The AP reports: After Eddie House scored five straight points in the fourth quarter to cut the Knicks’ lead to seven, Patrick Ewing Jr. threw down an electrifying dunk off an offensive rebound with 3:27 remaining to give the Knicks a 98-89 lead. With 19 seconds remaining and the Knicks (2-2) up by five, Ewing stole an errant Gabe Pruitt pass and made the subsequent free throws to secure the victory for New York… Nate Robinson scored 19 points, including 3of-6 from behind the arc, and Zach Randolph added 15 to lead the Knicks. Stephon Marbury had 12 points while Chris Duhon and Mardy Collins each had 10… Paul Pierce scored 15 points for the Celtics and Tony Allen had 11.
Oct 17: Nuggets 94, Suns 91
The AP reports: As soon as he was introduced to an ovation that shook the teflon roof of the Carrier Dome, the night belonged to Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets. Anthony, who as a freshman led Syracuse to the 2003 NCAA championship, wowed his adoring fans with 14 first-half points and the Nuggets remained unbeaten in the preseason with a 94-91 victory over the Phoenix Suns… J.R. Smith had 19 points to lead Denver (4-0), Linas Kleiza had 11, and Anthony Carter finished with 10. Iverson had four points, four assists and five turnovers. Raja Bell had 15 points for Phoenix (2-3), Matt Barnes and Grant Hill had 13 apiece, and Robert Hite had 12, all during a fourth-quarter rally that fell just short, and Leandro Barbosa had 10 points. Shaquille O’Neal had four points and four rebounds in 12 minutes, while rookie Robin Lopez, the 15th overall pick in this year’s draft, finished with seven points and five rebounds.
Oct 17: Pacers 112, Grizzlies 86
The AP reports: Rookies Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert continue to put up big numbers for the Indiana Pacers. Rush had 17 points and five rebounds, and Hibbert added 12 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks, leading the Pacers to a 112-86 preseason victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night… Stephen Graham had 16 points, Danny Granger scored 12 and T.J. Ford chipped in 11 for the Pacers, who improved to 3-2 in the preseason… Rudy Gay had 19 points, rookie O.J. Mayo scored 17 and Hakim Warrick 10 as Grizzlies dropped to 2-4 in the preseason.
Oct 17: Hornets 102, Wizards 80
The AP reports: Melvin Ely had 19 points and eight rebounds and Chris Paul added 10 points and eight assists to help the Hornets wrap up the NBA’s annual preseason tour of Europe with another strong performance. New Orleans, which cruised to a 96-80 victory over Washington in the first meeting on Tuesday in Berlin, will return home with a 5-0 preseason record… Caron Butler and rookie center JaVale McGee led Washington with 15 points each, while Jamison, who missed Tuesday’s loss, shot just 4-of-14 to finish with nine points.
Delonte West being treated for mood disorders
The AP reports: Cleveland Cavaliers guard Delonte West contemplated quitting before leaving the team’s training camp to seek help for depression and “a mood disorder” he has been battling his entire life. West, who recently signed a two-year contract with Cleveland, said he removed himself from the team to “get my thoughts back together.” He missed three preseason games during his absence from Oct. 4-15. “I felt a feeling of anger and I just wanted to throw it all away and quit the team,” he said… West is taking medication and has been attending therapy sessions.
Mike Wilks badly injured, out for season
The Orlando Sentinel reports: Orlando Magic reserve point guard Mike Wilks is out for the season after sustaining a major injury to his right knee in the team’s game Thursday against the Bobcats in Charlotte, N.C. Wilks, according to his agent, Bill Neff, tore his anterior cruciate ligament, slightly tore the medial collateral ligament and sprained his meniscus.
Clippers waive Curtis Sumpter
The Los Angeles Clippers today waived forward Curtis Sumpter. Sumpter appeared in two preseason games for the Clippers and averaged 1.0 point and 0.5 rebounds in 6.5 minutes per game. The former Villanova star signed with the Clippers on Sept. 26, 2008.
The Clippers roster now stands at 15 players.
I’m rooting for Curtis Sumpter, because I’ve always thought he has a damn cool-sounding name. Seems reason enough. Anyway, I assume he’ll be overseas.
–Jeff
Trail Blazers waive Jamaal Tatum
The Portland Trail Blazers waived rookie guard Jamaal Tatum, General Manager Kevin Pritchard announced today.
“Jamaal came in and did a great job for us, and we look forward to watching his career progress,” said Pritchard. “We really enjoyed our time with Jamaal and wish him all the best.”
Tatum played in three preseason games, averaging 0.7 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 5.7 minutes. The 23-year-old played four seasons at Southern Illinois, averaging 12.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.21 steals in 131 games.
With Friday’s move, the Trail Blazers roster stands at 17 players.
Raptors starting SF battle
The ultra-athletic, defensive-minded Jamario Moon started at small forward for the Raptors last season. Will he retain the job? Or will Joey Graham shock Raptors faithful and move ahead of Moon in the depth chart? The Toronto Sun (Mike Ganter) reports:
After the game, Sam Mitchell muddied the starting small forward waters a little bit more. “Does Joey start or Jamario come off the bench?” Mitchell asked in his post-game comments. “Does Jamario start and Joey come off the bench? I don’t know yet.” Mitchell’s problem right now is his second unit is giving him almost nothing. Anyone who witnessed the second quarter last night, when the Raptors were outscored 34-20 and turned the ball over seven times with the starters on the bench, is aware of that. “We know Andrea (Bargnani) can score,” Mitchell said. “We know Jason can score and get some shots, but we have to find that other guy. One thing Joey has shown an ability to do is put the ball on the floor and get a shot for himself or get to the basket and create some contact.”
Obviously whichever player best fits in with the starters should be the one to start. Simple formula that applies to every team.
Oct 16: Pistons 85, Mavs 81
The AP reports: Chauncey Billups’ jumper with 1:19 to play helped the Detroit Pistons rally for an 85-81 exhibition victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night. Down 13 points entering the fourth quarter, the Pistons (5-1) outscored the Mavericks (3-2) 36-19 in the final 12 minutes. Richard Hamilton led Detroit with 17 points, and Billups added 16 and seven assists. Dirk Nowitzki had 15 points for Dallas in 23 minutes, and Brandon Bass added 11 points and nine rebounds.