The AP reports: Richard Hamilton scored 38 points, Allen Iverson had 27 and the two combined for 15 of Detroit’s 17 points in overtime in a 126-121 victory over the injury-plagued Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night… Iverson, who also had nine assists, helped the Pistons to their second straight gritty win following a 3-9 stretch that they stopped with a win against Miami… Ramon Sessions scored 20 of his career-high 44 in the fourth quarter and overtime and put Milwaukee up for the final time when he hit two free throws that made it 121-120 with 46 seconds left.
Conley steps up, Grizzlies beat Raptors 78-70
The AP reports: O.J. Mayo scored 12 of his 16 points in the fourth period, including nine straight, and the Grizzlies held on to defeat the Toronto Raptors 78-70 on Saturday night. Mayo’s 3-pointer with 25.7 seconds left was costly for the Raptors, who had erased a 13-point lead in the second half and lost their sixth straight. Mayo had struggled from the field through the first three quarters, missing nine of his 11 shots. He saved the best for the stretch… “We were wide open for shots,” said Raptors guard Jose Calderon, who led Toronto with 18 points and five assists, but was 5-of-15 from the field… Hakim Warrick matched Mayo’s 16 points and both grabbed eight rebounds. Mike Conley scored 15 points and handed out eight assists.
Harris scores 28, Nets beat Nuggets 114-70
The AP reports: Devin Harris scored 14 of his 28 points from the free-throw line and the New Jersey Nets posted their second biggest victory in franchise history with a stunning 114-70 decision over the frustrated Denver Nuggets on Saturday night… Rookie Brook Lopez added 15 points and nine rebounds for New Jersey, while Carter had 12 points and eight assists. Carmelo Anthony had 15 points to lead the Nuggets on a night that the Nets refused to let them get to the rim, one of the staples of an offense that was averaging 104.7 points, fourth best in the league.
Bench steps up, Sixers beat Heat 94-84
The AP reports: If the Philadelphia 76ers get bench play like this, they’ll hardly miss Elton Brand. Andre Miller and Marreese Speights scored 15 points, Royal Ivey ignited a second-half comeback with 11 off the bench and the 76ers beat the Miami Heat 94-84 on Saturday night. Dwyane Wade had 21 points and Mario Chalmers added 18 for Miami… The Sixers are 12-8 without Brand, who signed a five-year, $80 million deal last summer.
Thornton scores 31, Clippers beat Hawks 121-97
The AP reports: Coach Mike Woodson was digusted with the effort of his Atlanta Hawks. Even with Mike Bibby injured and unable to play, Woodson at least expected the Hawks to play hard… Al Thornton scored 31 points and Zach Randolph had 25 in the Los Angeles Clippers’ 121-97 victory over the Hawks on Saturday night… Dropping to 18-6 at home, the Hawks never got any closer than nine after Johnson’s three-point play midway through the third. Johnson and Marvin Williams each scored 17 points for Atlanta, while Josh Smith added 16 points and 15 rebounds.
Jason Terry breaks left hand
Dallas guard Jason Terry fractured the fourth metacarpal on his left hand in Saturday night’s game against Chicago. Terry did not return to the game. His status will be updated on InsideHoops.com when more is known.
This is a big blow to the Mavs. Terry has been a huge offensive burst all season. If Jerry Stackhouse still has game, now is the time to show it.
Lakers trade Vladimir Radmanovic to Bobcats for Adam Morrison, Shannon Brown
Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins announced today that the team has acquired forward Vladimir Radmanovic from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for forward Adam Morrison and guard Shannon Brown.
“Vladimir is a versatile forward who has the ability to play multiple positions in this league,” Higgins said. “We saw this as an opportunity to add another experienced player whose skill set is interchangeable with a variety of different lineups.”
The 6-10, 235-pound Radmanovic has appeared in 516 career NBA games spread between Seattle, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Lakers. He has career averages of 9.2 points and 4.1 rebounds, while shooting .420 from the field and .386 from the three-point line. In 46 games (28 starts) with the Lakers this season he averaged 5.9 points and 2.5 rebounds in 16.8 minutes. He currently ranks ninth in the league in three-point field goal percentage (.411), connecting on 60-136 attempts.
Originally drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft, Radmanovic had three consecutive seasons with the Sonics where he averaged double-figure scoring. His best statistical season in the NBA came during the 2003-04 season when he appeared in 77 games (38 starts) with averages of 12.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals in 30.1 minutes. During that season, he scored 20-plus points 13 times and recorded six double-doubles. He has also appeared in 44 career playoff games with averages of 7.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in 21.9 minutes.
Morrison was selected by Charlotte with the third overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft after declaring early following his junior season at Gonzaga. He has career averages of 9.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 24.5 minutes in 122 games (28 starts). Morrison missed the entire 2007-08 season after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee in an Oct. 20 preseason game against the Lakers. As a rookie in 2006-07, he appeared in 78 games with 23 starts and averaged 11.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 29.8 minutes. He was also named to the All-Rookie Second Team that year after finishing second among all NBA Rookies in scoring and minutes played. This season, he appeared in 44 games (five starts) with averages of 4.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 15.2 minutes.
Brown is in his third NBA season and averaged 4.8 points and 1.0 assist in 30 games played for Charlotte this season. In 74 career games, Brown has averaged 4.4 points, 0.8 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 10.5 minutes split between Cleveland, Chicago and Charlotte. Brown was originally drafted by the Cavaliers with the 25th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft.
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Tony Parker buys part of overseas team
The San Antonio Express-News (Jeff McDonald) reports: In preparation for life after his playing days are over, Parker has purchased the second-largest stake in ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne, the most storied basketball club is his native France. “I just wanted to do something to prepare my future,” Parker said. “I had a good opportunity with that team, and I took it.” Parker says he hasn’t ruled out finishing his career with the French team once his NBA career is over.
Bobcats will re-sign Cartier Martin
The AP reports: The Charlotte Bobcats will sign forward Cartier Martin to a second 10-day contract when his existing deal expires Saturday… Martin had been averaging 20.6 points for Iowa in the NBA Development League.
Grizzlies add Damon Stoudamire, Henry Bibby as assistant coaches
The Memphis Commercial Appeal (Ronald Tillery) reports: Henry Bibby and former NBA point guard Damon Stoudamire have officially joined Memphis Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins’ staff as assistant coaches. They are expected to be on the bench tonight when the Griz host the Los Angeles Clippers.
InsideHoops.com editor says: The Grizzlies should now immediately inform Damon Stoudamire the team has decided to move back to Vancouver.