• Home
• About
• Site Map

• NBA Basketball

Subscribe

Shaq to have thumb checked by specialist

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP)—Cavaliers center Shaquille O’Neal(notes) will have hisinjured right thumb examined by Dr. Thomas Graham at the National Hand Center inBaltimore.

An MRI Saturday confirmed the injury was a significant sprain and he will beexamined Sunday. O’Neal, who was hurt during a win at Boston on Thursday, willmiss Monday’s game against New York.

The team has not said when he will return.

With O’Neal out of the lineup, Anderson Varejao(notes) will continue to start atcenter. Former backup Zydrunas Ilgauskas(notes), traded to Washington for AntawnJamison(notes), is now a free agent following a buyout from the Wizards. Ilgauskas isfree to sign with any team, but will have to wait until March 21 under NBA rulesshould he elect to re-sign with the Cavaliers.

O’Neal to have injured thumb examined

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP)—Cavaliers center Shaquille O’Neal(notes) will have hisinjured right thumb examined by Dr. Thomas Graham at the National Hand Center inBaltimore.

An MRI Saturday confirmed the injury was a significant sprain and he will beexamined Sunday. O’Neal, who was hurt during a win at Boston on Thursday, willmiss Monday’s game against New York.

The team has not said when he will return.

With O’Neal out of the lineup, Anderson Varejao(notes) will continue to start atcenter. Former backup Zydrunas Ilgauskas(notes), traded to Washington for AntawnJamison(notes), is now a free agent following a buyout from the Wizards. Ilgauskas isfree to sign with any team, but will have to wait until March 21 under NBA rulesshould he elect to re-sign with the Cavaliers.

Granger leads Pacers past Bulls 100-90

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—Danny Granger(notes) had 30 points and eight rebounds to help theIndiana Pacers beat the Chicago Bulls 100-90 on Saturday night.

Dahntay Jones(notes) and Troy Murphy(notes) each had 17 points, and Roy Hibbert(notes) had 12 forIndiana. The Pacers snapped a three-game losing streak and won for just thesecond time in nine games to improve to 20-39.

Indiana Pacers' Danny Gran… AP – Feb 27, 8:30 pm EST Chicago Bulls' Derrick Ros… AP – Feb 27, 8:30 pm EST Chicago Bulls' Taj Gibson(… AP – Feb 27, 8:30 pm EST Chicago Bulls' Hakim Warri… AP – Feb 27, 8:28 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 3; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.e9a7944142a347b889c81c7f1e591026.bulls_pacers_basketball_ints103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=278&hc=309&q=70&sig=4DCgn5et4p5jjsXQYdaMRA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.9861f18f40724050af3b9a7e7bead613.bulls_pacers_basketball_ints102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=265&hc=294&q=70&sig=MnU_bXqipdOjuJEZO_XZjA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.857a5daec4084cfaa2c129342ea68a24.bulls_pacers_basketball_ints101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=317&hc=352&q=70&sig=Cizy_USTRhZ_P._PjqOWFA--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 4 Chi-Ind Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

Derrick Rose(notes) had 27 points, and Luol Deng(notes) added 13 points and 18 reboundsfor the Bulls (31-28). Chicago won the first three games against the Pacers thisseason.

Indiana pushed a 12-point lead in the third quarter to 94-78 on Hibbert’stwo free throws with less than 5 minutes left in the game. James Johnson’s(notes)3-pointer got the Bulls to 96-88 with 2 minutes left, but four straight freethrows by Granger and Murphy sealed the victory.

The first half featured seven ties and two lead changes and neither team ledby more than nine points. The Pacers took their biggest advantage of the half,50-41, on Brandon Rush’s(notes) jumper late in the second quarter.

Indiana stretched its lead to 12 on numerous occasions in the third quarter,including Murphy’s jumper to end the period.

NOTES: Pacers C Jeff Foster(notes) (back) and F Tyler Hansbrough(notes) (ear infection)did not play. … Deng was given a technical foul for arguing a call in thefourth quarter.

