The AP reports: Dirk Nowitzki scored 32 points, outscoring Charlotte’s entire starting five, and the Mavericks never trailed in a 100-83 rout on Tuesday night for their second straight win, overcoming any distractions their owner might have presented by toying with the lifeless, undermanned Bobcats… A career-high 21 points from rookie D.J. Augustin was nowhere near enough for Charlotte, which fell behind 15-0 while playing again without top scorer Jason Richardson (knee). The Bobcats didn’t score until nearly 7 minutes had elapsed in a woeful performance that kept them winless all-time against Dallas… With Nowitzki adding nine rebounds and Josh Howard scoring 21 points, the Mavericks led by as many as 23 in a rare blowout after a horrible start to the season, made worse when their famous owner suddenly faced legal trouble.
Nov 18: Pacers 113, Hawks 96
The AP reports: Danny Granger scored 34 points to lead the Indiana Pacers past the slumping Atlanta Hawks 113-96 on Tuesday night. Rasho Nesterovic scored 21 points, Jeff Foster had 12 and Troy Murphy added 10 points and 19 rebounds for the Pacers (5-5), who won their fifth consecutive home game against Atlanta. Joe Johnson finished with 25 points, Marvin Williams scored 14 and Mike Bibby and Maurice Evans each scored 13 for the Hawks (6-4). After a 6-0 start, Atlanta has lost four straight.
LeBron talks to InsideHoops
Tuesday night in New Jersey the Nets hosted LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
LeBron’s sorta good and athletic and stuff.
Anyway, before the game, myself and a good dozen or two reporters talked with LeBron about 2010 free agency, his quotes about staying home in Ohio, what team loyalty means, and much more.
Usually, when I say someone “talked to InsideHoops” it means the interview is exclusive, but this one was a team effort. But InsideHoops is where you’ll see the whole thing.
Read the full LeBron James interview.
Top recruit Xavier Henry picks Memphis
I don’t normally include college news in this blog, but it’s worth knowing that Xavier Henry, a top national recruit, will be playing for John Calipari at the University of Memphis.
Coach Cal for years has shown an amazing ability to land star players, and Henry is another on that list.
Ticker reports: Both of Henry’s parents played basketball at Kansas, but the younger Henry wanted to be reunited with brother C.J., a freshman on this year’s Memphis team.
Ticker reports: A 6-6 shooting guard at Putnam City High School, Henry averaged 26.7 points and 7.2 rebounds last season in leading his team to a 25-2 record and the quarterfinals of the state Class 6A quarterfinals.
ESPN.com (Christopher Lawlor) reports: The start to Henry’s senior season will be delayed up to six weeks following surgery to repair a broken cheekbone suffered in an automobile accident on Oct. 22. Henry said, he still has headaches after the surgery in which two plates and eight screws were inserted, but he is expected to be cleared for game action in late December.
Richard Hamilton struggling lately
Michigan Live (A. Sherrod Blakely) reports: In the six games he has played with Allen Iverson, Richard Hamilton has averaged 16.6 points while shooting 35.4 percent from the field. Hamilton has never averaged fewer than 17 points per game with Detroit, and his worst shooting percentage in a season is 42 percent, which he did as a rookie in Washington. “It’s all about timing right now,” Hamilton said. “Anytime you play with a different point guard … with Chauncey, I knew what he was going to do every time up the court. He knew when I was going to come off a screen. He knew where to put the ball at. Now I have to learn (Iverson), just like I learned Chauncey when I first came here.” Joe Dumars said he is not surprised to see Hamilton struggle with the adjustment more than some of the other players.
Kwame Brown starting for Pistons
The Detroit News (Chris McCosky) reports on the Pistons: Kwame Brown is the new starting center, and he played two solid games, first against his former team, the Lakers (10 points, 10 rebounds), then in a loss to the Suns (10 points, three rebounds, tough defense). “Kwame’s done a really good job defensively,” Curry said. “I think he’s gotten better each game. The numbers maybe didn’t show it, but I thought he was better (against the Suns) than he was in the Lakers game.” Brown’s presence helps the starting unit a couple ways: He’s a true center, which allows Rasheed Wallace to play his natural power forward spot; and he also has a legitimate NBA big-man’s body, which the starting lineup sorely lacked previously.
Nov 17: Spurs 86, Clippers 83
The AP reports: Roger Mason’s 3-pointer with 8.4 seconds remaining lifted the San Antonio Spurs to an 86-83 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night for their third straight victory. Mason, who led the Spurs with 21 points, got away from Ricky Davis near the top of the key and had no trouble nailing his third 3-pointer of the game after the Clippers had rallied from an 11-point deficit in the final 6 1/2 minutes.
InsideHoops.com Notes: For the Spurs, Tim Duncan had 20 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 blocks. Mason shot 9-of-16 for his 21 points, and no assists. Mike Finley scored 19. George Hill shot 0-of-5 but dished 8 assists. For the Clippers, Cuttino Mobley had 18 points on 18 shots. Chris Kaman shot 8-of-13 for 17 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks. Baron Davis shot just 5-of-17 for 11 points and 8 assists. Tim Thomas unleashed a 1-of-7 brickfest off the bench.
Nov 17: Jazz 109, Suns 97
The AP reports: Carlos Boozer had 21 points and 15 rebounds, Andrei Kirilenko added 19 points and two big blocks in the fourth quarter, and the Utah Jazz snapped a three-game losing streak by beating the Phoenix Suns 109-97 Monday night. C.J. Miles scored a season-high 21 points and Brevin Knight had six assists and 12 points, going 6-for-7 from the floor as the Jazz got the Suns in foul trouble and pulled away in the second half. Steve Nash and Shaquille O’Neal both drew their fourth fouls early in the third quarter, then the Suns couldn’t shoot early in the fourth as Utah scored 13 straight during one stretch. Amare Stoudemire led Phoenix with 30 points and eight rebounds. Nash had 14 points and eight assists, but O’Neal finished with just nine points and one rebound.
Nov 17: Rockets 100, Thunder 89
The AP reports: Tracy McGrady feels like he’s back to square one with a troublesome left knee that gave out on him again. At least his Houston Rockets seem able to pick up the slack if he’s going to be sidelined. Luis Scola scored 23 points, Yao Ming added 19 points and 12 rebounds, and Houston made a second-half surge without its injured seven-time All-Star to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 100-89 on Monday night. Offseason pickup Ron Artest also had an injury scare, but the Rockets still had enough firepower to hand the tumbling Thunder their eighth straight loss… People sprain their ankles all the time,” said Artest, who had 17 points and 11 rebounds. “It’s not broke.” … Durant had 29 points to lead the Thunder, Jeff Green scored 16 and Westbrook added 14 points.
NBA suspends Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics has been suspended one game without pay for striking Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut in the face. In addition, Bogut’s Foul that was committed on Garnett has been upgraded to a Flagrant Foul Penalty One, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.
The incident occurred with 3:58 remaining in the fourth period of the Celtics 102-97 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, November 15, at the Bradley Center.
Garnett will serve his suspension tomorrow when the Celtics host the New York Knicks at TD Banknorth Garden.
Here is a video of the incident. Click ‘high quality’ once you’re on the video page.