NBA News

[Jay520]

Gallinari sprains ankle as injuries mount up for Nuggets

DENVER (AP) -- Danilo Gallinari left Denver's game against Minnesota after spraining his right ankle in the first quarter Saturday night.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/04/09/n....ap/index.html
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Celtics' West tossed from Wizards game

BOSTON (AP) -- Celtics guard Delonte West was ejected in the second quarter of Boston's game against the Washington Wizards on Friday night.

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Nets fined $50K for Jay-Z's visit with Wildcats

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- The NBA has fined the New Jersey Nets $50,000 because hip-hop mogul and part-owner Jay-Z went into the Kentucky locker room after the Wildcats clinched a berth in the Final Four.

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Warriors SG Acie Law has surgery on wrist

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Golden State Warriors shooting guard Acie Law is recovering after surgery to remove bone spurs in his injured right wrist.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/04/08/w....ap/index.html
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Haverford College to give Mutombo honorary degree

HAVERFORD, Pa. (AP) -- Retired basketball great Dikembe Mutombo will be receiving an honorary degree from a suburban Philadelphia college.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/04/08/m....ap/index.html
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Bucks center Bogut needs elbow surgery

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut will miss the last four games of the season because of pain in his right elbow.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/04/08/b....ap/index.html
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Billionaire investor Gores to purchase Pistons


DETROIT (AP) -- The Detroit Pistons announced Friday that billionaire California investor Tom Gores has agreed to buy the struggling NBA franchise, ending a drawn-out sale by longtime owner Karen Davidson that stretched back before the season.

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[Jay520]

Nets sign Mario West for rest of season

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- The New Jersey Nets have signed guard Mario West for the final three games of the season.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/04/10/n....ap/index.html
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Warriors' Ellis hospitalized with head injury

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis was sent to the hospital for further examination following a hard fall on his head in Sunday night's 104-103 loss to the Sacramento Kings.

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Rockets sign C Cousin; recall C Thabeet


HOUSTON (AP) -- The Houston Rockets have signed center Marcus Cousin to a non-guaranteed contract and assigned him to Rio Grande Valley, their developmental league affiliate. The Rockets also recalled center Hasheem Thabeet from Rio Grande Valley and waived forward DeMarre Carroll.

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Warriors' Ellis out for season with concussion


OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Monta Ellis' season is over.
The Golden State Warriors guard was diagnosed with a concussion Monday, a day after a hard fall on his head in a 104-103 loss to the Sacramento Kings. Ellis will not play Monday night at Denver or in Wednesday's season finale at home against Portland.


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Nets' Williams undergoes surgery on injured wrist

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey Nets guard Deron Williams underwent successful wrist surgery today at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/04/11/w....ap/index.html

[Jay520]

Ex-owner says he wants Hornets to stay in Big Easy


NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- George Shinn said he sold the Hornets for about $50 million less than he could have because he wants the club to remain in New Orleans, and he would be willing to buy back in as a minority investor should a viable Louisiana ownership group come together.

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'Ecstatic' Gores takes in Pistons game

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Tom Gores is ready to take over the Detroit Pistons and try to lead the proud franchise back to prominence. Gores was in a suite when the Pistons hosted the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night, three days after he reached an agreement to buy the team. He spoke with reporters briefly as the game began, saying he wants to build on the foundation set by Bill Davidson, who owned the Pistons when they won NBA titles in 1989, 1990 and 2004.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/04/11/p....ap/index.html
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Magic's Howard won't change as technicals pile up

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard refuses to change the way he plays or interacts with officials, even as his soaring technical foul total earns him league-mandated suspensions.

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Celtics rest Garnett, Allen, Rondo vs. Wizards

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A day after a beatdown by the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers chose rest over seeding when he sat Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo for Monday night's game against the Washington Wizards.

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Baylor's Jones makes 'tough decision' to forego 2011 Draft

WACO, Texas (AP) -- Baylor freshman standout Perry Jones is staying in school.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/04/12/b....ap/index.html
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UConn star Walker to announce draft plans Tuesday



STORRS, Conn. (AP) -- Connecticut has called a news conference for Tuesday with guard Kemba Walker, where it is expected the junior star will announce that he will enter the NBA draft.



