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Frank Vogel, Scott Brooks named Coaches of Month for February, 2015

The Indiana Pacers’ Frank Vogel and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Scott Brooks today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in February.

Vogel led the Pacers to the Eastern Conference’s best record in February at 7-2 (.778). He became the franchise’s all-time NBA coaching wins leader thanks to the Pacers’ second win of the month over the Cleveland Cavaliers, a 93-86 victory on Feb. 27. Indiana also topped the NBA-leading Golden State Warriors. The Pacers shot 47.2 percent from the field to lead the NBA in February, and also held opponents under 100 points in six-of-nine contests.

Brooks guided the Thunder to the best record in the Western Conference in February at 9-3 (.750). The Thunder recorded a seven-game winning streak from Feb. 8-24, winning by an average of 15.6 points during that span. On the month, Oklahoma City’s 111.8 ppg led the league, while its 46.8 field goal percentage placed third. The Thunder went from one game under .500 to five games over thanks to its February performance.

Other nominees for Coach of the Month were Boston’s Brad Stevens, Cleveland’s David Blatt, Houston’s Kevin McHale, Los Angeles Clippers’ Doc Rivers, Milwaukee’s Jason Kidd, and Portland’s Terry Stotts.

Jazz playing good basketball lately

Utah Jazz playing good basketball lately

Here’s the Deseret News reporting on the Utah Jazz, who are 23-35 and have won six of their last eight games:

It began a positive, albeit not steady, incline with the team’s first win over San Antonio followed by an impressive 3-3 showing on the pre-Christmas trip.

Even with last Wednesday’s disappointing loss to the Lakers, the Jazz are playing their best basketball of the season, especially defensively.

Since the All-Star break — or the trade deadline when Enes Kanter was dealt to Oklahoma City, you decide — the Jazz have won four of five games while limiting opponents to an astonishingly low 82.8 points per game.

That’s helped the Jazz climb to the 23rd spot in the NBA’s defensive efficiency ratings for the season. Utah is giving up 104.4 points per 100 possessions this year compared to a league-worst 109.1 last season (and even more than that earlier this season).

Warriors give credit to Celtics

Warriors give credit to Celtics

Here’s ESPN Boston reporting on the Celtics, whose effort is winning them some respect even in losses:

The Boston Celtics already had overhauled their roster twice before visiting the Golden State Warriors in late January. The Celtics still looked a bit different to the NBA’s best squad on Sunday because of two more swaps at February’s deadline.

The Warriors showered the current version of the Celtics with praise after rallying from a 26-point deficit for a 106-101 triumph at TD Garden.

“We studied them [this weekend] and the trades they made, obviously they’re not as familiar with each other but the talent they have and the pace that they try to play at now is tough and they showed that obviously in the first quarter,” Steph Curry said. “We had to make adjustments, we didn’t want to be down 26.”

Echoed Splash Brother Klay Thompson: “[The Celtics have] improved since the last time we played them. They play real well together, I’m just happy we grinded it out.”

Andrea Bargnani getting buckets for Knicks

Andrea Bargnani getting buckets for Knicks

Here’s the New York Post reporting a bright spot for the Knicks lately:

Andrea Bargnani insists his recent surge is all about being aggressive — and shedding rust. He has scored double-figure points in six straight games (15.7 ppg) and has scored 61 (20.3) in his last three, including 19 against the Raptors.

“Just be aggressive, do what I do,” Bargnani said, noting the rust is coming off after his long inactivity — plus the games Friday and Saturday were his first back-to-backs since Jan. 16 and 17 of last year.

“I feel good, pretty good. This is the first back-to-back in 13 months for me,” said Bargnani, who has shot 21-of-45 (47 percent) in those last three games. “I’m happy we won both games so that’s pretty good.”

Markieff Morris wants more home team support from Suns fans

Markieff Morris wants more home team support from Suns fans

Here’s the Arizona Republic reporting on the Phoenix Suns, who got wrecked by the San Antonio Spurs Saturday. But after the game, Suns forward Markieff Morris spoke up about what he feels is a regular problem that goes beyond one mere game. He wants Suns fans in Phoenix to be loud and proud about supporting their squad:

Markieff Morris wants more home support from Suns fans

After the Suns set a 47-year-old franchise low by scoring 24 points in a half and matching their worst margin of defeat this season, Morris used the postgame forum Saturday to complain about Suns fans at home games.

Morris has not been alone in recent murmuring about the lack of fervor from home crowds, but he was the first to be so publicly critical of it on the strangest of nights to do so.

“I don’t think we have a home-court advantage,” Markieff said. “It does not feel like a home-court advantage at all. Some games are going to be bad. You can’t win every game. That comes along with sports. Nobody wins games. We need the support. We need, as a team, to know that our fans are going to be behind us and I don’t feel like this year they’re behind us enough.

“I feel like we do have those genuine Suns fans but, for the most part, I feel like we had more San Antonio than Phoenix fans tonight.”

Spencer Dinwiddie plays well for Pistons in loss

Spencer Dinwiddie plays well for Pistons in loss

Here’s Michigan Live reporting some silver lining for the Detroit Pistons, who lost Saturday to the Washington Wizards:

Detroit Pistons rookie Spencer Dinwiddie wasn’t ready to take over the starting job at point guard, which is why the team traded for Reggie Jackson. But Saturday night, in an ill-fated comeback attempt, the second-round draft pick offered some hope for the future.

