NBA News Blog – Page 929 – NBA Blog

Heat beat Nets by 30 in Miami

Dwyane Wade scored 22 points on 10 for 14 shooting, LeBron James finished two assists shy of a triple-double and the Miami Heat improved to 4-0 at home for the first time in franchise history by beating the Brooklyn Nets 103-73 on Wednesday night.

James had 20 points and 12 rebounds in only 30 minutes, and Rashard Lewis scored 13 points for the Heat (4-1). Miami – which plays its next six games on the road – has won its four home games by an average of 17.8 points.

Kris Humphries had a double-double by halftime, then was silent in the second half and finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Nets (1-2). Deron Williams scored 14 for Brooklyn, which got 12 off the bench from MarShon Brooks.

The Nets had 19 turnovers, which Miami turned into 31 points…

The Nets were without Gerald Wallace, who missed his second straight game with a sprained left ankle.

— Reported by Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press

InsideHoops.com notes: Deron Williams dished just three assists while committing seven turnovers… Keith Bogans, who started at shooting guard for Brooklyn, contributed just three points and two rebounds… Nets swingman Joe Johnson shot just 4-of-14 for nine points and little else… The Heat as a team shot 52 percent from the field.

Kings assign Tyler Honeycutt to D-League

The Sacramento Kings assigned second-year forward Tyler Honeycutt to the Reno Bighorns, the Kings’ NBA Development League affiliate, it was announced today.

The assignment is the first of the 2012-13 NBA and NBA D-League seasons, and the second for Honeycutt in his career. He was assigned last season from Jan. 2 – Jan. 22, 2012.

Honeycutt (6-8, 188, UCLA) appeared in 15 games for the Kings as a rookie last season, averaging 1.3 points, 0.9 rebounds and 5.9 minutes. In one preseason game this year, he scored two points and grabbed four rebounds in 14 minutes.

In 10 games on assignment with the Bighorns last season, Honeycutt averaged 5.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 12.7 minutes.

Originally selected in the second round (35th overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft by the Kings, Honeycutt appeared in 59 career games for the Bruins, averaging 10.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 31.7 minutes.

Honeycutt, who will be available to play tonight in Sacramento, is expected to join the Bighorns in time for their 2012 NBA D-League training camp which opens on Nov. 12 in Reno.

Kobe Bryant still trying to rest his strained foot

Kobe Bryant still trying to rest his strained right foot

Out of interest that he heals his strained right foot, Kobe Bryant sat out of practice Tuesday for the second consecutive time this week.

Out of interest to stop the Lakers’ sluggish start, Coach Mike Brown has kept Bryant on the floor longer than planned.

Bryant expressed optimism the past two days of treatment and rest will make his foot feel “90 percent” when the Lakers (1-3) play tonight at Utah (1-2). Brown expressed optimism he’ll reduce Bryant’s current playing time, which has hovered at an average of 37 minutes through four games.

“I want to try to really be conscious of Kobe’s minutes, Brown said. “What I can do is as we go on, is continue to be more conscious of not throwing him out there.”

— Reported by Mark Medina of the Daily Breeze

Indiana Pacers lose forward Danny Granger for 3 months

Danny Granger injury update: The news is bad

The Indiana Pacers announced that Danny Granger received an injection Tuesday to treat left patellar tendinosis. The procedure was performed by Dr. James Andrews in Gulf Breeze, Fla.

Team medical personnel are looking at a recovery time of approximately three months. Further updates will be provided when appropriate.

According to the Associated Press, “Without Granger, the Pacers will be searching for offense to offset his loss. Granger averaged 18.3 points per game last season and led Indiana to the Eastern Conference semifinals. He has led the team in scoring the past five seasons. Gerald Green had started at forward in Granger’s absence before coach Frank Vogel turned to Sam Young this week.”

Blake Griffin playing through elbow injury

Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin reportedly has a ruptured bursa sac in his right elbow, but the ailment won’t keep him out of action.

According to the Orange County Register, Griffin said the problem has occurred in the past, but “never this bad.”

Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro told ESPNLosAngeles.com that Griffin also is battling through a neck strain. The website reported that Griffin participated in only half of Tuesday’s practice in advance of Wednesday’s home game against the San Antonio Spurs.

— Reported by the Sports Xchange

Hornets coach Monty Williams fined for public criticism of NBA concussion policy

New Orleans Hornets head coach Monty Williams has been fined $25,000 for public comments that were critical of the NBA’s concussion policy, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.

Williams’ comments were made prior to the Hornets game against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, Nov. 3.

More info will be added to this page later today.

Bobcats guard Gerald Henderson out 2-4 weeks

The Charlotte Bobcats announced today that guard Gerald Henderson could miss approximately 2-4 weeks after further examination on his left foot confirmed the mid-foot sprain he suffered November 3 at Dallas.

Through two games, Henderson is averaging 12.5 points, 3.0 steals, 2.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 28.0 minutes.

According to the Charlotte Obsever, “I drove down the middle of the lane and got fouled. I slipped, and my foot kind of dragged on the ground and turned a little weird,’’ Henderson described. “I got up and felt something was wrong. I just couldn’t put a whole bunch of pressure on it, so I knew something was wrong.’’ The Bobcats will be scrambling to fill all the things Henderson does. Along with being the starting shooting guard he’s been the backup small forward this season. He’s third on the Bobcats in scoring at 12.5 points per game and sixth in the NBA in steals at three per game.”

Steve Blake fined for directing inappropriate language at a fan

Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Blake has been fined $25,000 for directing inappropriate language toward a fan, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 29.2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 105-95 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, November 2 at Staples Center.

According to the Los Angeles Times, ” Steve Blake has been punished by the league office for yelling at Lance Jackson, the adult son of Steve Jackson, a footwear mogul and longtime Lakers fan known for his block of eight courtside seats. Next thing you know, Laker Girls will be sprouting whiskers. Said Blake: “It’s one of those moments you’re not proud of.” Said Lance Jackson: “I’m just sorry it got to this point.” That’s not exactly what they were saying to each other during Friday night’s Lakers loss to the Clippers at Staples Center. While playing for the injured Steve Nash, Blake was struggling, hitting just two of his six shots while the Lakers were falling to 0-3.”

Dallas Mavericks forward Shawn Marion out with MCL sprain

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that an MRI confirmed forward Shawn Marion has a sprained left medial collateral ligament (MCL). He will be listed as out tomorrow and will not travel with the team to New York and Charlotte later this week. He will be re-evaluated next week.

In four games this season, Marion has averaged 8.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 blocks in 27.0 minutes while shooting 51.9% (14-27 FGs) from the field.

Cavs step up and beat Clippers

Last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers were apt to follow up a tough loss with another defeat. Things are slowly changing.

Rookie Dion Waiters hit seven 3-pointers in scoring 28 points and Kyrie Irving added 24 points in a 108-101 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night that snapped a two-game skid two nights after losing by three to Milwaukee.

Some of the biggest shots were hit by Waiters, whose points and 3-pointers set career highs in his fourth NBA game…

Tyler Zeller added 15 points and Anderson Varejao had 15 points and 15 rebounds for the Cavs, who took the lead for good late in the first quarter.

Blake Griffin scored 20 points, Jamal Crawford added 19 and Chris Paul had 17 for the Clippers, who lost their second straight after opening the season with two wins. Their 25 turnovers led to 21 points for the Cavs.

— Reported by Beth Harris of the Associated Press