Warriors rally from 14 down, top Pistons

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)—Stephen Curry(notes) scored 27 points and the Golden StateWarriors used the hack-a-Ben strategy to finish their rally from a 14-pointdeficit in the second half to beat the Detroit Pistons 95-88 on Saturday night.

Anthony Tolliver(notes) added 19 points and 14 rebounds, and C.J. Watson(notes) scored 17points in place of injured leading scorer Monta Ellis(notes) as the Warriors snapped afive-game losing streak against the Pistons.

Golden State held Detroit without a field goal for the final 3:52, with thePistons only point in that span coming on a free throw by Ben Wallace(notes) on one ofthree trips to the line after intentional fouls by the Warriors. Wallace missedfive of his six attempts late in the game, including consecutive air balls inthe final minute.

Detroit Pistons' Rodney St… AP – Feb 27, 11:49 pm EST Golden State Warriors' Ste… AP – Feb 27, 11:49 pm EST Detroit Pistons' Tayshaun … AP – Feb 27, 11:48 pm EST Detroit Pistons' Jonas Jer… AP – Feb 27, 11:48 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 3; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.cea3b82b30734051be996a18beaee9e3.pistons_warriors_basketball_oas102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=44&yc=1&wc=323&hc=359&q=70&sig=JdT4zvhArUmhJSd5TbSHsw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.b60452d3e92f47b0866c7d4e1149a5b1.pistons_warriors_basketball_oas103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=341&hc=379&q=70&sig=kDSGCwV.H49QBsVWMPGJ5w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.bc4b56ba48584c1992778403a5fd3bf0.pistons_warriors_basketball_oas104.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=330&hc=367&q=70&sig=cKL4dTT8XZqfMdHW7FpNjg--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 4 Det-GS Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

The Warriors played the game short-handed with Ellis sitting out with a soreback. They had just eight healthy players dressed for the game and then lostAndris Biedrins(notes) to a strained right groin in the third quarter. But they tookadvantage of 11-for-26 foul shooting by Detroit to pull out their third win inthe last four games they have played without Ellis.

The Warriors trailed by 14 points early in the third before rallying. Theyscored nine straight points in one stretch and cut the deficit to 69-66 onWatson’s 3-pointer in the final minute of the period. Watson scored GoldenState’s first seven points of the fourth quarter, giving the Warriors a 73-72lead with a 3-pointer just more than 2 minutes into the period.

Golden State hacked Wallace, fouling him on purpose on successive trips latein the quarter. Wallace, a 43 percent foul shooter coming into the game, missedthree of the four free throws before coach John Kuester called a 20-secondtimeout to remove Wallace.

Anthony Tolliver’s basket down low gave Golden State an 89-88 lead with justunder 2 minutes remaining. With the Pistons down by two in the final minute, BenGordon(notes) missed a long jumper and Tolliver deflected the long rebound to Watson,who made one free throw with 25.2 seconds left to make it 91-88.

Wallace was fouled again when he got the inbound pass and shot consecutiveair balls to drop to 1 for 9 from the line for the game. Anthony Morrow(notes) made twofree throws at the other end to make it a five-point game with 22.7 seconds togo.

Tayshaun Prince(notes) scored 18 points to lead Detroit. Rodney Stuckey(notes) added 17and Richard Hamilton(notes) had 16 as the Pistons dropped their third straight game.

The arena was barely half-filled at the start for this matchup between twoof the league’s worst teams. The fans who didn’t show up didn’t miss much. Theteams combined to hit less than one-third of their shots in the opening quarter.

Dunks by Ben Wallace and Tayshaun Prince in the final minute gave thePistons a 50-37 lead at the half. Detroit held the Warriors to their lowestfirst-half total of the season.

NOTES: Pistons F Jonas Jerebko(notes) limped off the court in the fourth quarterwith a sprained left ankle and did not return. … Pistons F Chris Wilcox(notes) wasinactive with a sore back. … Warriors big man Ronny Turiaf(notes) got a technicalfoul after scoring a basket early in the fourth quarter.

