Category: NBA Teams

NBA teams blog

Sixers losing streak now at 16 games

Here’s the Philadelphia Inquirer reporting on the Sixers, who are steadily mastering the art of losing basketball games:

The 76ers hadn’t won a game since Jan. 29 at Boston.

Saturday’s tilt against the struggling Utah Jazz provided their best opportunity to get back into the win column. Utah headed into the Wachovia Center losers of the first five games of their six-game road trip. In all, they had lost eight of 10 contests.

But instead of getting the much-needed victory, the Sixers were handed another reminder of their incompetence. This one was a 104-92 setback despite Tony Wroten’s career-high 30 points.

The Sixers (15-47) have set the franchise record for single-season consecutive home losses at 13. They have also lost 16 consecutive games home and away. That puts them four losses away from the franchise-record 20 straight defeats rung up by the infamous 1972-73 team.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade make side trips before Bulls game

Here’s the Miami Herald with insight on some beyond-the-norm LeBron and D-Wade activities:

Amid one of the Heat’s worst two-game stretches of the season, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James took some time to celebrate Saturday.

Following an intense practice session in suburban Chicago, James boarded a private jet bound for Cleveland and Zydrunas Ilgauskas’ jersey retirement ceremony. Wade said he had plans to attend his sister’s wedding. Throw in one less hour for the overnight time change and Sunday’s noon tipoff (local time) at United Center, and the Heat’s road-trip finale against the Chicago Bulls has all the makings for another sluggish start.

The Heat allowed 39 points in the first quarter of Tuesday’s loss to the Houston Rockets. On Thursday, the San Antonio Spurs scored 37 first-quarter points against the Heat. Poor defensive effort in the first quarters of those games was a point of emphasis by coach Erik Spoelstra.

Knicks beat Cavs for third win in a row

The Knicks are showing life lately. Here’s the New York Post reporting on the team taking their third win in a row:

The Knicks have found a starting lineup, found a way not to panic in the fourth quarter and have found their way back into the playoff race.

With Carmelo Anthony thriving in the new Big 3 alignment, he reversed his trend of stinking out Cleveland, shaking off a bad first quarter to post 26 points as the Knicks topped the Cavaliers, 107-97 at Quicken Loans Arena for their third straight win.

Amar’e Stoudemire scored 17 points with 12 rebounds and three blocks as the new starting power forward and Tyson Chandler notched 15 points and 11 rebounds. The expensive trio combined for six blocks.

Yeah, it’s working as the Knicks had a chance to move within 3 ½ games of the eighth seed with collapsing Atlanta playing a late game at the Clippers.

Hakeem Olajuwon helping Rockets frontcourt with post moves

Here’s the Houston Chronicle reporting on the Rockets:

The Rockets had a familiar face on the practice court on Saturday afternoon.

Hakeem Olajuwon was in the gym working with several players. He spent a lot of time with Omer Asik, Terrence Jones and Dwight Howard.

“Its a great learning experience – a Hall of Famer, one of the best bigs to ever play this game and he has so much knowledge and experience,” Jones said. “It’s so much to take in.”

Jones said he and Olajuwon worked specifically on post moves.

Heat sign DeAndre Liggins to second 10-day contract

Heat sign DeAndre Liggins to second 10-day contract

The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed guard DeAndre Liggins to a second 10-day contract. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Liggins, who was signed to a 10-day contract by the HEAT on February 25, appeared in one game with Miami totaling two points and one rebound in 1:24 minutes while shooting 1-of-1 from the field in a, 124-107, win against Charlotte on March 3.

Liggins, a 2014 NBA Development League All-Star, appeared in 35 games (34 starts) with the HEAT’s NBA D-League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, earlier this season and averaged 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.54 steals and 40.3 minutes while shooting 39.8 percent from the field.

Kings forward Carl Landry out for season with knee injury

carl landry

Sacramento Kings forward Carl Landry will miss the remainder of the season after a recent MRI taken at Kaiser Permanente revealed a medial meniscus tear in his right knee. Surgery will be scheduled in the near future.

A six-year NBA veteran in his second stint with the Kings, Landry averaged 4.2 points (.517 FG%, .824 FT%), 3.2 rebounds and 12.9 minutes per game in 18 games (started 1) this season.

OJ Mayo suspended for striking Greg Stiemsma

OJ Mayo suspended for striking Greg Stiemsma

Milwaukee Bucks guard O.J. Mayo has been suspended one game without pay for forcibly striking New Orleans Pelicans center Greg Stiemsma in the throat, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

The incident, for which Mayo was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 and ejected occurred with 1:52 remaining in the first quarter of Milwaukee’s 112-104 loss to the Pelicans on Friday, March 7, at Smoothie King Center.

Mayo will serve his suspension tonight when the Bucks host the Washington Wizards at BMO Harris Bradley Center.

To view the play, click on this link.

Kings sign Orlando Johnson to second 10-day contract

Kings sign Orlando Johnson to second 10-day contract

The Sacramento Kings today signed guard Orlando Johnson to a second 10-day contract, according to Kings General Manager Pete D’Alessandro.

After signing a 10-day contract with the Kings on February 26, Johnson is averaging 1.8 points (3-16 FG, 1-5 3pt, 2-4 FT), 0.8 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 9.0 minutes per game in five games off the bench. This season, he is averaging 2.3 points (.321 FG%, .196 3pt%, .731 FT%), 1.3 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 9.0 minutes per game in 43 contests as a reserve with Indiana and Sacramento. Johnson averaged 2.4 points (.344 FG%, .195 3pt%, .773 FT%), 1.3 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 9.0 minutes per game with the Pacers before being waived on February 20, 2014.

Originally drafted by the Kings in the second round (36th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft, Johnson’s draft rights were traded to the Pacers for cash considerations on draft night, June 28, 2012.

Knicks reach out to Phil Jackson

Here’s the New York Post reporting on the Knicks, who apparently want Phil Jackson involved with their squad in some capacity:

Phil Jackson has turned down the Knicks’ offer to coach the team, but he could soon return to the organization as a front-office executive.

The Knicks reached out to Jackson to discuss his future plans, according to multiple sources. Though they would prefer to have him coach the team and offered him the job, according to one source, the discussions evolved into Jackson joining the Knicks in some form of a hybrid front-office role.

The Post has learned Jackson needs another knee replacement — his second — which has ruled out a return to the bench for the former Bulls and Lakers coach.

A source close to Jackson said he undoubtedly will be a general manager or team consultant next season, but his coaching days are over. His talks with the Knicks are still ongoing but could be resolved next week.