• Home
• About
• Site Map

• NBA Basketball

Subscribe

Wall suspended, 2 Heat players fined

NEW YORK (AP)—Wizards rookie John Wall(notes) has been suspended one game withoutpay and two Miami Heat players were fined for their actions in Wednesday night’sgame at Washington.

NBA Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Stu Jackson announcedthe penalties Thursday in a statement.

In addition to Wall’s suspension, Heat forward Juwan Howard(notes) was handed a$35,000 fine and teammate Zydrunas Ilgauskas(notes) was fined $25,000 following ascuffle in the second quarter of the Heat’s 123-107 win over the Wizards.

Wall was playing tight defense on Ilgauskas, who while protecting the ballappeared to elbow Wall in the face at least once. Wall then swung his right handat Ilgauskas.

“Got hit by the elbow and reacted to it. Disappointed in the way I reacted.I let my teammates down, let the organization down,” Wall said. “It was twoelbows. I got hit with the first one; I stopped and waited. And the second one,I got hit, and I just reacted.”

Wizards center JaVale McGee(notes) tried to separate the two and was pushed byHoward. Wall and Ilgauskas each received a flagrant foul-2 and were ejected.Howard was called for a technical and ejected for escalation.

“Ilgauskas tried to punk (Wall), hit him in the face with his elbow,”McGee said. “Obviously, (Wall) wasn’t going for it. … I went over there tobreak it up, and Juwan Howard tried to come over and blind-side, push me, orwhatever.”

Wall high-fived fans as he walked from the court to the home locker room,ejected for the second time from an NBA game. It also happened Feb. 4, when hewas called for two technicals in a loss to the Orlando Magic. He will serve hissuspension Friday at home against Cleveland.

Howard, who used to play for Washington, also was involved in a flare-upbetween the Wizards and Heat in November. In that game, Washington’s HiltonArmstrong(notes) flagrantly fouled Miami’s Joel Anthony(notes). Howard then pushed Armstrongin the back, and they both were ejected.

Wall suspended, Howard, Ilgauskas fined

NEW YORK (AP)—Wizards rookie John Wall(notes) has been suspended one game withoutpay and two Miami Heat players were fined for their actions in Wednesday night’sgame at Washington.

NBA Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Stu Jackson announcedthe penalties Thursday in a statement.

In addition to Wall’s suspension, Heat forward Juwan Howard(notes) was handed a$35,000 fine and teammate Zydrunas Ilgauskas(notes) was fined $25,000 following ascuffle in the second quarter of the Heat’s 123-107 win over the Wizards.

Wall was playing tight defense on Ilgauskas, who while protecting the ballappeared to elbow Wall in the face at least once. Wall then swung his right handat Ilgauskas.

“Got hit by the elbow and reacted to it. Disappointed in the way I reacted.I let my teammates down, let the organization down,” Wall said. “It was twoelbows. I got hit with the first one; I stopped and waited. And the second one,I got hit, and I just reacted.”

Wizards center JaVale McGee(notes) tried to separate the two and was pushed byHoward. Wall and Ilgauskas each received a flagrant foul-2 and were ejected.Howard was called for a technical and ejected for escalation.

“Ilgauskas tried to punk (Wall), hit him in the face with his elbow,”McGee said. “Obviously, (Wall) wasn’t going for it. … I went over there tobreak it up, and Juwan Howard tried to come over and blind-side, push me, orwhatever.”

Wall high-fived fans as he walked from the court to the home locker room,ejected for the second time from an NBA game. It also happened Feb. 4, when hewas called for two technicals in a loss to the Orlando Magic. He will serve hissuspension Friday at home against Cleveland.

Howard, who used to play for Washington, also was involved in a flare-upbetween the Wizards and Heat in November. In that game, Washington’s HiltonArmstrong(notes) flagrantly fouled Miami’s Joel Anthony(notes). Howard then pushed Armstrongin the back, and they both were ejected.

Bobcats C Przybilla out for season

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)—Charlotte Bobcats backup center Joel Przybilla(notes) willmiss the remainder of the season with continued pain in his right knee.

The Bobcats on Thursday announced Przybilla will undergo another procedureto remove wires inserted in the knee after he twice tore his patella tendon.Przybilla has not played for Charlotte since March 7. He was acquired fromPortland in a Feb. 24 trade that sent Gerald Wallace(notes) to the Trail Blazers.

Charlotte is left with only one healthy center, Kwame Brown(notes). But coach PaulSilas says it’s unlikely they’ll waive Przybilla and sign a big man since anynew player wouldn’t be eligible for the playoffs.

Silas also doesn’t expect Stephen Jackson(notes), Tyrus Thomas(notes) or Shaun Livingston(notes)to play Friday at Orlando due to nagging injuries.

