Derrick Rose, back in the NBA playoffs

Derrick Rose, back in the NBA playoffs

On Saturday, Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose played in his first NBA playoff game in years, stayed healthy, looked pretty good, and enjoyed a win. The former league MVP shot 9-of-16 for 23 points, seven assists and two steals as the Bulls beat the Milwaukee Bucks 103-91 to take a 1-0 lead in their first round series.

Leading the Bulls was guard Jimmy Butler, who shot 8-of-14 for 25 points and six assists. Forward Pau Gasol shot just 5-of-17 for 10 points, though he did add 13 rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Center Joakim Noah had six points, 11 rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block.

In Milwaukee’s loss, Khris Middleton scored 18 points on 17 shot attempts. The Bucks as a team shot just 39.3% for the game.

Brandon Knight undergoes left ankle surgery

Brandon Knight undergoes left ankle surgery

Brandon Knight undergoes left ankle surgery

Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle yesterday.

The surgery was performed by Dr. Richard Ferkel in Los Angeles. Knight is expected to make a full recovery.

Knight averaged 17.0 points and career-highs of 5.2 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals this past season, one of just nine players in the NBA to post at least those amounts in each of those categories. A four-year NBA veteran out of the University of Kentucky, Knight played in 11 games with the Suns this past season after being acquired in a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 19.

2015 NBA draft tiebreakers broken

2015 NBA draft tiebreakers broken

Four ties among teams that finished the 2014-15 NBA regular season with identical records were broken today through random drawings to help determine the order of selection for the 2015 NBA Draft presented by State Farm, which will be held on Thursday, June 25.

The drawings were conducted live on NBA TV earlier today in New York City by Rod Thorn, NBA President, Basketball Operations. The tiebreak process was overseen by Denise Pelli, a representative from the accounting firm of Ernst & Young.

The results of the drawings:

· Indiana (38-44) won a tiebreaker with Utah.
· Dallas (50-32) won a tiebreaker with Chicago.
· Memphis (55-27) won a tiebreaker with San Antonio.
· Houston (56-26) won a tiebreaker with the LA Clippers.

Mirza Teletovic cleared to resume basketball-related activities

Mirza Teletovic cleared to resume basketball-related activities

Mirza Teletovic cleared to resume basketball-related activities

The following statement has been issued by Nets General Manager Billy King regarding the status of forward Mirza Teletovic:

“Mirza has been cleared to resume basketball-related activities. Mirza will be listed as OUT for games, and if his status changes, we will update at the appropriate time.”

Statement from Brooklyn Nets team physician Dr. Michael Farber:

“Over the last three months, Mirza has been closely monitored on blood thinners and follow-up testing has met our expectations. The most recent bloodwork was normal and Mirza has been cleared to resume all basketball-related activities.

Teletovic last appeared in a game on January 22 at the Los Angeles Clippers. In 40 games (four starts) this season, Teletovic averaged 8.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 22.3 minutes per game.

Lance Stephenson says he lost confidence in his jumpshot this season

Lance Stephenson says he lost confidence in his jumpshot this season

The Charlotte Hornets finished this season with a 33-49 record, failing to make the playoffs in a forgiving Eastern conference. It was a disappointing season. Lance Stephenson was considered a positive addition to the squad last offseason, and while he averaged a solid 4.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists in just 25.8 minutes per game, the swingman only scored 8.2 points per outing on subpar 37.6% FG. And from three-point range it was nothing but bricks. Here’s ESPN.com reporting:

Lance Stephenson says he lost confidence in his jumpshot this season

Hornets swingman Lance Stephenson had a rough first year in Charlotte, but said he plans on coming back better and with more confidence next season.

Stephenson, who signed a three-year, $27 million deal with the Hornets last offseason, shot 17.3 percent from 3-point range this season. That mark was the worst in NBA history among players who have attempted at least 100 3-pointers, according to basketball-reference.com.

“That is terrible,” Stephenson said of his shooting Thursday as the team addressed the media for the final time this season.

Stephenson said he lost confidence in his jump shot early in the season and never regained it.

Keeping Brandon Knight is priority for Suns

Keeping Brandon Knight is priority for Suns

The Phoenix Suns’ season is over. They finished 39-43 and failed to make the playoffs in a very tough Western conference. Here’s the Arizona Republic reporting on their roster situation:

Keeping Brandon Knight is priority for Suns

The Suns’ changes will start with those already at the end, or potential end, of contracts.