The Pistons lost 99-95 to the Washington Wizards, but Dinwiddie rallied them from a 21-point deficit in the second half, and even scored the go-ahead basket in the fourth quarter.

The deficit was too big however, and the Pistons (23-36) lost lost their third in a row, while the Wizards (34-26) broke a six-game losing streak.

Dinwiddie a second-round draft pick from Colorado, had 20 points, eight assists and four rebounds. Monroe led the Pistons with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Blazers survive monster game from Westbrook

Blazers survive monster game from Westbrook

Here’s the Oregonian reporting on the Portland Trail Blazers, who were able to come away with a win despite Russell Westbrook unleashing yet another monster game for the OKC Thunder as Kevin Durant continues to miss time due to injury:

Nicolas Batum looked over the stat sheet searching for something he could point to explain the Trail Blazers comeback win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“We…stepped up defensively,” Batum finally said after an extended pause. The Blazers’ small forward sat in front of his locker with ice on both of his knees after he was tasked with slowing Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook down the stretch of an exhilarating victory.

“That was a playoff game,” Batum said. “That was a playoff game.”

The Blazers rode the postseason atmosphere inside the Moda Center to a 115-112 win over the Thunder on Friday night, overcoming an 13-point fourth quarter deficit in the process.

Westbrook was electric. He ended his historic February with his third straight triple-double, finishing with 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. But the Blazers slowed him just enough in the closing minutes to escape with the win.

Wizards keep struggling, fall to Sixers

Wizards keep struggling, fall to Sixers

Here’s the Washington Post reporting on the Wizards, who are dropping games left and right these days and are 33-26 for the season and losers of six games in a row:

No, the Washington Wizards had not reached their lowest possible point Wednesday, when they lost by 20 to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the worst team in the Western Conference.

On Friday night, the Wizards sank even more with an 89-81 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, a franchise constructed to lose to land the best draft pick possible.

The loss, the Wizards’ sixth straight, earned Washington its longest losing streak in more than two seasons and was a full face plant into misery, code red for a team that just a month ago harbored title aspirations.

The defeat came on the heels of a team dinner Thursday, when all 14 players dined together at a Brazilian steakhouse. It was captured in an Instagram post by Marcin Gortat with the caption “Team dinner….Staying together!”

A night later, they were dreadful in a loss to a team they dismantled by 35 points in their previous meeting. The loss was Wizards’ 11th in 13 games and 13th in 17.

Anthony Mason dead at 48

Anthony Mason dead at 48

Here’s the New York Daily News reporting that beloved former New York Knick Anthony Mason has passed away at the age of 48:

Anthony Mason, a bruising power forward who personified the gritty Knicks of the mid-’90s, died early Saturday morning. He was 48. Mason had suffered a massive heart attack earlier in the month.

Mason played 13 seasons in the NBA with six teams but is best remembered for his days with the Knicks. After playing abroad and in both the CBA and USBL, Mason had brief stints with the Nets and Denver before being signed by Pat Riley, who admired his rugged style and his playmaking ability. Along with Patrick Ewing and Charles Oakley, he helped give the Knicks of the early ’90s one of the most physically imposing front lines in NBA history.

“He was as tough as they come,” Oakley told the News.

“First I want to think all those who offered prayers and well-wishes for my Father, our family really appreciates it,” Anthony Mason Jr. said in a statement.

QUOTES/STATEMENTS ON ANTHONY MASON’S DEATH

The Mason Family: “We would like to thank everyone for their heartfelt thoughts and strong prayers. Anthony felt each and every one. He fought like a warrior to the very end. Please keep your prayers and thoughts with us through this very hard time – it is a great loss for us. We ask for our privacy during this time.”

Phil Jackson: “As a competitor, there was none fiercer than Anthony Mason. Standing on the opposite end of the playing field, coaching in those great Chicago/New York battles, No. 14 in the Orange and Blue always stood out. On behalf of the entire Knickerbocker community, our condolences go out to Lahis family. Rest in peace, Mase.”

Steve Mills: “For five seasons, Anthony Mason proudly donned a Knicks uniform like no other of his era. His New York City roots, his passion for the City game, his desire to win and his tenacity for defense made him a fan-favorite across the five boroughs, and beyond for every Knickerbocker. All of us here at the New York Knicks will remember Mase and cherish his legacy.”

Isaiah Thomas playing well for Celtics

Isaiah Thomas playing well for Celtics

Here’s the Boston.com Blog reporting on the Celtics, who are having fun lately:

The Isaiah Thomas era continued its promising start on Friday night.

Boston’s new point guard scored 21 of his 28 points in the second half, enabling the Celtics to fight back from a 16-point second half deficit against the Charlotte Hornets, and pull away for a 106-98 win.

Avery Bradley added 19 points for the hosts, and Jonas Jerebko chipped in with 16 points off the bench for the Celtics, who have now won three straight games and seven of their last ten overall. Mo Williams had a game-high 31 points for the Hornets in the setback.