Euroleague.net reports: A triumphant return from personal misfortune and family tragedy saw a signature Euroleague superstar earn MVP honors for Top 16, Week 4. All-Euroleague center Tiago Splitter put on a near-perfect performance as Tau Ceramica moved nearer to Quarterfinal Playoffs qualification by dominating Armani Jeans Milano 74-107 on the road Wednesday in Group D. It was Splitter’s first Top 16 game after an injury and the tragic passing of his teenage sister earlier in February as she lost a long battle with leukemia… Carlos Arroyo of Maccabi Electra was the best scorer of Top 16 Week 4 with 26 points in a losing effort against Real Madrid. Three players – Louis Bullock of Real Madrid, Igor Rakocevic of Tau Ceramica and Mirsad Turkcan of Fenerbahce Ulker – tie as the Top 16’s overall scoring leaders with 19 points per game each.
Category: NBA News Blog
NBA news blog
Rockets waive Luther Head
The Houston Chronicle (Jonathan Feigen) reports: With his playing time scarce and time running out on his contract, Rockets guard Luther Head was waived on Saturday to beat the deadline for players to be eligible for the postseason. Head will likely be replaced on the roster by high-scoring NBA Development League forward James White of the Anaheim Arsenal. The Rockets were close to signing White to a 10-day contract, a person with knowledge of the move said on Saturday, and White was held out of Saturday’s game… “He wants to play and it didn’t seem he would get the opportunity to play a lot there,” Head’s agent Mark Bartelstein said. “This is an opportunity to find a team and get a chance to play, maybe to play in the playoffs and to showcase him before he is a free agent this summer.”
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Kevin Durant out 1-2 weeks
The Oklahoman (Darnell Mayberry) reports: Thunder forward Kevin Durant will miss up to two weeks with a Grade II ankle sprain, according to a team source. Durant is expected to miss seven to 14 days after rolling his right ankle in Friday’s game at Dallas when he stepped on the foot of Mavs forward Josh Howard while driving to the basket with 7:13 left in the first quarter. He remained in the game for about three minutes before walking off the court with a limp.
Australia: 2009 NBL Finals
The 2009 National Basketball League (NBL) Grand Final series will be an all-Victorian affair after the South Dragons defeated the Townsville Crocodiles to advance to the title round, where they will face cross-town rivals the Melbourne Tigers in a classic one versus two showdown.
The Dragons, who took out the minor premiership with a league-best regular season record of 22-8, defeated Townsville in the deciding Game Three of their Semi-Final series, 101-78, at Melbourne’s Hisense Arena tonight.
The league’s reigning Champions and this season’s number two seed, the Tigers, had previously advanced to the Grand Final series after defeating the New Zealand Breakers 2-0 in their own best-of-three Semi-Final series.
The Dragons’ victory tonight sets-up a clash of the top two ranked teams in the league, and the first all-Victorian NBL Grand Final since 1997, when the South-East Melbourne Magic (led by South Dragons current coach Brian Goorjian) defeated the Melbourne Tigers 2-1 in a classic three-game series.
President Obama attends Wizards game
The Washington Wizards welcomed President Barack Obama to tonight’s game against the Chicago Bulls.
He left with just under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter as the Wizards were enjoying a 103-86 victory. Surrounded by security, Obama shook hands hands with plenty of fans and received a nice ovation from the crowd as he headed out.
Obama attended the game as a special guest of Abe Pollin, owner of the Wizards and Verizon Center. Tonight marked his first presidential appearance at an NBA game.
“We are very proud and honored that President Obama attended tonight’s game at Verizon Center,” said Pollin. “Irene and I want to officially welcome the president to the neighborhood and hope that he and his family will attend many more events here at Verizon Center.”
Obama viewed the game both from the stands and as a guest in Pollin’s suite. He joins Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter as presidents who have attended Wizards/Bullets games.
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NBA bans Dwyane Wade’s designer band-aids
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Ira Winderman) reports: The personalized Band-Aid era is over. The slogan-bearing bandages Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade has been wearing beneath his previously injured left eye have been banned by the NBA. “We spoke to them,” NBA spokesman Tim Frank said today. “A player can wear a Band-Aid for healthcare purposes, but it shouldn’t have any name or identifications on it.” … “You can’t wear an identifiable Band-Aid,” Frank said. “We don’t expect it to be an issue, so there will be no need for a penalty.”
Clippers waive Jason Hart
The Los Angeles Clippers today waived guard Jason Hart.
In 28 games played this season, Hart averaged 2.3 points, 1.5 assists and 11.1 minutes per contest. Over his eight-year NBA career, Hart has recorded averages of 4.9 points, 2.3 assists and 16.1 minutes per game.
The Clippers acquired Hart from the Utah Jazz on July 23, 2008 in exchange for guard Brevin Knight.
Phoenix Suns ticket prices staying same in 2009-10
The Phoenix Suns announced today that there will be no increase in prices for Suns season tickets for the 2009-10 season. The club will mail complete renewal information to season ticket holders today. In addition to the price freeze, the plan includes a new interest-free flexible payment option and free parking for those who choose to pay in full.
“It is not ‘business as usual’ for our season ticket holders in this challenging economy,” said Rick Welts, President and COO of the Phoenix Suns. “We want our most devoted fans to know that their team is listening to them and that the plan we are unveiling today addresses their concerns. Our goal is to ensure that our fans can continue to enjoy the experience of Phoenix Suns basketball at a great value.”
Celtics suspend Gabe Pruitt for two games
The Boston Celtics announced today that they have suspended guard Gabe Pruitt for two games for conduct detrimental to the team.
“I recognize that my behavior was inappropriate and accept the consequences of my action as determined by the Celtics,” said Pruitt.
Pruitt, a 6’4”, 170lb guard, is in his second year with the Celtics and is averaging 2.3 points in 8.8 minutes per game this season. The former USC Trojan has appeared in 36 games for the Celtics this season.
Gabe Pruitt arrested for DUI
The Boston Globe (Frank Dell’Apa) reports: Reserve guard Gabe Pruitt was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence and spent about five hours under arrest at the Los Angeles Police Department’s Hollywood station early yesterday morning. Pruitt was charged with a misdemeanor and released on $5,000 bail. Pruitt failed a field sobriety test and was taken into custody near the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Wilcox Avenue, about a block from the police station, at 3:07 a.m. A police spokesman said Pruitt was stopped at a green light and his automobile, a Mercedes S550, had dark, tinted windows, illegal in California. Pruitt was released at 8:31 a.m. yesterday.