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Miami Heat sign Chris Andersen to 10-day contract

The Birdman is back in the NBA. Temporarily, at least.

The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed forward/center Chris Andersen to a 10-day contract.

Andersen, a 10-year NBA veteran, has appeared in 482 career games (10 starts) and averaged 5.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.60 blocks and 17.8 minutes while shooting 50.8 percent from the field. Additionally, he has appeared in 31 career postseason games and averaged 5.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.52 blocks and 17.8 minutes while shooting 58.2 percent from the field.

Last season, Andersen appeared in 32 games (one start) with Denver and averaged 5.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.44 blocks and 15.2 minutes while shooting 54.6 percent from the field.

According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, “because of the moves, center Josh Harrellson was not retained after his 10-day contract expired. Also, the Heat announced that center Dexter Pittman again has been recalled from the NBA Development League. The focus Sunday, though, was on Andersen. “It’s a great fit for me,” Andersen said of being called in to provide rebounding and defense. “It’s what I do.” Andersen, known for his colorful tattoos, Mohawk haircut and headband summed up his personality after Sunday’s workout.”

Phoenix Suns name Lindsey Hunter interim head coach

The Phoenix Suns have named former NBA player and Suns Player Development Coordinator Lindsey Hunter the club’s interim head coach, the team announced today.

What this means is, for now, Hunter will act as the team’s head coach. The Suns could wind up keeping Hunter in charge if things go well, but otherwise, they will hire someone else to take the head coach position in a full-time, more long-term capacity.

A 17-year NBA veteran as a player, Hunter retired following the 2009-10 season after a successful career with Detroit (1993-00, 2003-08), Milwaukee (2000-01), the LA Lakers (2001-02), Toronto (2002-03) and Chicago (2008-10). A two-time NBA champion with the Lakers (2001-02) and Pistons (2003-04), Hunter’s teams made 12 playoff appearances in 17 seasons overall. Originally selected with the 10th overall pick of 1993 NBA Draft, the 6-2, 195-pound former guard averaged 8.5 points, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 937 career games (438 starts).

Hunter joined the Suns’ scouting department in 2012 and this season served as the coordinator of the organization’s newly-formed player development department. He served in a similar post with the Chicago Bulls following his retirement.

According to Bob Baum of the Associated Press, “The Suns, with nine new players on their roster this season, have lost 13 of 15, including four straight at home, and at 13-28 have the worst record in the Western Conference. They don’t play again until Wednesday, when they face the Kings in Sacramento. Hunter’s home debut will come Thursday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, who have the West’s second-best record at 32-9.”

Also from the Associated Press: “Gentry was Phoenix’s coach since Terry Porter was fired at the 2009 All-Star break. His time included a run to the 2010 Western Conference finals in 2010, his first full season as coach. But the team failed to make the playoffs the last two seasons. Then Steve Nash departed to the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Suns, under the direction of team president Lon Babby and general manager Lance Blanks, overhauled the roster.”

NBA fines Shawn Marion for public criticism of officiating

Dallas Mavericks forward Shawn Marion has been fined $25,000 for public criticism of officiating, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.

Marion’s comments were made after Dallas’ 117-114 overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on January 18 at American Airlines Center.

More info will be added to this page this evening.

Lou Williams suffers torn ACL in right knee, out for season

Lou Williams out for season with torn ACL in right knee

The Atlanta Hawks just received some most unfortunate news.

Hawks guard Lou Williams experienced a right knee sprain during Atlanta’s game last night at Brooklyn. X-rays taken during the game at the Barclays Center were negative. An MRI and examination today by Dr. Michael Bernot at Peachtree Orthopedics in Atlanta revealed a tear to his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

“We are extremely disappointed for Lou and our thoughts and support will be with him during his recovery,” said President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Danny Ferry. “He has been a complete professional in every sense of the word and know that approach, along with his work ethic, will serve him well in his rehabilitation.”

Williams will now undergo a period of rest before having surgery to repair the injury at a date to be determined. He will miss the remainder of the season and a timetable for his recovery will be announced following surgery.

The 6-foot-1 guard from Snellville ranks third on the team in scoring (14.1), assists (3.6) and steals (1.1). He is shooting .422 from the field, including career-bests of .367 from three-point range and .868 from the free throw line, in 28.7 minutes per game in 39 games (nine starts).

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Avery Bradley gets more X-rays on ribs

Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley underwent another set of X-rays Saturday on his injured rib, coach Doc Rivers said.

Bradley was injured Wednesday against the New Orleans Hornets and missed Friday’s game against the Chicago Bulls.

A team spokesman later noted the X-rays came back negative. Rivers previously stressed that Bradley’s condition hasn’t worsened at all, but that the lack of improvement prompted another test.

— Reported by Greg Payne, special to ESPN Boston

Timberwolves sign center Chris Johnson to 10-day contract

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed center Chris Johnson to a 10-day contract. The Timberwolves were granted an NBA hardship exception for a 16th roster spot due to having four players out for a minimum of two weeks due to injury.

Johnson was playing with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA D-League where he was averaging 10.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 25.6 minutes in 14 games. He is the 16th Call-Up from the NBA D-League to the NBA this season.

