NBA News for 4/23/2008
Spurs' 2nd-half tweaks do the trick in Game 2
The Spurs kept their heads while trailing and followed 2nd-half marching orders to beat the Suns in Game 2, Charley Rosen says.
Spurs rally past Suns
Michael Finley talks to FSN after San Antonio's 102-96 playoff win over Phoenix. Finley helped key a third-quarter rally that gave the Spurs a 2-0 lead in the first-round series.
Parker Sparks Spurs to Take 2-0 Lead on Suns
Tony Parker scored 32 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 102-96 victory over Phoenix in Game 2 on Tuesday night after the Suns gave away another double-digit, first-half lead. - Read More...
WNBA: For Carson and Liberty, Excitement is Mutual
In the NEW YORK TIMES, Mike Ogle writes "nothing against forward Crystal Langhorne or the Washington Mystics, but when the Mystics selected Langhorne out of Maryland with the sixth pick in the W.N.B.A. draft, Carol Blazejowski, the Liberty's president and general manager, and Rutgers guard Essence Carson jumped for joy. The Mystics' choice meant that the Liberty and Carson would get exactly what they wanted: each other. "I was delighted,"Blazejowski said Monday at the Liberty's second day of training camp. "You always hold your breath before you pick. When Washington picked a big, we were like, ?Shewww. All right!' Because we knew Essence was on the board for us.'" - Read More...
Ousting Kidd would be ultimate payoff for Scott
Jason Kidd helped force Byron Scott out in New Jersey. With Scott's Hornets up 2-0 vs. the Mavs, Ian O'Connor says it's karma.
Houston's Alston Pushes Toward Game 3 Return
In the HOUSTON CHRONICLE, Michael Murphy writes "coach Rockets fans have found the first two games of the first-round Western Conference series against the Utah Jazz hard to watch, imagine how the view has been for Rafer Alston. As the Rockets prepare for Thursday's Game 3 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Alston thinks there's a good chance he'll finally be on the court passing the ball rather than on the bench passing time. ?I'm pushing hard,' Alston said of his rehab work. ?I'm closer than I was two days ago. I'm doing things that I would have to do ? slash, cut, being able to slide. Right now I'm pushing for Game 3.''? - Read More...
Stop the Vinsanity! Nets' Carter has ankle surgery
Nets guard Vince Carter had surgery to remove a bone spur from his right ankle. - Read More...
Celtics' Rondo Brimming With Confidence
He always has been considered bright beyond his years, and certainly smarter than the rest of the people on the floor," writes Mark Murphy of the BOSTON HERALD. "If the best basketball players see the game develop at a slower speed, then that was Rajon Rondo [stats] from the time he became a point guard. "He's so smart,"said Doug Bibby, who coached the Celtics [team stats] point guard for three years at Louisville (Ky.) Eastern High School, before Rondo moved on to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. "I pick his brains right now whenever I get the chance.? - Read More...
2008 NBA Playoffs - Day Four - April 22
Here at About.com, we'll be following each day of the 2008 NBA Playoffs - nothing too in-depth with these posts, but a bit of a recap that gives a couple... - Read More...
Pennsylvania Temporarily Renames Highway to Honor Sixers
As the Philadelphia 76ers continue their National Basketball Association Playoffs series against the Detroit Pistons, the team is requesting that travelers in the Greater Philadelphia Region refer to the Schuylkill Expressway by its proper name (I-76) and add "ers" to the end. The team hopes this will spread and people will immediately begin calling the popularly traveled highway "I-76ers." - Read More...
Kansas guard Chalmers opts to test NBA waters
Kansas guard Mario Chalmers has declared for the NBA draft, but is leaving open the possibility of returning to the national ...
Nets' Carter has surgery on right ankle
New Jersey Nets guard Vince Carter had surgery to remove a bone spur from his right ankle on Wednesday.
LIVE: Can 76ers steal another game in Detroit?
LIVE: Celtics trying to take 2-0 lead on Hawks
Pistons pound Sixers in Game 2, knot series
Phoenix looks to rally against San Antonio
With Phoenix trailing San Antonio two games to none, Suns coach Mike D'Antoni is trying to figure out what needs to change in Game 3 of the Western Conference playoff series. "I can't tell you that," D'Antoni said. "How about we just play better?" The Suns played well enough to build double-digit leads in each of the first two games but couldn't close the deal either time. In Game 1, San Antonio needed two late 3-pointers as it rallied for a 117-115 double-overtime victory.
Former NBA referee Darell Garretson dies
Darell Garretson, the longtime NBA referee who also directed the league's officiating staff, has died. He was 76. The National Basketball Referees Association said Wednesday that Garretson died Monday at his Mesa home. The union said Garretson's health had been in decline following surgery and various illnesses. "We are saddened by the passing of Darell Garretson," NBA commissioner David Stern said.
LIVE: Kobe, Lakers battling Nuggets in Game 2
Celtics Grab 2-0 Series Lead on Hawks
Kevin Garnett had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Rondo added 12 points, eight assists and six rebounds to lead Boston to a 96-77 victory over Atlanta on Wednesday night and a 2-0 lead in the first-round series. - Read More...
