NBA News Blog – Page 1308 – NBA Blog

Mavericks release Sasha Pavlovic

Dwaine Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports (via blog):

Shortly after Saturday’s 102-91 win over the Atlanta Hawks, the Dallas Mavericks released small forward Sasha Pavlovic.

After the game against the Hawks, Pavlovic’s second 10-day contract with the Mavs expired. Thus, under NBA rules, the Mavs either had to sign him to a contract for the rest of the season, or waive him.

The Mavs chose the latter.

“The decision comes down from the top, and it basically involves (player/money) flexibility going forward,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “I’m sure he’s disappointed.

“But I”m also sure he’ll hook on with someone else.”

Spurs recall James Anderson from D-League

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have recalled rookie James Anderson from the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League. He will be active for San Antonio’s game tonight against the Houston Rockets at the AT&T Center.

Anderson, a 6-6, 215-pound guard, was assigned to the Toros on January 26 for a rehab assignment. He has been out since November 11 when he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot. In Austin, Anderson played in two games, averaging 14.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in 14.0 minutes per game. He shot .556 (10-18) from the field, .444 (4-9) from three-point territory and .714 (5-7) from the free throw line. Before the injury, he appeared in six games for the Spurs, averaging 7.0 points and 1.5 assists in 17.7 minutes per game. He is shooting .424 (14-33) from the field and .500 (10-20) from three-point land.

NBA suspends Marvin Williams and Shawne Williams for punches

The Atlanta Hawks’ Marvin Williams has been suspended two games without pay for throwing punches and fighting with the New York Knicks’ Shawne Williams, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations. Shawne Williams has been suspended one game without pay for throwing a punch during the altercation.

The incident occurred with 43.7 seconds remaining in the fourth period of the Hawks’ 111-102 win over the Knicks at Philips Arena in Atlanta.

Marvin Williams will serve his suspension during the Hawks’ next two games: tonight at the Dallas Mavericks and Wednesday, February 2 vs. the Toronto Raptors.

Shawne Williams will serve his suspension tomorrow when the Knicks play host to the Detroit Pistons.

Blazers assign Armon Johnson to D-League

The Portland Trail Blazers have assigned rookie guard Armon Johnson to the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by General Manager Rich Cho.

Johnson, 21, is averaging 3.1 points, 1.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 8.1 minutes in 28 games this season with the Trail Blazers.

He becomes the 35th NBA player assigned to the D-League this season, and the second assigned by the Trail Blazers (Luke Babbitt, Dec. 8-18).

Portland selected Johnson in the second round (34th pick overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft out of the University of Nevada.

Hawks sign Damien Wilkins for rest of season

The Atlanta Hawks today signed guard/forward Damien Wilkins for the remainder of the season according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Wilkins has appeared in 20 games off the bench for Atlanta this season, averaging 2.6 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.7 apg and 0.6 spg (.447 FG%, .739 FT%) in 12.3 mpg. The seventh-year veteran was originally signed by the Hawks on December 3, 2010, and waived on January 5, 2011, before signing consecutive 10-day contracts on January 8 and 18.

Dwyane Wade`s tinted goggles rejected by NBA for game

The AP reports:

The NBA has rejected the tinted goggles that Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade(notes) planned to wear for the start of Thursday’s game against the New York Knicks to protect his eyes from the bright lights as he recovers from a migraine headache.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra says the league disallowed the glasses when they inspected them after Miami’s shootaround Thursday morning. The NBA said the tinting was too dark, giving Wade an unfair advantage because the opponent could not see his eyes.

2011 NBA All-Star East starters announced

The starters for the Eastern conference 2011 NBA All-Star team are as follows:

At guard, Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose and Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade.

At forward, Heat small forward LeBron James and New York Knicks power forward Amar’e Stoudemire.

And at center, Orlando Magic big-man Dwight Howard.

O.J. Mayo suspended 10 games by NBA

The NBA announced today that O.J. Mayo of the Memphis Grizzlies has been suspended without pay for 10 games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program. His violation of the program involved a positive test for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).

Mayo’s suspension will begin with tomorrow night’s game between the Grizzlies and the Philadelphia 76ers.

Statement from Memphis Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo regarding the suspension: “I’m extremely disappointed that I’m going to miss the next 10 games, particularly as our team is making a push for the playoffs. I had no idea that the over-the-counter supplement that I took was a substance banned by the NBA. It was an honest mistake, but I take full responsibility for my actions. I apologize to my fans, teammates and the Grizzlies organization for regrettably not doing the necessary research about what supplements I can put in my body.”

Statement from Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley regarding the suspension: “O.J. had a lack of judgment but has shown complete accountability. We will continue to support O.J. during this time as we have from the moment he joined the team in 2008. He has unselfishly done everything we have asked of him, and we expect him to grow as a player and a person from this experience. He will continue to contribute to the organization during this suspension, as he will practice with the team leading up to his return on Feb. 15 vs. Philadelphia prior to the All-Star break.”

Mayo has mostly come off the bench for the Grizzlies this season, starting just 15 of their 46 games. He is averaging 12.2 points and 2.6 rebounds in 28.8 minutes per game.

It’s been a down year on the court for O.J. As a rookie he averaged 18.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 3.2 apg. As a second-year player he put up 17.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 3.0 apg. He received 38.0 minutes per game in both those seasons.

The 22-24 Grizzlies are currently 9th in the Western conference.

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

Derrick Rose recovering from stomach ulcers

The AP reports:

Derrick Rose plans to cut back on the spices.

The Bulls’ star point guard is recovering from stomach ulcers he believes his diet caused and hopes to play when Chicago hosts the Orlando Magic on Friday.

Rose said his energy is “kind of low. But I should be all right.”

He said he started experiencing heartburn on Monday and still is having difficulty eating, drinking and swallowing. He initially thought he had stomach flu, but doctors at Rush University Medical Center found two ulcers on Wednesday.

Suns sign Zabian Dowdell to 10-day contract

The Suns have signed guard Zabian Dowdell (ZAY-bee-in dow-DELL) to a 10-day contract, the team has announced.

The 6-3, 191-pound Dowdell returns for his second regular season stint with the Suns after signing a 10-day contract on Jan. 9, 2011. Dowdell, who appeared in two games in his initial tenure with Phoenix, 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.