Dominique Wilkins’ attacker charged

ATLANTA (AP)—Police say a former NBA referee is charged with attackingHall of Famer and Atlanta Hawks television analyst Dominique Wilkins in adispute over a clothing bill.

Atlanta police spokesman Carlos Campos says 36-year-old Rashan S. Michel wasreleased early Thursday on $1,000 cash bond after being charged with two countsof simple battery.

Campos says Michel confronted the former NBA star while he was doing a livebroadcast after Atlanta’s 85-82 win over Orlando. Wilkins stepped away from hisseat on press row and was attacked by Michel, who claims Wilkins owes himbetween $15,000 and $17,000 for suits.

Wilkins was not injured. A police booking photo shows Michel with a largewelt under his left eye.

Nowitzki, Kidd rally Mavs past Clippers

LOS ANGELES (AP)—So much for Dirk Nowitzki(notes) and Jason Kidd(notes) trying to callit an early night with the Lakers awaiting. The Los Angeles Clippers wouldn’tallow it.

Both of Dallas’ stars were needed in the fourth quarter, when the Mavericksrallied to win 106-100 Wednesday night and improve the NBA’s best road record to27-10.

Nowitzki scored 24 points playing nearly 37 minutes, including almost all ofthe fourth, to beat back the scrappy Clippers. Kidd was hoping to sit out thefinal period, but he was needed for 2 1/2 minutes to ensure the Mavs secured theirfifth straight win.

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk … AP – Mar 31, 1:23 am EDT Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk … AP – Mar 31, 1:20 am EDT Los Angeles Clippers forward B… AP – Mar 31, 1:16 am EDT Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cu… AP – Mar 30, 11:58 pm EDT Dallas Mavericks forward Shawn… AP – Mar 30, 11:54 pm EDT Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk … AP – Mar 30, 11:53 pm EDT YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 5; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/45/fullj.654d67220ae6ca8ff42bdccd9d8902cd/ap-e2839dbad8544e0499a6e61dabc5c405.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=398&hc=442&q=70&sig=EM_aXcZUV7PYFPZ403cGKg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/a5/fullj.142f2650bf210e98faa4059a34bdb0f9/ap-d3cc75f4e9c041b3bf04890608378681.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=67&yc=1&wc=307&hc=342&q=70&sig=o3M5B1_7mbJq4XDyRnt5hg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/5a/fullj.a2fb345f3e906ee93f53f31779cd4ed0/ap-1956e87392d24cf5aa2cf9ca307bf956.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=89&yc=1&wc=264&hc=294&q=70&sig=xP5MXOvLdzCrE34FZ8rFLg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/b6/fullj.8d087a1e358c6526792aef74ae45574a/ap-d3d96df137f6487fa057579bfc25d8f5.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=360&hc=400&q=70&sig=QoXAjlrWULrQH3UW37dK_A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/03/fullj.c2edeeef64b7e6db721bf1f06fdf6563/ap-224e647bc40f40aaae19951b936f4a65.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=76&yc=1&wc=289&hc=322&q=70&sig=lvELUcYdn9k8gurkIb0dNA--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 6 Dal-LAC 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();

“We wanted to get some momentum going into tomorrow,” Nowitzki said. “Wehad a good lead and didn’t close the game out the way we wanted to.”

The victory moved the Mavs within a half-game of the second-place Lakers inthe West, with the No. 2 seed up for grabs when they play Thursday night.

“It’s not the end of the world to be (No.) 3, but we’re going for it,”Nowitzki said.

He missed the first of two free throws midway through the period, snappinghis streak of 74 in a row—longest in the league this season—that dated tothe fourth quarter against Indiana on March 4.

Nowitzki got ample chance to make up for it, when Mo Williams(notes) was hit withconsecutive technicals and ejected with 6:02 remaining and Nowitzki made both.Blake Griffin(notes) got a technical about 42 seconds earlier.

“We lost control of the game when we had all those technical fouls,” EricGordon(notes) said. “That gave them a good run and those were free points we gavethem. They just got a lot of calls.”

Griffin had 25 points and 17 rebounds for his 57th double-double, and in theprocess set a franchise rookie record for most points in a season. He came offthe bench in the fourth to erase most of the Clippers’ 16-point deficit, scoringsix points in an 11-0 run that left them trailing 96-91 with 3:20 left.

“It started with Jamario Moon(notes) hitting a 3. After that, they made a layupand get to the free throw line and all the sudden it’s under 10,” Mavs coachRick Carlisle said. “Then the building is into it and we had to answer. This isa good win for us.”

Jose Barea answered with five straight points to push the Mavs’ lead to101-91. He finished with 22 points. Kidd had 10 assists.

