affiliate, the Springfield Armor. Brackins was assigned to the Armor on January 15. His first assignment was from November 30 through December 12.

In 14 games for Springfield, Brackins averaged 19.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.00 blocks in 37.2 minutes per game. Over his final three games with the Armor, Brackins averaged 24.7 points and 11.3 rebounds. He leaves the D-League tied for the seventh-highest scoring average of any player this season.

Grizzlies set ticket prices for 2011-12 season

The Memphis Grizzlies have announced their pricing structure for the 2011-12 season, and as a way to thank MVP Season Ticket Holders for their dedication over the last 10 years there will be no increase in ticket prices, with price cuts set for over 2,000 seats in the Plaza Level, 600 of which will be lowered to $25 per game per seat.

In addition to a freeze in ticket prices for the sixth straight season, MVP Season Ticket Holders will also receive 2011 Playoff Priority and incredible “Early Bird Rebate Rewards” for renewing their Season Ticket Plans. Rebate Reward No. 1 gives fans that renew and pay in full by March 11, 10 percent off their total Season Ticket purchase. Those who renew by March 11, 2011 and pay in full by April 10, 2011 will get five percent off the cost their total Season Tickets as part of Rebate Reward No. 2. A two percent discount will be taken off Season Tickets purchases that are renewed by March 11 and paid in full by June 15 as part of Rebate Reward No. 3.

Fans who make their initial renewal payment prior to March 11 but would prefer to pay in three installments or on a 10-month plan will be entered to win one of dozens of great prizes in the annual Reward Lottery. The first reward lottery drawing deadline on Feb. 11 gives fans the opportunity to win two floor seats for the remainder of the 2010-11 season. The second reward lottery deadline on Feb. 15 includes the opportunity to win a Hospitality Suite for the March 9 game vs. the Knicks and $200 in Grizz Bucks. Free parking in the Toyota Garage for the 2011-12 season highlights the second reward lottery deadline. The reward lottery deadline on March 1 includes a one price code upgrade on 2011-12 Season Tickets and the chance to win a $200 Ashley Furniture HomeStore Gift Certificate.

With twice as many chances to win, the fifth reward lottery deadline on March 4 includes at 32-inch Sharp Television and a $200 Kroger Gift Certificate. Fans who renew by March 7 will be in the sixth reward lottery drawing that will include the chance to win $200 in Malco Theater Movie Tickets and lunch for four with Grizzlies’ General Manager Chris Wallace. The final drawing on March 9 will end the reward lotteries with a bang, as fans will have a chance to win 50 percent off a 2011-12 Season Ticket package, a $200 Jason’s Deli Gift Certificate, a $200 Neely’s Gift Certificate or a $200 Gould’s Day Spa Gift Certificate.

“With almost a decade under our belts in this great city of Memphis, we understand now more than ever that our Season Ticket Holders are the pulse of our organization. Every day that we step into FedExForum we strive to give them the rewards that they deserve,” said Greg Campbell, Memphis Grizzlies President of Business Operations. “Each year we try to add more rewards for our Season Ticket Holders to help represent the growing relationship amongst organization, Grizzlies fans and the city of Memphis.”

While purchasing tickets by the March 11 deadline offers a host of rewards as the team looks forward to the 2011-12 season, renewing season ticket purchasers also gives the members of Grizz Nation a big incentive this season. All renewing Season Ticket Holders will continue to receive MVP Express concession lines, MVP entrance, MVP only events and recognition and more.

Raptors sign Trey Johnson to second 10-day contract

The Toronto Raptors announced Monday they have signed guard Trey Johnson to a second 10-day contract.

Johnson was signed to his original 10-day contract on January 26. He has appeared in five games with Toronto averaging 4.0 points, 1.6 assists and 12.6 minutes. He totaled a high of 10 points in Friday’s victory versus Minnesota.

Johnson, 6-foot-5, 215 pounds is the leading scorer in the D-League this season averaging 25.8 points for the Bakersfield Jam. He has scored in double-digits in each of his 26 games, posting 20 or more points on 22 occasions and 30 or more in five games and a season-best 43 on December 15 at Austin. Johnson is also averaging 4.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting .510 percent from the field.

