The AP reports: The Memphis Grizzlies looked like a team energized by a coaching change a day after their coach was fired. For about five minutes, at least. After that, the Grizzlies and Knicks resumed their streaks in opposite directions: Memphis lost its season-high eighth straight game, while New York matched its best run of the season with its third consecutive victory, a 108-88 win Friday… David Lee had 19 points and 14 rebounds as the Knicks won three in a row for the first time since early November… Rudy Gay led Memphis with 20 points. High-scoring rookie O.J. Mayo was held to 12 points, more than seven below his average, on 4-for-14 shooting.
Murray scores 25 as Hawks win big over Bucks
The AP reports: Flip Murray scored a season-high 25 points, Josh Smith had 24 and the Hawks raced to their biggest victory of the season, 117-87 over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night. Mike Bibby dished out 15 assists for Atlanta, which shot 56 percent from the field while winning its third in a row… Bibby had 12 points and easily eclipsed his previous season high of 12 assists, even though he barely played in the final period… Charlie Villanueva led the Bucks with 27 points, but it was a mere afterthought in Milwaukee’s most-lopsided defeat of the season. Bucks center Andrew Bogut missed his fifth straight game with back spasms, and the Hawks sure took advantage of his absence on the inside.
Diaw dominates ex-team, Bobcats crush Suns 98-76
The AP reports: How far the Bobcats have come since then was on display Friday night, as Boris Diaw dominated his former team with 26 points and 11 rebounds in Charlotte’s 98-76 rout of the slumping Phoenix Suns… Last month’s deal that brought Diaw and Raja Bell from Phoenix for Jason Richardson has invigorated the Bobcats, who also got 28 points from Gerald Wallace… Shaquille O’Neal had 20 points for the Suns, who had been 8-0 against Charlotte and had never failed to score fewer than 110 points in those games… Things got so bad Steve Nash, who was hampered by a sore back, missed a free throw for the first time in a month, ending his streak of 54 straight. He finished with four points, five assists and six turnovers… Amare Stoudemire, voted an All-Star starter this week, was held to 12 points on 5-for-14 shooting.
Mavericks rout Pistons 112-91
The AP reports: The Dallas Mavericks bounced back from a humiliating loss in a big way. Dirk Nowitzki scored 26 points, Josh Howard added 22 and Dallas routed the Detroit Pistons 112-91 on Friday night, two nights after a 34-point loss in Milwaukee… Brandon Bass added a season-high 18 points, and Jason Kidd had 11 points and 10 assists for Dallas, which lost 133-99 to the Bucks… Richard Hamilton, coming off the bench for just the second time in his Detroit career, led the Pistons with 17 points, and Tayshaun Prince added 12— 10 from the free-throw line. Allen Iverson finished with 11 points on 3-of-9 shooting.
Granger leads Pacers past Rockets
The AP reports: Yao Ming, the Houston Rockets’ 7-foot-6 center, left Friday night’s game because of a sore right knee and did not play after halftime. The Pacers made 26 free throws in the second half of their 107-102 victory… Houston already was missing Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest because of injuries. Artest missed his 13th game of the season because a bone bruise in his right ankle. McGrady sat out his 16th game with a sore left knee. Luis Scola, who scored a career-high 25 points for the Rockets, said the injuries weren’t an excuse for failing to play better in the second half… Indiana led 50-40 at halftime before holding the Rockets at bay with the free throws. Danny Granger scored 12 of his 25 points from the line, and T.J. Ford scored 13 of his 21 points on free throws. Troy Murphy had 14 points and 16 rebounds for the Pacers, who snapped a two-game losing skid. Carl Landry and Rafer Alston each scored 17 points for the Rockets, who had won three straight.
Jazz owner has drastic leg surgery
Larry H. Miller had surgery early this morning to remove his lower legs to six inches below the knee. The operation went well and he is recovering in the hospital. The surgery is a result of complications due to type 2 diabetes.
“Larry is doing well and is expected to continue to recover in the coming weeks and months,” said Greg Miller, CEO of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies.
Currently, Larry is not available for media interviews. The Miller family greatly appreciates the support they are receiving from the community, but have no further details to share at this time.
Lakers easily beat Wizards by 20
Thursday evening the Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Washington Wizards and easily won on their home court, 117-97. With 23 points and 14 rebounds from center Andrew Bynum, the Lakers took a 6 point lead after the first quarter, scored 41 in the second quarter for a 72-47 halftime lead, and never looked back.
Los Angeles also got 18 points from Pau Gasol.
Kobe Bryant had a quiet evening, shooting just 4-of-11 for 11 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists.
Four Lakers reserves scored 10 or more points in the blowout win.
Antawn Jamison led the Wizards with 19 points. JaVale McGee came off the bench for 18 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks in 23 minutes. Caron Butler had just 12 points, plus six assists.
As a team, the Lakers dished an amazing 35 assists.
Celtics win 7th straight, top Magic 90-80
The AP reports: Paul Pierce had 27 points and 10 rebounds, Glen Davis added a season-high 16 points and Boston disrupted everything Orlando wanted offensively, holding the Magic to a season-low in points. Kevin Garnett scored 16 points to help the Celtics (36-9) extend their winning streak to seven games… Dwight Howard, who on Thursday became the first player in league history to receive 3 million votes in a season for the All-Star game, was held to a relatively ordinary 11 points and 11 rebounds. He fouled out with 2:30 left, and Orlando’s run of seven straight wins was snapped… Hedo Turkoglu scored 22 points, Rashard Lewis finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Jameer Nelson had 17 points for Orlando, whose previous low scoring total this season was 82.
InsideHoops.com notes: The Celtics hit 46.7% of their shots, the Magic just 38.2%. The difference in three-pointers made and attempted was amazing: Celtics 0-of-6, Magic 7-of-22. Rebounds, assists and other stats were pretty close.
Report: Grizzlies fire head coach Iavaroni
NBA.com reports: A source tells TNT’s David Aldridge that the Memphis Grizzlies have fired head coach Marc Iavaroni. Assistant coach Johnny Davis will take over the team on an interim basis, the source said. The Grizzlies are currently on a seven-game losing streak with an 11-30 record. They have lost 15 of their last 17 games and in last place in the Southwest Division. Iavaroni’s overall record in Memphis was 33-90.
InsideHoops.com will update this page when more information is known.
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Monta Ellis to play Friday
Warriors.com reports: Warriors.com has just learned from our contacts with the Warriors PR staff that Monta Ellis’ long road back from his offseason ankle injury will soon be complete, as the fourth-year guard will make his 2008-09 season debut tomorrow night when the Warriors host the Cavaliers at ORACLE Arena. The decision to have Ellis return to the court was made after Thursday’s practice. Following practice, Ellis expressed his excitement about returning to the floor.