NBA roundup: O.J. Mayo-led Grizzlies keep Thunder from tying for NBA's best record

O.J. Mayo scored 22 points, including a key 3-pointer with 17 seconds left, and the visiting Memphis Grizzlies prevented Oklahoma City from tying for the NBA's best record by beating the Thunder 94-88 on Monday night.

Oklahoma City had pulled within a game of league-leading Chicago by blowing out the Bulls a day earlier, but the Grizzlies took the lead just after halftime and hung on to snap the Thunder's six-game winning streak.

Tony Allen added 15 points and Marc Gasol scored 13 for the Grizzlies, who were without starting point guard Mike Conley (Lawrence North) for a second straight game because of a sore right ankle.

Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 21 points and Russell Westbrook scored 19, with 12 coming as Oklahoma City tried to rally in the fourth quarter.

Clippers 94, Mavericks 75

Randy Foye had 28 points with a career-high eight 3-pointers and visiting Los Angeles won its sixth consecutive game.

Blake Griffin had 15 points and 16 rebounds for the Clippers, who last won six in a row in March 1992. Griffin had scored 20 points in each of the previous six games.

Rockets 99, Bulls 93

Goran Dragic scored 21 points, Luis Scola added 18 points and 12 rebounds, and visiting Houston gave Chicago back-to-back losses for the first time this season.

The Rockets trailed by as many as 15 points in the first half and were down 13 in the third, but they went on a 14-1 run to tie it at 62 late in the quarter, then had a 17-2 burst in the final minute of the third to take an 84-72 lead.

Bucks 112, Wizards 98

Brandon Jennings scored 17 of his 19 points in the third quarter and visiting Milwaukee pulled within two games of the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot.

Mega Millions crazy

Washington Wizards rookie Chris Singleton said it was worth buying $10,000 in tickets for last week's Mega Millions lottery, adding it was "either that or blowing it in the clubs."

Singleton didn't win a share of the record-breaking top prize, but he said Monday that he did win some money. He's not sure how much because he hasn't gone through all of his tickets yet.

Accusations fly

Cablevision and Madison Square Garden are pushing back against criticism that news of Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin's knee injury was withheld until after a ticket-buying deadline had passed.

The team announced Saturday that Lin would miss the rest of the season. On Monday, New York Daily News writer Frank Isola said medical testing had shown the injury earlier but the team held off announcing it to get past the deadline for season ticket holders to buy playoff tickets for all rounds. Lin's play has been credited with spurring interest in the team and the Knicks are in contention for a playoff spot.

Cablevision and MSG refuted the story and said any suggestion connecting the announcement with ticket sales is a "malicious attack."

Injuries

Lakers C Andrew Bynum left in the first quarter of Sunday's 120-112 win over the Golden State Warriors, spraining his left ankle while coming down on the foot of teammate Josh McRoberts (Carmel/Pacers). X-rays came back negative, Bynum got treatment Monday and is listed as day-to-day ahead of today's home game against the Nets. . . . Bulls star Derrick Rose missed his 11th straight game Monday against the Rockets because of an injured right groin. . . . . . . . The Mavericks were without G Jason Kidd (groin) and F Lamar Odom (stomach illness) for their game against the Clippers. . . . Cavs G Daniel Gibson is having surgery to repair a torn tendon in his left foot and ankle.

Source: http://www.indystar.com/article/20120403/SPORTS/204030349/NBA-roundup-O-J-Mayo-led-Grizzlies-keep-Thunder-from-tying-NBA-s-best-record

NBA Power Rankings: Carmelo Anthony has Knicks rebounding up list

Carmelo Anthony must be loving this.

Amar'e Stoudemire isn't around to challenge for shots because he's got a bulging disk in his back and is out for perhaps the final 15 games of the regular-season. Jeremy Lin has been on the shelf, taking care of an injured knee.

The Knicks now are 'Melo's team, and at least for the time being, they're in great shape. By going 8-1 under Mike Woodson and with everything being centered around Anthony in recent games, they've rocketed back up the charts in our weekly rankings. They were 20th two weeks ago, but now they're a solid No. 11.

The Heat, meanwhile, has had some slippage, even with their big home win over Dallas on Thursday. Miami has slipped from No. 2 to No. 4.

Here's how we see the NBA, from top to bottom:

1. Chicago Bulls (Last Week: 1) We know they've been rolling merrily along without Derrick Rose, but we're hoping he can play in Sunday's showdown against Russell Westbrook and the Thunder, the one and only time these two powerhouses meet in the regular-season.

2. Oklahoma City (Last Week: 3) The Thunder started off a key stretch of statement games, against the Lakers, Bulls and Heat, with a solid win over Kobe Bryant and L.A. on the road.

3. San Antonio Spurs (Last Week: 4) The Spurs have had Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker all take the court in the same game for only 17 games this season, but they're 13-4 in those contests.

4. Miami Heat (Last Week: 2) Things have been falling apart since the All-Star Game, with the Heat going only 9-6 and talk that the Big Three is not happy with Erik Spoelstra's offense. Sounds like they're bored with the regular-season.

5. Orlando Magic (Last Week: 5) From what we saw in the Garden with the Magic's disgraceful lack of effort, Dwight Howard will be making a coaching change at season's end and Stan Van Gundy will be looking for a new job.

6. Los Angeles Lakers (Last Week: 6) When the Lakers couldn't stay with the Thunder, and lost their third recent game on their home floor, the West officially became a two-team race between Oklahoma City and San Antonio.

7. Memphis Grizzlies (Last Week: 7 ) As they embark on a three-game swing over next four days vs. Houston, Milwaukee and Oklahoma City, Grizzlies are 4-4 in road games in March, including a win over the Lakers in L.A.

