The AP reports: Starting for the first time since All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson was injured, Anthony Johnson wanted to set a high standard. He may have set it too high. Johnson had a season-best 25 points in place of Nelson, and the Orlando Magic routed the Los Angeles Clippers 125-96 on Wednesday night. Johnson was quick to point out he won’t score big every game, especially against tougher competition… Al Thornton had 27 points, and Eric Gordon added 14 for the Clippers, losers of seven straight and 21 of their last 23 games. They could do little to stop Johnson, who nearly matched his regular-season career high of 27 points against Washington on Jan. 18, 2006, when he was with Indiana.
Pistons sellout streak ends at 259 games
With tonight’s attendance of 21,720, the Detroit Pistons sellout streak of 259 consecutive games has come to an end. The streak, which began on January 19, 2004 versus San Antonio and includes playoff games, is the longest sellout streak in franchise history. The Pistons tallied 245 consecutive sellouts between the first game played at the Palace of Auburn Hills on November 5, 1988 and December 10, 1993.
“Our great fans should be applauded for filling The Palace of Auburn Hills on 259 consecutive occasions and it has certainly been a special time in Pistons basketball history,” said Tom Wilson, President of Palace Sports and Entertainment. “We are fortunate to have the best basketball fans in the NBA and we will continue to provide them with the best possible sports entertainment experience.”
Detroit has led the NBA in regular-season attendance five of the last six years, including the 2007-08 campaign in which 905,116 fans enjoyed Pistons basketball for the fourth consecutive season.
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Andrew Bogut out 8+ weeks
Milwaukee Bucks General Manager John Hammond announced today that center Andrew Bogut (7-0, 260) has an incomplete stress fracture in his lower back. Bogut went through a series of tests and evaluations earlier this week that revealed the injury.
He will be sidelined for a minimum of eight weeks at which time he will be re-evaluated. In the meantime, he will rehabilitate the injury with strengthening exercises and rest.
In 36 games this season, Bogut is averaging 11.7 points, 10.3 rebounds (11th in NBA), 2.0 assists and 1.0 blocked shot in 31.2 minutes per game.
Bogut, 24, is one of 11 players in the league to average double-figures in both points and rebounds, and one of 13 players in the NBA to average a double-double this season.
Two Wizards charged with reckless driving
The Washington Post reports: Guard Nick Young and center JaVale McGee were charged with reckless driving after being pulled over for speeding on the Dulles Access Road on Jan. 1. The incident was first reported by WJLA (Channel 7) on Monday. Under Virginia law, a driver can be charged with reckless driving for going more than 20 miles over the speed limit as well as other offenses including driving over 80 mph and racing. The speed limit on the access road is 55 mph.
Melo scores 35, Nuggets beat injured Spurs 104-96
The AP reports: This wasn’t quite the test Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets had in mind. With Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili all sidelined Tuesday night, the Denver Nuggets took advantage for a 104-96 win over the San Antonio Spurs after frittering away most of a 17-point lead… Anthony scored 35 points, but he had to come back into the game with 8:47 left and the Nuggets clinging to an 80-78 lead… Denver wasn’t at full-strength, either. Kenyon Martin missed the game with tonsillitis and strep throat, and Billups sprained his right ankle in the second quarter and didn’t return.
Yao scores 28, Rockets beat Bulls 107-100
The AP reports: Yao Ming scored 28, Luis Scola matched a career high with 18 rebounds and Tracy McGrady added 16 points in the Rockets’ 107-100 win over Chicago. Aaron Brooks scored 18 off the bench for the Rockets, who’ve won six straight and 11 of 12 games against the Bulls… Luol Deng scored a season-high 28 and Ben Gordon scored 20 for Chicago, which had a three-game winning streak snapped… Derrick Rose had 12 points and seven assists in his first game since spraining his left foot in the Bulls’ 122-111 win in Phoenix on Saturday.
Carter triple-double, Nets beat Bucks 99-85
The AP reports: This was not the homecoming Richard Jefferson envisioned. Vince Carter made sure of that. “R.J. was being R.J.,” Carter said. “So we had a good time with him.” Carter had 15 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds for his fifth career triple double, and the New Jersey Nets spoiled Jefferson’s return with a 99-85 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night… Although he started off the night by missing his first three shots, Jefferson finished by hitting 7-of-16 from the field to lead Milwaukee with 27 points… Brook Lopez had 22 points and 12 rebounds to complement Carter, who had his third triple-double with the Nets and first since April 4, 2002, against Washington.
LeBron scores 33, Cavs beat Raptors 101-83
The AP reports: LeBron James scored 33 points, eclipsed 12,000 for his career, blocked Chris Bosh’s dunk attempt during a crucial stretch in the fourth quarter and guarded almost every one of Toronto’s starters as the Cleveland Cavaliers remained flawless on their floor by winning their 23rd straight home game, 101-83 over the Raptors on Tuesday night. James became the fastest player in NBA history to reach the 12,000-point plateau. At 24 years, 35 days, he did it quicker than Los Angeles superstar Kobe Bryant, who was 25 years, 220 days… Chris Bosh scored 29 and Jermaine O’Neal 20 to pace Toronto.
Allen hits game-winner, Celtics beat Sixers 100-99
The AP reports: Ray Allen took a perfect pass from Paul Pierce and buried a baseline 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds left to give the Celtics their 12th straight victory, 100-99 over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night… Pierce scored 29 points, Allen had 23 and Glen Davis had 12 points and 11 rebounds… Andre Iguodala scored 22 points and Andre Miller had 21 for the Sixers.
Foye scores 19, Wolves beat Pacers 116-111
The AP reports: Randy Foye scored 19 points, Sebastian Telfair and Ryan Gomes each scored 16 points and Kevin Love had 15 points and 11 rebounds as Minnesota beat Indiana 116-111 on Tuesday night. Al Jefferson, who averages 23 points per game, had 12 points and 15 rebounds… Danny Granger scored 28 points, Mike Dunleavy scored 20 and Troy Murphy added 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Pacers, who have lost back-to-back home games.