NBA Teams – Page 895 – NBA Blog

Nuggets struggling this season, even at home

Nuggets struggling this season, even at home

Here’s the Denver Post reporting on the Nuggets, who through Thursday’s games are 20-37 this season: 12-16 at home, 8-21 on the road:

Once one of the NBA’s most-feared home court advantages, the Nuggets have fallen back to earth at the Pepsi Center in the last two seasons. Since winning a franchise-record 38 home games in the 2012-13 season, the Nuggets haven’t won 38 home games in the last two seasons combined. They are 34-35 in that span, which includes this season’s 12-16 mark. The Nuggets went 22-19 at the Pepsi Center last season.

With 13 home games left, the Nuggets have to go 9-4 in order to avoid having their first losing home record since 2002-03. That team finished 13-28 at home.

Shaw talked about the Nuggets’ challenge to win home games — and fast.

“What starts to happen is guys start to look forward to playing on the road because the home crowd starts to get antsy, and things don’t go well then they start to get on us,” Shaw said.

Rondo says he will leave frustration in the past

Rondo says he will leave frustration in the past

Here’s the Dallas Morning News reporting on Mavericks point guard Rajon Rondo, who has had a chip on his shoulder for a long time and isn’t going to change anytime soon. Though, that same chip has helped him succeed at the highest levels, including winning an NBA championship. The Mavs know this. Anyway, here’s the report.

Rajon Rondo said Friday he had some built-up frustrations with coach Rick Carlisle that led to their heated exchange on Tuesday and subsequent suspension of Rondo, and that conversations with many members of the organization since have helped put everybody on the same page.

In his first interview since the confrontation with Carlisle against Toronto, the Dallas Mavericks’ point guard measured his words carefully, but said he’s as gung-ho as ever about this team’s potential and plans to be a leader in the stretch run and playoffs.

“Definitely, he had some frustrations with me and vice-versa,” Rondo said. “So communication is definitely key in this situation. We’ve had a couple talks since then and we’re going to move forward.”

“The most important thing is communication with coach.”

Spoelstra happy to have Beasley back on Heat

Erik Spoelstra happy to have Beasley back on Heat

Here’s the South Florida Sun Sentinel reporting on the Heat, who have once again added Michael Beasley to their roster:

In his first Miami Heat act, Michael Beasley was the consolation prize, as the No. 2 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by behind Derrick Rose. In his second, he was a novelty, to see if he could fit alongside LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, while also appreciating his bit-part place last season.

In his third act?

“We think,” coach Erik Spoelstra said Friday, “it’s the fit that we need right now. It really felt like a no-brainer.”

This time, there was an all-out embrace, as Beasley met with the full team for the first time since signing a 10-day contract Thursday.

Kyrie Irving injury update: left shoulder strain

Kyrie Irving injury update: left shoulder strain

Kyrie Irving injury update: day-to-day with left shoulder strain

Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving experienced a left shoulder injury during last night’s game at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland vs. the Golden State Warriors. He did not travel with the team to Indianapolis and received additional examination, including an MRI, this morning at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health, the results of which confirmed a left shoulder strain.

Irving is now listed as Out for the game against the Pacers tonight.

His status will be updated again prior to the Cavaliers game in Houston against the Rockets Sunday afternoon.

Mason Plumlee getting less playing time lately

Mason Plumlee getting less playing time lately

Here’s the New York Post reporting on the 23-32 Brooklyn Nets, who are mostly trading wins with losses lately and have won five of their last ten games:

When the Nets acquired Thaddeus Young last week, coach Lionel Hollins switched to a smaller, quicker lineup.

While that decision made sense on several levels, and seems as if it’s going to benefit most of his roster, Hollins basically decided Brook Lopez and Mason Plumlee will not play together anymore. So the two big men are splitting the 48 available minutes at center while surrounded by perimeter threats.

So far, Plumlee has found himself on the short end of that equation. Such was the case in Wednesday’s loss to the Pelicans, when he finished scoreless and with just three rebounds in 13:37, while Lopez finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots in 34:23.

Derrick Rose injury update: Out 4-6 weeks after knee surgery

Derrick Rose injury update: Out 4-6 weeks after knee surgery

The Chicago Bulls announced today that guard Derrick Rose underwent a successful meniscectomy earlier this morning to repair a medial meniscus tear in his right knee. The procedure was performed by Bulls head team physician Dr. Brian Cole at Rush Surgicenter.

“This morning’s procedure went great,” said Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman. “Derrick is expected to make a full recovery and he is anticipated to return to play in four to six weeks.”

Taking history into account, 4-6 weeks sounds pretty optimistic. We’ve been through this before, sadly, but logic suggests D-Rose and the Bulls should take it slow, and ease him back into the mix.

The Heat really enjoy adding Mike Beasley to their roster

The Heat really enjoy adding Mike Beasley to their roster

Here’s the South Florida Sun Sentinel reporting on the Heat, who have great skill when it comes to adding Mike Beasley to their roster:

He’s back, perhaps with the third time a charm.

Michael Beasley, 2008 Miami Heat lottery pick who made a one-season encore with the team last season, on Thursday was signed for a third tour with the team, this time to a 10-day contract.

As the Sun Sentinel reported last week, Beasley had been working out at AmericanAirlines Arena after completing his season in China. Beasley has joined the Heat in time for Friday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smootie King Center.

Evan Turner gets triple-double vs Knicks

Evan Turner gets triple-double vs Knicks

Wednesday night in Boston, the Celtics beat the visiting New York Knicks 115-94, hitting 14-of-31 from three-point range in the win. The Celtics are now 22-33 for the season. Here’s the New York Post reporting:

The Knicks, a league-worst 10-46, allowed Evan Turner to go for a triple-double with 10 points, 10 assists and 12 rebounds. The other Celtics to accomplish that against the Knicks were Larry Bird (three times) and Rajon Rondo (three times).

The Celtics finished shooting 50.6 percent and went on their blitz after going to a small lineup, using 3-point sniper Jonas Jerebko, who nailed the momentum-boosting buzzer 3-pointer to put the Celtics up 90-72 after three.

“They went small and we weren’t as organized as we should’ve been,’’ Knicks starting center Lou Amundson said. “It’s disheartening. We felt we put up a good effort in the first half.’’

No more Ronnie Price this season for Lakers

No more Ronnie Price this season for Lakers

Here’s the Los Angeles Times reporting on Lakers guard Ronnie Price, whose time with the team may be over since he’s currently injured, and will be in need of a new contract this summer:

Guard Ronnie Price, whom Lakers Coach Byron Scott has considered one of his toughest players and best defenders, is done for the rest of the season after having successful surgery to remove bone spurs and bone chips from his right elbow Wednesday.

The Lakers said Price, 31, is expected to be out approximately six to eight weeks, but Scott said that actually means Price will “be out for the year” considering the Lakers have only 26 regular-season games left.

Price, who’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer, appeared in 43 games for the Lakers and averaged 5.1 points and 3.8 assists in 22.8 minutes a game.

Darren Collison needs surgery, will be re-evaluated in 3-6 weeks

Darren Collison needs surgery, will be re-evaluated in 3-6 weeks

Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison is scheduled to have a consultation with Dr. William Meyers on Monday at the Vincera Institute in Philadelphia before undergoing surgery on Tuesday to repair a core muscle injury.

Collison suffered the injury in the first half of Sacramento’s contest against the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 5 and has not played since.

He is expected to be re-evaluated in three to six weeks.