8. L.A. Clippers (Last Week: 9) Despite the Clips losing 12 of 19 games, owner Donald Sterling says he's fine with coach Vinny Del Negro. But let's not forget: Del Negro is on the final year of his contract

9. Indiana Pacers (Last Week: 8) When the Pacers pounded the Heat this week by 15 points, it was their first big victory since winning in Dallas on Feb. 3. Then they went out and lost to the Nets, which kind of took the luster right off that win over Miami.

10. Atlanta Hawks (Last Week: 11) The Hawks welcomed Knicks coach Mike Woodson back Friday night in his first game since he was sent packing by Atlanta after the 2009-10 season.

11. The Knicks (Last Week: 20) If Mike D'Antoni had stepped down earlier, they might be leading the Atlantic Division by now, instead of still being in a fight to move out of the No. 8 spot in the East.

12. Boston Celtics (Last Week: 12) Sunday's game vs. the Heat kicks off a brutal seven-game stretch over 11 days, with other matchups vs. San Antonio, at Chicago, at Indiana, Philly, at Miami and Atlanta. There's not an easy game in the bunch for Doc Rivers' team.

13. Philadelphia (Last Week: 10) It can't be good for Doug Collins that Andre Iguodala has been KO'd by tendinitis in his left knee.

14. Dallas Mavericks (Last Week: 14) They scored only 32 points after halftime in their blowout loss Thursday to Miami, but Delonte West is back and soon they're going to have Brendan Haywood back in the middle.

15. Utah Jazz (Last Week: 17) The Jazz has been on a mini-run, winning 8 of 10 and still with a shot to finish as high as fourth in the West, incredibly enough.

16. Houston Rockets (Last Week: 16) The Rockets are hanging tough despite not having their starting backcourt of Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin over the last two weeks due injuries and illness.

17. Denver Nuggets (Last Week: 13) They didn't exactly build off their surprisingly easy win in Chicago by losing up in Toronto. But they're still 13-2 against the East, with their only other loss by a point to Cleveland.

18. Phoenix Suns (Last Week: 19) The Suns have been one of the hottest teams in the Western Conference in March, winning 11 of 17. Now the bad news: Four of their losses were to the NBA's top teams.

19. Minnesota Timberwolves (Last Week: 15) Including their loss at Memphis _ their 10th in their last 11 games vs. the Grizzlies _ thee Timberwolves ended a stretch of 19 straight games against Western Conference teams with an 8-11 record.

20. Portland Trailblazers (Last Week: 21) As long as long-time owner Paul Allen puts business over basketball, it's going to be tough to get this thing turned around.

21. Milwaukee Bucks (Last Week: 18) The Bucks have only two wins since Feb. 1 against teams with winning records (the Sixers and Hawks). For the season, they're just 6-18 against teams that are .500 or better, which means that even if they make the playoffs, they're going nowhere.

22. Golden State Warriors (Last Week: 22) Old Warrior coach Don Nelson has made the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. So celebrate the way Nellie will: Pop a beer and light up a cigar.

23. Toronto Raptors (Last Week: 26) Dwane Casey's team has had two big wins lately, against the Knicks and Nuggets. But they'll really start to turn heads if they can upend the Heat Friday night in Toronto.

24. Detroit Pistons (Last Week: 23) The Pistons broke a five-game losing streak, but this is a rebuilding team that should tank the rest of the way to help improve their chances of landing a top pick in the draft lottery.

25. The Nets (Last Week: 25) During a recent home loss to his old team, the Jazz, Deron Williams heard a fan yell that Dirk Nowitzki was waiting for his arrival in Dallas. Which is the one thing Williams still has going for him.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (Last Week: 24) Losers of five straight games, they should keep losing and make sure they come away from the season with some good draft picks to help rookie phenom Kyrie Irving.

27. Sacramento Kings (Last Week: 27) Time to shore up the D, fellas: The Kings can't stop anybody, giving up 109 ppg in their last nine games.

28. New Orleans (Last Week: 28) Eric Gordon _ remember him, the one-time Clipper who was the key to the Chris Paul deal? _ expects to finally return off knee surgery in the coming days. He hasn't played since Jan. 4. 29. Washington Wizards (Last Week: 29) The Wizards started cleaning house at the trading deadline, getting rid of two of their headaches, by sending off JaVale McGee and Nick Young. But the next major changes have to come off the court, in the front office.

30. Charlotte Hornets (Last Week: 30) Michael Jordan recently told his GM, Rich Cho, to follow the Oklahoma City model for building a winner. Sounds like a plan, but the trick is going to be to find the next Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/nba-power-rankings-carmelo-anthony-knicks-rebounding-list-article-1.1053400

Grizzlies' Gasol out with sprained right ankle

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Memphis center Marc Gasol missed the Grizzlies' game against Minnesota on Tuesday with a sprained right ankle.

The 7-foot-1 Spaniard is listed as day-to-day. It is unclear exactly when he was injured, but apparently he has been playing through it for several games.

Dante Cunningham joined Marreese Speights and Rudy Gay in a front line of forwards starting for the Grizzlies.

Zach Randolph will continue to come off the bench, as Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins has decided to bring him back slowly until he fully recovers from a knee injury that forced him to miss 2 1/2 months.

Gasol is the Grizzlies' leading rebounder with 9.6 per game and second-leading scorer with a 15.5 average. He was selected to the Western Conference All-Star team as a reserve.

Source: http://www.nba.com/2012/news/03/27/grizzlies-gasol.ap/index.html