Williams’ 35 lift Jazz over Rockets

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)—Deron Williams(notes) says he plays better when he’s angry.

After the Utah Jazz lost Friday night in Sacramento, Williams was steamingmad and took it out on the Houston Rockets.

“I felt a lot of motivation. I wasn’t happy with the way I’ve been playing,so I wanted to come out and set the tone early,” said Williams, who scored 20of his 35 points in the first quarter in Utah’s 133-110 victory over Houston onSaturday night.

Utah Jazz guard Deron Williams… AP – Feb 27, 11:57 pm EST Houston Rockets guard Aaron Br… AP – Feb 27, 10:51 pm EST Houston Rockets forward Chuck … AP – Feb 27, 10:45 pm EST Houston Rockets teammates Luis… AP – Feb 27, 10:44 pm EST Houston Rockets guard Kevin Ma… AP – Feb 27, 10:43 pm EST Houston Rockets guard Garrett … AP – Feb 27, 10:43 pm EST Houston Rockets guard Kevin Ma… AP – Feb 27, 10:42 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 6; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.17e4ba3af0ac4dc0876fd9247366ae1e.rockets_jazz_basketball_utsw106.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=293&hc=326&q=70&sig=fhnithlp6mMCSneLaJpnLQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.e367444f34ae4a558cf594c5aca4e5d7.rockets_jazz_basketball_utsw105.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=299&hc=332&q=70&sig=FLKeFB.X2H1xS1m_sOtU9w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.d21e821ee4c244e38a70cd4d29b8a039.rockets_jazz_basketball_utsw104.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=301&hc=334&q=70&sig=v_lnL6oIJgj1gMiONz7PrA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.f2d34b560e4a4f63814f6a5f7e7d3db8.rockets_jazz_basketball_utsw103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=289&hc=321&q=70&sig=meTV61y8JGssmTWXRfQ4Yg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.8d8e11177daf49b1879af54d8f753f73.rockets_jazz_basketball_utsw102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=279&hc=310&q=70&sig=HvNR_lr330SaoWxtmkzUAQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.eff37c4fc755401895769e2c40a47ebd.rockets_jazz_basketball_utsw101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=264&hc=293&q=70&sig=bke5ii75RG0H_a1vU1tT8A--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 7 Hou-Uta Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

“As soon as the last game was over, I was ready for this one. I could feelit coming on.”

Williams was 13 of 17 from the field, and had 13 assists and seven reboundsto help the Jazz set a season high for points.

Carlos Boozer(notes), Paul Millsap(notes) and Wes Matthews each added 18 points and theJazz made a season-best 14 3-pointers.

Kevin Martin(notes) led Houston with 32 points, and Aaron Brooks(notes) had 19.

Martin could see Williams’ determination from the start. In the openingminutes, he asked Williams, “You are really feeling it tonight, huh?”

Williams replied, “You know, I just had a bad game last night.”

“Great players in this league, that’s what they do,” Martin said. “Have abad game the night before and they come out looking aggressive in the next.”

Houston played without Shane Battier(notes) (flu-like symptoms) for the first timethis season, and Trevor Ariza(notes) (hip) sat out his third straight game.

“They didn’t have a guy who could stay in front of him. He just kept takingit to them,” Boozer said of Williams, who was 4 for 4 from 3-point range as theJazz finished 14 of 25.

Both teams played Friday night and arrived in Utah early Saturday. ButWilliams, who has battled nagging wrist and thigh injuries, was ready to go fromthe tip.

“I’ve been a little passive to start games and it kind of hurts me becauseit takes a while to get into a groove,” Williams said.

Williams, averaging 14.3 points on 31.1 percent shooting over his prior fourgames, had a career-best 20 points in the first quarter and the Jazz took thelead for good. He also had six assists in the opening period as the Jazz shot 85percent.

