Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Detroit Pistons assign Khris Middleton and Kim English to D-League

The Detroit Pistons announced today that they have assigned rookies Khris Middleton and Kim English to their NBA Development League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

Middleton was drafted 39th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Pistons.  The Texas A&M product has appeared in three games this season averaging 1.3 points, 0.7 assists and 0.7 steals.  He scored a season-high four points and recorded two steals at Houston (11/10).

English, the 44th pick of the 2012 NBA Draft from the University of Missouri, has seen action in 10 games with the Pistons this season.  He scored a season-high eight points twice [vs. Houston (10/31) and at L.A. Lakers (11/4)].  English is averaging 3.2 points, 0.5 rebounds and 0.7 assists while shooting 50% (8-16) from three-point range.

NBA suspends Amir Johnson for throwing mouthpiece at ref

Amir Johnson

Amir Johnson of the Toronto Raptors has been suspended one game without pay for throwing his mouthpiece and hitting a referee it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 5:01 remaining in the third quarter of Toronto’s 92-74 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, Dec. 10 at the Rose Garden.

Johnson will serve his suspension on Wednesday, Dec. 12 when the Raptors host the Brooklyn Nets at Air Canada Centre.

To view the play click on this link.

Brook Lopez remains out for Nets tonight

Nets center Brook Lopez missed a sixth straight game because of a sprained right foot, sitting out Tuesday night against the New York Knicks.

The Nets hoped Lopez would be able to return, listing him Monday as a game-time decision, but coach Avery Johnson said everyone involved decided earlier Tuesday that Lopez was not ready.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Mavericks assign Jared Cunningham to D-League

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have assigned Jared Cunningham to the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League.

Cunningham (6-4, 194) has seen action in seven games for the Mavericks and holds averages of 2.3 points and 3.4 minutes per game.

Cunningham will join the Legends on Saturday night, Dec. 15, when they take on the Rio Grande Valley Vipers at 7:00 pm CT at the Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco.

Hornets forward Anthony Davis will play Tuesday

Anthony David

New Orleans Hornets rookie forward Anthony Davis will play Tuesday night against the Washington Wizards for the first time since a Nov. 17 game against the Milwaukee Bucks.  Davis, the No. 1 pick in the June NBA draft, missed 11 consecutive games with a stress reaction in his left ankle.

Hornets Coach Monty Williams said after the team’s shootaround that Davis will come off the bench behind starter Ryan Anderson at power forward. Since Davis has been out, the Hornets have lost nine of 11 games.

“I’m going to bring him off the bench to ease him into playing again,” Williams said. “He’s excited about playing. Ryan is playing so well, I just think it’s the right thing to do. It’s good to have him back in the fold again.”

— Reported by John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune

Cavs guard Kyrie Irving ready to return

Cavs guard Kyrie Irving ready to return

Cavaliers star point guard Kyrie Irving has been cleared to practice after missing 10 games with a broken finger.

Irving has been sidelined since breaking his left index finger in a Nov. 18 game against Philadelphia. He played in Cleveland’s following game before medical tests revealed a non-displaced fracture. Irving is practicing Monday and the Cavs expect him to play Tuesday night, when Cleveland hosts the Los Angeles Lakers. Irving had been expected to miss four weeks with the injury.

The Cavs went just 2-9 without Irving, the NBA’s reigning rookie of the year.

— Reported by Tom Withers of the Associated Press

Josh Smith and Blake Griffin named NBA Players of Week

Josh Smith and Blake Griffin named NBA Players of Week

The Atlanta Hawks’ Josh Smith and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin today were named Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Dec. 3, through Sunday, Dec. 9.

In helping the Hawks go 3-0 on the week, Smith ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference in scoring (21.0 ppg) and rebounding (12.0 rpg), and tied for sixth in steals (2.00 spg). Smith grabbed a season-high 15 boards in a 104-95 win vs. Washington on Dec. 7, and followed that up the following night with a season-high three steals in a 93-83 triumph at Memphis.

Josh Smith and Blake Griffin named NBA Players of Week

Griffin averaged a point/rebound double-double in leading the Clippers to four wins in as many games. Among Western Conference players, Griffin ranked ninth in scoring (23.0 ppg), seventh in rebounding (10.0 rpg), and second in steals (2.50 spg). Additionally, Griffin’s .639 field goal percentage ranked sixth in the conference. In a 117-99 win over Phoenix Dec. 8, Griffin recorded a career-best four steals to go along with 24 points and eight rebounds.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Al Horford, Boston’s Rajon Rondo, Chicago’s Joakim Noah, Golden State’s Stephen Curry and David Lee, Memphis’ Zach Randolph, New York’s Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton, Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, Orlando’s Glen Davis, Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins, and San Antonio’s Tony Parker.

Thunder recall Jeremy Lamb and Daniel Orton from D-League

The Oklahoma City Thunder has recalled guard Jeremy Lamb and forward Daniel Orton from the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Lamb has appeared in five games (all starts) with the 66ers this season, averaging 22.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.4 blocks in 37.8 minutes.

Orton has seen action in seven games (seven starts) with Tulsa this season, averaging 11.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.9 blocks and 31.0 minutes.

Boston Celtics recall Fab Melo from D-League

Fab Melo

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have recalled center Fab Melo from their NBA Development League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws.

Melo, a 7’0” center, averaged 6.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 23.4 minutes over five games for the Red Claws.  Melo recorded a high of 14 points against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants on November 25 and recorded a high of 11 rebounds against the Los Angeles D-Fenders on November 30.