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Paul says signing with Bobcats 'something to think about'

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Chris Paul remembers every detail of the first time he met Michael Jordan. Now referring to him as his mentor, could Paul decide to return home next year and make Jordan his boss?

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Stoudemire (sprained ankle) to miss third straight game

GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) -- New York Knicks forward Amare Stoudemire will miss his third straight game with a sprained left ankle Tuesday against Chicago and may not play again until the postseason.

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Kings finale could also be last game in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Some will cry. Others will protest. There will be signs of support and banners expressing anger. And in the end, no matter the score, everyone will say goodbye.

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Injury-plagued Redd likely done in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Michael Redd knows his time with the Milwaukee Bucks likely will come to an end Wednesday night. He doesn't see the clock running out on his career anytime soon.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/04/12/b....ap/index.html

[Jay520]

Bone bruise in knee won't keep Bynum out of playoffs

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Andrew Bynum's latest knee injury probably won't keep the Los Angeles Lakers' shot-blocking center out of their playoff opener.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/04/13/b....ap/index.html
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NBA fines Kobe $100,000 for apparent slur toward ref

An NBA spokesman says the league has fined Kobe Bryant $100,000 for apparently using a derogatory homophobic term about a referee in the Lakers' game on Tuesday.

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Pistons' Villanueva suspended five games for altercation

NEW YORK, April 13, 2011 -- Charlie Villanueva of the Detroit Pistons has been suspended five games without pay for initiating an on-court altercation with Cleveland Cavaliers' Ryan Hollins and attempting to escalate the altercation by entering the Cavaliers' locker room on two occasions following his ejection, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

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LeBron leapfrogs Kobe as top-selling jersey this season

NEW YORK (AP) -- If LeBron James' move to Miami made him a villain to some, fans like dressing as a bad guy.
James had the top-selling jersey in the NBA this season, moving past Kobe Bryant to claim the No. 1 spot for the first time since his rookie season in Cleveland in 2004.

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Injuries limit Jazz to eight players for season finale

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The Utah Jazz will have only eight players active Wednesday night for their season finale against the Denver Nuggets.

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Kahn says he'll be back with Wolves, mum on Rambis

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- David Kahn is returning as president of the Minnesota Timberwolves next season. Kurt Rambis as coach? That remains to be seen.

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Magic's Redick (ab strain) 'really close' to practicing

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Magic guard J.J. Redick says he will sit out Orlando's regular season finale, but is "really close" to being able to practice with Orlando set to tip off the playoffs this weekend against Atlanta.

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Bucks' Bogut has surgery on right elbow

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut had arthroscopic surgery Tuesday to remove loose particles and scar tissue from his right elbow.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/04/13/b....ap/index.html

[Jay520]

Lakers, Jackson fined $75,000 each

NEW YORK (AP) -- A person familiar with the decision says the Los Angeles Lakers and Phil Jackson each have been fined $75,000 for comments the coach made about collective bargaining.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/04/14/l....ap/index.html
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Spurs' Ginobili doubtful for playoff opener

SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Spurs guard Manu Ginobili is doubtful for Game 1 against Memphis after spraining his right elbow in the regular-season finale.

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Deron Williams eager to stay with the Nets

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- While he cannot comment on any new contract extension due to the pending end of the NBA's collective bargaining agreement in July, Deron Williams would like to remain with the New Jersey Nets.

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Warriors general manager Riley staying put

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- New Golden State Warriors owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber gave general manager Larry Riley a vote of confidence Thursday.

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Thibodeau, McMillan named April NBA Coaches of the Month

NEW YORK -- The Chicago Bulls' Tom Thibodeau and the Portland Trail Blazers' Nate McMillan today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in April.

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Wall, Griffin named April T-Mobile Rookies of the Month

NEW YORK -- The Washington Wizards' John Wall and the Los Angels Clippers' Blake Griffin today were named the Eastern and Western Conference T-Mobile Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played through April.

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Tony Allen's energy, blue-collar attitude sparks Grizzlies

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Tony Allen has a blue-collar attitude with a sometimes zany personality. His nonstop talk on the court and defense get under the skin of opposing coaches and players. His towel-twirling antics on the bench inspire the home crowd.

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Sacramento mayor makes pitch to keep the Kings

NEW YORK (AP) -- Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson watched part of the Kings' season finale, then flew overnight across the country to meet with NBA owners.

