NBA News for 4/16/2008
Top billing: Kobe, Lakers pocket West's No. 1 spot
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Alston out at least a week with hamstring injury
Houston Rockets point guard Rafer Alston will miss at least a week with a strained right hamstring. The 6-foot-2 Alston suffered the injury in the Rockets' 111-94 loss to Denver on Sunday. He sat out Monday's loss in Utah. Alston underwent an MRI exam on Tuesday that revealed a moderate to severe strain. The Rockets said he would miss at least a week of playing time. Alston has started 74 of the Rockets' 81 games this season, averaging 13 points and five assists per game.
Lakers crown Kings, claim West's No. 1 seed
The Los Angeles Lakers began the season in chaos 5 months ago. They finished it as the Western Conference champions. Pau Gasol ...
Lakers Trounce Kings, Win Western Conference Title
Pau Gasol had 22 points, leading MVP candidate Kobe Bryant added 20, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the short-handed Sacramento Kings 124-101 Tuesday night to clinch the No. 1 seed in the West. - Read More...
How A Four-Way Tie Will Be Broken
In the SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, Mike Monroe writes "you don't need a degree in Boolean logic to unravel the secrets of the NBA's formula for breaking a potential four-way tie for third place in the Western Conference, but keep a bottle of aspirin handy as you follow along. You might get a headache. If the Spurs, Jazz, Suns and Rockets all finish the regular season with records of 55-27.? - Read More...
Around the Association Season in Review: Rockets Streak
Go Around the Association presented by T-Mobile for a review of the Rockets' incredible 22-game winning streak. - Read More...
Playoff Push: Four-way tie in West? Could happen
Playing Manu Ginobili in the Spurs' season finale might be a good idea if the Spurs want to keep home-court advantage. - Read More...
The best and worst of the NBA season
In the NBA, you have to take the good with the bad. That is, if you're one of the recipients of Mike Kahn's season-ending awards.
Donaghy classmate pleads guilty in betting scandal
A former classmate of disgraced NBA referee Tim Donaghy has pleaded guilty in connection with a betting scandal. - Read More...
Milwaukee's Royal Ivey Suspended for Three Games
Royal Ivey of the Milwaukee Bucks has been suspended three games without pay for punching Chicago Bulls center Aaron Gray in the groin, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations. - Read More...
Bucks' Ivey suspended 3 games for groin punch
Milwaukee Bucks guard Royal Ivey has been suspended for three games for punching Chicago Bulls center Aaron Gray in the groin, the NBA said on Wednesday. - Read More...
Bucks' Ivey suspended for punching Bulls' Gray
Milwaukee's Royal Ivey was suspended three games by the NBA on Wednesday for punching Chicago's Aaron Gray in the groin. The altercation happened with 10:48 left in the second quarter of the Bucks' 151-135 loss to the Bulls on Monday. Ivey will miss the Bucks' season finale against Minnesota on Wednesday and the first two regular-season games he is eligible to play next season.
Suns Re-Sign Veteran Linton Johnson
The Phoenix Suns signed forward Linton Johnson for the remainder of the season, the team announced today. Johnson is eligible to be on the Suns' 2008 NBA Playoff roster. - Read More...
Pacers co-owner taking over as team CEO
Indiana Pacers co-owner Herb Simon believes he's found the perfect person to replace Donnie Walsh - himself. Simon announced Wednesday that he is moving into day-to-day operations as chairman and CEO of the franchise after years of mostly hands-off ownership. Walsh resigned last month after leading the Pacers for more than two decades, then accepted a job as president of the New York Knicks.
LeBron, Ilgauskas sit for Cavaliers' season finale
LeBron James ended his season as the NBA's scoring champion. - Read More...
Pacers co-owner taking over as team CEO
Indiana Pacers co-owner Herb Simon announced Wednesday that he is moving into day-to-day operations as chairman and CEO of Pacers ...
LeBron rests as Pistons' reserves outplay Cavs' backups
LeBron James ended his season as the NBA's scoring champion.
LIVE: Jazz, Spurs vying for third seed in West
High Fives: Kareem hooked into being top Buck
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar heads the list of the greatest players in the history of the Bucks franchise, as voted on by a panel of USA ...
Riley ends forgettable season with win vs. Hawks
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Ginobili returns to Spurs for crucial game vs. Jazz
Spurs guard Manu Ginobili is playing in the team's season finale against the Jazz in a sign of the importance of the game. - Read More...
Kidd notches 100th triple-double in Mavs win
Jason Kidd had the 100th triple-double of his career and sparked a 30-8 stretch that sent the Dallas Mavericks past the New Orleans ...
Redick Scores Career-High 18 to Lead Magic Past Wizards
J.J. Redick scored a career-high 18 points and Marcin Gortat had a career-high 12 points and 11 rebounds, leading the Magic to a 103-83 victory over the Wizards on Wednesday in a meaningless regular-season finale for two playoff-bound teams. - Read More...
Pistons Reserves Close Out Season with Win over LeBron-less Cavs
LeBron James rested his back - and sat on his scoring title.
Cleveland's All-Star forward spent the final game of the regular season in street clothes Wednesday night, resting up for the NBA playoffs as the Pistons defeated his Cavs. - Read More...
Kidd Collects 100th Triple-Double, Mavericks Win
Jason Kidd had the 100th triple-double of his career and sparked a 30-8 stretch that sent the Dallas Mavericks past the New Orleans Hornets, 111-98 Wednesday night, and set up a first-round showdown between these teams. - Read More...