“Deron got hot in the beginning but he made sure to create opportunitiesfor the rest of us in the second half. We were so wide open,” Okur said.

Utah hasn’t lost consecutive games since the first two games of the 2010.The Rockets, coming off a win in San Antonio on Friday night, are 2-7 in theirlast nine games.

NOTES: The Jazz are 8-1 when playing in their green throwback jerseys. …The Jazz are 16-13 when Williams fails to reach 20 points. … The Jazz have wonfour of their last five games against the Rockets.

Blazers win 12th straight over Wolves

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—Nicolas Batum(notes) scored a career-high 31 points, LaMarcusAldridge(notes) added 21 and the Portland Trail Blazers cruised to another easy victoryover the Minnesota Timberwolves, 110-91 on Saturday night.

The Blazers have won 12 straight over the Wolves, including four victoriesthis season by a combined 93 points.

Minnesota Timberwolves' Al… AP – Feb 27, 11:03 pm EST Minnesota Timberwolves' Sa… AP – Feb 27, 10:59 pm EST Minnesota Timberwolves' Ra… AP – Feb 27, 10:57 pm EST Portland Trail Blazers' Ni… AP – Feb 27, 10:53 pm EST Minnesota Timberwolves' Ke… AP – Feb 27, 10:45 pm EST Portland Trail Blazers' Ni… AP – Feb 27, 10:41 pm EST Portland Trail Blazers' Ru… AP – Feb 27, 8:59 pm EST Portland Trail Blazers' Ru… AP – Feb 27, 8:55 pm EST Minnesota Timberwolves' Da… AP – Feb 27, 8:50 pm EST Minnesota Timberwolves' Al… AP – Feb 27, 8:48 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 9; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.38264970721e4b43ae2eddad4ffa48ab.trail_blazers_timberwolves_basketball_mnjm109.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=280&hc=311&q=70&sig=0G6ljAuYLz788ugyY1E0jg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.37847c2e55794d35a7242036230a7051.trail_blazers_timberwolves_basketball_mnjm107.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=273&hc=303&q=70&sig=zm.kDGv5YOn870ZyYm47cA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.0fe0e8b67f0c478eb78ce585076d29c2.trail_blazers_timberwolves_basketball_mnjm108.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=293&hc=326&q=70&sig=EGaeX8DHKcUDaPUfXJ9l1A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.329d8bde7d724e3a9c93e46d28b53b5a.trail_blazers_timberwolves_basketball_mnjm106.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=292&hc=324&q=70&sig=i7PzFzngB4sFCCAcYcWRug--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.b100d600b6c14ab4bcf3eff9b81ce707.trail_blazers_timberwolves_basketball_mnjm105.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=300&hc=333&q=70&sig=Yj6_Pxihmyc.0Fw7NuBSow--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.9bc222f239fe4a2383856be1a641130d.trail_blazers_timberwolves_basketball_mnjm104.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=273&hc=303&q=70&sig=o0qN0BZQMtL1dA0.bGwR2g--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.9dc4008cd7c14d0a9ece748eb73c1a2f.trail_blazers_timberwolves_basketball_mnjm103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=283&hc=314&q=70&sig=rHPR_gO.iGm0Fcsw0Z5QAQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.ba933d809b1740ab96b6cdb481de8b8c.trail_blazers_timberwolves_basketball_mnjm102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=276&hc=307&q=70&sig=ZD9z8Jdhq4nCpieGUkDFmA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.9ec95de2e92049bf8b02f6e0835f508a.trail_blazers_timberwolves_basketball_mnjm101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=344&hc=382&q=70&sig=4MOW6XcnggqY7IOQo7yFPg--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 10 Por-Min Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

Batum hit a career-high five 3-pointers and added a season-high sevenassists and seven rebounds in his best game since returning from a torn labrumon Jan. 25. Batum had never scored more than 20 points in his career.

Al Jefferson(notes) led Minnesota with 19 points, his highest total since scoring18 six games ago against Washington.