“We keep pushing the tempo and keep coming. We don’t panic,” Kidd said.

Earlier in the fourth, Nowitzki scored six points—four on free throws—inthe Mavs’ 13-1 run that produced their first double-digit lead of the game,96-80. Nowitzki missed another free throw in the final minute.

Gordon added 15 points and Williams scored 19 points, making all nine of hisfree throws for the Clippers, who’ve lost nine in a row and 15 of their last 16to the Mavs. Dallas has won its last five road games against the Clippers.

Down by six with 7 seconds left, Gordon airballed a 3-point attempt.

“I just couldn’t get easy baskets,” he said. “They didn’t let me get intothe lane. When that happens, you end up with just long-range shots.”

The teams traded leads in a tight third quarter. With the Clippers leadingby one, the Mavs outscored them 12-6 to lead 75-70 going into the fourth. PejaStojakovic(notes) and Brian Cardinal(notes) hit 3-pointers in the spurt.

The Clippers blew a 13-point lead in the first, when Williams scored theirfirst nine points. Dallas tied the game at 44 late in the second and scored thefinal two baskets to lead 48-46 at the break.

Notes: The Mavs improved to 13-1 against the Pacific Division, with theironly loss to the Lakers. … The Clippers’ franchise record for double-doublesis 69 set by Bob McAdoo in 1974-75, when the team was in Buffalo. … The crowdof 19,060 was the Clippers’ 16th sellout of the season.

Thunder finish franchise-best 14-2 month

PHOENIX (AP)—Their best regular-season month in franchise history is over.The Oklahoma City Thunder look for even better things ahead in the playoffs.

Kevin Durant(notes) and James Harden(notes) scored 22 points and the Oklahoma City Thundercompleted the best month in franchise history with a 116-98 victory over thefading Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.

Michael Westbrook added 16, Serge Ibaka(notes) 15 and Kendrick Perkins(notes) 13 as theThunder won their fifth in a row, 11th in their last 12 and 50th of the season.

PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Kendr… Getty Images – Mar 31, 1:18 am EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Steve… Getty Images – Mar 31, 1:17 am EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Aaron… Getty Images – Mar 31, 1:14 am EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Vince… Getty Images – Mar 31, 1:11 am EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Vince… Getty Images – Mar 31, 1:07 am EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Kevin… Getty Images – Mar 31, 1:07 am EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Head … Getty Images – Mar 31, 1:05 am EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Vince… Getty Images – Mar 31, 1:03 am EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Vince… Getty Images – Mar 31, 1:02 am EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Vince… Getty Images – Mar 31, 12:59 am EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Hakim… Getty Images – Mar 31, 12:59 am EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: James… Getty Images – Mar 31, 12:56 am EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: James… Getty Images – Mar 31, 12:56 am EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: James… Getty Images – Mar 31, 12:56 am EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Vince… Getty Images – Mar 31, 12:50 am EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Vince… Getty Images – Mar 31, 12:49 am EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Kevin… Getty Images – Mar 31, 12:46 am EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: James… Getty Images – Mar 31, 12:45 am EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Hakim… Getty Images – Mar 31, 12:40 am EDT Oklahoma City Thunder forward … AP – Mar 31, 12:24 am EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Kevin… Getty Images – Mar 30, 11:36 pm EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Thabo… Getty Images – Mar 30, 11:34 pm EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Serge… Getty Images – Mar 30, 11:33 pm EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Jared… Getty Images – Mar 30, 11:32 pm EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Russe… Getty Images – Mar 30, 11:30 pm EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Kevin… Getty Images – Mar 30, 11:28 pm EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Kevin… Getty Images – Mar 30, 11:27 pm EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: James… Getty Images – Mar 30, 11:26 pm EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Nazr … Getty Images – Mar 30, 11:26 pm EDT PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Kevin… Getty Images – Mar 30, 11:25 pm EDT Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash … AP – Mar 30, 10:49 pm EDT Oklahoma City Thunder forward … AP – Mar 30, 10:47 pm EDT Oklahoma City Thunder forward … AP – Mar 30, 10:44 pm EDT YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 32; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/5e/fullj.d91b3d4c353d694ad1ea490b746bee78/d91b3d4c353d694ad1ea490b746bee78-getty-103889574cp030_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=123&yc=1&wc=415&hc=462&q=70&sig=dX_a10c2HVMW9j5T8isiCA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/47/fullj.09b335e349851f2a27a5e5849f71e2bc/09b335e349851f2a27a5e5849f71e2bc-getty-103889574cp029_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=560&hc=622&q=70&sig=A6yd2XcGXM5wsBV.nb8RJw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/cd/fullj.7ea4942b87eb9e85b86163dd92bd57f7/7ea4942b87eb9e85b86163dd92bd57f7-getty-103889574cp028_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=560&hc=622&q=70&sig=KOfJZUbN7CI.A2aTD3HowQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/a0/fullj.fc776bd194dd1a3a0eec1166b6cdadb7/fc776bd194dd1a3a0eec1166b6cdadb7-getty-103889574cp026_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=544&hc=604&q=70&sig=ishZ1hbQzOQL2m0iSo1djQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/48/fullj.fc02ef36cc5f61802f594692639a8fc6/fc02ef36cc5f61802f594692639a8fc6-getty-103889574cp025_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=129&yc=1&wc=404&hc=449&q=70&sig=xtdWFm3rXZhnzIvU86twvQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/ac/fullj.61ec4f8c337cac9b097e51932546178a/61ec4f8c337cac9b097e51932546178a-getty-103889574cp024_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=544&hc=604&q=70&sig=MU.ymFRNITSRefDN5xbz7w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/77/fullj.f93a52f72d626c8a885eab0ef47ab537/f93a52f72d626c8a885eab0ef47ab537-getty-103889574cp023_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=544&hc=604&q=70&sig=xX9thsI_3Dk9ORcp_yxo_w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/4c/fullj.a7102155a3de65b657e9fabff7016695/a7102155a3de65b657e9fabff7016695-getty-103889574cp022_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=129&yc=1&wc=404&hc=449&q=70&sig=uNaNLH4xCaZ1QapJYxUF7A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/0b/fullj.3e109967cbc50891bb2173cc7a1ecb6c/3e109967cbc50891bb2173cc7a1ecb6c-getty-103889574cp020_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=129&yc=1&wc=404&hc=449&q=70&sig=GyKt28.M56NMdSLKefaRfw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/d6/fullj.05949b0c15872df09e44ecca5b10a1c6/05949b0c15872df09e44ecca5b10a1c6-getty-103889574cp021_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=544&hc=604&q=70&sig=ayw3LaxOflZEZUl5yNkfGw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/a3/fullj.fa64e8296b4c92ea35736eeda36e17b8/fa64e8296b4c92ea35736eeda36e17b8-getty-103889574cp018_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=129&yc=1&wc=404&hc=449&q=70&sig=A2EoQGe6tIgvyAzdVsDF9A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/ca/fullj.d9e3857aeabffc4a0d8ad7b4244f9ec7/d9e3857aeabffc4a0d8ad7b4244f9ec7-getty-103889574cp017_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=129&yc=1&wc=404&hc=449&q=70&sig=N4zDHQ.NOdIh9_OA6CX.Uw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/0a/fullj.096638dfa1530f92be27a114ea3b231b/096638dfa1530f92be27a114ea3b231b-getty-103889574cp019_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=544&hc=604&q=70&sig=9aC3xmA9uHQBZtAvxbr4Lw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/29/fullj.3ff6c6fe116e037888f649999e35bb94/3ff6c6fe116e037888f649999e35bb94-getty-103889574cp016_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=544&hc=604&q=70&sig=3l3Sf2Q49xj3DTiNeVHY6A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/af/fullj.ded6ba10d841c3c5632f7ae97a1b00f5/ded6ba10d841c3c5632f7ae97a1b00f5-getty-103889574cp015_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=544&hc=604&q=70&sig=dOLLK5tvuC8jBNS0GlrDaw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/62/fullj.a64b7a587241504fb01e42b7585a56a1/a64b7a587241504fb01e42b7585a56a1-getty-103889574cp014_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=544&hc=604&q=70&sig=edWYcjMru3opZv1OmRl6tw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/d1/fullj.3b809e56480e9899408acc18d1688fd1/3b809e56480e9899408acc18d1688fd1-getty-103889574cp013_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=129&yc=1&wc=404&hc=449&q=70&sig=PWIg99cU8c.Gg7xp8W2PUQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/8b/fullj.306c6421b596382a33cb4652cc2d6724/306c6421b596382a33cb4652cc2d6724-getty-103889574cp012_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=544&hc=604&q=70&sig=2ZQhDJsG_m0sszSIl.j6Xw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/6d/fullj.d21cb37beaad82e45aa9e8a2d77a353a/ap-e708178bcc284d19ae0b08839625d5ff.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=393&hc=436&q=70&sig=lGuY_qy6iND5.sRDzVVHHQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/ed/fullj.4e860472b1da60dd801b15e3db1e3214/4e860472b1da60dd801b15e3db1e3214-getty-103889574cp011_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=544&hc=604&q=70&sig=D.ptzo4eVPMcu1t5CVfjSQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/68/fullj.4045f80e167b2315be3c8edeab6cc004/4045f80e167b2315be3c8edeab6cc004-getty-103889574cp010_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=544&hc=604&q=70&sig=54nEmX_LAzhLNJS1eOe0Vw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/8c/fullj.0c5799677269a0fad454c5a62b506a83/0c5799677269a0fad454c5a62b506a83-getty-103889574cp009_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=544&hc=604&q=70&sig=Yav5yeBDfDGRRP1iPE3SnA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/6c/fullj.f21bbe8dd8374ef7d533f38fa377a387/f21bbe8dd8374ef7d533f38fa377a387-getty-103889574cp008_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=129&yc=1&wc=404&hc=449&q=70&sig=VbMcJqfa_RaFlFArqJNXBg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/0b/fullj.496253b144e24f5735a3df83d2d7eedd/496253b144e24f5735a3df83d2d7eedd-getty-103889574cp007_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=129&yc=1&wc=404&hc=449&q=70&sig=4wiiigsOIHIN2kAeAd9akw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/2d/fullj.028a9387a4a8ea8e273279af98f90b69/028a9387a4a8ea8e273279af98f90b69-getty-103889574cp006_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=544&hc=604&q=70&sig=SlS1ZQRxakto1GQAlFdASQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/6d/fullj.cfd983c9c57a300f5a47075b21340a53/cfd983c9c57a300f5a47075b21340a53-getty-103889574cp005_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=544&hc=604&q=70&sig=dXboIwetPC.v70yO2JPl8w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/18/fullj.83e226a14309ec82f8201b398b2436c9/83e226a14309ec82f8201b398b2436c9-getty-103889574cp003_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=129&yc=1&wc=404&hc=449&q=70&sig=g5lV5TPUlIRU9U3jGWxpLA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/40/fullj.3b5ff68caeef0771e1cb3bc4fe14f855/3b5ff68caeef0771e1cb3bc4fe14f855-getty-103889574cp004_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=129&yc=1&wc=404&hc=449&q=70&sig=rBQ2Yrkp3x4WQOIPKMAzig--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/44/fullj.051167a2aea6d06749fba38eed24cffa/051167a2aea6d06749fba38eed24cffa-getty-103889574cp002_oklahoma_cit.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=544&hc=604&q=70&sig=kzMlDUd4MHS0xSUco7qimQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/03/fullj.a6da48464f5793ddbd1aadb703ddb607/ap-236684fed2b441b79f2b4e060f3fa534.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=75&yc=1&wc=292&hc=325&q=70&sig=mNkrRydhU9UOUUoJivZ8gQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/05/fullj.58cacc65679b8ff00a9d0dfcb5e6bb1a/ap-292a80659aaa48d2b8b8d09f12826799.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=421&hc=467&q=70&sig=KN_5xbTnMM3Fy_hAEvPDqg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/59/fullj.edf1674f0ea51a3e82897d90801141ff/ap-43a3c599bfe641af855a41814defe483.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=396&hc=440&q=70&sig=_XP8w7wPHKW7UW_fBo.pVw--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 33 OKC-Pho 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();