Of the seven current roster players in that situation, the only three with a good chance of returning are Brandon Knight, Brandan Wright and Danny Granger.

Gerald Green, Marcus Thornton and Earl Barron will be unrestricted free agents on July 1, and Jerel McNeal will have to prove enough in NBA Summer League to convince the Suns to allow a late July contract guarantee kick-in.

The Suns’ desire to retain Knight is an obvious priority, given that they cashed in two big chips (the Lakers’ first-round pick and Tyler Ennis) to acquire him.

Because Knight is a restricted free agent, the Suns can control that situation by either matching an offer sheet to retain him or negotiating a long-term deal directly.

Deron Williams faces additional criticism

Deron Williams faces additional criticism

Here’s the New York Daily News reporting on Nets point guard Deron Williams. The team is currently in a tight game with the Magic on the final day of the regular season:

Deron Williams faces additional criticism

The crosshairs are back on Deron Williams as another disappointing season nears its end, thanks to back-to-back disappearing acts in critical games and a harsh critique from former teammate Paul Pierce.

With the Nets set to play their season finale Wednesday against the Magic – a game they have to win in order to keep their playoff hopes alive – another Hall of Famer jumped on the Williams’ blame train.

“I can’t argue with what Paul Pierce said. I have to agree with him,” Reggie Miller told WFAN. “I don’t really like to kill guys but you have to call a spade a spade. I think he’s right on.

“The most important position in the game today is the point guard position,” he added. “And if you can’t get that out of your point guard – because that’s the coach on the floor. That’s the guy that has to get everyone rallying in the right position. So if your point guard is not demanding and is not accountable and is holding everyone else accountable, your team is going to struggle.”

Isaiah Thomas hates coming off the bench

Isaiah Thomas hates coming off the bench

Here’s NESN reporting on a key Boston Celtic:

Isaiah Thomas hates coming off the bench

Isaiah Thomas won’t sugarcoat it: He hates coming off the bench. Hates it. If given the chance to start, Thomas would take it in a second.

That’s not going to happen anytime soon, though. The Celtics point guard has been too valuable to his team in a reserve role, and the team itself has enjoyed too much success for coach Brad Stevens to mess with a good thing this late in the season.

So, for now, Thomas is stuck. But as the Celtics prepare to begin postseason play, he’s not going to be one to complain.

“Nobody’s sold me on no sixth man role,” Thomas said before Tuesday’s 95-93 win over the Toronto Raptors. “I’ve only had a few talks with (president of basketball operations) Danny (Ainge), a few talks with Brad. This is the role for the team right now, and I’m going to take full advantage of it.”

Justise Winslow will enter 2015 NBA Draft

Justise Winslow will enter 2015 NBA Draft

Duke freshman Justise Winslow will enter the 2015 NBA Draft, head coach Mike Krzyzewski announced Tuesday.

“We’re very happy for Justise and his family,” said Krzyzewski. “He had a sensational year, both on and off the court. He was an amazing factor for our success in winning the national championship. From everything we have found out, Justise is projected to be a high lottery pick and we believe that to be true. This is a great time to take advantage of this opportunity. We’re behind him all the way and love him and his family.”

Winslow, an All-Final Four team selection, joins Corey Maggette (1999), Luol Deng (2004), Kyrie Irving (2011), Austin Rivers (2012), Jabari Parker (2014) and teammate Jahlil Okafor (2015) as Blue Devil freshmen to enter the NBA Draft after just one season of college basketball.

Winslow, the third-highest freshman scorer in the ACC this season, averaged 12.5 points per game on 48.6 percent shooting from the field. In 31 of his 39 appearances, Winslow scored 10-or-more points, the second most double-digit scoring games by a freshman in the ACC this year, behind only Okafor (35). Winslow’s 31 double-digit scoring games ranks tied for third on Duke’s freshman list, while his 492 total points tied with Jason Williams for eighth on the Duke rookie chart.

Winslow also averaged 6.5 rebounds per game, second most by a freshman in the conference. He became just the second player 6-6 or under for Krzyzewski to average at least 6.0 rebounds per game, joining Chris Carrawell (6.1 rpg. In 1999-00). Winslow posted seven double-doubles during the 2014-15 season, including three-straight double-doubles in games against Virginia, Georgia Tech and Notre Dame. Winslow was recognized for his athletic prowess by being named to the All-ACC Freshman Team and the USBWA All-District III Team.

— Duke Sports Information