College: Syracuse beats UConn in six overtimes

This is primarily an NBA blog, but when something happens in basketball that everyone should know about, we usually mention it. And that’s the case here:

The AP reports: Syracuse and Connecticut played a game for the ages Thursday night and into early Friday. When it was over, everybody in Madison Square Garden was exhausted and, except for the losing team, exhilarated. Telling someone that No. 18 Syracuse beat No. 3 Connecticut 127-117 in six overtimes in the quarterfinals of the Big East tournament is equivalent to saying there’s a star in the sky… The game finished one overtime short of the record set in Cincinnati’s 75-73 victory over Bradley on Dec. 21, 1981. Paul Harris had 29 points and 22 rebounds, while Eric Devendorf had 22 points and Rautins had 20, all but two on 3-pointers. The Orange made 40 of 51 free throws, but Connecticut made just 24 of 42… A.J. Price had 33 points and 10 assists for the Huskies (27-4), while Stanley Robinson had 28 points and was one of three Connecticut players with 14 rebounds. Hasheem Thabeet had 19 points, 14 rebounds and six of the Huskies’ 16 blocked shots.

LeBron triple-double, Cavs beat Suns 119-111

The AP reports: LeBron James had his third straight triple-double—34 points, 13 assists, 10 rebounds—and the Cavaliers pulled away over the final seven minutes to beat the sinking Suns 119-111 on Thursday night… Mo Williams, who scored a career-high 44 the first time the teams met this season, added 30 for Cleveland, including 6-of-10 3s. Matt Barnes scored 21 and Steve Nash 20 as the Suns extended their losing streak to six games, their longest in six seasons… The Cavs’ Delonte West left with a sore lower back halfway through the third quarter after crashing in to Nash for an offensive foul. X-rays were negative.

Lakers clinch playoff spot, beat Spurs 102-95

The AP reports: Scoring the last of his 23 points on a 3-pointer with 1:46 left, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers became the first team in the West to secure a playoff spot with a 102-95 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night… Tony Parker and Michael Finley had 25 points apiece for the Spurs, who trailed by as much as 18 points before mounting a furious fourth-quarter comeback… Pau Gasol had 23 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers. Lamar Odom had 12 points and 10 rebounds in his return from a one-game suspension for leaving the bench during an altercation in Monday’s loss to Portland. Tim Duncan had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Spurs, whose lead over the Rockets in the Southwest Division was cut to two games. San Antonio plays at Houston on Saturday, when the Rockets will becoming off a Friday night game at Charlotte.

No surgery for Marvin Williams

The Atlanta Journal Constitution (Sekou Smith) reports: Hawks forward Marvin Williams will not undergo surgery on his injured lower back and could play again this season. Williams said he will undergo weeks of intensive rehabilitation after being examined by specialists at Duke University Wednesday. He wants to return before the Hawks wrap up the regular season April 15.

Renaldo Balkman helps the Nuggets

The Denver Post (Chris Dempsey) reports (via blog): The tattooed words on Renaldo Balkman’s calves say everything the man is about, and, incidentally pretty much do all of the talking for the Nuggets soft-spoken forward. “Hustle,” on his left calf. “Harder,” on his right. No one on the team hustles quite like Balkman. It is equal parts inspiring and breathtaking, and it is necessary for a team that many times lacks the all-out effort needed to carry it through tough games. Yet, Balkman is a spot player. Yes, he’s received more time lately – a 24.7 average in the Nuggets’ last three games. But consider the circumstances. He remains mainly an injury-replacement player, so this latest stretch of more court time can’t be construed as anything other than that. He’s played, and started some, when Kenyon Martin has been out. Evidence that the Nuggets are actually fitting him into the lineup will come when the team is completely healthy and intact and he’s still playing.

Knicks sign Cheikh Samb to second 10-day contract

The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that center Cheikh Samb has been signed to a second consecutive 10-day contract.

Signed to his first 10-day contract on Mar. 2, Samb, 7-1, 245-pounds, has yet to appear in a game for New York.

The Knicks roster is currently at 14 players.

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Jackson leads Warriors to 116-112 win over Nets

The AP reports: Monta Ellis returned to the lineup after missing seven games to attend to a family emergency. It was though he never left. “Monta is a great player and I am not surprised at anything,” Warriors forward Stephen Jackson said after scoring 29 points in Golden State’s 116-112 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday… Ellis and center Andris Biedrins bolstered the Warriors with their return to the lineup, and Jamal Crawford scored 15 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter as the Warriors, who ended a three-game slide, delivered a blow to the Nets’ playoff chances. Biedrins, who missed the past five games, contributed 10 points and 13 rebounds. Corey Maggette added 18 points. Devin Harris had 31 points and 12 assists for the Nets, who have lost five of six on the road and missed a chance to move into eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

Dirk scores 29, Mavericks beat Trail Blazers 93-89

The AP reports: Dallas remained in eighth place in the West after Dirk Nowitzki had 29 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Mavericks to a 93-89 win over Portland on Wednesday night. Better things aren?t far out of Dallas? reach, though, as the Mavericks won for the seventh time in nine games. “This is big for our confidence right now,” said Dallas guard Jason Terry, who scored 24 points… LaMarcus Aldridge led Portland with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Roy had 22 points and eight rebounds. Joel Przybilla pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds for the Blazers. Jason Kidd was three points short of a triple double, with seven points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

Balkman rises, Nuggets beat Thunder 112-99

The AP reports: Renaldo Balkman to the rescue, of all people. The Denver Nuggets snapped a three-game losing streak with a 112-99 win over Oklahoma City on Wednesday night that was fueled by Balkman, who made the most of a rare start with a double-double… With Kenyon Martin’s bad back putting him in street clothes again, Nuggets coach George Karl needed some size in his starting lineup, so he inserted Balkman… Carmelo Anthony led seven Nuggets in double figures with 22 points. Jeff Green’s 19 points led the Thunder, who had won five of six since losing leading scorer Kevin Durant to an ankle injury. Earl Watson added 18 points for Oklahoma City.

Bryant scores 37, Lakers beat Rockets 102-96

The AP reports: Kobe Bryant scored 18 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter and the Los Angeles Lakers ended Houston’s 12-game home winning streak with a 102-96 victory. Artest, the fiery forward who’s one of Houston’s top 1-on-1 defenders, used all of his tactics in vain to stop Bryant in the final quarter. He also had a dismal offensive night, scoring only 11 points on 4-for-16 shooting with six turnovers… Pau Gasol scored 20 points and Josh Powell added 17 for the Lakers, who overcame the absence of Lamar Odom to snap a three-game road losing streak… Reserve Von Wafer scored 20 points for the Rockets, who’ve lost all three meetings with the Lakers this season.