It’s the first consecutive 50-win seasons for the franchise since 1998.

“After my first two seasons, we went from 21 wins to 50 win seasons, thatis a big turnaround for us and something that can’t be overlooked,” Durantsaid. “I know it is the regular season and it means a lot, but in thepostseason it is kind of out the window. It does feel good to get 50 wins as ayoung group.”

Their 14-2 March was the best monthly record in franchise history. As theSeattle SuperSonics, they went 14-3 twice—in March of 1994 and November of1996.

“We’re just on a roll,” Harden said.

Vince Carter(notes), now coming off the bench for Phoenix, scored 28 in the Suns’fourth straight loss. Three of Carter’s top four scoring games for the Suns havecome against Oklahoma City. Carter was benched three games ago in favor of JaredDudley(notes).

“I just kept playing through it,” Carter said. “I just tried to relievethose guys and play tough for them. They played a rough one last night (a lossat Sacramento) and we pride ourselves on everyone contributing, so I did justthat. I was being aggressive and hit a few shots in the post and just got goingand stuck with it.”

Referee Kenny Mauer threw out Suns reserves Aaron Brooks(notes) and Zabian Dowdell(notes)with 1:05 to play.

Oklahoma City outscored Phoenix 37-25 in the fourth quarter.

“It was a bad night for us,” Suns center Marcin Gortat(notes) said. “We playedterrible defense. We played with no toughness or physicality.”

Phoenix trailed 55-51 at the half and never caught the Thunder after that.

The Suns cut it to one twice, the last time at 60-59 on Gortat’s dunk. ButWestbrook made a driving layup, Dudley was called for an offensive foul, thenWestbrook made a 7-foot runner and Oklahoma City led 64-59.

