The AP reports: Deron Williams admitted that the Utah Jazz put an underwhelming end to a three-game losing streak. The Jazz played well enough to beat the Washington Wizards 103-88 on Tuesday night, but knew they got away with mistakes that would have cost them against better teams… Ronnie Brewer scored 13 despite playing only the second and fourth quarters as punishment for oversleeping and missing Tuesday morning’s shootaround. Kyle Korver added 15 points on his 28th birthday as seven Utah players scored in double figures. Nick Young and Juan Dixon had 14 points each to lead Washington.
Salmons, Bulls surprise Celtics 127-121
The AP reports: John Salmons tied a career high with 38 points, and the Chicago Bulls rallied for another surprising victory, beating the Celtics 127-121 on Tuesday night despite 37 points from Paul Pierce… Pierce, Rajon Rondo (26 points) and Ray Allen (17 points) did what they could for the Celtics, who have dropped four of five and have struggled lately through injuries—the most notable being Kevin Garnett’s sprained right knee. The might be without Allen, too, when they play Miami on Wednesday, after he hyperextended his right elbow.
Duncan sits as Spurs beat Wolves 93-86
The AP reports: Thinking already about the playoffs, Tim Duncan took the night off against a team the San Antonio Spurs won’t have to worry about once they get there. Resting his sometimes troubled knees in the final game of a back-to-back for San Antonio, Duncan watched from the bench as Tony Parker scored 24 points and carried the Spurs to a 93-86 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night… Sebastian Telfair and Kevin Love had 17 points apiece for Minnesota. Roger Mason had 15 points for the Spurs, who now await a bigger test Friday at home against the Boston Celtics. Against Northwest Division-worst Oklahoma City on Monday, the Spurs blew a 17-point lead. The Spurs struggled again early against Minnesota—only a game better than the Thunder—before putting the Wolves away in the fourth.
Nowitzki, Mavs hold on to beat shorthanded Pistons
The AP reports: Although Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs led the Detroit Pistons from start to finish Tuesday night, the finish got pretty close before Dallas pulled out a 103-101 victory. “Hey, stuff happens in this league,” said Nowitzki, who scored 30 points. “We’ll take the wins as we can get them.” Richard Hamilton was a late scratch for Detroit because of an aggravated groin problem. With Rasheed Wallace (calf) and Allen Iverson (back) also out, the Pistons were missing a combined average of 48.5 points per game, and were out of whack from the start… Prince scored 28 points and Bynum set a career high with 19. Rodney Stuckey added 17, Arron Afflalo had 16 and Antonio McDyess 10 as the Pistons lost their second straight and fourth in six games to slip back to .500 (33-33).
LeBron scores 43, Cavaliers edge Magic 97-93
The AP reports: LeBron James finished with 43 points, including a long 3-pointer with 47.4 seconds left and two clutch free throws with 8.7 seconds to go, as Cleveland avoided just its second loss at home with a 97-93 win over Orlando on Tuesday night… James, who scored 15 in the fourth, added 12 rebounds, eight assists and four steals. Mo Williams added 21 points for Cleveland, which held the Magic to 18 points in the fourth quarter and won its sixth straight. The Cavs are a league-best 14-2 since the All-Star break. Howard had 13 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks for the Magic. But Orlando’s big man attempted just eight shots, none in the fourth quarter as the Magic chose to attack from outside.
Hawks streak at 6 after 119-97 win over Kings
The AP reports: Al Horford had 23 points and 12 rebounds, and Josh Smith finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds in the Atlanta’s sixth straight victory, 119-97 over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night… Kevin Martin scored 31 for Sacramento, which fell to 0-27 against teams from the East and extended its losing streak to four. The Kings have dropped four straight and 13 of 14 away from California, where they are 4-30 this season… Joe Johnson finished with 20 points for the Hawks, ending his four-game stretch of 30 or more after missing his first eight attempts from the field and finishing 8-for-21.
Josh Howard hopes to practice later next week
The Dallas Mavericks announced today that guard/forward Josh Howard will continue to treat and rehab his left ankle. He will receive a cortisone injection this week and will attempt to practice with the team later next week. Arthroscopic surgery will be planned to address chronic issues regarding his ankle at a later date.
Howard (6-7, 210) has missed the last five games due to a sore left ankle. In 45 games this season, Howard has averaged 18.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 32.3 minutes per game.
Danilo Gallinari leaves for Italy, ponders back surgery
The New York Post (Mark Hale and Marc Berman) reports (via blog): Knicks rookie Danilo Gallinari’s season could be over. Gallinari left the team today for Italy and is again exploring whether to undergo back surgery, the Knicks announced this morning before practice. Gallinari returned to the club in late January after resting for more than eight weeks as the club opted again surgery for the bulging disc in his back. Gallinari, who had a disappointing road trip, punctuated by going scoreless in Cleveland, saw a back surgeon in New York yesterday and is off to Italy to seek more opinions.
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Knicks sign Demetris Nichols to second 10-day contract
The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that free agent guard Demetris Nichols has been signed to a second consecutive 10-day contract.
Signed to his first 10-day contract on Mar. 6, Nichols, 6-8, 216-pounds, has yet to appear in a game for New York.
The Knicks roster is currently at 14 players.
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Isiah Thomas is resurfacing
The New York Daily News (Frank Isola) reports: Isiah Thomas is slowly making the transition back into public life, first resurfacing with his successor and current boss, Donnie Walsh, at last week’s Pac-10 Tournament in Los Angeles and then appearing on an NCAA Tournament show in Las Vegas with his college coach Bobby Knight on Sunday. When reached by the Daily News Monday, Thomas politely declined an interview request. He would only say that he’s “feeling good” and that the last few weeks have been emotionally draining, referring to his former Pistons coach and long-time friend, Chuck Daly, being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and the death of Detroit Pistons owner William Davidson last week.