Portland closed the first half on a 16-4 run to grab a 47-33 lead. TheBlazers led by 30 in the third quarter.

Portland is allowing the fewest points of any team in the Western Conferenceand flexed its defensive muscle in the second quarter by holding the Wolves to10 points in the quarter and 33 in the half, both season lows.

Rudy Fernandez(notes) added 18 points the Blazers.

The Blazers didn’t even need much from leading scorer Brandon Roy(notes) againstthe Wolves. Roy was held to seven points after scoring 20-plus in his last fourgames.

There weren’t many bright spots for the Wolves, but the play of DarkoMilicic(notes) continues to be a positive. Milicic blocked three shots for the thirdtime in five games since coming to the Wolves in a trade from New York.

Ramon Sessions(notes) scored 13 points for Minnesota, and Corey Brewer(notes) and KevinLove(notes) each had 10. Jefferson also had 11 rebounds for his 28th double-double.

Minnesota has lost nine of its last 10 since winning four straight anddoesn’t face a team with a losing record until mid-March.

Despite an impressive 35-27 record, the Blazers are stuck at No. 8 in theWest. Portland has had to overcome injuries to Greg Oden(notes) and Joel Przybilla(notes) andhas used 14 different starting lineups this season.

NOTES: Brewer hit two 3-pointers to extend his franchise-best 3-point streakto 25 games. … The Blazers are an NBA-best 12-3 on the second night ofback-to-back games. … Jefferson has attempted only 50 free throws in his last24 games. He was 1 for 5 against Portland. … Portland’s Marcus Camby(notes) played 25minutes in his second game back after missing one game with a sprained ankle. Healso received a technical foul in the third quarter.

Randolph’s 31 and 25 power Grizzlies

NEW YORK (AP)—Zach Randolph(notes) had 31 points and a career-high 25 reboundsagainst his former team, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the New York Knicks120-109 on Saturday night to tie a franchise record with their fourth straightroad victory.

Marc Gasol(notes) added 25 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists as the Grizzliesoverwhelmed the Knicks’ frontcourt. Rudy Gay(notes) scored 27 points for Memphis, whichoutrebounded New York 52-32.

Randolph made the tiebreaking free throws with 3:45 remaining, starting adecisive 9-0 spurt in which he seized control of the game with his scoring andrebounding. His basket with a minute left essentially put it away at 116-107.

New York Knicks' Wilson Ch… AP – Feb 27, 9:00 pm EST Memphis Grizzlies' Marc Ga… AP – Feb 27, 9:00 pm EST New York Knicks' David Lee… AP – Feb 27, 8:59 pm EST New York Knicks' Wilson Ch… AP – Feb 27, 8:56 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 3; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.47051f602d1b4348ae0da056bb3e7110.grizzlies_knicks_basketball_msg112.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=213&hc=237&q=70&sig=8Ya0xT6CKNB2e3..YrtpuA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.ad3223d6c9274d41aa5687b4a3348bb3.grizzlies_knicks_basketball_msg109.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=248&hc=276&q=70&sig=3mTzuNo60cg7_HVrQONqvQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.ce57d7ec2d2a4291b9dff818be57559a.grizzlies_knicks_basketball_msg110.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=206&hc=229&q=70&sig=NmIYf35Zw35Gfiqn0Cxk4w--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 4 Mem-NY Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

Al Harrington(notes) scored 31 points for the Knicks, who got only 15 minutes fromTracy McGrady(notes) because of a sore left knee. David Lee(notes) added 21 points.

Randolph could have been the inside presence the Knicks lack, but theytraded him and Jamal Crawford(notes) on the same day early last season, moves thatjump-started New York’s plan to free salary cap space for this summer’s freeagency class.

The Knicks started 6-3 that season, and Randolph said before the game hebelieved a lineup with he, Crawford and Lee would be tough, especially in theEastern Conference. He also said he thinks New York has a shot to land LeBronJames(notes), which would make the trades worthwhile, even though the Knicks havestruggled since.

