NBA Capsules: Brooks, Landry lead Rockets past Warriors

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets finally got a breather after a month of close games.

Aaron Brooks and Carl Landry scored 24 points apiece, and the Rockets salvaged the last game of their longest homestand of the season, routing the Golden State Warriors 119-97 on Tuesday night.

Trevor Ariza scored 18 points and Chuck Hayes grabbed 13 rebounds for the Rockets, who finished their six-game homestand with a disappointing 2-4 record.

The Rockets led by as many as 28 and won easily, a much-needed blowout after they went 7-9 in the previous 16 games, all decided by 10 points or less.

"I don’t remember the last time I sat on the bench at the end of a game," said Brooks, who also had eight rebounds and six assists. "It felt good to just be able to sit there and relax."

Monta Ellis scored 34 points for the Warriors, who’ve lost six in a row overall and 12 of their last 13 road games. Corey Maggette, Golden State’s second-leading scorer, sat out with a hip pointer, and the short-handed Warriors fell into a 21-point hole in the first quarter.

Houston hit 11 of its first 17 shots against the NBA’s worst defensive team, and Golden State matched its sloppy early defense with poor shooting, missing 12 of its first 17 shots.

"We couldn’t find it offensively," said Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who scored 14. "For us to be competitive, we have to be able to make plays and we didn’t. We just didn’t come ready to play."

Luis Scola’s layup with 45 seconds left in the first quarter put Houston up 39-21 and set a Rockets’ season-high point total for any quarter this season.

"We got in there, we handled our business and got the job done today," Brooks said.

Ellis scored six points to lead an 8-2 Golden State run early in the second quarter. The Rockets gave away five turnovers in the first three minutes of the quarter and led only 41-33 after Ellis’ jumper.

Ellis swished Golden State’s first 3-pointer with 3:38 left in the half, then assisted on Coby Karl’s fast-break layup to draw Golden State within three, at 49-46. The Rockets helped the Warriors by continuing to miss shots and cough up careless turnovers.

Houston’s starters returned and rebuilt the lead to 59-49 by halftime. Ellis scored 27 points in the first half on 10-of-17 shooting. No other Warrior had more than six points at the break.

"Monta had a very good game," Golden State coach Don Nelson said, "but he just didn’t have any help."

The Rockets opened the third quarter with a 9-2 burst, running their offense as smoothly as they did at the start of the game. They also held Ellis to one field goal in the first eight minutes of the quarter and extended the lead to 73-57.

Ellis had 34 points through three quarters, his 19th 30-plus game of the season, but no other Warrior had more than seven.

"We had to load to him, get bodies in front of him," Brooks said. "The first half, he would spin baseline and get dunks and would go backdoor and there was nobody there to help. We did a better job of controlling that in the second half."

Shane Battier and Brooks sank consecutive 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter to stretch the lead to 20, and Ellis went to the bench for good with 9:18 remaining. Adelman had most of his starters on the bench by the 5-minute mark.

NOTES: The Warriors dropped to 3-28 when they’re outscored in the third quarter. ... The Rockets have won 17 consecutive home games in February, dating to a 106-90 loss to Toronto on Feb. 28, 2007. ... Adelman said C Yao Ming is on schedule in his recovery from surgery to repair a hairline fracture in his left foot. Yao underwent the complicated procedure in July, and he’s out for this season. But Yao wasn’t wearing a protective boot when he sank more than 90 of 100 free throws before Sunday’s game against Phoenix. Adelman said he isn’t sure when Yao will be ready to resume full basketball activities. Yao did not attend Tuesday’s game.

Road to success? Spurs hope so on rodeo road trip

SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs had just finished a dreary homestand with another loss when Manu Ginobili was asked: Might he or Tony Parker be traded to turn things around?

A reporter didn’t ask. It was a season-ticket holder.

Limping into an three-week road trip starting Wednesday that Tim Duncan says is the most important one yet, this is the Spurs: so inconsistent that the once-absurd idea of trading two of the Big Three is sounding plausible to some of their most loyal fans.

Ginobili doesn’t think he or Parker are going anywhere. But where the Spurs are ultimately headed may be determined in the next eight games.

The Rodeo Road Trip — the annual get-it-together moment for the Spurs — has arrived.

"We really need to get this bunker mentality together more than before," Ginobili said after the Spurs went 2-4 at home in 12 days. "If we’re going to be the contenders we know we can be, this is the time we’ve got to show up."

Mostly because time is running out.

The Spurs are 27-19 — a bottom seed in the Western Conference if the playoffs began today, and certainly worse than most expected after the Spurs got healthy this summer and went on a spending spree to keep the window open for a fifth NBA title.

The record is the lowest winning percentage San Antonio has carried into Feb. 1 in the Duncan era. The Spurs also better get used to the road, because thanks to a frontloaded home schedule, they have just 12 games in San Antonio the rest of the season.

Panic is not a Spurs custom. Winning streaks or losing skids, coach Gregg Popovich and his veteran core keep the Spurs even-keeled and always mindful of perspective. They play for April and May, not December and January.

