Hoops News Blog

With Kenyon Martin’s left knee aching, Carmelo Anthony vowed to be more of a force on the boards. With coach George Karl’s health problems, Chauncey Billups pledged to take on more leadership responsibilities — if that’s even possible. These have turned into trying times for the Denver Nuggets, leaders of the Northwest Division.

Suspended Miami Heat point guard Rafer Alston still hasn’t contacted the team. Coach Erik Spoelstra said before Tuesday’s game against Charlotte that Alston’s lone communication since Friday was through text messaging. Spoelstra wouldn’t say if Alston will be released, but said they’re “moving forward with the guys we have in this locker room.” Alston was benched for…

The Washington Wizards have signed guard Shaun Livingston to a second 10-day contract. Livingston initially signed with the Wizards on Feb. 26. He was averaging 3.0 points and 1.5 assists in 9.3 minutes in four games for Washington headed into Tuesday night’s game against the Houston Rockets.

An MRI taken on Cavaliers forward Antawn Jamison’s left knee has shown no serious problems. Jamison was forced to leave Monday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs in the third quarter with tightness in the back of his knee. He underwent a follow-up exam and MRI, which a team spokesman said was “good.” Jamison, who has had soreness in his knee most of this season, will…

Exiled Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson says he’s experiencing “tough times” a week after it was decided he would not return to the team and his wife filed for divorce. Iverson posted four messages Monday night on his Twitter account telling fans he expected to overcome the most recent obstacles in his life.

A visit from the team with the worst record in the NBA helped end Memphis’ home skid. But the Grizzlies almost gave it away on Monday night. Mike Conley and Rudy Gay had 21 points each, and Marc Gasol added 19 points and 13 rebounds and Memphis withstood a second-half rally to defeat New Jersey 107-101, snapping an eight-game home losing streak.

Upon further review, the Atlanta Hawks still can’t beat the New York Knicks. The Knicks beat the Hawks for the third time this season, holding on for a 99-98 victory Monday night when video replay showed Al Horford’s basket came after the buzzer. Wilson Chandler blocked Josh Smith’s drive to the hoop with 1.7 seconds to play and the ball bounced out to Horford in the lane.

Al Jefferson returned to the Minnesota Timberwolves starting lineup on Monday night against Dallas after serving a two-game suspension for a DWI arrest. “It feels good, man,” Jefferson said at the team’s morning shootaround. “It was the longest seven days of my life. I feel good. I’m glad I’m back and I have to make sure I stay back this time.” It didn’t take long…

Mike Conley and Rudy Gay had 21 points each, and Marc Gasol added 19 points and 13 rebounds and the Memphis Grizzlies withstood a second-half rally to defeat the New Jersey Nets 107-101, snapping an eight-game home losing streak. Memphis got help from DeMarre Carroll and Sam Young, who scored 10 points each, ending the Nets’ three-game road winning streak.

Darren Collison had 16 points and a career-high 20 assists, and the New Orleans Hornets snapped a four-game losing streak with a 135-131 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Monday night. Collison’s assists total tied Phoenix’s Steve Nash for the most in an NBA game this season. Marcus Thornton and David West each scored 28 points for the Hornets, who shot 59 percent (54 of 92) and had…