Westbrook injury hurts Thunder's NBA title hopes

The Oklahoma City Thunder suffered a massive blow to their NBA title hopes today, when All-Star guard Russell Westbrook was ruled out indefinitely because of upcoming surgery on his right knee.

The 24-year-old suffered a lateral meniscus tear during the second quarter of Oklahoma's 105-102 victory over the Houston Rockets on Thursday (NZT), a win that put them up 2-0 in the first-round best-of-seven playoff series.

Westbrook, a three-time National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star who averaged 23.2 points during the regular season, will have surgery in the coming days, but no timetable has been set for his return, the team said in a statement.

"Our players' health is our first and foremost concern," Thunder general manager Sam Presti said. "The Thunder's medical team and several specialists we consulted with determined that Russell undergo a procedure to address the issue.

"We have thoroughly discussed this with Russell. Despite being the competitor and team-mate that he is, he respects and understands the decision, and is committed to come back even stronger.

"Certainly, Russell is a leader and core player for this team, but we are in the midst of the playoffs, and I know other players are determined to step up and contribute."

Westbrook, who has never missed an NBA game during five seasons in the league, was injured while going for a steal, when his knee collided with Rockets rookie Patrick Beverley's hip.

Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant, a four-time All-Star, said the team would have to "rally around each other and play Thunder basketball" in Westbrook's absence.

"We're not trying to rush him or bring him back ahead of schedule," Durant, 24, said. "We want to make sure he's healthy and his knee is right.

"That's our only concern with it right now. All he has to worry about is him getting healthy."

The top-seeded Thunder, who won the Western Conference last season, are widely regarded as the biggest challenger to the NBA champion Miami Heat during this campaign.

Original post @ http://tvnz.co.nz/basketball-news/westbrook-injury-hurts-thunder-s-nba-title-hopes-5418995

Bosh replaces Haslem in Heat's starting lineup for Game 2

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- All-Star forward Chris Bosh is back in the starting lineup for the Miami Heat.

After coming off the bench in the first four games since returning from an abdominal injury, Bosh was back in the starting lineup for Miami for Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night.

He replaced Udonis Haslem. The rest of Miami's starting five is LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Mario Chalmers and Shane Battier.

Bosh had started every game he played in throughout the regular season and the playoffs before missing nine games with a strained lower abdominal muscle during the Eastern Conference semifinals and finals.

Coach Erik Spoelstra said after Bosh scored 10 points off the bench in Game 1 that the Heat "need more from him offensively."

For the original post: http://www.nba.com/2012/news/06/14/bosh-heat.ap/index.html

NBA roundup: Bulls closing in on No. 1 overall seed

INDIANAPOLIS -- Kyle Korver scored 20 points to help the Chicago Bulls beat the Indiana Pacers, 92-87, Wednesday night and inch closer to the top overall seed in the NBA playoffs.

The Bulls ended the game needing just a win over Cleveland tonight or a loss by the San Antonio Spurs to clinch the league's top spot.

Carlos Boozer scored 16 points, and Joakim Noah had 14 points and 14 rebounds for Chicago. Derrick Rose finished with 10 points in 27 minutes.

Lance Stephenson scored a career-high 22 points in his first career start for Indiana, which rested Danny Granger and Leandro Barbosa with the No. 3 playoff spot in the Eastern Conference locked up.

Denver 106, Oklahoma City 101: Ty Lawson scored 25 points as the Nuggets beat the host Thunder. The Nuggets ensured they won't be the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

New York 99, L.A. Clippers 93: JR Smith scored 21 points, including a rally-stopping jumper with 31 seconds left, and the host Knicks held on to beat the Clippers.

Philadelphia 90, Milwaukee 85: Evan Turner scored a career-high 29 points and the visiting 76ers got a win while resting some key players for the playoffs. Elton Brand, Andre Iguodala, Lou Williams and Thaddeus Young sat out for Philadelphia.

Washington 96, Cleveland 85: John Wall had 21 points and 13 assists as the visiting Wizards won their fifth straight.

Orlando 102, Charlotte 95: J.J. Redick had six three-pointers and scored a career-high 31 points as the host Magic handed the Bobcats their 22nd consecutive loss. The Magic snapped a three-game losing streak and secured the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference but lost forward Glen Davis to a sprained right ankle.

Notebook: Commissioner David Stern said Metta World Peace's history, including his role in the "Malice at the Palace" brawl in 2004, weighed into the decision to suspend the Lakers forward. World Peace was suspended for seven games for elbowing Oklahoma City's James Harden in the head.

Atlanta All-Star center Al Horford said he's definitely out for the best-of-seven series against Boston, which begins this weekend. Horford, one of Atlanta's key players along with Joe Johnson and Josh Smith, has missed most of the season recovering from surgery.

Source: http://www.freep.com/article/20120426/SPORTS03/204260510/nba-roundup-chicago-bulls-near-top-seed?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CSports%7Cp

NBA - World Peace banned for seven games

Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace has been suspended for seven games for delivering an elbow to the head of Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden.

Moments after his slam dunk in Sunday's game, World Peace was headed back upcourt when he ran into Harden. After pounding his chest in celebration, World Peace raised his left elbow and hit Harden flush, just behind his left ear toward the back of his skull.

Harden fell to the court and stayed down for about a minute and missed the rest of the game and World Peace was ejected.

"The concussion suffered by James Harden demonstrates the danger posed by violent acts of this kind, particularly when they are directed at the head area," NBA Commissioner David Stern said.

"We remain committed to taking necessary measures to protect the safety of NBA players, including the imposition of appropriate penalties for players with a history of on-court altercations."

World Peace, who changed his name from Ron Artest last September, has been suspended 13 times in his career for total of 111 games.

