The AP reports: Dwight Howard had 25 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Orlando Magic to their franchise-record 24th road victory with a 103-86 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night. Rashard Lewis added 16 points and seven rebounds, and Carlos Arroyo had 13 points and nine assists for the Magic, who improved to 24-13 on the road. The team was 15-26 last season. Mo Williams finished with 18 points and five assists for Milwaukee, which lost its third straight game and ninth in 10 games. Michael Redd was just 3-for-16 from the field and had seven points. The Bucks shot 34 percent for the game.
Mar. 28: Hawks 106, Bulls 103
The AP reports: Mike Bibby scored 30 points and the Atlanta Hawks held on after nearly blowing two huge leads, beating the Chicago Bulls 106-103 to strengthen their hold on the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot. Ben Gordon, who scored 16 of his 18 points in the final period, had a chance to force overtime but his final shot rimmed out as the horn sounded… Joe Johnson scored 19 points for the Hawks, including a towering shot from the baseline over two defenders to make it 101-98 with 1:32 remaining… All five Atlanta starters scored in double figures, with Marvin Williams and Joe Smith both contributing double-doubles. Williams had 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Smith went for 12 and 10. Luol Deng scored 19 points to lead the Bulls, who got points from all 11 players who saw minutes but were beaten on the boards.
Mar. 28: Celtics 112, Hornets 92
The AP reports: Paul Pierce scored 27 points, Garnett added 21, and the Boston Celtics moved closer to wrapping up the top record overall by avenging last weekend’s loss in New Orleans with a 112-92 win over the Hornets on Friday night… David West did drive by for a basket after Garnett squared up defensively, cutting it to 72-68, but the Celtics scored 19 of the next 24 points over the ensuing 5:56 to move ahead 88-73… Rajon Rondo added 17 points and Ray Allen had 12… Chris Paul paced the Hornets with 22 points and 10 assists. Peja Stojakovic had 17 points and David West 14.
Mar. 28: Suns 107, Sixers 93
The AP reports: Amare Stoudemire scored 22 points, Raja Bell had 20 and the Phoenix Suns avoided their first three-game losing skid of the season with a 107-93 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night… Shaquille O’Neal had 15 points and 13 rebounds, Leandro Barbosa scored 17 points and Steve Nash had 10 assists to help the Suns race to a 50-26 lead. Andre Miller had 16 points and 10 assists, Lou Williams scored 15 points and Andre Iguodala had 13 for Philadelphia.
Mar. 28: Raptors 103, Knicks 95
The AP reports: After months of inevitability, the New York Knicks made it official, dropping out of playoff contention Friday night by losing to the Toronto Raptors. Chris Bosh had 29 points and 10 rebounds, Rasho Nesterovic added 18 points, and the Raptors beat the Knicks 103-95… Anthony Parker scored 15 for the Raptors, who won their second in a row after losing 11 of their previous 14… Starting for the second straight game, Toronto guard T.J. Ford finished with 10 points and nine assists… Jamal Crawford scored 26 and Jared Jeffries had a career-high 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Knicks, who have won just two of 15. Quentin Richardson added 20 points and 10 rebounds while David Lee had 15 and 12 for New York.
Mar. 28: Pacers 123, Nets 115
The AP reports: Troy Murphy sat out Wednesday with strep throat, but he recovered and had 21 points and 17 rebounds in a 123-115 win over the Nets Friday. The Pacers halted a two-game losing skid to remain in the Eastern Conference playoff picture… “He’s just been great for us,” Danny Granger, who led the Pacers with 26 points against the Nets, said… Mike Dunleavy scored 19 points and Marquis Daniels added 14 for the Pacers, who have won five of seven. Vince Carter scored 33 points, Devin Harris scored a career-high 27 and Josh Boone had 15 points and 16 rebounds for the Nets, who left the game disappointed.
Andrew Bogut has procedure to fix broken nose
Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut underwent a successful procedure this afternoon to reduce a displaced nasal fracture (broken nose), Director of Player Personnel Dave Babcock announced today. The procedure was performed by Dr. Paul Lowenstein, M.D., at Elmbrook Hospital in Brookfield, WI.
Bogut sustained the injury in the fourth period of Wednesday night’s game in Atlanta. He left the game to receive treatment and did not return to action.
Bogut will be required to wear a protective mask for the remainder of the season, but will not play tonight against the Orlando Magic. After tonight, he will be listed as day-to-day.
In 68 games this season (all starts), Bogut has averaged 13.9 points, a team-high 9.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and a team-high 1.76 blocked shots. Among Eastern Conference centers, Bogut ranks second in scoring, second in double-doubles (32), third in blocked shots and fifth in rebounds.
A midget lives in beard of Drew Gooden
I have determined why Drew Gooden has such wildly inconsistent games even moreso lately than ever. It’s because a midget has secretly moved into Gooden’s giant beard. Even Drew doesn’t know he’s there. And sometimes, before games, the midget takes a nap, forgets to sneak out before tipoff, and has to stay hidden in there during the game, weighing Gooden down and causing him to play badly. But when the midget sneaks out before the game, Gooden is lighter, more agile and puts up big stats.
Gooden was fairly inconsistent in the past, and I have no secret explanation for that.
Clippers sign Marcus Williams and waive Aaron Williams
The Los Angeles Clippers today signed free agent forward Marcus Williams from the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League for the remainder of the season and waived forward Aaron Williams. Marcus Williams is the 23rd Gatorade Call-up from the NBA Development League this season.
Selected in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs, Marcus Williams appeared in seven preseason games with the Spurs and averaged 3.3 points and 2.6 rebounds before being waived on Oct. 27 and joining the Toros. The former University of Arizona standout re-signed with the Spurs on Dec. 26 and played in one game before being waived on Dec. 29.
The Seattle, Washington native has been a leader for the Toros in the D-League this season, earning D-League Player of the Week honors for the week of March 10, 2008. In 36 games with the Toros, Williams averaged 19.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals in 34.9 minutes. Williams started 23 games and also shot 52 percent from the field.
After starring at Roosevelt High School in Seattle, Williams enjoyed a stellar two-year career at the University of Arizona, being named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman Team in 2005-06 after playing in 33 games and averaging 13.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists. Williams averaged 16.6 points and 6.7 rebounds in his sophomore year.
The Clippers signed Aaron Williams as a free agent on Aug. 1, 2006 and the veteran forward appeared in a total of 68 games over the last two seasons, starting 12 games. This season, Williams has missed a total of 19 games due to injury while averaging 2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in 9.9 minutes in 30 games.
Marcus Williams will be in uniform and available tomorrow night in Los Angeles when the Clippers host the Memphis Grizzlies at STAPLES Center.
Rumors: Do Sonics want to extend Wilcox?
Friday InsideHoops NBA rumor mill gossip: The Sonics aren’t sure about giving Chris Wilcox an extension. Raptors plan on keeping Jose Calderon but may deal him or T.J. Ford. Raef LaFrentz won’t request trade. Nuggets may sign D-League player soon. If Sonics leave, Seattle could eventually get expansion team. Ben Gordon or Larry Hughes gone from Bulls this summer? Suns may have told Shaq to stop insulting Heat. NBA defends legit bloggers from Mark Cuban. Greg Oden caught playing pickup ball. Nene plays. Much more. Read NBA rumors.