Boston Celtics Blog – Page 128 – NBA Blog

NBA D-League expands to Portland, Maine

The NBA Development League has awarded an expansion team to Portland, Maine for the 2009-10 season, NBA D-League President Dan Reed announced today at a press conference at Portland High School. The team, which is the first expansion franchise awarded for the 2009-10 season, will play at the Portland Expo Center.

The franchise will be owned and operated by Maine Basketball, LLC, which is principally owned by Bill Ryan Sr., the chairman of TD Banknorth Group and Bill Ryan Jr., who owns and operates Oxford Plains Speedway. Jon Jennings, a partner in Maine Basketball, LLC and former Boston Celtics assistant coach, will serve as the team’s president and general manager.

Today’s announcement, the NBA D-League’s first foray into New England, was held in front of the school’s student body while featuring Reed, Celtics Team President Rich Gotham, the Celtics Dancers, and a speech by the Portland High Student Body President Brian Furey.

“Expansion to Portland is another example of the health and growth of the NBA D-League,” said Reed. “We are very pleased to add Bill Ryan Sr., Bill Ryan Jr., and Jon Jennings to our ownership ranks, as they bring a wealth of business, sports operations, and basketball experience on behalf of the team and the community. I’m confident that fans throughout the state of Maine will enjoy our world-class level of basketball featuring current and future NBA players, as well as appreciate the team’s family-friendly environment, affordable prices, and positive impact on the Portland and Maine community.”

“I’m overjoyed to bring NBA D-League basketball to Portland,” said Jennings. “We’ve already established strong relationships with the people of this community, and we can’t wait to get underway next season. I know that this team will have a long and exciting future in Maine.”

Portland will be affiliated with two NBA team parent-clubs, which will be able to assign their first and second year players to the club a maximum of three times during a season. Thus far, the 2008-09 NBA D-League season has had 22 NBA players assigned on 24 occasions to NBA D-League affiliates as players continue to develop their game. An announcement regarding Portland’s NBA team affiliations will occur during the offseason.

Boston Celtics sign Mikki Moore

The Boston Celtics announced today that the club has signed free agent center/forward Mikki Moore. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Mikki’s length, energy, skill and experience, along with his enthusiasm to come to Boston, will be a great boost for us.” said Danny Ainge, Celtics President of Basketball Operations.

Moore, a 7’0”, 225lb center/forward, is in his 11th NBA season. Moore has posted career averages of 5.9 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 54.8 percent from the field. This is Moore’s second stint with the Celtics after he spent a portion of the 2002-03 season with the team. The former Nebraska Cornhusker has posted career playoff averages of 10.2 points and 5.3 rebounds in 15 games. He also shot 54.5 percent from the field in those 15 games.

Moore will wear #7.

Allen leads Celtics past frazzled Nuggets 114-76

The AP reports: At this rate, Kevin Garnett can take all the time he needs to get healthy. The Boston Celtics handed the Nuggets one of the worst home losses in their history Monday night, routing Denver 114-76 behind 26 points from Ray Allen. It was Boston’s second game since Garnett strained a muscle in his right knee that is expected to sidelined him for at least two weeks. Paul Pierce added 22 points for the Celtics, who raced to a 60-37 halftime lead that rendered the second half a let’s-get-it-over-with exercise. This was Denver’s worst home loss since Feb. 2, 1998, when the Nuggets were routed by Chicago 111-72. The 38-point margin of defeat tied for the second-biggest home loss since Denver joined the NBA in 1976.

Sam Cassell could wind up with Nuggets

The Orange County Register (Art Thompson) reports (via blog),With his playing career now in its twilight, veteran NBA guard Sam Cassell could wind up ending with the Denver Nuggets, who are in the market for a seasoned guard to aid them in the playoffs. The 39-year old Cassell recently was traded by the Boston Celtics, to the Sacramento Kings, for a second-round draft pick. The floundering Kings had no plans for Cassell and it was their intention, when the trade was made, to waive him immediately.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Cassell want to become an NBA coach. As reported by the above newspaper but also told to me by Cassell himself, George Karl seems willing to work with Cassell on it.

Rondo goes nuts, Celtics beat Suns 128-108

The AP reports: Rajon Rondo was off and running, and Kevin Garnett was hardly missed. Rondo scored a career-high 32 points to go with 10 assists on his 23rd birthday in Boston’s 128-108 victory over the Suns on Sunday… Ray Allen scored 31 and Pierce 26 in Boston’s first game since Garnett went down with a strained muscle in his right knee that is expected to sidelined him for at least two weeks… Jason Richardson scored 21 for the Suns in their first loss in four games under new coach Alvin Gentry. Steve Nash added 19 points and 11 assists. Leandro Barbosa scored 18 and Shaquille O’Neal 17 for Phoenix.