Johnson, 27, was a free agent invitee at the Wolves training camp this past fall. He appeared in three preseason games for Minnesota, and averaged 2.0 points and 1.0 rebounds in 5.0 minutes per game. Johnson was waived on Oct. 27, 2012.

The 6-11 center has played parts of two NBA seasons with Boston, Portland and New Orleans. He started the 2011-12 season with Portland, averaging 1.6 points and 0.9 rebounds in 20 contests. Johnson finished the 2011-12 season in New Orleans where he averaged 3.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in seven contests. In 41 career games, he holds averages of 2.1 points and 1.5 rebounds.

Johnson averaged 16.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.8 blocks during the 2010-11 season for the Dakota Wizards and was named the 2011 NBA D-League Defensive Player of the Year. Spent his collegiate years at Louisiana State University and went undrafted in the 2009 NBA Draft.

Timberwolves sign Mickael Gelabale to 10-day contract

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed forward Mickael Gelabale to a 10-day contract.

Gelabale, 29, spent two seasons (2006-07, 2007-08) in the NBA with the Seattle SuperSonics, and averaged 4.5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 15.6 minutes per game in 109 contests. Gelabale was drafted in the second round (48th overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft by Seattle.

Gelabale, 6-7, began this season playing in Croatia for Cedevita Zagreb in the EuroLeague and Adriatic League. In 10 EuroLeague games, Gelabale averaged 12.8 points on 60.5 percent shooting, including 42.1 percent from beyond the arc. Gelabale signed with Valencia BC in Spain in December and played in five games in the EuroCup and Spanish League, averaging 10.8 points on 51.6 percent shooting from the floor. Gelabale has also spent time playing professionally in France, Belgium and Russia.

Gelabale played for the French National Team in the 2012 Summer Olympics, averaging 7.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists in six contests, all starts.

Heat re-assign Dexter Pittman to D-League

The Miami HEAT announced today that center Dexter Pittman has been re-assigned to the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League. The Skyforce are the HEAT’s D-League affiliate.

Pittman was originally assigned to Sioux Falls earlier this season on December 26 appearing in 10 games (seven starts) and averaged 12.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.90 blocks, 1.20 steals and 25.1 minutes while shooting 46.3 percent from the field. He posted four double-doubles and was named to the 2013 NBA D-League Showcase Second Team before being recalled by the HEAT for their 99-90 win against the Los Angeles Lakers last night.

Pittman will rejoin the Skyforce and be available for tonight’s game against the Texas Legends.

Wolves center Nikola Pekovic out 7-10 days

Minnesota Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic will miss the next seven to 10 days because of badly bruised right quadriceps.

Pekovic was injured in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night after a collision with Blake Griffin. Pekovic did not practice on Friday and Timberwolves president David Kahn says he will miss at least a week.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Alvin Gentry is no longer head coach of the Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns and Alvin Gentry have mutually agreed to part ways after his five-plus seasons as head coach, the club announced today. An interim coach will be named in the next 24-48 hours.

“Alvin’s hard work, dedication and coaching ability over the last nine years have been an important part of the success of our organization,” said Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver. “These partings are never easy but are, unfortunately, part of the business of professional sports. I wish nothing but the best for Alvin and his family.”

Said Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby: “All of us, including Alvin, realized that the pieces weren’t fitting. To be sure, integrating nine new players was a challenge. Alvin is a good coach and a good person. I wish him the best. As for us, we will remain focused on moving this team forward.”

Gentry originally joined the Suns organization as an assistant coach prior to the 2004-05 season, and was named Phoenix’s interim head coach in Feb. 2009 before officially becoming the 14th head coach in franchise history on May 9, 2009. In five-plus seasons leading the Suns, Gentry’s teams compiled a 158-144 (.523) record, earning one playoff appearance and a trip to the 2010 Western Conference Finals. The Suns currently own a 13-28 (.317) record at the midway point of the 2012-13 season.

“After nine years with the Suns, the organization and I came to a mutual agreement to go in different directions,” Gentry said. “I have the utmost respect for (Suns Managing Partner) Robert (Sarver) and what he’s done with the organization. It’s unfortunate that I was unable to accomplish what I set out to do here.”

According to the Associated Press, “Gentry had coached the Suns since replacing the fired Terry Porter at the All-Star break of the 2008-09 season, compiling a 158-144 record. His 2010 squad, led by Steve Nash, went 54-28 and advanced to the Western Conference finals. But Nash left and the team underwent what has been a disastrous rebuilding effort. The Suns have lost 13 of 15 and four straight at home. Their 98-94 loss to Milwaukee on Thursday night snapped the Bucks’ 24-game losing streak in Phoenix. The Suns’ 13-28 record is the worst in the Western Conference and fourth-worst in the NBA. Only Cleveland, Charlotte and Washington are worse.”

More from the AP: “The rebuilt team lacked a go-to scorer and struggled with depth as Gentry continuously tried new lineups. He had said recently that the team, with the season obviously headed south, might simply turn to its younger players and look to the future.”

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