The AP reports: If the Boston Celtics’ stars are going to get any rest for what could be a long playoff run, they’re going to have to earn it. “I thought they hadn’t played well enough to sit,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said pointedly about bringing his starters back into the game to hold off the New Jersey Nets down the stretch of a 106-104 victory on Wednesday night… Rajon Rondo had 31 points, nine rebounds and five assists, coming back into the game for the final 5 minutes after New Jersey cut what seemed like a secure nine-point lead to five… Vince Carter had 33 points and 12 rebounds for the Nets, who were eliminated from the playoff race when Detroit beat New York earlier Wednesday night.
Pistons rout Knicks, move into tie for 7th in East
The AP reports: Richard Hamilton scored 22 points, Rasheed Wallace had 14 points and 12 rebounds, and the Pistons rolled into a tie for seventh place in the Eastern Conference by beating the New York Knicks 113-86 on Wednesday night. Antonio McDyess added 13 points and 16 rebounds for the Pistons, who pulled even with Chicago for the No. 7 seed and lowered their magic number to one to clinch their eighth consecutive playoff berth. Detroit will be back in the postseason with its next victory or one more loss by Charlotte… Tayshaun Prince scored 15 points and Stuckey finished with 14 for the Pistons in a game that was never competitive. Detroit scored the first 10 points and led by double digits for the final 43-plus minutes… Al Harrington scored 26 points and Wilson Chandler had 23 for New York (30-49), which lost for the 12th time in 14 games and will need to win its final three to avoid another 50-loss season.
Blazers beat Spurs, gets boost in playoff race
The AP reports: Brandon Roy scored 26 points and Portland won in San Antonio for the first time since 2002 with a 95-83 victory, moving the Trail Blazers into a three-way tie with the Spurs and Houston for the third-best record in the West with just four games remaining… The slumping Spurs, who have lost four of six, blew a 19-point lead in the first half and surrendered the season series to Portland 3-1. Roger Mason had 18 points as the Spurs lost for the first time since learning this week that Manu Ginobili will miss the playoffs because of an ankle injury. Tim Duncan, bothered by aching knees since the All-Star break, scored four points in 24 minutes in his first back-to-back stint in nearly six weeks… LaMarcus Aldridge scored 20 points, and Joe Przybilla had 17 rebounds. It was the 50th win for Portland, a mark the Trail Blazers haven’t reached since 2002-03.
Magic rally to top Grizzlies 81-78
The AP reports: J.J. Redick was feeling confident after sparking a late Orlando Magic rally over the Memphis Grizzlies. His smile was big, his hair was slick and he had an extra bounce in his step. So confident, in fact, Redick had the confidence afterward to wear a light-blue shirt complete with tight white pants and white shoes in a Magic locker room where poking fun at wardrobes is practically a hobby… Hedo Turkoglu scored 20 points, Dwight Howard added 14 and the Magic rallied to beat the pesky Grizzlies 81-78 on Wednesday night. Redick scored all nine of his points in the fourth quarter to highlight a 19-7 run, helping the Magic overcome an eight-point deficit and stay in the hunt for the Eastern Conference’s second seed. Orlando (58-20) stayed a game back of Boston for the East’s No. 2 spot… Rudy Gay had 18 points, and Mike Conley and Mayo had 17 points apiece for the Grizzlies, who were held to just 15 points in the final period and have lost two straight games after winning four in a row.
Cavaliers beat Wizards 98-86
The AP reports: LeBron James scored 21 points before spending part of the fourth quarter on the bench playing air guitar and dancing as the Cavs avenged an embarrassing loss to one of the league’s weaker teams by thumping the rival Wizards 98-86 on Wednesday night to improve to 38-1 at home. The win lowered the Cavaliers’ magic number for locking up home-court advantage for the Eastern Conference playoffs to one. A Cleveland win on Friday night at Philadelphia or a Boston loss to Miami will give the Cavs (63-15) the East’s top seed… Mo Williams scored 14 points and Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 13 rebounds for the Cavs, who for the first time in four years will not see the Wizards in the first round of the postseason… Nick Young scored 16 to lead the Wizards, who stunned Cleveland last week and handed the Cavs two of their 15 losses this season. Washington’s Gilbert Arenas didn’t play, choosing to rest his surgically repaired right knee. Arenas’ return had sparked the Wizards to their upset over the Cavs last week.
Jack shines, Pacers beat Raptors 130-101
The AP reports: Indiana Pacers fans headed for the exits early Wednesday night. For once, it was because their team was on the right side of a blowout. Danny Granger scored 29 points, and the Pacers had their highest point total and margin of victory this season to beat the Toronto Raptors 130-101… Jarrett Jack added 23 points, Roy Hibbert had 17, and Troy Murphy finished with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Josh McRoberts had his first career double-double with career highs of 12 points and 11 rebounds in 21 minutes… Chris Bosh had 21 points and nine rebounds in Toronto’s third straight loss. Andrea Bargnani did not play because of a sore left heel. Patrick O’Bryant got his first career start in Bargnani’s place and finished with 16 points and seven rebounds.
Kanye West: I`m a Gay Fish
Is Kanye West a gay fish?
Sounds like an idiotic thing to say, of course.
But, South Park rules. And on South Park, watch (fake) Kanye West perform his new hit single, I’m a Gay Fish
SNL Andy Samberg: Like a Boss
Saturday Night Live and Andy Samberg occasionally have some funny rap song parodies. And SNL Like a Boss, featuring Seth Rogan, definitely hits the target.
Click below for Andy Samberg and SNL’s Like a Boss video clip, while it’s still available on youtube:
Note that that there are some lyrics and visuals in here that aren’t work-safe. Nothing crazy, but generally this is for 18 and older people.
Kings waive Will Solomon
The Sacramento Kings today requested waivers on guard Will Solomon, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.
Solomon, who is currently in his second NBA season, averaged 5.0 points (.406 FGs, .448 3FGs, .500 FTs) and 1.5 rebounds per game through 14 outings off the bench for the Kings.
Spurs sign SF Marcus Williams, waive Malik Hairston
The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed guard Marcus Williams. Per team policy terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Williams was an All-League First Team Selection this season with the Austin Toros, the Spurs affiliate in the NBA Development League. In 45 games with the Toros, Williams averaged 23.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists. He was named the D-League Performer of the Week for the week of 3/30 after averaging a triple-double with 27.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 11.5 assists in three games.
Williams, who is in his second year, appeared in 11 NBA games last season (10 with the L.A. Clippers and one with San Antonio) where he averaged 0.9 points and 1.1 rebounds in 3.3 minutes. He also spent 36 games with the Toros where he averaged 19.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists. Williams was drafted by San Antonio with the 33rd overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft.
The 22-year-old Williams was an early entry candidate for the 2007 NBA Draft. He played two years at the University of Arizona, earning First Team All-Pac-10 honors after averaging 16.6 points and 6.7 rebounds as a sophomore.
At the same time, the Spurs announced that they have waived guard/forward Malik Hairston.