Kevin Garnett out 2-3 weeks

The Boston Globe (Marc Spears) reports: Celtics president Danny Ainge said early this morning that injured forward Kevin Garnett will be out 2-3 weeks with a posterior muscle strain of the right knee. The All-Star suffered the injury during the second quarter of Thursday’s loss at Utah.

InsideHoops.com editor says: No worries. Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis will average 25 points, 23 rebounds and 20 assists per game while KG heals up.

Garnett hurt, Jazz beat Celtics 90-85

The Utah Jazz beat the Boston Celtics 90-85 as the losing squad lost star Kevin Garnett to injury. More will be known tomorrow on KG’s status. The game was an ugly, defensive struggle as both teams missed from all over the court. The two squads combined to shoot 6-of-23 from three-point range.

For Utah, Mehmet Okur had 19 points and 6 rebounds, Deron Williams (6-of-17) had 18 points and 10 assists, and Ronnie Brewer scored 16. Paul Millsap grabbed 10 rebounds.

For Boston, Paul Pierce (7-of-19) had 20 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals but 5 turnovers. Rajon Rondo had 15 points and 7 assists. Ray Allen (4-of-15) and Kendrick Perkins (6-of-6) each scored 12.

Raptors, Celtics, Kings trade Will Solomon, Patrick O’Bryant; Kings waive Mikki Moore

The Sacramento Kings today acquired Will Solomon from the Toronto Raptors and cash considerations from the Boston Celtics in a three-team trade that sent Boston’s Patrick O’Bryant to Toronto and a protected Kings’ second round pick in 2014 to Boston, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. In a related move, Sacramento waived Mikki Moore.

“Considering the recent roster moves made over the last 24 hours, this trade allows us to bring in an experienced guard in Will, when you consider his time in the NBA, coupled with his extensive experience playing professionally overseas,” said Petrie. “We also want to thank Mikki for his contribution and wish him the best.”

Solomon, a 6-1, 185-pound guard, who is currently in his second NBA season, averaged 4.9 points (.436 FGs, .263 3FGs, .833 FTs), 3.2 assists and 1.1 rebounds per game through 39 outings with Toronto this season. He was originally selected in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies as an early entry candidate out of Clemson where he enjoyed a three-year collegiate career. Solomon played one season (2001-02) for the Grizzlies and has played overseas since 2002. He has amassed NBA career averages of 5.1 points (.375 FGs, .279 3FGs, .711 FTs), 2.1 assists and 1.1 rebounds per game over 101 contests, of which he has started in 13 with Memphis and Toronto.

Moore, a 7-0, 225-pound forward/center, who is currently in his 11th NBA season, averaged 3.5 points (.521 FGs, .810 FTs) and 3.3 rebounds per game through 46 outings, of which he started in 20 for the Kings this season. After a four-year collegiate career at Nebraska, Moore was not drafted by an NBA team in the 1997 NBA Draft. He has posted career averages of 5.9 points (.548 FGs, .154 3FGs, .744 FTs) and 3.9 rebounds per game over 510 contests, of which he has started in 161 for Detroit (1998-2002), Boston (2002-03), Atlanta (2002-03), New Jersey (2003-04 and 2006-07), Utah (2003-04), Los Angeles Clippers (2004-05), Seattle (2005-06) and Sacramento (2007-09).

Celtics recall J.R. Giddens from D-League

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have recalled rookie guard J.R. Giddens from their NBA Development League affiliate Utah Flash.

Giddens was reassigned to the Flash on February 5 and has appeared in three games since his second assignment with averages of 17.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. Giddens has appeared in 15 games for the Flash this season with season averages of 17.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.27 steals and 1.40 blocks per game.

Al Jefferson has right knee surgery

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Al Jefferson underwent successful surgery today to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. The procedure was performed this morning by Dr. David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, N.Y. Jefferson suffered the injury during the Timberwolves Feb. 8 game at New Orleans and will be sidelined indefinitely as he begins rehabilitation.

Jefferson appeared in all 50 games for the Timberwolves this season prior to his injury, posting averages of 23.1 ppg (7th in NBA), 11.0 rpg (6th in NBA), and 1.7 bpg. The fifth-year center was one of just three players in the NBA (Dwight Howard, Tim Duncan) to post at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game this season. Jefferson also ranked fifth in the NBA with 30 double-doubles at the time of his injury and was shooting 49.7% from the field and a career-best 73.8% from the free-throw line.