New York picked up McGrady last week in another move that was salary driven,and he is still playing his way back into shape after microfracture knee surgerylast February. He went 25 minutes Friday night in a win at Washington, and coachMike D’Antoni said before the game he hoped McGrady could go that long again,but would leave it up to the player.

Instead, McGrady didn’t play in the second half, going scoreless and missingall three shots.

Memphis last won four straight road games in January 2005, and the timing ofthis streak couldn’t be better, because the Grizzlies suddenly can’t win athome. They have dropped six straight in their own building after reeling off afranchise-record 11 straight home wins in December and January.

Gay scored 10 points in the first 3 minutes of the fourth, and the Grizzliesopened an eight-point lead midway through the period. New York ran off eightstraight to tie it at 107 on Danilo Gallinari’s(notes) 3-pointer with 4:04 to play.

That’s when Randolph took over, preventing the Grizzlies (30-29) fromfalling below .500 for the first time since they were 15-16 to end 2009.

Memphis scored the first six points and twice led by 14 in the firstquarter, the second time when Randolph’s tip made it 23-9 with 4:20 remaining inthe period. Randolph had 12 rebounds in the first 12 minutes, helping Memphisopen a 31-23 lead.

New York quickly tightened it up in the second and it was close for thefinal nine minutes of the half before Memphis took a 56-52 lead into the break.

Harrington replaced McGrady in the lineup to start the second half andscored 14 points in the third quarter. There were eight ties and seven leadchanges in the back-and-fourth period, with the Knicks scoring the final sevenpoints to take an 88-85 edge to the fourth.

NOTES: Asked before the game his strategy on whether to foul when up bythree points in the closing seconds, D’Antoni said, “Everybody who’s never losta game says foul. Well, it’s not that easy.” The Knicks have been forced toovertime twice in the last week after a tying 3-pointer in the closing secondsof regulation. D’Antoni said he believes in giving his players the option tofoul, but did say he’d foul every time when the clock gets below 5 seconds. …The Knicks are 2-12 in the second game when playing back-to-back nights.

Knicks F McGrady suffers sore knee

NEW YORK (AP)—Knicks guard Tracy McGrady(notes) was not expected to play in thesecond half against Memphis on Saturday night because of a sore left knee.

Playing for the second time in two nights, McGrady logged 15 minutes in thefirst half, going scoreless while missing all three shots. Coach Mike D’Antonisaid before the game he hoped McGrady could go 25-30 minutes, but would leave itup to the player.

McGrady is still working his way back into shape after microfracture kneesurgery last February. He played six games for Houston in December, then wasn’tactive again until last Saturday, two days after the Knicks acquired him at thetrade deadline.

Bucks win again, rout Wade-less Heat

MIAMI (AP)—The Milwaukee Bucks gave the Miami Heat another thumping Saturday,this time with Dwyane Wade(notes) watching from the bench.

John Salmons(notes) scored 18 points and the Bucks took advantage of the injuredWade’s absence to win their sixth game in a row, 94-71.

The Miami Heat's mascot Be… AP – Feb 27, 5:01 pm EST Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew … AP – Feb 27, 4:58 pm EST Milwaukee Bucks forward Carlos… AP – Feb 27, 4:50 pm EST Miami Heat forward Udonis Hasl… AP – Feb 27, 4:40 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 3; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.82298958c6304308a6b4ab3a73551e35.bucks_heat_basketball_aaa103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=89&yc=1&wc=233&hc=259&q=70&sig=9ZbJEqXC9lJ_GdH_IMLd5w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.cc285365b3f04648a170584d05f433d9.bucks_heat_basketball_aaa102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=316&hc=351&q=70&sig=XJGMNvnbxUK214bkI3YNYQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.cc504df00c9145cdbdc2f9743ae1f8c1.bucks_heat_basketball_aaa101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=304&hc=338&q=70&sig=rF13p0oke91v_Xm5K61csw--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 4 Mil-Mia Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

Milwaukee improved to 3-0 this season against Miami, winning by a total of50 points. The Bucks are assured of winning the season series for the first timein seven years.