Collison’s 20-footer with 6 seconds left put the Thunder up 79-73 afterthree quarters.

Harden sank a 3-pointer and had a three-point play sandwiched around EricManor’s 3-pointer in a 8-2 spurt that put Oklahoma City up 87-77. Durant’s3-pointer with 5:18 remaining put the Thunder ahead 92-80 5:18 from the finish.

Oklahoma City outscored Phoenix 23-9 to start the final quarter to go up102-82 after Perkins made four free throws in a row.

“We just can’t seem to put any offense together to start the fourthquarter,” Suns coach Alvin Gentry said. “That’s where most of the teams seemto be getting separation between us.”

Thunder coach Scott Brooks called Westbrook the unsung hero of the night.

“He’s had better stats in the past, but he really controlled the game,”Brooks said. “He was active on the ball and I thought his command of the gameput us in a position to win tonight.”

Notes: With their 115-114 victory over Golden State on Tuesday night, theThunder became the fifth team in NBA history to win eight overtime games in aseason. … Phoenix fell two games under .500 for the first time since a Feb. 4home loss to Oklahoma City. … The Thunder completed their fifth sweep ofback-to-back games this year.

Mavericks rally in 4th to beat Clippers

LOS ANGELES (AP)—Dirk Nowitzki(notes) scored 24 points and the Dallas Mavericksrallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 106-100Wednesday, improving the NBA’s best road record to 27-10 with their fifthstraight win.

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk … AP – Mar 31, 1:20 am EDT Los Angeles Clippers forward B… AP – Mar 31, 1:16 am EDT Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cu… AP – Mar 30, 11:58 pm EDT Dallas Mavericks forward Shawn… AP – Mar 30, 11:54 pm EDT Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk … AP – Mar 30, 11:53 pm EDT YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 4; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/a5/fullj.142f2650bf210e98faa4059a34bdb0f9/ap-d3cc75f4e9c041b3bf04890608378681.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=67&yc=1&wc=307&hc=342&q=70&sig=o3M5B1_7mbJq4XDyRnt5hg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/5a/fullj.a2fb345f3e906ee93f53f31779cd4ed0/ap-1956e87392d24cf5aa2cf9ca307bf956.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=89&yc=1&wc=264&hc=294&q=70&sig=xP5MXOvLdzCrE34FZ8rFLg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/b6/fullj.8d087a1e358c6526792aef74ae45574a/ap-d3d96df137f6487fa057579bfc25d8f5.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=360&hc=400&q=70&sig=QoXAjlrWULrQH3UW37dK_A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/03/fullj.c2edeeef64b7e6db721bf1f06fdf6563/ap-224e647bc40f40aaae19951b936f4a65.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=76&yc=1&wc=289&hc=322&q=70&sig=lvELUcYdn9k8gurkIb0dNA--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 5 Dal-LAC 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();

Nowitzki missed the first of two free throws midway through the period,snapping his streak of 74 in a row—longest in the league this season—thatdated to the fourth quarter against Indiana on March 4.

He got ample chance to make up for it, when Mo Williams(notes) was hit withconsecutive technicals and ejected with 6:02 remaining and Nowitzki made both.Williams scored 19 points, making all nine of his free throws.

Blake Griffin(notes) had 25 points and 17 rebounds for his 57th double-double ofthe season. He came off the bench in the fourth to erase most of the Clippers’16-point deficit, scoring six points in an 11-0 run that left them trailing96-91 with 3:20 left.

But Jose Barea answered with five straight points to push the Mavs’ lead to101-91. He finished with 22 points. Jason Kidd(notes) had 10 assists.

Earlier in the fourth, Nowitzki scored six points—four on free throws—inthe Mavs’ 13-1 run that produced their first double-digit lead of the game,96-80. Nowitzki missed another free throw in the final minute.

Eric Gordon(notes) added 15 points for the Clippers, who’ve lost nine in a row and15 of their last 16 to the Mavs. Dallas has won its last five road games againstthe Clippers.

Down by six with 7 seconds left, Gordon airballed a 3-point attempt.

The teams traded leads in a tight third quarter. With the Clippers leadingby one, the Mavs outscored them 12-6 to lead 75-70 going into the fourth. PejaStojakovic(notes) and Brian Cardinal(notes) hit 3-pointers in the spurt.

The Clippers blew a 13-point lead in the first, when Williams scored theirfirst nine points. Dallas tied the game at 44-all late in the second and scoredthe final two baskets to lead 48-46 at the break.

Notes: The Mavs improved to 13-1 against the Pacific Division, with theironly loss to the Lakers, who await on Thursday. … The Clippers’ franchiserecord for double-doubles is 69 set by Bob McAdoo in 1974-75, when the team wasin Buffalo. … The crowd of 19,060 was the Clippers’ 16th sellout of theseason.

