Don Nelson 1,300th win, Warriors beat Thunder 133-120

The AP reports: Golden State coach Don Nelson earned his 1,300th victory Saturday night, with Stephen Jackson scoring 26 points and Corey Maggette adding 25 in the Warriors’ 133-120 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Nelson is just the second coach in NBA history to reach the milestone, joining good friend Lenny Wilkens, who has 1,332 career wins… Kevin Durant scored 32 points for the Thunder, who have lost five straight. Russell Westbrook added 31 points and 11 assists, but Oklahoma City dropped to 3-24 on the road. Jeff Green had 27 points and 15 rebounds for Oklahoma City, but the second-year forward combined with Durant for 12 of the Thunder’s 23 turnovers.

Bass and Singleton shine, Mavericks beat Kings 116-95

The AP reports: One night after logging major minutes in a loss to Houston, the Dallas Mavericks’ starters were able to take to take it easy. Brandon Bass scored 16 of his season-high 20 points in the second quarter and Dallas’ reserves contributed 54 points to lift the Mavericks past the Sacramento Kings 116-95 on Saturday night… Josh Howard scored 20 points, Nowitzki had 12 and Singleton grabbed 12 rebounds for the Mavericks, who have won 11 straight home games over the Kings in the regular season. Dallas pulled all their starters early in the fourth quarter. Beno Udrih had 18 points, and Spencer Hawes and Francisco Garcia each scored 17 for the Kings, who have the NBA’s worst record at 12-45.

Utah owner recently passed, Jazz beat Hornets 102-88

The AP reports: On a night he had 13 assists, Deron Williams’ most memorable pass came after the final buzzer. Williams walked across the court after Utah’s 102-88 win over New Orleans and handed the game ball to Gail Miller, the wife of owner Larry H. Miller one day after his death. From the pregame moment of silence on, there was no doubt that this one was for Larry. “It’s great to win on a night like this. We wanted to win for Larry and the whole Miller family,” said Williams, who scored 20 points for Utah. “They’re going through a tough time and hopefully this can ease their pain just a little bit for one night.” Miller, 64, died Friday of complications from diabetes.

Mason scores 25, Spurs beat Wizards 98-67

The AP reports: The player that got away, Roger Mason, comes back with the San Antonio Spurs and drops 25 points—on a night the awful Washington Wizards post their lowest points total in six years. A season of embarrassment for president Ernie Grunfield’s front office hit another low Saturday as the travel-weary Spurs beat the Wizards 98-67… Mason went 9-for-15 from the field, including 5-for-9 from 3-point range, and had 10 points and two steals in the 19-4 run that capped the third quarter and gave the Spurs a 78-57 lead… Mason certainly could have been a fourth option on a night when Caron Butler (24 points), Jamison (16) and Darius Songaila (15) accounted for all but two points scored by the entire Wizards roster through the first three quarters.

J-O’Neal shines, Heat beat 76ers 97-91

The AP reports: Dwyane Wade had 25 points and nine assists, Jermaine O’Neal and Jamario Moon combined to score 10 fourth-quarter points in their second game since arriving from Toronto, and the Heat improved their Eastern Conference postseason positioning by beating the Philadelphia 76ers 97-91 on Saturday… O’Neal had 17 points and 10 rebounds and Moon scored 12 for Miami… Andre Miller had 30 points—the most by a 76ers player since late last season—and nine rebounds, and Louis Williams scored 22 off the bench for Philadelphia, which is on its first three-game slide since December. Andre Iguodala scored 14 and Marreese Speights added 12 for Philadelphia, which was the lone NBA team not to have a 30-point individual scorer this season.

Jazz to wear patch honoring Larry Miller

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team will honor the memory of late owner Larry H. Miller by wearing a memorial “LHM” patch on its jerseys for the remainder of the season.  The patch will debut in tonight as the Jazz hosts the New Orleans Hornets in the first Jazz game since Miller’s passing on February 20.

The purple patch with green and gold trim is in the shape of the Jazz music note logo (a “J” in the shape of an eighth note) and inscribed with Miller’s initials, “LHM,” in white block letters.  The music note logo is representative of the team’s logo, colors and jerseys which were worn at the time Miller originally purchased a 50% stake in the team on April 11, 1985, and the remaining 50% on June 24, 1986.  The Jazz wore the music note jerseys until the 1996-97 season.

