Here’s video of the Cleveland Cavaliers retiring the jersey of center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who had a terrific NBA career:
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.
Wizards sign Drew Gooden to second 10-day contract
|
Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed forward Drew Gooden to a second 10-day contract.
Gooden, who was originally signed by the Wizards on February 26, has averaged 4.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 11.0 minutes over three games.
The veteran big-man provides frontcourt depth for the 32-29 Wizards.
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
 |
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
|
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
|
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.