Dominique Wilkins attacked by former ref

ATLANTA (AP)—Hall of Famer and Atlanta Hawks televsion analyst DominiqueWilkins was attacked by a fan after the team’s victory Wednesday night over theOrlando Magic, the team said.

Wilkins is also a vice president with the team. He had just finished workingAtlanta’s 85-82 victory Wednesday night from his customary spot on press rowwhen the alleged incident occurred at Philips Arena.

Team spokesman Arthur Triche says the fan was “promptly arrested and takeninto custody by the Atlanta police department.” Wilkins was not injured.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported late Wednesday night on itswebsite that the fan was 36-year-old Rashan S. Michel, who was arrested andcharged with one count of simple battery, according to Officer K.Y. Jones withAtlanta police.

Michel, who told police he was owed money for suits purchased several yearsago, hit Wilkins in the chest and also hit a security guard, Jones told thenewspaper.

According to the Journal-Constitution, Michel, of Atlanta, has worked as anNBA and college basketball referee.

Hornets beat Blazers, move into 6th

NEW ORLEANS (AP)—Carl Landry(notes) joined the Hornets with the goal of being arugged role player.

Thrust into the starting lineup because of David West’s(notes) season-ending injurylast week, he’s quickly transformed himself into a top scoring starter.

Landry tallied 21 points, Willie Green(notes) highlighted a 10-point fourth-quarteroutburst with an energizing one-handed jam, and New Orleans jumped ahead ofPortland for sixth place in the Western Conference with a 95-91 victory over theTrail Blazers on Wednesday night.

New Orleans Hornets head coach… AP – Mar 30, 11:17 pm EDT New Orleans Hornets point guar… AP – Mar 30, 11:16 pm EDT New Orleans Hornets forward Ca… AP – Mar 30, 11:14 pm EDT Portland Trail Blazers guard A… AP – Mar 30, 11:10 pm EDT New Orleans Hornets point guar… AP – Mar 30, 11:00 pm EDT Portland Trail Blazers forward… AP – Mar 30, 10:53 pm EDT New Orleans Hornets guard Chri… AP – Mar 30, 10:47 pm EDT New Orleans Hornets point guar… AP – Mar 30, 9:32 pm EDT Portland Trail Blazers guard R… AP – Mar 30, 9:28 pm EDT New Orleans Hornets shooting g… AP – Mar 30, 9:25 pm EDT YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 9; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/3d/fullj.dd49bae74b923b1b2e0640bf26369aad/ap-b6d0fb2b2f5144acbc958fdea0677f72.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=367&hc=407&q=70&sig=BW3EvABlKBMiE87azlXm.g--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/9a/fullj.80a7f497e2095c8b68dc1daa3bd49c34/ap-ee2a6484f1eb4958a36447b27c407933.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=356&hc=395&q=70&sig=2uDTRNeeSFjTZjGEuV2lJg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/ca/fullj.963c4c24d1b9808d162f4dd20f255e80/ap-5e46643c14314928a9f6a10437f75c8f.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=4&yc=1&wc=434&hc=483&q=70&sig=2utxlpGcp1I7_X21U3fCVw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/a3/fullj.72722a1f8d82c386d2cf383ad4d77a6d/ap-1e5b14bf0b264f129902bcd2007b9c6f.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=83&yc=1&wc=275&hc=306&q=70&sig=D_2ebYwv.NalKOE2gfNb4w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/ec/fullj.5563f85807df0c27aee71a1d78832a2f/ap-1f809de385fb4cd0ad008633c07fc807.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=359&hc=398&q=70&sig=u2dArbqZ401byZ2kPPJfBA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/e9/fullj.697ebaff26d7e649dc9844b77ed2557e/ap-2987abfd62064821846235e896bd41a4.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=391&hc=434&q=70&sig=tHPE8pBNQ.eOA1PCfA2Srg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/42/fullj.ff8818d7ee2ddc763f4bd26f7d8012af/ap-e765518803da42fd85601668afbcd065.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=428&hc=475&q=70&sig=lFR5kRqrzFvNHKIaQnquMQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/30/fullj.fdebf919a3b263aa183ffc0fc02382ce/ap-4af55e616a7c4ed69482bdb735b70930.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=341&hc=378&q=70&sig=3ybBBhaDHnAkpaqx1kKhdw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/06/fullj.2dd6d05f690616a4440b8cd91236e7bc/ap-8116f8a971ee4de5a38ca3119d480983.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=341&hc=378&q=70&sig=5mOHsOepUZRWXdIdKg7Edw--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 10 Por-NO 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();

“We made some money off of Carl tonight for sure, going to him down thestretch,” Hornets coach Monty Williams said. “Willie was phenomenal, the dunkhe had. … If we can finish like this the rest of the year, I’ll be pleased.”