There were boos at the end of the game for the Heat, who lost their third ina row, and the past two defeats have been ugly. They were beaten at home Tuesdayby hapless Minnesota, and three days’ rest didn’t help.

Wade missed his fourth consecutive game because of a strained left calf andis doubtful for Sunday’s game at Southeast Division leader Orlando.

Both teams are battling to stay in the race for a playoff berth. Milwaukeeis seventh in the Eastern Conference and moved 1 1/2 games ahead of Miami. TheBucks won their sixth consecutive road game, their longest streak since 2003.

Jerry Stackhouse(notes) had 16 points and Carlos Delfino(notes) 15 for the Bucks, who shot48 percent. Miami shot only 36 percent, including 3 for 13 from 3-point range,and totaled just nine assists.

Jermaine O’Neal(notes) had 14 points for the Heat. Michael Beasley(notes) shot just 5 for14 and scored 10 points.

The Bucks took the lead for good late in the first half on a 3-pointer byDelfino.

There were scattered boos in the third quarter when the Heat scored onlyonce in a span of 10 possessions. Salmons and Stackhouse sank back-to-back3-pointers, and Delfino added another 3-pointer during an 24-6 run that putMilwaukee ahead 81-57.

Notes: Heat guard Carlos Arroyo(notes), charged with resisting arrest following atraffic incident Friday, scored three points off the bench in 12 minutes. …Milwaukee came into the game allowing 10.8 second-point chances per game, fewestin the NBA. … The Bucks improved to 12-19 on the road.

Nets stun Celtics for rare road win

BOSTON (AP)—Center Brook Lopez(notes) scored 25 points and guards Devin Harris(notes)and Courtney Lee(notes) added 23 and 21 points and the New Jersey Nets topped theBoston Celtics 104-96 Saturday.

The Nets, who entered the game 5-52 and 2-27 on the road, took a 29-27 leadon Keyon Dooling’s(notes) jumper at the end of the first quarter and never trailedagain.

Boston Celtics guard Rajon Ron… AP – Feb 27, 3:59 pm EST Boston Celtics forward Glen Da… AP – Feb 27, 2:28 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 1; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.46aa72ed4b14429da2301d689072045c.aptopix_nets_celtics_basketball_bxg101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=261&hc=290&q=70&sig=fZ7EgzzBJKnedsoOfo4nCQ--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 2 NJ-Bos Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

Kevin Garnett(notes) had 26 points and Marquis Daniels(notes) had 16 for the Celtics,playing their third straight game without Paul Pierce(notes).

The Celtics cut an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit to six on Ray Allen’s(notes)3-pointer with 2:05 left, but Chris Humphries’ layup and two foul shots by Lopezended the rally.

The Celtics didn’t hit a 3-pointer until Nate Robinson’s(notes) shot late in thethird quarter and finished 3 of 19 from behind the arc while the Nets hit six3-pointers in 13 attempts.

The Nets scored 25 points off 18 Celtics turnovers. Boston, coming off a108-88 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers at home Thursday, shot 63 percent in thefirst quarter and had a 12-2 lead, but the Nets, led by Harris’ 11 points,charged back to take a 29-27 lead at the end of the quarter.

Lopez continued to hurt the Celtics inside in the second quarter and theBoston bench struggled. Lopez’s tip-in with four minutes left in the first halfgave the Nets a 46-36 lead.

New Jersey led 74-64 after three quarters and then started to pull away inthe fourth. Chris Douglass-Roberts’ dunk upped the lead to 12 with 7:44 left andDooling’s 3-pointer gave Jersey an 18-point advantage with five minutes left.

The Celtics hope to get Pierce back for Tuesday’s game against Detroit.

« Previous Page — Next Page »

Copyright © 2007 NBA Sports Daily · Revolution News theme by Brian Gardner · Log in