He will miss the Lakers' regular-season finale on Thursday and serve out the rest of his ban over the next six games he is eligible and physically able to play, including this season's playoffs.

The Lakers, who are 41-24 this season, said World Peace has for the most part been a model citizen both on and off the court since joining the Lakers in 2009 but that his behaviour on Sunday was not acceptable.

"His actions could have seriously injured another player, and his absence during this suspension will hurt our team as well," Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said.

"While we accept the league's decision, we will be supportive of Metta and try to help him be more professional on the court."

Reuters

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

NBA Capsules: Thunder win fouth straight, 109-95 over Trail Blazers

PORTLAND, Ore. - Russell Westbrook had 32 points and eight assists, Kevin Durant scored 25 points and the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder won their fourth straight with a 109-95 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.

Reserve James Harden added 21 points for the Thunder, who built a 65-47 lead by halftime and led by as many as 20 points.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 20 points and eight rebounds as Portland fell to 3-4 under Kaleb Canales, who took over as interim coach when the Blazers fired Nate McMillan at the NBA trade deadline.

The Blazers, who were coming off a 90-87 victory over Golden State on Sunday, have not had back-to-back wins since Jan. 23-24 against Sacramento and Memphis.

LAKERS 104, WARRIORS 101

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Kobe Bryant, two days after getting benched late in a home loss to Memphis, made a pair of jumpers in the final 64 seconds and finished with 30 points to lead Los Angeles past short-handed Golden State.

Bryant missed his first two shots in the final period before twice rising over a pair of defenders for difficult fall-away jumpers from the corner.

Former Warriors forward Matt Barnes had 28 points and 10 rebounds, and Pau Gasol added 19 points and 17 rebounds to give Los Angeles its third win in four games.

David Lee had 23 points and nine rebounds for the Warriors.

SPURS 107, SUNS 100

PHOENIX (AP) — Tony Parker scored eight points in a 10-0 run early in the fourth quarter, helping San Antonio win its fifth straight and eighth in nine games with a victory over Phoenix.

Tim Duncan scored 17 of his 26 points in the first half and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Spurs, winners of 12 of their last 14 road games. Parker scored half of his 24 in the fourth quarter.

Shannon Brown, starting because Grant Hill was a late scratch with right knee inflammation, scored a career-high 32 points for the Suns. Marcin Gortat added 21 points and 14 rebounds in just the second home loss for the Suns in 10 games since the All-Star break.

MAVERICKS 90, ROCKETS 81

DALLAS (AP) — Jason Terry scored seven consecutive points in a minute to start a game-turning run for Dallas, finishing with 12 points and four assists in a win over Houston.

Dirk Nowitzki had 21 points despite shooting 5 of 17, Rodrigue Beaubois had 14 points and Brandan Wright added 13.

The Mavericks won 101-99 in overtime on Saturday night in Houston, which played at home again Monday and needed overtime to beat Sacramento.

Luis Scola had 22 points and eight rebounds for the Rockets, while Goran Dragic scored 17 points. Chandler Parsons had 15 points and nine rebounds.

76ERS 103, CAVALIERS 85

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jodie Meeks scored a career-high 31 points and Jrue Holiday had 19 to lead Philadelphia over Cleveland.

Evan Turner scored 12 points for the Sixers, who moved a half-game ahead of Boston and back into sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division. The Sixers have held the top spot in the Atlantic for all but a few days early in the season.

The Sixers romped without Andre Iguodala, who missed his second straight game because of left patella tendinitis. Meeks started in his place and was 7 of 10 from 3-point range.

Anthony Parker scored 14 points and Kyrie Irving had 12 for the Cavaliers.

BUCKS 108, HAWKS 101

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Monta Ellis scored 33 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter, and had eight assists to lead Milwaukee to a win over Atlanta.

Brandon Jennings added 18 points for the Bucks, who moved within two games of the idle New York Knicks for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Ellis, who has struggled since coming over in a trade from Golden State on March 14, tied a season low with four points against the Knicks on Monday. On Tuesday, he made 15-of-24 shots, including 7-of-9 in the fourth quarter, sealing it with a 15-foot jumper with 1:27 left.

Josh Smith led the Hawks with 30 points and 18 rebounds.

GRIZZLIES 93, TIMBERWOLVES 86

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Rudy Gay scored 21 points, and Dante Cunningham added season highs of 13 points and 14 rebounds to lead Memphis over Minnesota.

Cunningham, inserted into the starting lineup after All-Star centre Marc Gasol sat out with a sprained right ankle, was 6 of 9 from the field as all five Memphis starters finished in double figures.

Marreese Speights had 18 points, Tony Allen finished with 13, and Mike Conley had 12 points and eight assists as the Grizzlies won their second straight.

Kevin Love led Minnesota with 28 points and 11 rebounds.

Source:http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/nba-capsules-144496695.html

LA Lakers: 30 Team Previews In 30 Days

2009-10 Statistics

Finished 57-25, first in Pacific Division, first in Western Conference

Postseason

1st Round: Defeated Oklahoma City Thunder 4-2

2nd Round: Defeated Utah Jazz 4-0

Conference Finals: Defeated Phoenix Suns 4-3

NBA Finals: Defeated Boston Celtics 4-3

Additions and Re-Signings

Matt Barnes via free agency, Steve Blake via free agency, Theo Ratliff via free agency, Shannon Brown via re-signing, Derek Caracter via draft, and Devin Ebanks via draft.

Losses

Jordan Farmar via free agency and Josh Powell via free agency.

Revenge has never felt so good for the LA Lakers. After being ousted in 6 games in the 2007 NBA Finals by the Boston Celtics, the LA Lakers made it back to the NBA Finals to gain redemption against the team that had embarrassed them 2 years prior.

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