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Marcus Thornton scores 37 in loss

John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports:

In front of a crowd used to seeing LeBron James dominate opponents at Quicken Loans Arena, New Orleans Hornets rookie shooting guard Marcus Thornton upstaged the reigning league MVP and current scoring leader Tuesday night.

Thornton set a franchise record with a 23-point second quarter before finishing with a game- and career-high 37 on 15-of-22 shooting. Despite his career night, Thornton still ended up on the losing end as the Cleveland Cavaliers closed out the fourth quarter with a flurry to defeat the Hornets 105-95 before 20,562.

The loss snapped New Orleans’ two-game winning streak. The Hornets (30-27) entered trailing the Portland Trail Blazers by a game for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Cleveland ended a three-game losing streak.

Jayson Williams sentenced to five years

Former NBA big-man Jayson Williams has had major ongoing legal issues for what feels like about 90 years in a row now, but it appears there’s finally some resolution.

The AP reports:

Former NBA star Jayson Williams was sentenced to five years in prison yesterday for fatally shooting a hired limo driver in 2002, ending an eight-year legal odyssey.

Williams, who tearfully apologized to the victim’s family, will be eligible for parole in 18 months.

Williams, avoiding a retrial on a reckless manslaughter count that deadlocked the jury at his 2004 trial, pleaded guilty last month to aggravated assault in the death of Costas Christofi on Feb. 14, 2002. At the same 2004 trial, he was acquitted of aggravated manslaughter but convicted on four counts of covering up the shooting.

I hope this is the last of it. Williams and others associated with this case probably would be happy to move on, as well — for different reasons, of course.

Nate Robinson will not miss post-game interviews in New York

Recently traded from the New York Knicks to the Boston Celtics, scoring guard Nate Robinson definitely notices the difference between the atmosphere around a losing team and that of a winning one.

Frank Dell’Apa of the Boston Globe reports:

Nate Robinson said he will not miss being in New York, at least taking part in postgame interviews.

“It’s tough to lose every night and get asked the same questions, what’s the problem?’’ Robinson said. “Here, we’re here to win every night, not take ‘Ls,’ and they carry themselves that way, and I have carried myself that way my whole life.

“Doc is honest and straightforward, and as a player that’s what you want from a coach, to always be honest with you and explain exactly what he wants you to do. He’s all about winning. I’ve been a winner all my life and that’s something I want to continue to be.

“Doc makes you that much more confident in becoming a winner. He said just come in and just be Nate. He doesn’t want to change me, just come in and be ready to play. I play with energy, play for the love of game.’’

It’s safe to say that New York media members look forward to covering a winning team. So hopefully they won’t have to ask such questions like the ones Nate didn’t like in the near future.

Eddie House gets standing ovation in Boston

Julian Benbow of the Boston Globe reports:

At times last night, Eddie House found himself joking around with Rajon Rondo on the court, and at others he was making plays against him. Back at TD Garden almost instantly after being traded from the Celtics to the Knicks last week at the deadline, House got a standing ovation from the crowd of 18,624 fans.

“It was hard to stay serious at times, but it was a lot of fun,’’ House said. “I was glad to see those guys. I wish the best of luck to those guys, best of luck to Nate [Robinson, who came to Boston in the deal], and best of success to those guys.’’

In the first quarter, a video tribute to House was played, flashing moments from the Celtics’ 2008 championship run, and House did his best not to look before finally coming onto the parquet and giving a nod to the fans and his former teammates.

Rockets recall Jermaine Taylor from D-League

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has recalled guard Jermaine Taylor from Houston’s single-affiliation NBA D-League partner Rio Grande Valley. Taylor was re-assigned to the Vipers on Feb. 19.

Taylor (6-4, 210, Central Florida) has averaged 19.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.00 steals in six games (two starts) with the Vipers. In his first stint with Rio Grande Valley, Taylor posted back-to-back 30-point outings at Albuquerque (30 points on 2/2/10 and 32 points on 2/3/10). A rookie out of Central Florida, Taylor has averaged 2.6 points and 0.2 assists in 17 games with the Rockets this season.

