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.

Spurs beat Pistons 83-79

The AP reports: Michael Curry was quite happy with the way his team defended Tim Duncan on Thursday night. That’s why the rookie Detroit Pistons coach was so impressed that Duncan finished with 18 points and 18 rebounds in San Antonio’s 83-79 victory. “It says a lot about Tim Duncan that we can say he didn’t have a great game when he had 18 and 18,” Curry said. “People aren’t going to fully appreciate what a great player they’re watching until he retires. He just goes out there and does that game after game.” … Tony Parker added 19 points and 11 assists for the Spurs, who are 4-3 on an eight-game road trip… Allen Iverson led all scorers with 31 points, and Antonio McDyess added 13 points and 13 rebounds.

Magic get Rafer Alston in 3-team trade involving Grizzlies, Rockets, Kyle Lowry, others

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has acquired guard Kyle Lowry from Memphis and forward Brian Cook from Orlando as part of a three-team trade. The deal has the Rockets sending Rafer Alston to the Magic, while the Grizzlies receive a first-round draft selection from Orlando in the 2009 NBA Draft along with center Adonal Foyle and guard Mike Wilks.

“First, I would like to thank Rafer for his commitment to the team over the past four seasons,” said Morey.  “Kyle is an underrated player who will help us now and we can build around in the future.  He is a very good rebounder and defender who can attack the basket in the half court and transition, finish, and make the kick out pass to shooters. Brian is a proven veteran who will provide us with solid perimeter shooting and additional depth.”

“Rafer is a starting veteran point guard who shoots the ball well,” said Magic General Manager Otis Smith.  “He will give us added depth and athleticism in the backcourt.  We thank Brian, Adonal and Mike for all of their contributions and wish them all the best.”

Alston (6’2”, 175, 7/24/76, #1) has played in 48 games (all starts) this season for Houston, averaging 11.5 ppg., 5.4 apg., 3.0 rpg., and 1.2 stlpg. in 33.1 minpg.  In his 10th NBA season, he is shooting .348 (80-of-230) from three-point range and has scored in double figures 28 times, including a season-high 23 points on January 21 vs. Utah. He’s led the Rockets in assists in 26 games this season.

Originally selected by Milwaukee out of Fresno State in the second round of the 1998 NBA Draft (39th overall selection), Alston has appeared in 590 games with four teams (Milwaukee, Toronto, Miami, Houston), averaging 10.2 ppg. and 4.9 apg. He has also appeared in 33 playoff games, with 11 starts. He saw action in 13 playoff games for the Miami Heat in 2004, and averaged 14.3 ppg. and 4.5 apg. in four postseason games last year for Houston. Considered a “playground legend” while growing up in Queens, New York, he coached the 16-and-under New York Panthers AAU basketball team during the 2008 offseason.

“It was difficult to part with Kyle Lowry,” Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace said. “He has been an important part of our team the last three seasons.  With the emergence of Mike Conley, we decided that the acquisition of Orlando’s unprotected first round pick was a good move to make.  We now will enter the upcoming draft with two first round selections and three picks overall, likely inside the first 37 picks.”

The Grizzlies now own four first round picks over the next two drafts, including the Lakers’ 2010 first rounder and the team’s own two first round selections.

Lowry (6-0, 205, Villanova) was averaging 7.6 points, 3.6 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 49 games (21 starts) with Memphis in 2008-09. As a starter this season, Lowry is averaging 9.0 points (.423, 60-142 FG), 4.8 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 25.7 minutes per game. Overall, he has scored 10-plus points 12 times in 2008-09, including a career-high 25 points vs. Cleveland (1/13/09). Lowry posted his second career double-double at Minnesota (12/29/08) with 14 points and a career-high 12 assists, which marked the most assists for a Grizzlies player since Chucky Atkins (16) at Minnesota (4/18/07). The 6-foot guard also recorded career highs in free throws made (15) and attempted (16) vs. Cleveland (1/13/09).

Selected out of Villanova after his sophomore season by Memphis in the first round (24th overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft, Lowry has averaged 8.6 points, 3.6 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 141 career games (30 starts) with the Grizzlies. He was one of just two Grizzlies to play all 82 games last season, leading the club in free throw attempts (348). Lowry missed all but 10 games in his rookie year due to a fractured wrist.

Cook (6-9, 250, Illinois) averaged 3.0 points (.440, 11-25 3FG), 1.3 rebounds and 7.0 minutes in 21 games with Orlando this season. Playing in his second campaign with the Magic, Cook scored a season-high nine points at Utah (12/13/08). He matched that total with nine points vs. Atlanta (1/9/09), as well as pulling down a season-best eight rebounds.

In his sixth NBA season, Cook has averaged 6.2 points and 2.9 rebounds in 325 career games (74 starts) with the L.A. Lakers and Orlando. Cook, who was selected by the Lakers in the first round (24th overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft, played four-plus seasons in Los Angeles before joining the Magic via trade on Nov. 20, 2007. The former Illinois standout also appeared in 25 postseason games with the Lakers, averaging 3.0 points and 1.6 rebounds in 7.0 minutes per game.

Jameer Nelson has season-ending shoulder surgery

Orlando Magic General Manager Otis Smith announced that Magic All-Star point-guard Jameer Nelson underwent season-ending shoulder surgery Thursday afternoon. The procedure, performed by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama, was successful and rehabilitation is estimated at four-to-six months. Nelson dislocated his right shoulder and suffered a torn labrum on Feb. 2 vs. Dallas.

