Hoops News Blog

Griffin, Irving top Rising Stars roster (AP)

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:53:27 +0000

All-Star Blake Griffin and rookie guards Kyrie Irving and Ricky Rubio headline the list of 18 players chosen for the Rising Stars Challenge to be held during All-Star weekend. In this year’s new format, first- and second-year players will be mixed in the game on Friday, Feb. 24 in Orlando. TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal will serve as general managers and draft players for…

Stern: Howard won’t overshadow All-Stars (AP)

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:29:30 +0000

NBA Commissioner David Stern doesn’t think Dwight Howard’s uncertain future will overshadow the All-Star game in Orlando in three weeks. The commissioner spoke Wednesday in Houston, where he officially announced that the All-Star Game would be held there in 2013. Houston hosted the league’s All-Star weekend in 2006, and the city also hosted the game in 1989, in the Astrodome.

Billups: Injury won’t end my career (AP)

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:23:26 +0000

Clippers guard Chauncey Billups says he won’t let his season-ending injury also finish his NBA career. Billups tore his left Achilles tendon on Monday night, ending his first season with Los Angeles. He said the injury has left him “deflated” but he’s confident the Clippers will be able to survive without him and can still have “a special season.” After surgery, which…

Thunder survive Ellis’ 48, beat Warriors (AP)

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:38:35 +0000

Kevin Durant hit a go-ahead bank shot with 14.2 seconds remaining, and the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder overcame career performances by Monta Ellis and David Lee to beat the Golden State Warriors 119-116 on Tuesday night. Durant finished with 33 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, and Russell Westbrook added 31 points and seven rebounds to give Oklahoma City its fourth win in five games.

Nash’s late layup on birthday lifts Suns (AP)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:55:34 +0000

What a way for Steve Nash to celebrate his 38th birthday. It wasn’t a bad homecoming for Michael Redd, either. Nash hit a driving layup to give Phoenix the lead with 5 seconds left and Redd scored 14 points in his first game against his former team as the Suns beat the Milwaukee Bucks 107-105 on Tuesday.

Granger has 12 in 4th as Pacers top Jazz (AP)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:51:34 +0000

Danny Granger sat at his locker, worn out and tired. He was dragging all day after taking medicine to help him get some rest, but it may have been too much for the Indiana Pacers forward. “It just slowed me down basically the whole time,” Granger said. “It was supposed to help me sleep, but it kept me groggy the whole day.

James has 24 as Heat pull away from Cavs (AP)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:15:33 +0000

One stingy defensive stretch was enough to carry the Miami Heat past LeBron James’ former team once again. Might have gotten the Heat prepped for a daunting road stretch as well. Dwyane Wade scored 26 points, James added 24 and the Heat said farewell to their home floor for nearly two weeks by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 107-91 on Tuesday night.

Nash’s late layup lifts Suns past Bucks (AP)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:59:33 +0000

Steve Nash hit a driving layup with 5 seconds left, giving the Phoenix Suns a 107-105 victory over Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night. Nash, who also celebrated his 38th birthday Tuesday, had 18 points and 11 assists. Michael Redd scored 14 points and came away with a win against his former team, but it wasn’t easy.

Minus Love, Wolves win third straight (AP)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:46:31 +0000

Nikola Pekovic had 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Michael Beasley added 17 points and 14 boards to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to an 86-84 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night in their first game without the suspended Kevin Love. Ricky Rubio had 14 assists and five steals and Derrick Williams scored seven of his 14 points in the final four minutes to give the Timberwolves their…

Pierce Celts’ No. 2 scorer, passes Bird (AP)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:28:30 +0000

Paul Pierce has passed Larry Bird for second place on the Boston Celtics’ career scoring list. Pierce needed nine points to tie Bird’s total of 21,791 when the Celtics hosted the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday night. He had seven points at halftime, then hit a 3-pointer with 10:23 left in the third quarter to overtake Bird’s total.