Rockets rout Clippers, take fifth seed in West - Read More...
Nuggets collect first 50-win season since 1988
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Seeds determined on final day of NBA season
Six Western Conference seeds were determined on the final night of the regular season. Check out all the first-round matchups here. - Read More...
Isiah's future up in air after tough season
The New York Knicks' miserable season is finally over. The housecleaning probably has just begun.
New Knicks president Donnie Walsh won't decide on coach Isiah Thomas' fate until at least Thursday, saying he wants to sleep on his thoughts about the team's future before rushing into a decision. - Read More...
Rockets win to get No. 5 seed, Jazz in playoffs
Luis Scola had 22 points and 10 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets locked up the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference playoffs ...
Lakers wrap up No. 1 seed in West with rout
Paul, Hornets win Southwest, seize No. 2 seed
Around the Association presented by T-Mobile: April 15
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Yi Hopes To Build Strength In Offseason
In the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, Tom Enlund writes "for rookie Yi Jianlian, the season's end means a return to China, where he will begin training with his national team for the Summer Olympics in Beijing. The Bucks are hoping it will be a productive off-season for Yi but mostly they would like to see him get physically stronger. The Bucks plan on providing Yi with a summer conditioning program, yet they're not sure how much good it will do considering Yi's busy off-season schedule." - Read More...
Report: Nellie defends benching Davis, denies rift
It's a question that's perplexing Warriors fans: Why did coach Don Nelson sit Baron Davis for the second half of a game Golden State needed to win to stay alive in the Western Conference race? - Read More...
NBA Playoff Seeding Scenarios
The following are the playoff seeding scenarios in the Western Conference heading into the final night of the regular season. - Read More...
Riley to discuss Heat future with owner next week
Pat Riley has been hearing questions about his coaching future for weeks. He still isn't ready to answer. - Read More...
Isiah ponders season
Knicks president Donnie Walsh won't make any decision on Isiah Thomas until at least Thursday, saying he wants to sleep on his thoughts about the team's future before rushing into a decision. - Read More...
Donaghy's ex-classmate pleads guilty
A former classmate of disgraced NBA referee Tim Donaghy has pleaded guilty in connection with a betting scandal. Thomas Martino entered his plea Wednesday in Brooklyn federal court to conspiracy to defraud the NBA, and faces 12 to 18 months in prison when he is sentenced on July 11. His co-defendant, professional gambler James Battista, is due in court Monday. Martino told a judge he paid Donaghy for "good picks" on NBA games.
Co-defendant pleads guilty in NBA betting scandal
A former classmate of disgraced basketball referee Tim Donaghy pleaded guilty on Wednesday in connection with the NBA betting ...
Thomas subdued before Knicks' season finale
With speculation swirling about his future as Knicks coach, a subdued Isiah Thomas spoke philosophically about New York's dismal ...
Pacers Co-Owner to Take Over as Team Chairman and CEO
Pacers Sports & Entertainment announced Wednesday that Herbert Simon, co-owner of the Pacers with his brother Melvin for the past 25 years, will serve as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) effective immediately. - Read More...
Pacers co-owner Simon appoints self as new CEO
Indiana Pacers co-owner Herb Simon believes he's found the perfect person to replace Donnie Walsh -- himself. - Read More...
Senators ask NBA to delay vote on Sonics' move
Washington's two U.S. senators are asking the NBA to delay its scheduled vote on whether the Seattle SuperSonics can move to Oklahoma City. - Read More...
Senators ask NBA to delay Sonics relocation vote
Washington's two U.S. senators are asking the NBA to delay its scheduled vote on whether the Seattle SuperSonics can move to ...
Teams battle for seeding on final day of NBA season
The teams are set. The seeds are not. There's a lot for the Spurs, Jazz, Rockets and Suns to play for on the final day of the season.
UCLA freshman Love to announce future Thursday
UCLA All-American Kevin Love will announce his plans for next season at a campus news conference Thursday. - Read More...
Kidd's 100th triple-double helps Mavs finish 7th
LeBron sits, still wins scoring title but Pistons roll
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Celts roll as KG, starters take it easy against Nets
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Sixers head into playoffs on 4-game losing streak
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Celtics Cut Down Nets in Final Tune-up for Playoffs
Second-stringer Leon Powe scored a career-high 27 points, adding 11 rebounds for his sixth career double-double, and the Boston bench helped beat the New Jersey Nets 105-94 Wednesday night. - Read More...
Richardson, Bobcats Send Sixers to 4th Straight Loss
Jason Richardson scored 29 points and the Charlotte Bobcats recovered from blowing a big lead to beat Philadelphia 115-109 on Wednesday night, sending the 76ers to the playoffs on a four-game losing streak. - Read More...
Dunleavy Scores 36 as Indiana Outpaces New York
Mike Dunleavy tied a career high with 36 points, and the Indiana Pacers beat New York 132-123 on Wednesday night, sending the Knicks to a franchise record-tying 59th loss. - Read More...
Scola strong to help Rockets solidify No. 5 seed
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Nellie still undecided about coaching next season
Don Nelson plans to take a couple of months before deciding whether he will return for a third season as coach of the Golden ...
Warriors' Nelson to take few months to mull future
Warriors coach Don Nelson will take a couple of months to decide if he'll be back. - Read More...
Spurs crush Jazz, claim No. 3 seed in West
Spurs wrap up third seed with win over Jazz
The San Antonio Spurs wrapped up the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs in dominant fashion, routing the Utah Jazz ...