Johnson is in his fourth season with the Jam. He owns career D-League averages of 20.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 36.2 minutes. His head coach during the 2007-08 season was current Raptors assistant coach Scott Roth.

A product of Jackson State in Mississippi, Johnson played four games with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2008-09 campaign totaling four points and one rebound. In October he went to training camp with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Celtics recall Avery Bradley from D-League

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have recalled guard Avery Bradley from the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League.

Bradley, a 6’2” guard, averaged 17.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 3.0 steals in nine games with the Red Claws. Bradley tied a D-League record with nine steals against Tulsa on January 30. While on assignment, he recorded 20 or more points in four games with a high of 25 against the Dakota Wizards on February 4.

Stoudemire scores 41 on Sixers

The AP reports:

Apparently not getting enough of a workout, Amare Stoudemire did a few push-ups before heading to the line for some late-game free throws.

Stoudemire wants the New York Knicks to be tougher, and on Sunday he simply overpowered the Philadelphia 76ers.

The All-Star forward matched his season high with 41 points on 17-of-21 shooting in the Knicks’ 117-103 victory, which gave them a split of an important home-and-home series.

“He understands the big moment and the stage,” Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said. “That’s why he came to New York.”

Rookie Landry Fields added a career-high 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Knicks rebounded from a 100-98 loss Friday night in Philadelphia to snap a two-game losing streak and win for just the fourth time in 13 games.

Chris Sheridan of ESPN reports:

The only downer on a day of domination for Amare Stoudemire was the technical foul he picked up from referee Bob Delaney for skipping in frustration after he was whistled for a reaching-in foul.

To Stoudemire, it was like being ticketed for driving 56 mph in a 55 mph zone.

To Delaney, a former New Jersey state trooper, it was a violation that probably only merited a warning.

At least that’s what Stoudemire said Delaney told him.

“After talking to him, he really didn’t think that was a bad play on my part. He felt more lenient, toward I might get that one taken away. So I’ll see how it goes,” Stoudemire said after scoring 41 points on 17-for-21 shooting in one of the best games he has played all season, a 117-103 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers that kept the Knicks from falling to .500.

The technical he picked up Sunday afternoon was Stoudemire’s 14th of the season, moving him within two techs of the dreaded No. 16 — which brings with it an automatic one-game suspension, as would technical fouls No. 18, 20, 22, etc.

Rockets suspend Aaron Brooks one game

Houston Rockets guard Aaron Brooks has been suspended for tomorrow night’s game in Denver for conduct detrimental to the team.

The team will have no further comment regarding this matter.

According to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, “Brooks was taken out of Saturday’s overtime win against the Memphis Grizzlies with 6:45 left in the fourth quarter, but instead of heading to the bench, went to the locker room. Brooks has said he had been frustrated with his role coming off the bench and with his play, but had gotten over it. He was not available for comment.”

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Suns sign Zabian Dowdell for rest of season

The Suns have signed guard Zabian Dowdell (ZAY-bee-in dow-DELL) through the remainder of the 2010-11 season, the team has announced.

The 6-3, 191-pound Dowdell has appeared in five games with the Suns this season over the course of two 10-day contracts, recording averages of 3.2 points, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals in 10.0 minutes per game. Dowdell also spent training camp with the Suns in 2010 before being waived on Oct. 19.

Dowdell played 18 games of the 2010-11 season with the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA D-League, where he averaged 14.5 points, 4.6 assists and 2.1 rebounds in 29.3 minutes in 18 starts. Dowdell, who also spent 10 games with the 66ers in 2009-10, saw both his scoring and assist averages increase in 2010-11.

A four-year performer at Virginia Tech (2003-07), Dowdell was a member of the Suns’ 2009 and 2010 Las Vegas Summer League entries. As a Hokie, he was a 2006-07 All-ACC First Team honoree and a two-time All-ACC Defensive Team selection.