Euroleague.net reports: A former Euroleague Rising Star Trophy winner, all grown up now at age 25, has done the seemingly impossible during March and April – made defending champion CSKA Moscow look even stronger. While CSKA was qualifying for its record seventh consecutive Final Four over the last two months, big man Erazem Lorbek was solidifying his role as the newest major contributor for the Russian powerhouse. During the five victories in March and April with which CSKA reached and then swept through the playoffs, Lorbek led the champs in scoring, index rating or both in every game except one. For his outsized role in keeping CSKA’s back-to-back title hopes very much alive, Lorbek is Euroleague Basketball’s choice as March/April MVP.
Russell Westbrook developing
The Oklahoman (Darnell Mayberry) reports on the Thunder: But no matter which direction the front office is leaning on Russell Westbrook, the rookie has shown over the past three games that he’s starting to get it. Only now, after 70-plus games, does Westbrook fully understand what it takes to run an NBA team. Westbrook’s execution still is erratic. But more than ever, he’s slowing down. He’s setting up his teammates first and looking for his shot second. He’s making the simple play rather than the shaky one. Westbrook is averaging a season-high seven assists this month, and his assist-to-turnover ratio stands at 1.91, not great but trailing only January’s 2.03 as his highest ratio in any full month.
Ben Wallace has left knee strain
Ben Wallace left the Cavaliers game last night at home vs. the Celtics in the 2nd Quarter with a left knee contusion and did not return to play. He did not travel with the team to Indiana last night for tonight’s game vs. the Pacers.
Ben was re-evaluated at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health this morning and received an MRI, the results of which revealed a left patella tendon strain.
He will receive treatment and rehab here in Cleveland today and is now listed as Out for tonight’s game in Indiana and Doubtful for Wednesday’s game at home vs. Philadelphia. His status will be updated as appropriate.
Curtis Stinson is D-League Performer of week
Curtis Stinson of the Iowa Energy today was named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played the week of April 6, 2009. Stinson is the second Energy player to earn the honor this season.
Stinston led Iowa to a 2-0 record last week as the team clinched the Central Division title with averages of 21.5 points, 15.0 assists, 9.0 rebounds and 2.5 steals. His two 15-assist games marked the 19th and 20th time he has reached double-figures in assists this season.
This season, Stinson ranked third in the NBA D-league with 8.4 assists while also adding 16.1 points in 50 games, all starts for the Energy. The 6-2 guard from Iowa State is playing his third season in the NBA D-League.
Other top performers last week included Albuquerque’s Will Conroy, who averaged 31.0 points and 7.8 assists in four games for the Thunderbirds; Colorado’s Trey Gilder, who averaged 23.3 points and 8.5 rebounds in four games for the 14ers; Austin’s Malik Hairston, who averaged 38.0 points in three games for the Toros; Austin’s Dwayne Jones, who averaged 22.0 points and 18.5 rebounds in four games for the Toros; and Erie’s Maureece Rice, who averaged 28.0 points and 8.0 assists in two wins for the BayHawks.
Stephen Jackson predicts changes
The San Francisco Chronicle (Jannny Hu) reports: Stephen Jackson plans on being at Oracle Arena tonight for the Warriors’ home finale, and he might be taking a good look at the teammates around him. As far as Golden State’s captain has been told, not everyone will be back when the team reconvenes next season. “There will be change, things will be shifted,” Jackson said this past week, “but I think the core will be here. I think as a team and an organization, we know the steps that we have to take to correct a lot of these wrongs that we had this season.”
Bynum sharp in Lakers 92-75 win over Memphis
The AP reports: Andrew Bynum scored 18 points in his third game back from a knee injury and the Los Angeles Lakers rolled to a 92-75 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday night. Kobe Bryant took just nine shots, made seven, and finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Pau Gasol, often matched against his brother Marc in the middle, scored 12 points and had 13 rebounds. Trevor Ariza also scored 12 in the Lakers’ balanced attack… O.J. Mayo led the Grizzlies with 20 points, and Marc Gasol had 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Controversial Finley 3 leads Spurs past Kings
The AP reports: Michael Finley’s 3-pointer with 1.3 seconds left counted despite a fairly obvious shot-clock violation, and San Antonio came from behind for a 95-92 victory over Sacramento on Sunday night… Parker had 25 points and nine assists—including the pass to Finley for the winner that probably wasn’t—as the Spurs moved into a tie with Houston atop the Southwest Division with two games left despite keeping Tim Duncan out of uniform to rest his sore knees… Spencer Hawes scored a career-high 24 points for the Kings, who played without star Kevin Martin for the sixth straight game because of a sore left ankle.
Bosh scores 22 as Raptors beat 76ers 111-104
The AP reports: Chris Bosh scored 22 points, Jose Calderon had 11 points and 11 assists, and the Toronto Raptors beat Philadelphia 111-104 on Sunday night, handing the 76ers their season-high fifth straight loss… Anthony Parker scored 18 points, Andrea Bargnani had 17 and Shawn Marion had 14 for the Raptors, who won for the first time in five games. Louis Williams had 23 points and Andre Iguodala had 21 for Philadelphia, with Samuel Dalembert adding 18 points and 12 rebounds. Miller and Marreese Speights each had 10 points for the 76ers, who have their first five-game losing streak since dropping seven in a row between Jan. 2-14, 2008.
Wade career-high 55, Heat beat Knicks 122-105
The AP reports: Dwyane Wade scored 55 points, one shy of the franchise record, and the Miami Heat wrapped up the No. 5 spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs by beating the Knicks 122-105 on Sunday night. The Heat will visit fourth-seeded Atlanta when the opening playoff round starts this weekend… Wade shot 19-for-30 from the field, set a career high with six 3-pointers, and nearly topped Glen Rice’s record of 56 points before leaving with 1:06 remaining. Some in the crowd—even at least one member of the Heat coaching staff—wanted Wade to get one more chance at the record, but Heat coach Erik Spoelstra chose not to take the risk… Michael Beasley finished with 28 points and 16 rebounds for the Heat, who also got 15 points from Mario Chalmers. Al Harrington and Wilson Chandler each scored 21 points for New York. Quentin Richardson finished with 14 and David Lee had an 11-point, 11-rebound night for the Knicks.
Cavaliers destroy Celtics 107-76
The AP reports: LeBron James made five 3-pointers and scored 29 points before swaying to the music in his seat, and the Cavaliers throttled the defending NBA champions 107-76 on Sunday to move within one win of matching the 1985-86 Celtics for the best home record in league history… The Cavaliers, now the 14th team in league history to win 65 games, may have never looked this good. They outclassed the Celtics, who were missing Kevin Garnett and Leon Powe and have nothing to play for but pride after locking up the East’s No. 2 seed… Daniel Gibson scored 15 and Williams added 13 for Cleveland, which held the Celtics to a season-low in points on 36 percent shooting. Paul Pierce scored 14 and Glen Davis 12 for the Celtics, who never led and weren’t thrilled to rehash the game afterward.