Kings waive Larry Hughes

The Sacramento Kings today waived guard Larry Hughes. Hughes was acquired from the New York Knicks as part of a three-team trade on February 18, 2010, and did not appear in any contests with Sacramento.

Overall this season Hughes, when playing for the New York Knicks before coming to Sacramento, averaged 9.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 26.5 minutes per game.

For his career, Hughes averages 14.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 31.2 minutes per game.

The Kings roster now stands at 14.

Cavs investor buys into Chinese basketball league

The AP reports:

After becoming part-owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Jianhua ‘Kenny’ Huang’s next goal is to transform pro basketball in his homeland of China.

As an investor in China’s National Basketball League, Huang says he’ll introduce cutting-edge management practices adopted from England’s Premier League and the NFL.

“This is the first time private enterprise has been given the chance to reform a Chinese league,” Huang told The Associated Press Tuesday by telephone from Cleveland.

The new NBL also plans to promote homegrown talent, distinguishing itself from the dominant Chinese Basketball Association, where 19 of the 20 top scorers last year were foreigners.

Andrew Bogut dominates in Bucks win over Knicks

The New York Knicks recently made some changes, but their losing ways continued in dramatic fashion Monday night in Madison Square Garden as the visiting Milwaukee Bucks enjoyed a convincing 83-67 victory.

Monday’s matchup marked the second game for new Knicks Tracy McGrady, Sergio Rodriguez and Eddie House. And after showing some entertaining and effective flashes in his first game for New York, this time Rodriguez got the start, over generally ineffective point guard Chris Duhon.

But while Rodriguez continued to show his great quickness and creativity, aside from the ridiculous eight steals he managed to grab, his first start was a struggle as he shot 2-of-8 for four points, just one assist and three turnovers in 29 minutes of play.

For the winning Bucks, center Andrew Bogut was unstoppable, shooting 12-of-15 for 24 points, 20 rebounds and five blocks. John Salmons added 15 (but just 7-of-18 shooting). Luc Richard Mbah a Moute added 11.

Rookie point guard Brandon Jennings struggled with his shot, hitting just 1-of-9 for four points, though he added eight rebounds and seven assists.

Against Bogut, Knicks center David Lee had a quiet double-double, hitting 6-of-12 for 12 points and 13 assists.

The Knicks were led by Tracy McGrady’s 15 points, though he shot just 5-of-14 and didn’t contribute much else. He also came up limping. A close eye will be kept on his knees over the next week and beyond.

The Knicks as a team shot just 33.8% and only hit 5-for-24 from three-point range. The Bucks dominated in the rebounding department 61-35. The Bucks also dished 20 assists, while the Knicks only had 10.

Josh Howard out for season with torn ACL

Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that guard/forward Josh Howard has a torn ACL in his left knee and will miss the remainder of the 2010-11 season.

Howard suffered the injury in last night’s game vs. Chicago at the 4:23 mark of the first quarter.

In four games (three starts) for Washington this season, Howard averaged 14.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.

No timetable has been announced for Howard’s recovery.

Sergio Rodriguez struggles in first start for Knicks

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports:

The Chris Duhon Era may be over as the Knicks named a new starting point guard for now and perhaps the distant future.

The flashy Sergio Rodriguez, the Spanish bonus in Thursday’s Tracy McGrady blockbuster trade, made his first start last night vs. the Bucks, but it turned out to be a big dud.

Rodriguez, who had eight steals, was 2 of 8 for four points and once passed with 1 second on the shot clock. Duhon recorded his first DNP as a Knick as Eddie House backed up Rodriguez in their awful, boo-infested 81-67 loss at the Garden.

Rodriguez, 23, will be a work in progress, but Duhon made it easy for coach Mike D’Antoni by playing horribly again Saturday, going scoreless. Duhon is not expected to be re-signed when his contract expires at the end of the season.