The AP reports: David West scored 22 points, Peja Stojakovic added 14 and the New Orleans Hornets were 9-of-16 from 3-point range in their 100-80 exhibition victory over the Miami Heat on Thursday at the University of South Alabama… New Orleans point guard Chris Paul had 13 assists and six points, Morris Peterson and Devin Brown each scored 12 points, and Rasual Butler added 11. Rookie Michael Beasley led the Heat with 14 points, Shawn Marion added 12, and Dwyane Wade had 11.
Oct 23: Wolves 95, Bucks 76
The AP reports: Kevin Love had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Al Jefferson added 19 points to lead Minnesota to a 95-76 exhibition victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night… Rashad McCants had 15 points, including a stretch of 10 straight late in the fourth quarter, for Minnesota. Randy Foye scored eight third-quarter points after going scoreless and missing all four of his shots in the first half. Center Dan Gadzuric led the Bucks with 13 points, and Luke Ridnour added 12 points and seven assists.
Oct 23: Hawks 88, Pistons 87
The AP reports: Zaza Pachulia scored 18 points, including the deciding layup in the final minute, to help the Atlanta Hawks beat the Detroit Pistons 88-87 in the exhibition finale for both teams Thursday night. Both coaches rested key players. Richard Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace didn’t play for Detroit, while Joe Johnson sat out for Atlanta. Former Pistons guard Flip Murray led the Hawks (5-3) with 19 points, and Maurice Evans and Marvin Williams had 14 each. Arron Afflalo had 15 points for the Pistons (6-2), rookie Walter Sharpe added 13 and Jason Maxiell had 11.
Pacers waive Croshere and J.Davis
The Indiana Pacers announced Thursday they have waived forwards Austin Croshere and Josh Davis. The Pacers roster now stands at 15.
“This was an extremely difficult decision to waive Austin,” said Pacers General Manager David Morway. “Austin’s a terrific professional and has represented this franchise extremely well and we appreciate his passion, dedication and commitment to the Pacers over the years.”
Croshere played for the Pacers from 1997-2006. In those nine seasons he averaged 7.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. He was traded to Dallas in 2006 for Marquis Daniels and played for Golden State in 2007-08. Davis is a three-year veteran of the NBA, having played for Atlanta, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Houston and Phoenix. He has career averages of 2.5 ppg and 1.7 rpg. Morway added, “both Austin and Josh had very good camps and we think both players will find a place in the NBA this season.”
Suns exercise option on Alando Tucker
The Phoenix Suns today exercised the team’s option on swingman Alando Tucker for the 2009-10 season.
The 6-6, 205-pound Tucker enters his second season with the Suns after originally being selected by Phoenix with the 29th overall pick in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft. In his rookie campaign last season, Tucker split time between the Suns and the club’s then-NBA Development League affiliate in Albuquerque. In 21 games (19 starts) in the D-League, Tucker averaged 27.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists and was named the D-League.com Performer of the Week for the week of Dec. 10. Tucker averaged 3.7 points and 1.3 rebounds in six games with the Suns in 2007-08.
Despite missing three games, Tucker is the Suns’ third-leading scorer this preseason, posting averages of 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 45.2 percent from the field.
A native of Lockport, Ill., Tucker played five seasons at the University of Wisconsin after receiving a medical redshirt, where he averaged 16.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 134 collegiate games from 2002-07. Tucker finished as the Badgers’ all-time leading scorer and was named a consensus All-American and the Big 10 Player of the Year in his senior season. Tucker was also one of four finalists for the Naismith Trophy given to the national player of the year in 2007.
Wolves waive three players
The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has requested waivers on guard Blake Ahearn, forward Chris Richard and center David Harrison. The preseason roster now stands at 15 players.
Ahearn, signed as a free agent on Sept. 29, appeared in five preseason games for the Wolves, averaging 7.8 points and 1.2 assists in 11.6 minutes per game.
Minnesota selected Richard in the second round (41st overall pick) of the 2007 NBA Draft. The Florida alum appeared in five games this preseason, averaging 1.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game. In his rookie season with the Wolves, Richard appeared in 52 games, averaging 1.9 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.
Harrison, signed as a free agent on Oct. 9, has been sidelined throughout the preseason with a strained right calf.
Clippers waive Jelani McCoy
The Los Angeles Clippers today waived forward Jelani McCoy. McCoy appeared in six preseason games for the Clippers and averaged 3.5 points and 2.7 rebounds in 10.0 minutes per game. The former UCLA star signed with the Clippers on Sept. 23, 2008.
The Clippers roster now stands at 14 players.
Suns waive Robert Hite
The Phoenix Suns have waived guard Robert Hite, the team announced today.
Hite appeared in six exhibition contests for the Suns this preseason without a start, averaging 7.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 14.8 minutes.
The Suns’ roster currently stands at 13.
Knicks open to non-playing role for Allan Houston
The New York Knickerbockers announced today that starting immediately, there will be on-going discussions with Allan Houston about having a new role for him within the franchise.
The following is a statement by Allan Houston:
“First and foremost, my family and I would like to thank Knicks President Donnie Walsh and Coach Mike D’Antoni for their allowing me the opportunity to be a part of the New York Knicks organization again. These are two of the most knowledgeable and respected men in basketball and I look forward to learning more from them. Although I was very excited about potentially joining my teammates this year in uniform, I believe that the circumstances suggest that I am best suited to serve the team in a different role. I realize that we often make our own plans in our heart, but God always has the right plan for us. I am extremely blessed to have witnessed a special era in New York Knicks history, and I know basketball fans everywhere, especially Knick fans, are ready for the return of this franchise. Hopefully, I serve in being a part of that again.
I want to also sincerely and personally thank family, friends, fans, prayer partners for all of your overwhelming support. Through Allanhouston.com & the Allan Houston Legacy Foundation, we will stay connected to you and remain committed to equipping our next generation to live fruitful lives.”
Magic waive Dwayne Jones
The Orlando Magic have waived Dwayne Jones, General Manager Otis Smith announced today. Jones appeared in three preseason games for the Magic, averaging 1.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in 9.3 minutes per game.
Orlando’s roster now stands at 15 players and is set for the beginning of the 2008-09 regular season. The Magic open the season on Wednesday, October 29 at Amway Arena against Atlanta. Tip-off is 7 p.m.
The Magic have four new exciting ticket packages: A seven-game package for the price of six with either Boston or the L.A. Lakers as the free game; the “Stuff Yourself” all-you-can-eat ticket; the Half Howard featuring a post-game autograph session with Dwight Howard; and the 1989 season ticket plan for $585 (50 percent off). Ticket highlights for 2008-09 also include: 7,569 seats priced $25 or under per game; a $27 lower bowl ticket; and tickets priced at $10 per game.