But February is a traditional turning point. Since the Spurs moved into the AT&T Center in 2002, they’re left homeless each year about this time by the annual San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Popovich has seized on the trip as an inimitable bonding opportunity — no families, no distractions — and with great success.

The Spurs are 40-16 in seven rodeo toad trips. The trek has traditionally propelled their final burst to the playoffs, and with San Antonio struggling to find traction, Duncan declared this trip crucial for the Spurs.

"We hope the results of the past are what we get now," Duncan said. "Because we need to turn that corner. We’ve always used this trip to kind of get on a roll. Hopefully we can do just that and come back a better team than we’re leaving."

What the Spurs want to leave behind is sloppy defense and unreliable shooting. Popovich began a season-long, six-game homestand last month flustered that "we’re scoring more points than we’ve ever scored in our lives, but our defense is really sub-par and it’s killing us."

That much is true: the Spurs average nearly 101 points a game, a record pace under Popovich. But so is allowing 96.2 points to opponents.

When the homestand ended Sunday with a loss to Denver, Popovich turned his frustration toward the offense, even though the Nuggets were still allowed to shoot 54 percent. He criticized the team’s inability to make a basket at big moments.

"We can’t expect to shoot like this two out of every four games and expect to get anywhere," Popovich said. "People got to step up and make some .... shots."

The road trip begins against the Kings, followed by Portland on Thursday before heading to Los Angeles. San Antonio plays the Lakers on Monday and will face a team expected to be much more healthy than the team the Spurs blew out last month.

San Antonio may be the short-handed one this time. The Spurs have not said when they’ll get back Parker, who has missed the last two games with an ankle sprain.

"If we beat Sacramento or Portland it doesn’t make us all the sudden feel excited about the way we’re playing," swingman Richard Jefferson said. "We’re looking for consistency over a 10, 12, 15-game stretch."

-- Paul J. Weber

All-Star Game

Bulls’ Rose excused from All-Star rookie game

NEW YORK — Derrick Rose has been excused from the rookie challenge at All-Star weekend and will be replaced by Golden State’s Anthony Morrow.

Rose, last season’s Rookie of the Year, was selected as a reserve for the All-Star game and is competing in the skills challenge as the defending champion of the event. Because that would have meant events on three straight nights, the NBA announced Tuesday that the Chicago point guard could skip the rookie game.

Players in their first two seasons selected for the All-Star game are typically required to compete in the game between rookies and sophomores on Friday night of All-Star weekend.

Rose will defend his skills challenge title against fellow All-Stars Steve Nash of Phoenix and Deron Williams of Utah, plus rookie Brandon Jennings of Milwaukee. Rose last year became the first rookie to win the event, which is an obstacle course consisting of dribbling, passing and shooting.

Morrow is averaging 11.5 points.

Shakira, Keys, Usher to perform at NBA All-Star

NEW YORK — Grammy Award-winning singers Alicia Keys and Shakira will perform during halftime of the NBA All-Star game.

The league also announced Tuesday that Usher will perform at the Feb. 14 game at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Keys will sing her hits "No One" and "Empire State of Mind," plus "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart." Shakira’s performance will include "She Wolf" and "Give It Up To Me."

Usher will perform his single "More" during the player introductions.

News & Notes

As Carter slumps, ex-Nets coach at Magic practice

ORLANDO, Fla. — If Vince Carter was looking to get back to his old form, he only had to look to the bleachers during the Orlando Magic’s shootaround Tuesday for a reminder of those times.

Former New Jersey Nets coach Lawrence Frank was in attendance and will be observing practices this week, offering advice to the Magic staff. The biggest assistance might come with Carter, mired in a monthlong shooting slump that ranks among the worst in the eight-time All-Star’s career.

Carter said he welcomes suggestions from his former coach after a "brutal" month.

"I knew he was coming," Carter said. "I’ve talked to him a few times. Happy to see him, even though he brought the rain."

Frank coached Carter the last five years until the shooting guard was traded to the Magic this offseason along with Ryan Anderson. The Nets fired Frank in November after an 0-16 start.

Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy insisted Frank was invited months ago as a friend and his appearance has nothing to do with Carter’s struggles.

"I just wanted him to come down and share some knowledge with us and share some thoughts, get a different perspective," Van Gundy said. "He’s a guy I’ve always had respect for and liked, so have him around and see if we can learn something."

The timing might indicate otherwise.

Carter has been nursing what trainers have called a "mild separation" in his left shoulder. He scored a season-low two points in a win at Detroit on Sunday and didn’t even play in the fourth quarter, a trend that is beginning to form with the Magic opting for J.J. Redick late in games.

Carter, who turned 33 years old Jan. 26, has never been happier to see the calendar flip to February.

"Brutal, brutal, brutal month," he said. "I used to consider January a pretty easy month because it’s my birthday. But it was tough."

That might be an understatement.

He began Tuesday shooting a career-low 38 percent from the field. He’s just 5 for 28 shooting in the last three games, and the once confident shooter is passing up shots and has become almost a complete non-factor offensively since a Christmas Day loss to Boston.

