Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Knicks handle Sixers in New York

It wasn’t a pretty game, but Friday night in Madison Square Garden the New York Knicks, thanks to a balanced scoring effort and a good game from Zach Randolph, beat the Philadelphia 76ers 89-81.

For the Knicks, who have played well lately, Jamal Crawford (just 6-of-19) had 18 points and 5 assists. Zach Randolph (8-of-12) had 16 points and 15 rebounds. David Lee (6-of-8) had 14 points, Nate Robinson 13, and Eddy Curry 11.

For the struggling Sixers, Andre Iguodala (10-of-20) had 24 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals, Willie Green (just 5-of-13) scored 13 points, Samuel Dalembert 12 with just 5 rebounds, and Andre Miller had 10 points with 6 assists.

Both teams struggled from the free throw line and three-point range. The Knicks controlled the glass. And they had 22 assists, while the Sixers only totaled 14.

“I just think, right now, we are playing again with a lot more trust,” said Knicks president and head coach Isiah Thomas. “We have good shot distribution. Everyone feels a part of the game.”

Randolph was especially impressive. “He had a nice offensive game,” said Sixers head coach Maurice Cheeks.

Iguodala recognized Crawford’s scoring ability: “Crawford is good. He can shoot.”

Crawford continues to nail tons of tough, off-balance, outside jumpers, often with time running out on the clock. It’s an impressive skill.

Fred Jones didn’t play for the Knicks. He has flu-like symptons. Also, Stephon Marbury is out for a long time after surgery.

The Knicks are now 10-14 at home. And the Sixers have now lost 7 of their last 8 road games.

New York now heads out West for a five game road trip. They face tough competition and could rack up several losses.

Only the Miami Heat are lower than the Knicks and 76ers in the Eastern conference standings.

Brent Barry out 3-4 weeks

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that a MRI had revealed that Brent Barry suffered a grade II strain of the medial head of his gastrocnemius muscle in his left calf. The injury occurred during the third quarter of the Spurs-Miami Heat game on 1/24. He is expected to miss three-to-four weeks.

Barry had previously torn the plantaris muscle in his left calf on 12/26 against Chicago. He missed nine games due to the injury.

Jazz assign Morris Almond to D-League

Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor announced today that the team has re-assigned rookie guard Morris Almond to the Utah Flash of the NBA Development League (D-League). Almond joins fellow rookie Kyrylo Fesenko, who is already on assignment with the Flash.

Almond, a 6-6, 225-pound guard out of Rice was selected by the Jazz in the first round (25th overall selection) of the 2007 NBA Draft. He has appeared in six games for the Jazz, totaling three points, one assist and one steal in 25 minutes of action. He appeared in two games for the Jazz during his most recent stint with the team, averaging 1.5 points and 0.5 assists in 7.0 minutes per game.

Almond was previously assigned to the Jazz’s D-League affiliate from December 6 – January 8 and appeared in 10 games (all starts) for the Flash, averaging a league-leading 29.8 points, along with 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 37.6 minutes per game. He was named D-League Player of the Week (Dec. 17-23) after averaging 43.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals while shooting 32-of-68 (.471) from the field. During that week, Almond scored a D-League record-tying 51 points in a win over the Austin Toros on December 21.

Almond will join the Flash for its game vs. Sioux Falls tonight.

Sasha Pavlovic may be out 2 months

The start of the Cavaliers season was a mess due to injuries and unsigned players. Now, one of the two key guys who rejoined the team after the season had already started may be gone for a while. The AP reports:

Cavaliers guard Sasha Pavlovic could miss up to two months because of a sprained left foot, a blow to the defending Eastern Conference champions, who are playing their best ball this season. Pavlovic got hurt during the third quarter of Wednesday night’s win over Washington.

The Cavs have played great basketball over the last month. This hurts their flow.

Bobcats assign Jermareo Davidson to D-League

The Charlotte Bobcats have assigned rookie forward Jermareo Davidson to their NBA Development League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.  Davidson is expected to see his first action on Friday, January 25, against the Utah Flash.

The 6-10, 230-pound forward has appeared in 16 games this season with averages of 2.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in 7.1 minutes of action.  His draft rights were acquired by the Bobcats along with guard Jason Richardson from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Brandan Wright, whom the Bobcats selected with eighth pick in the 2007 NBA Draft.

Davidson, the 36th overall selection in the June draft, played four seasons at the University of Alabama and averaged 10.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 126 collegiate games. He was named All-Southeastern Conference Second Team in 2006-07 by the league’s coaches and Honorable Mention All-SEC by The Associated Press.

As a senior, he ranked second on the team in scoring, averaging 14.0 points, ranked first in total blocks with 70 and ranked second in rebounding (8.2).  He also reached double-figure scoring 25 times and posted 11 double-doubles on the season.

Luol Deng out 1-3 weeks

Chicago Bulls team captain Luol Deng will be sidelined one to three weeks due to left Achilles tendinitis.

To date, Deng (6-9, 220) has missed a total of four games because of the injury, sitting out Jan. 5 – 11 and again on Jan. 19. He has also missed three games this season due to lower back pain (Nov. 18 – 24).

In his fourth season, Deng has appeared in 33 games, including 32 starts, and averaged 17.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg and 2.4 apg in 34.7 mpg. He has shot .478 from the floor, including .400 from three-point range, and .762 from the free throw line.

Shaq out at least 2 weeks

The Miami HEAT announced that center Shaquille O’Neal underwent an MRI today which revealed acute left hip and quadriceps inflammation. He will be sidelined two weeks before being re-evaluated and will continue with treatment during that span.

O’Neal, currently in his 15th NBA season, has appeared in 32 games (all starts) for the HEAT this season, and has averaged 14.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.66 blocks in 28.5 minutes per game while ranking sixth in the NBA in field goal percentage (.581).

Wizards-Cavaliers roster connections

Cavaliers guard Larry Hughes appeared in 189 games for the Wizards from 2002-05…  Wizards guard Antonio Daniels and Cavs forward Ira Newble were teammates in San Antonio in 2000-01…  Daniels attended high school at nearby Saint Francis DeSales in Columbus, OH…  Wizards center Brendan Haywood was originally drafted by Cleveland with the 20th overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft…  Wizards assistant Phil Hubbard averaged 10.6 points per game as a player with the Cavaliers from 1981-89…  Wizards Head Coach Eddie Jordan was drafted by Cleveland 33rd overall in the second round of the 1977 NBA Draft.

Nene did have cancer but should be OK

Results of a biopsy performed on a small testicular tumor found on Nuggets F Nenê indicate the tumor was malignant.  Further test results show that the cancer was isolated and did not spread.  Nenê underwent surgery to remove the tumor on Jan. 14.

The tumor was discovered in the very early stages and the recovery rate is extremely high.  In addition, the odds of a recurrence are very small.

Nenê is doing well and is recovering in Denver.

There remains no timeline for his return to the court.