The Boston Globe (Marc J. Spears) reports: There were a lot of unknowns for Kevin Durant concerning what basketball and life would be like in Oklahoma. But in a short time, the budding superstar has come to a conclusion. “I love it,” said Durant in a telephone interview. “The weather is unpredictable. You don’t know when it’s going to snow or rain. But the people here are nice. Nice people. I didn’t know anything about it other than playing here in college [at the University of Texas]. Flat land. “But after coming here and seeing the city, I love Oklahoma. The fans have been with me every night. What more can you ask for?” What Thunder fans can ask for are more wins, as the former SuperSonics visit TD Banknorth Garden tonight with a 20-52 record. But with Durant, other talented young players, plenty of draft picks, and money to use in free agency, Durant believes the future is bright.
Category: NBA Teams
NBA teams blog
Roy leads Blazers past Grizzlies, 86-66
The AP reports: For the second straight game, the Portland Trail Blazers routed an opponent. LaMarcus Aldridge made the difference—again. Aldridge had 18 points and seven rebounds in Portland’s 86-66 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night. While Brandon Roy led the Blazers with 21 points and eight rebounds, Aldridge brought the intangibles. Coach Nate McMillan called it one of his best games of the year… Aldridge had 29 points and 12 rebounds in Portland’s 129-109 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night… O.J. Mayo had 12 points, while Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol each added 10 for the Grizzlies, who have lost 10 of their last 12 games. They were held to their lowest scoring output this season.
Okur scores 26, Jazz rally past Suns in OT
The AP reports: Deron Williams scored seven of his 21 points in overtime, and the Utah Jazz rallied for a 104-99 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday, blowing a 21-point, third-quarter lead before tying it with a frenzied comeback at the end of regulation. Williams also had 13 assists and scored Utah’s last four points during a 9-2 run to close the fourth quarter and force overtime with the game tied at 90. Williams only had one field goal in OT, but was 5-for-5 from the foul line and made all nine of his free throws for the night. Mehmet Okur finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds for the Jazz, who won their 14th straight at home. Steve Nash scored 20 points and Grant Hill added 19 points for the Suns… Shaquille O’Neal finished with 16 points, going 4-for-5 from the foul line, and 10 rebounds, and Matt Barnes had 14 points and 10 boards for the Suns.
Anthony’s 31 points lead Nuggets past Warriors
The AP reports: After two gutty road wins, the Denver Nuggets weren’t going to let the banged-up Warriors hurt their chances for a division title. Carmelo Anthony scored 31 points, Linas Kleiza had 22 and the Nuggets won their third straight with a 129-116 victory over Golden State on Saturday night. Chauncey Billups had 14 and Chris Andersen added 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Nuggets, who maintained a 1 1/2 -game lead over Portland in the Northwest Division and have won eight of their last nine games… Jamal Crawford had 30 points and Kelenna Azubuike scored 21 for the Warriors, who have lost four straight and five of their last six.
Yao leads Rockets to easy win over Clippers
The AP reports: The Houston Rockets had three days of practice before their game against the Los Angeles Clippers, and that turned out to be little more than a glorified scrimmage. Yao Ming had 21 points and 15 rebounds, and the Rockets led from start to finish in an easy 110-93 victory Saturday night. Aaron Brooks added 21 points, Shane Battier scored 15 and the Rockets stayed in third place in the Western Conference by beating the Clippers for the 20th time in the last 24 meetings… Eric Gordon scored 17 and Chris Kaman had 16 points for the Clippers, who played without Baron Davis (calf strain/ulcers) and leading rebounder Marcus Camby (sprained left ankle). Los Angeles has lost 11 of its last 12 road games.
Wade gets 27, Heat run out to big lead, beat Bucks
The AP reports: At this point, milestones mean little to Udonis Haslem. He’s too busy getting his game in postseason form. Dwyane Wade scored 27 points, Haslem had 16 points and 12 rebounds for his 100th career double-double, and the Miami Heat improved their stance in the Eastern Conference playoff chase by beating the reeling Milwaukee Bucks 102-85 on Saturday night. James Jones and Michael Beasley each scored 11 and Jermaine O’Neal added 10 for the Heat, who snapped a two-game losing streak… Richard Jefferson scored 32 and Dan Gadzuric had 18 points and 12 rebounds for Milwaukee, which lost its fifth straight. The Bucks’ bench was outscored 26-0 in the first half, 37-14 in the game, and no Milwaukee reserve scored until Luc Richard Mbah a Moute’s free throws with 5.2 seconds left in the third quarter.
Wallace dominates, Bobcats beat Knicks 96-85
The AP reports: Gerald Wallace nearly had his first triple-double, scoring 23 points with nine rebounds and eight assists in an efficient performance that helped the Bobcats match a modest franchise record for victories to stay 2 1/2 games out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference… D.J. Augustin added 19 points and Emeka Okafor had 13 points and 14 rebounds for the Bobcats, who rode Wallace to their second straight win after ugly losses to Washington and Indiana… Wilson Chandler and Al Harrington scored 18 points apiece for the Knicks, who lost for the seventh time in eight games to see their faint playoff hopes nearly extinguished. The Knicks played without Quentin Richardson, who sprained his left ankle a night earlier and was replaced in the starting lineup by Larry Hughes. They also got little from center Eddy Curry in his return.
Good Arenas game, but Pistons beat Wizards 98-96
The AP reports: Gilbert Arenas finished with 15 points on 3-for-12 shooting and 10 assists in 30 minutes, helping the Wizards rally from a 15-point, second-half deficit. After the two failed comebacks, he had been determined to make sure he was completely healthy before trying again, especially with Washington mired in last place in the East… Richard Hamilton, back after missing six games with a left groin injury, scored 16 of his 31 points in the third quarter for the Pistons, who broke a three-game losing streak and steered their tenuous playoff hopes—at least temporarily—back in the right direction… Antawn Jamison scored 21 points to lead the Wizards. … Butler returned after missing seven straight games with a sore left hamstring.
Salmons lifts Bulls over Pacers, 112-106
The AP reports: John Salmons scored 22 points and hit two late 3-pointers, and the Chicago Bulls pulled out a wild 112-106 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday for their fourth straight win… Ben Gordon added 25 points as the Bulls matched their longest win streak in two years with a victory that featured some dramatic swings… Danny Granger scored 32 and Brandon Rush added a career-high 29, but the Pacers suffered their sixth loss in eight games… The Bulls didn’t have to contend with Troy Murphy, who missed his second game because of a sprained ligament in his left knee. They did, however, have to deal with Rush and Granger.
Bulls player of month is John Salmons
John Salmons has been named the Bulls CDW/Blackberry Player of the Month for March. Salmons joined the Bulls on Feb. 18, in Chicago’s six-player deal with the Sacramento Kings.
In 13 March contests, Salmons (6-6, 207 pounds) has started every game (the Bulls are 8-5) and he has averaged a team-best 22.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg (fourth on the team) and 1.5 apg in a team-high 41.2 mpg. He has shot a team-best .500 from the field, .400 from downtown (24-60 3FG) and .873 from the line (second on the team). During March, he has led the team in scoring five times, and he has scored 20 or more points eight times, including two games with 30 or more points, highlighted by a Bulls player season-high, and career-high tying, 38 points against Boston on March 17.
On the year, Salmons currently ranks second on the Bulls in scoring with 18.8 ppg (24th in the NBA), and averages 4.4 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.01 spg and 37.6 mpg (20th). He is shooting .480 from the field (44th), .837 from the line (36th) and .417 from downtown (23rd).