Raptors, Celtics, Kings trade Will Solomon, Patrick O’Bryant; Kings waive Mikki Moore

The Sacramento Kings today acquired Will Solomon from the Toronto Raptors and cash considerations from the Boston Celtics in a three-team trade that sent Boston’s Patrick O’Bryant to Toronto and a protected Kings’ second round pick in 2014 to Boston, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. In a related move, Sacramento waived Mikki Moore.

“Considering the recent roster moves made over the last 24 hours, this trade allows us to bring in an experienced guard in Will, when you consider his time in the NBA, coupled with his extensive experience playing professionally overseas,” said Petrie. “We also want to thank Mikki for his contribution and wish him the best.”

Solomon, a 6-1, 185-pound guard, who is currently in his second NBA season, averaged 4.9 points (.436 FGs, .263 3FGs, .833 FTs), 3.2 assists and 1.1 rebounds per game through 39 outings with Toronto this season. He was originally selected in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies as an early entry candidate out of Clemson where he enjoyed a three-year collegiate career. Solomon played one season (2001-02) for the Grizzlies and has played overseas since 2002. He has amassed NBA career averages of 5.1 points (.375 FGs, .279 3FGs, .711 FTs), 2.1 assists and 1.1 rebounds per game over 101 contests, of which he has started in 13 with Memphis and Toronto.

Moore, a 7-0, 225-pound forward/center, who is currently in his 11th NBA season, averaged 3.5 points (.521 FGs, .810 FTs) and 3.3 rebounds per game through 46 outings, of which he started in 20 for the Kings this season. After a four-year collegiate career at Nebraska, Moore was not drafted by an NBA team in the 1997 NBA Draft. He has posted career averages of 5.9 points (.548 FGs, .154 3FGs, .744 FTs) and 3.9 rebounds per game over 510 contests, of which he has started in 161 for Detroit (1998-2002), Boston (2002-03), Atlanta (2002-03), New Jersey (2003-04 and 2006-07), Utah (2003-04), Los Angeles Clippers (2004-05), Seattle (2005-06) and Sacramento (2007-09).

Bulls trade Thabo Sefolosha to Thunder, who waive Saer Sene

The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has traded guard Thabo Sefolosha to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a 2009 first-round draft pick.

Sefolosha (6-7, 215), in his third season in the NBA, has played in 43 games (14 starts) this season, and averaged 4.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.5 apg, 17.1 mpg, .434 from the field, .300 from behind the arc and .840 from the line.  Originally drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round (13th overall) of NBA Draft 2006, his draft rights were traded by Philadelphia to Chicago for the draft rights to Rodney Carney (16th overall) and cash considerations (June 28, 2006).

Sefolosha has played in 183 regular-season contests (40 starts) with Chicago, and tallied averages of 5.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.4 apg and 16.6 mpg.  During his time in a Bulls uniform, he shot .428 from the field, .328 from behind the arc and .684 from the free-throw line.  Sefolosha, 24, also appeared in nine playoff games with the Bulls, and averaged 3.3 ppg and 1.9 rpg in 11.0 mpg.

“We are excited to add Thabo to our team,“ said Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. “With this trade we add another defensive-minded perimeter player that we feel has the opportunity to grow with our organization.”

Oklahoma City owns three first round picks in the 2009 NBA draft. The Thunder holds the rights to its own pick, the Denver Nuggets pick acquired in the Johan Petro trade and the San Antonio Spurs pick received in the Kurt Thomas deal. Chicago will get the least favorable of the Denver and San Antonio picks.

To make room for Sefolosha on the 15-man roster, the Thunder waived Mouhamed Sene.

Celtics recall J.R. Giddens from D-League

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have recalled rookie guard J.R. Giddens from their NBA Development League affiliate Utah Flash.

Giddens was reassigned to the Flash on February 5 and has appeared in three games since his second assignment with averages of 17.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game.  Giddens has appeared in 15 games for the Flash this season with season averages of 17.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.27 steals and 1.40 blocks per game.

Jarvis Hayes has thumb injury

An MRI examination of Nets’ forward Jarvis Hayes’ left thumb revealed partially torn ligaments, which he suffered during last night’s game at Dallas.  Hayes will wear a splint for a week after which time his status will be reevaluated.

A key bench contributor for the 22-31 Nets this season, Hayes in 25.3 minutes per game is averaging 8.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

Danny Granger out 2-3 weeks

The Indiana Pacers announced Thursday that forward Danny Granger will be out 10 days to three weeks with a partial tendon tear in the sole of his right foot. The injury occurred in the first half of Wednesday night’s game at Charlotte. An MRI conducted Thursday in Minneapolis revealed the tear.

As the heart of the Pacers, Granger this season in 36.2 minutes per game is averaging 25.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.54 blocks per game. Though he’s only shooting 43.4% from the field, Granger is nailing an impressive 39.8% of his three-point attempts.

With 22 wins and 34 losses, the Pacers are currently last in the Central division and are the 13th seed in the 15-team Eastern conference.

Manu Ginobili out 2-3 weeks

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that Manu Ginobili has a stress reaction of his distal right fibula. The injury was diagnosed after a series of examinations including X-rays, an MRI and a CAT scan.

Ginobili is expected to be out for two-to-three weeks.

For the season, Ginobili in 27.2 minutes per game is averaging 16.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.53 steals.