Pistons get back to business with rout
After losing Game 1, the Pistons stomped the Sixers in Game 2, delivering a strong message in the process, Charley Rosen says.
Paul, Hornets are rising to occasion
You thought CP3 and the Hornets would crumble under playoff pressure? So far, it's been quite the opposite, Mike Kahn says.
Around the Association presented by T-Mobile: April 22
Go Around the Association presented by T-Mobile for a recap of Tuesday's playoff action. - Read More...
NBA Western Conference Season Review
The Fig Cap: Kobe Bryant is happy... he's REALLY happy! Doesn't the 2007 offseason seems so far away? Okay, just about two games into NBA Playoffs games, we finally have... - Read More...
Italian league star Gallinari declares for NBA draft
Danilo Gallinari, the leading scorer in the Italian basketball league, declared for the NBA draft on Wednesday. - Read More...
Nuggets, Lakers Have Sense of Urgency
In the ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, Chris Tomasson writes "it's rush hour in Los Angeles. A new reason has emerged why the Lakers wouldn't mind making quick work of the Nuggets. The Lakers have seen Utah go to Houston and take a 2-0 lead. With a quick series possible and the Jazz being the Lakers' next possible opponent, a drawn-out series against the Nuggets would not be considered ideal. Fisher, whose Lakers won Game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series 128-114 on Sunday, knows very well the importance of tonight's Game 2 at the Staples Center. He needs only to look at the numbers. In NBA history, teams having taken a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series are 191-13. That's a staggering winning percentage of .936.? - Read More...
Nets' Carter Undergoes Arthroscopic Right Ankle Surgery
New Jersey Nets guard Vince Carter underwent successful arthroscopic right ankle surgery today, Wednesday, April 23, 2008, Nets President Rod Thorn announced. The procedure, performed by Dr. Martin O'Malley at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, included the removal of multiple loose bodies and a bone spur from the ankle, as well as a debridement of the ankle. Carter will be on crutches for several weeks, after which time he will begin rehabilitation. He is expected to be fully recovered by the time the team begins training camp for the 2008-09 season. - Read More...
Hawks' Johnson Recalls Rookie Year With Celtics
"Joe Johnson's time in a Boston uniform was so brief ? 49 games during his rookie season ? that he barely remembers the particulars," writes Sekou Smith of the ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION. "I don't remember where I lived or really anything else about it," said Johnson, the 10th pick in the 2001 NBA draft. "It was a blur. It went so fast I don't remember a lot, other than them giving me a chance to play in the league. Other than that, it was a short stint." If Johnson and his Hawks teammates aren't careful, their time in the playoffs will suffer the same fate. - Read More...
Texas guards Augustin, Abrams declare for draft
Texas sophomore point guard D.J. Augustin will declare for the NBA draft and forgo his final two seasons of eligibility. - Read More...
Texas' Augustin declares for NBA draft, Abrams follows
D.J. Augustin is turning pro, and Texas teammate A.J. Abrams may be headed with him. The Longhorns lost their All-America point ...
Chalmers won't sign with agent, but will test draft
Kansas guard Mario Chalmers has declared for the NBA draft, but is leaving open the possibility of returning to the national champion Jayhawks by not signing with an agent. - Read More...
Anderson, Dozier final Memphis starters in draft
The Memphis Tigers' entire starting lineup last season has declared for the NBA draft now that juniors Antonio Anderson and Robert Dozier have become the last from the 2008 NCAA runner-up to announce. - Read More...
LIVE: Pistons try to even series with Sixers
After losing Game 1, Tayshaun Prince and the Pistons are playing with more intensity vs. the Sixers in Game 2. Follow it LIVE.
Former director of NBA officiating Garretson dies
Darell Garretson, the longtime NBA referee who also directed the league's officiating staff, has died. He was 76. - Read More...
Pistons even series with Sixers
After losing Game 1, Tayshaun Prince and the Pistons played with more intensity Wednesday and evened their series with the Sixers.
Beantown blowout: Celtics crush Hawks again
Mitchell mum on Raptors lineup changes
With his team facing a 2-0 series deficit, Raptors coach Sam Mitchell knows something has to change. Exactly who that change involves, Mitchell isn't saying. The Raptors have lost by double-digit deficits in the first quarter of both playoff games so far against the Orlando Magic. Toronto came back and had a chance to win Game 2, but All-Star forward Chris Bosh's last-second jumper bounced off the front rim, sealing Orlando's 104-103 victory.
Pistons pop Sixers, even series with Game 2 rout
Rasheed Wallace scored 11 of his 16 points in the first quarter and Detroit went on to beat Philadelphia 105-88 in Game 2 on ...
Celtics tangle up Hawks again, scoot to 2-0 lead
Kevin Garnett had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Rajon Rondo added 12 points, eight assists and six rebounds to lead Boston to ...
Pistons Even Series with Game 2 Rout of Sixers
Rasheed Wallace scored 11 of his 16 points in the first quarter and Detroit went on to beat Philadelphia 105-88 in Game 2 on Wednesday night to even the first-round series. - Read More...