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Timberwolves look forward to a long offseason

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- David Kahn's "excavation" of the Minnesota Timberwolves last season produced 15 victories.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/04/14/t....ap/index.html

[Jay520]

Ginobili (elbow) may play in Spurs' playoff opener

SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Spurs guard Manu Ginobili may play in Game 1 against the Memphis Grizzlies after all.

http://www.nba.com/2011/playoffs/201....ap/index.html
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Calf injury prevents Shaq from playing in Game 1 vs. Knicks

Boston Celtics team president Danny Ainge and team physician Brian McKeon announced Saturday afternoon that Shaquille O'Neal (right calf) will miss Game 1 of the Celtics' first-round series with the New York Knicks after he failed to complete a running test this morning at the team's practice facility in Waltham. O'Neal suffered the injury in Boston's April 4 game with the Pistons and hasn't played since.

http://www.nba.com/2011/playoffs/201...e-1/index.html
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[Jay520]

Billups (leg) 'very questionable' for Game 2 vs. Celtics

BOSTON (AP) -- Chauncey Billups is expected to miss the second game of the New York Knicks' playoff series against the Boston Celtics because of a left leg injury.

http://www.nba.com/2011/playoffs/201....ap/index.html
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Wade expected to suit up for Heat in Game 2

MIAMI (AP) -- Dwyane Wade may be adding a new playoff accessory: Goggles.

One day after missing practice with a migraine, Wade is expected to be with the Miami Heat on Monday night when they host the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2 of an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. Wade returned to the team for its morning practice, wearing lenses to protect his eyes while doing some light shooting.

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UNC star Barnes returning to school for sophomore season

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) -- North Carolina's Harrison Barnes will return for his sophomore season instead of declaring for the NBA draft.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/04/18/h....ap/index.html

[andrewhoya]

Glad that Wade is able to play.

[Jay520]

Pacers PG Collison expects to play in Game 3

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Indiana Pacers point guard Darren Collison says he expects to play Thursday in Game 3 against Chicago after spraining his left ankle.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/04/19/c....ap/index.html
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Sacramento making renewed case for keeping Kings

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Business and political leaders in Sacramento have another chance to persuade the NBA that the Kings should stay in town, and they'll put a full-court press on league officials this week.

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Morey: Adelman wrong coach to build Rockets into contender

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Grizzlies' Williams announces retirement

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- The Grizzlies say point guard Jason Williams has decided to retire after a 12-year career.

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Randolph to sign multi-year extension with Grizzlies

SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Zach Randolph is sticking with the Memphis Grizzlies four more years, and by the looks of things punishing the San Antonio Spurs for at least another week.

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Hornets' Gray unsure for Game 2

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- New Orleans center Aaron Gray isn't sure whether he'll be able to play in the Hornets' next postseason game on his sprained right ankle.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/04/18/a....ap/index.html
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Karl wishes Seattle still had NBA team

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- George Karl wishes there was still an NBA team in Seattle.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/04/18/k....ap/index.html

[Jay520]

Billups questionable for Game 3; Amar'e day-to-day

NEW YORK (AP) -- The New York Knicks say Chauncey Billups is questionable for Game 3 of their playoff series with a strained left knee and Amare Stoudemire is day-to-day with a back injury.

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Shaq to miss Game 3 with lingering right calf injury

WALTHAM, Mass. (AP) -- Shaquille O'Neal will miss his third straight playoff game for the Boston Celtics with a right calf injury when they meet the New York Knicks on Friday night.

http://www.nba.com/2011/playoffs/201....ap/index.html
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Sloan, OKC's Durant, Pacers' media staff honored by PBWA

TORONTO -- Jerry Sloan, Kevin Durant and the Indiana Pacers media relations staff were honored today by the Professional Basketball Writers Association.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/04/20/p...rds/index.html
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Suns' Hill elected to spot on Hall of Fame board

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) -- Grant Hill has been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's board of governors, the first active player to earn a position.

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Lakers' Odom wins Kia Sixth Man of the Year award

NEW YORK -- The Los Angeles Lakers' Lamar Odom is the winner of the 2010-11 KIA NBA Sixth Man Award as the league's best player in a reserve role, the NBA announced today. Odom, the first Lakers player to win the award, came off the bench in 47 contests and appeared in all 82 contests.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/04/19/k...ear/index.html