Prior to tonight’s game at EnergySolutions Arena, there will also be a moment of silence held, followed by a two-minute tribute video to Miller which will conclude with a spotlight focused on the empty courtside seat that Miller commonly occupied during Jazz games.

Kevin Garnett out 2-3 weeks

The Boston Globe (Marc Spears) reports: Celtics president Danny Ainge said early this morning that injured forward Kevin Garnett will be out 2-3 weeks with a posterior muscle strain of the right knee. The All-Star suffered the injury during the second quarter of Thursday’s loss at Utah.

InsideHoops.com editor says: No worries. Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis will average 25 points, 23 rebounds and 20 assists per game while KG heals up.

Amare Stoudemire out 8+ weeks

The Arizona Republic (Paul Coro) reports: Valley retinal surgeon Dr. Pravin Dugel first saw Suns star Amaré Stoudemire on Thursday night on a referral from team ophthalmologist Jay Schwartz, who examined Stoudemire’s right eye that afternoon. Dugel, with Retinal Consultants of Arizona, said Stoudemire’s vision was disturbed as badly as 20/50 and he had blood in his eye. It was clear he had a “very large” retinal detachment on the nasal side. The ragged tears indicated they were caused by trauma. Stoudemire was struck near his eye Wednesday while fouling Al Thornton but that was not a sole cause… The eight-week prognosis for a return to physical activity is loose, considering his job.

Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller dies

Larry H. Miller, husband, father, grandfather, a well-known entrepreneur, community advocate and humanitarian, died from complications due to type 2 diabetes today, at home, surrounded by his family.  He was 64.

Miller, a man who truly loved Utah, its people and its land, was born in Salt Lake City in 1944. From modest beginnings, he grew up in the Capitol Hill area and went on to become one of Utah’s most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders.  

Leaving behind a profound professional and personal legacy, the entities Miller created have had a significant and lasting impact on the communities in which he did business, and the more than 7,000 individuals he employed.

The Larry H. Miller Group of Companies began with the Larry H. Miller Toyota store in Murray, Utah on May 1, 1979.  Through the years, Miller amassed more than 80 businesses and properties in the western United States.  Most notable are the Utah Jazz, EnergySolutions Arena, the Salt Lake Bees, Miller Motorsports Park, Megaplex Theatres, and 39 automobile dealerships spanning the Rocky Mountain West.  Miller also developed a vast real estate holdings including commercial and agricultural properties.

A dynamic entrepreneur and business leader, Miller also became known for his charitable efforts. Miller coined the phrase “Go about doing good until there is too much good in the world.”

Miller and his wife Gail provide close to 300 college scholarships each year.  Larry H. Miller Charities, a foundation funded by monthly contributions from his businesses, fundraising events in the community, and personal donations from employees, has donated millions of dollars to communities in which Miller does business.

“Larry and Gail have always stressed the importance of giving back to the communities in which we do business.  Our customers have supported us and it is important that we show our appreciation by helping those in need,” said Greg Miller, eldest son and CEO of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies.  “Larry felt that his legacy isn’t in business as much as it was in creating opportunities for good jobs and higher education.”

Larry and Gail have also donated millions of dollars to Utah-based colleges and universities for campus improvements such as the state-of-the-art softball and baseball complexes at BYU.  The Larry H. Miller Campus of the Salt Lake Community College (SLCC), was completed in fall 2001 and includes the Larry H. Miller Entrepreneurship Training Center and The Larry and Gail Miller Public Safety Education & Training Center. 

Despite all of his success, Miller always maintained that his greatest accomplishment is the family that survives him: his wife, Karen Gail Saxton Miller, their four sons and one daughter, 21 grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

Garnett hurt, Jazz beat Celtics 90-85

The Utah Jazz beat the Boston Celtics 90-85 as the losing squad lost star Kevin Garnett to injury. More will be known tomorrow on KG’s status. The game was an ugly, defensive struggle as both teams missed from all over the court. The two squads combined to shoot 6-of-23 from three-point range.

For Utah, Mehmet Okur had 19 points and 6 rebounds, Deron Williams (6-of-17) had 18 points and 10 assists, and Ronnie Brewer scored 16. Paul Millsap grabbed 10 rebounds.

For Boston, Paul Pierce (7-of-19) had 20 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals but 5 turnovers. Rajon Rondo had 15 points and 7 assists. Ray Allen (4-of-15) and Kendrick Perkins (6-of-6) each scored 12.