The Dallas Morning News (David Moore) writes: If this team was average at best, the decision would be easy. Tear it down. But the Mavericks are on pace to win 48 games after a slow start. It’s a significant drop from there to mediocre. Management can’t afford to get this wrong the way it did last year when it acquired Jason Kidd. The move was made because Cuban and Nelson clung to the idea of where the team had been 20 months earlier rather than accept what it had become. The Mavericks had deteriorated to the stage where one player was not enough to get them back to The Finals. Reality has sunk in this season. The problem is that it cost Devin Harris and two first-round draft picks for the Mavericks to have their eyes opened. That leaves Cuban and Nelson with precious few assets to offer heading into this trade deadline. Is this team at a crossroads? “That’s overstated,” Cuban said. “You just do the best you can and try to be opportunistic.
Kleiza helps Nuggets push past Kings, 118-99
The AP reports: Linas Kleiza scored 27 points, Chauncey Billups had 22 and the Denver Nuggets used strong second and third quarters to beat the Sacramento Kings 118-99 on Tuesday night. J.R. Smith had 19 points and Nene 13 points and 12 rebounds for Denver, which outscored the Kings 71-44 in the middle frames. Kevin Martin led Sacramento with 25 points and rookie Jason Thompson had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Kings, who fell behind by 30 in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets trailed by as many as 10 in the second quarter when Kleiza and Smith led the charge back.
Okur and Jazz beat Wolves 112-107
The AP reports: Mehmet Okur scored 22 points and hit consecutive late 3-pointers to boost the Utah Jazz past the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-107 on Tuesday night for their seventh straight home win. Paul Millsap led Utah with 28 points and 15 rebounds and his dunk gave the Jazz a 97-89 lead midway through the fourth quarter… With a chance to claim their first lead, Al Jefferson, who had 25 points and eight rebounds, missed a jump hook and Okur grabbed the rebound. He then made his consecutive 3s and added a free throw. Deron Williams, who had 17 points and 11 assists, drained a jumper to expand the advantage to 106-97. Ryan Gomes and Foye led Minnesota’s rally with late 3-pointers and each finished with 19 points. Sebastian Telfair scored 17, but couldn’t keep the Timberwolves from losing a sixth consecutive game in Salt Lake.
Bibby leads Hawks over Bulls 105-102
The AP reports: Mike Bibby scored nine of his season-high 31 points in the final five minutes, and the Atlanta Hawks beat the Chicago Bulls 105-102 Tuesday to complete a three-game season sweep… That’s the sort of night it was for him. On offense and defense, Bibby rarely missed. “He is one of those types of players that when he gets it going, it’s kind of hard to stop him,” said Josh Smith, who had 17 points and 14 rebounds… Bibby hit 12 of 21 shots in all, 5-for-10 from 3-point range, and while he did his part to carry the Hawks, teammates were there to lend a hand… Zaza Pachulia scored a season-high 18 points, and Joe Johnson added 16 for the Hawks, who have struggled this month after enjoying their best December in 21 years… Ben Gordon led Chicago with 21 points, Andres Nocioni added 15, and Deng had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Kirk Hinrich and Rose scored 13 apiece, but 18 turnovers did in the Bulls.
Duncan’s 27 powers Spurs past Pacers
The AP reports: Tim Duncan scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Manu Ginobili scored 26 before San Antonio sat their stars early in a 99-81 over cold-shooting Indiana on Tuesday night… Danny Granger had 17 points for the Pacers, who shot 37 percent from the field and scored their second-fewest points in a game this season. Indiana entered ranked third in the league in scoring. Duncan had 10 rebounds to notch his 27th double-double and didn’t play in the fourth quarter. Neither did Tony Parker, who scored 13 points and had seven assists… Mike Dunleavy had 15 points for the Pacers and T.J. Ford added 10.
Josh Childress having hernia surgery
Euroleague.net reports: Olympiacos Pireaus on Tuesday announced that forward Josh Childress will undergo hernia surgery today and miss most, if not all, of the Top 16. Childress (203, 25) is the third-best scorer (10.7 ppg.) and second-best rebounder (5 rpg.) for the Reds, while leading the team in minutes played (26.3 mpg.). Childress returned to the United States over the weekend for medical attention concerning an inguinal hernia.
Suns sign Courtney Sims to 10-day contract
The Phoenix Suns have signed free-agent center Courtney Sims to a 10-day contract, the club announced today.
The 6-11, 245-pound Sims has spent the last two seasons with the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League. The Energy, coached by Nick Nurse, became the Suns’ affiliate this season. Sims, 25, joins Phoenix after starting all 17 of his games in Iowa this season, averaging 22.4 points and 11.6 rebounds, both team-bests. A season ago, Sims averaged 15.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in 15 games with Iowa.
A four-year collegiate performer at the University of Michigan, Sims was an undrafted free agent signee of the Indiana Pacers in 2007-08. The Roslindale, Mass.-native saw action in three regular season games for the Pacers.
The Suns roster now stands at 13.
JaVale McGee still unused
The Washington Post (Ivan Carter) reports (via blog): When Etan Thomas went down with a torn MCL in his left knee, many assumed that rookie center JaVale McGee would see an increased role. To this point, that still hasn’t really happened. McGee, who started 13 games earlier in the season and has flashed talent while showing that he’s still a raw young guy with plenty to learn, played 14 minutes against Milwaukee, 16 minutes at New York, four minutes at home against the Knicks and five minutes yesterday at Golden State against a team that doesn’t employ a traditional center. Clearly, interim coach Tapscott still feels more comfortable starting Andray Blatche at center and playing Darius Songaila long minutes at that spot. Blatche put up 22 points and nine rebounds in 33 minutes yesterday while Songaila posted six points, two rebounds and two assists in 15 minutes.
Richard Hamilton to come off bench
The Detroit Pistons have a problem. A bunch of their best players, Tayshaun Prince, Allen Iverson, Richard Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey are small. They’re little. You can pick them up and toss them in the air. If they’re all on the court at the same time, Prince, who is a skinny bean-pole, is forced to play power forward, which is just silly.
So now, a roster decision has been made. One that could change at any moment. But for now, here’s what’s up, as reported by the Detroit News (Chris McCosky):
Pistons coach Michael Curry announced Tuesday that he will begin using guard Rip Hamilton off the bench, with guard Allen Iverson and forward Amir Johnson starting… Curry said Hamilton, who has never come off the bench as a Piston, will start the second and fourth quarters.
Watch the Pistons, as they try to figure themselves out.
Walker Russell is D-League player of week
Walker Russell, Jr. of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants has been named NBA D-League Performer of the Week for games played during the week of Jan. 12, 2009. Russell is the first Mad Ant to earn the honor this season.
Russell averaged 28.5 points and 16.0 assists in two wins over the Sioux Falls Skyforce last week, including on Thursday when he scored a season-high 30 points while adding 18 assists. He returned on Friday to score 17 points and 14 assists in another victory.
A 6-0 guard, Russell is leading the NBA D-League with 11.6 assists per game this season. He also ranks fourth in the league with 2.5 steals, while averaging 16.9 points.
Other top performers last week included Tulsa’s Ronald Dupree, who averaged 30.5 points and 15.5 rebounds in two games for the 66ers; Othyus Jeffers, who averaged 26.0 points and 8.5 rebounds in two games for the Iowa Energy; Idaho’s Coby Karl who finished the week averaging 22.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists in two games for the Stampede; Antonio Meeking, who averaged 20.0 points and 10.3 rebounds in three games for the Reno Bighorns; and Anaheim’s James White, who averaged 27.0 points in three games for the Arsenal last week.