Chris Paul(notes) had 11 points and 12 assists, and Emeka Okafor(notes) had 15 points and10 rebounds before fouling out with 1:38 left.

Marco Belinelli(notes) hit four of five 3-point attempts and finished with 16points for the Hornets, who have won three of four, the lone loss coming on theroad against the surging Los Angeles Lakers. Green finished with 12 points.

Williams, meanwhile, was animated on the sideline, knowing that a third winin four meetings with the team for which he used to serve as an assistant wouldgive the Hornets an important tiebreaker in the standings. He coached as if itwere the playoffs, keeeping starters on the court as long as needed to stayclose in a game Portland led most of the way.

Paul played 45:11, his second most minutes in regulation this season.

“We showed a lot of grit,” Paul said. “I think we showed coach’spersonality tonight. Coach is over there fighting for us, screaming. Coach isone of those guys that would put on a jersey if he could. For us to go out thereand get this win tonight, knowing that that was his old home, it was a specialwin for us.”

LaMarcus Aldridge(notes) had 24 points and 15 rebounds for Portland (43-32), whichis tied with New Orleans in terms of wins and losses, but has lost the seasontiebreaker.

Andre Miller(notes) added 19 points for Portland, but committed a costly turnoverwhile driving to the hoop with the Blazers trailing 91-88 and 13 seconds left.Landry came up with the ball, was fouled and made both free throws, then addedtwo more foul shots to seal it.

Miller’s turnover was Portland’s ninth of the second half.

“It was turnovers. They were huge,” Portland coach Nate McMillan said.“You can’t have those mistakes going down the stretch.”

Gerald Wallace(notes) had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Blazers, while PatrickMills added 13 points, hitting all three attempts from long range.

“This one hurts, especially a game that we feel like we controlled for thefirst quarter-and-a-half,” Wallace said. “In the second half, they kind oftook control and forced us to play back on our heels.”

After trailing much of the game, but still as close as 70-68 after threequarters, the Hornets surged ahead in the final period thanks in large part toGreen’s 10-point scoring surge during a 16-4 run.

Green’s highlights included a 3, a tough running floater as he swept acrossthe lane and a soaring one-handed jam on a putback of Jarrett Jack’s(notes) missedjumper—the last play sending the crowd into a frenzy.

“It was good to get up there and dunk. I’m going to laugh and talk with myteammates about it,” Green said. “They were a little caught off guard. I was alittle caught off guard. I don’t dunk that much.”

Jack then made a jumper that gave the Hornets their largest lead at 84-75.

Portland didn’t fold, though, and tensions rose soon after when Jack andRudy Fernandez(notes) got into a brief tussle for which they each received technicalfouls with a little under 5 minutes remaining.

The Trail Blazers trimmed their deficit to five before Paul put New Orleansback up 90-83 with a driving floater off the glass with 1:40 left.

Wallace then drew Okafor’s sixth foul and hit both free throws, and Milleradded a driving layup to make it 90-87, setting up a tense final minute.

The Hornets improved to 2-1 since West tore the anterior cruciate ligamentin his left knee. Landry has averaged 21.3 points and 7.3 rebounds in thosethree games.

“Those are some big shoes to fill and we got to just do it collectively,”Landry said of West’s absence. “Right now, I’m just doing what I can do.Hopefully it’ll be better than what it is now. … We’ve got keep helping oneanother because we’re not in the playoffs yet.”

No, but they’re closing in. Ninth-place Houston, which lost to PhiladelphiaWednesday, fell four games behind both New Orleans and Portland, with all threeteams having only seven games left.

Notes: The Hornets are 25-11 at home, where they play their next four games,starting on Friday night against Memphis. … Portland dropped to 30-3 whenshooting a higher percentage from the field than its opponent. The Blazers shot50 percent, while the Hornets shot 46.6 percent. … Patrick Ewing Jr.(notes) made hisHornets debut in the second quarter but played only 1:37. … Wallace had hiscareer-best streak of 24 straight games with at least one steal snapped.

NBA probing Jay-Z for Kentucky contact

NEW YORK (AP)—An NBA spokesman confirms that the league is investigatingJay-Z’s presence in Kentucky’s locker room after the Wildcats clinched a FinalFour berth.

The rapper visited the players after their victory over North Carolina onSunday at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J, home of the Nets. Jay-Z is apart-owner of the team and attended the Nets’ 120-116 loss at New York onWednesday.

NBA rules prohibit team personnel from having contact with players who arenot yet draft eligible, and spokesman Tim Frank told the Associated Press theleague is looking into it.

The investigation was first reported by CBSSports.com.

Next Page »

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