After a few misses early against the Celtics last Thursday night, he was showered with boos by some fans for the first time since he put on a Magic uniform. That was hardly the type of homecoming Carter, who grew up 45 minutes away in Daytona Beach and has made his home in Orlando for years, could have expected.

"Every great player goes through slumps," Anderson said. "He knows exactly what he needs to do to break out of it. I don’t really think what anybody says is going to change what he has in his mind."

This Magic still have managed to rebound despite Carter’s slump.

They’ve won six of their last seven — including big wins against Boston and Atlanta last week — to move into second in the Eastern Conference.

But after parting ways with Hedo Turkoglu — who led the Magic in scoring in the NBA finals last year when they lost to the Lakers in five games — Orlando made the move for Carter expecting him to be the missing piece to a championship.

Instead, the go-to scorer the Magic hoped for has been on the bench or rendered ineffective in the fourth quarter. Players said that will have to change if the team wants to get past teams such as Cleveland, Boston and the Lakers in the playoffs.

"We traded for Vince for him to be our guy," Redick said. "And we’re going to need him to be that guy for us to accomplish the things we want as a team. That’s no secret. We need Vince."

-- Antonio Gonzalez

Magic’s Nelson, Pietrus sidelined against Bucks

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson and forward Mickael Pietrus were sidelined against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night with injuries.

Nelson hyperextended his left knee in the Magic’s win at Detroit on Sunday. He is day to day. Jason Williams started in Nelson’s place.

Nelson had surgery to repair torn cartilage in the knee in November. He has played through swelling since returning in December and has said he will likely have to play through pain at times this season.

Pietrus sprained his right ankle Sunday. He also is day to day.

Nets assistant coach Del Harris resigns

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Longtime NBA coach Del Harris has resigned as an assistant coach with the New Jersey Nets.

The Nets issued a statement from Harris minutes after they lost 97-93 to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night.

Harris joined the team in late November after general manager Kiki Vandeweghe was named the interim coach following the firing of Lawrence Frank after the Nets lost their first 17 games.

A former head coach with Houston, Milwaukee and the Lakers, Harris came to New Jersey to help Vandeweghe with his first head coaching assignment. The 72-year-old said Vandeweghe was able to handle the job by himself.

Harris said he was returning home to Dallas, adding he enjoyed his time with the Nets (4-43).

"I had not experienced such a losing situation since 1983, but because the players are such good people, the losing of games did not become the chaotic situation that has happened to so many teams who were locked into a total rebuilding year," Harris said in a statement.

The Nets have been competitive in their last four games and Harris said he thinks the team is getting over the hump.

"I have enjoyed my time here," he said. "There is no negative to this story. It’s all good, but just time to go."

Crittenton won’t contest NBA suspension for gun

NEW YORK — Javaris Crittenton won’t contest his NBA suspension for bringing a gun into the Wizards’ locker room.

Players’ association executive director Billy Hunter said in a statement Tuesday that Crittenton "believes far more good will be done by moving forward and focusing on the future."

Last Wednesday, commissioner David Stern suspended Crittenton and fellow Washington guard Gilbert Arenas without pay for the rest of the season. Arenas had already asked the union not to contest the penalty.

Crittenton pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge Jan. 25.

Both players admitted bringing a gun into the locker room after a dispute stemming from a card game on a team flight, violating a provision added to the collective bargaining agreement in 2005.

Atlanta’s Josh Smith fastest to 1,000 blocks

OKLAHOMA CITY — Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks has become the youngest player to block 1,000 shots in the NBA.

Smith recorded his 1,000th block with 8:29 left in the first quarter Tuesday night when he swatted away a shot by Oklahoma City’s Nenad Krstic.

Smith reached 1,000 blocks at the age of 24 years and 59 days, more than a year younger than the previous record holder. Benoit Benjamin held the mark previously, reaching the milestone at 25 years and 128 days old while he was with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Smith, who ranks second in the NBA in blocks per game this season, has made it to 1,000 faster than any other player reached 900 blocks.

Celtics’ Pierce day-to-day with sprained left foot

BOSTON — The Boston Celtics say Paul Pierce has a sprained left foot and is listed as day-to-day.

Pierce was hurt Monday during the first quarter of the Celtics’ 99-88 victory at Washington. He scored 12 points in 28 minutes before sitting out the final period.

The All-Star forward and MVP of the 2008 NBA finals leads the Celtics with 18.9 points per game.

Boston, which has struggled with injuries this season, most notably to Kevin Garnett, hosts Miami on Wednesday night.

Celtics guard J.R. Giddens has knee surgery

BOSTON — The Boston Celtics say guard J.R. Giddens has undergone arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

The team said the procedure Tuesday was a success but no date has been set for his return.

Giddens has played in 21 games for the Celtics this season. He scored a season-high six points and grabbed seven rebounds against the New Jersey Nets on Jan. 13. He has averaged 18 points and 4.5 rebounds in four games on assignment for the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League.

Warriors F Corey Maggette out with hip injury

HOUSTON — Golden State Warriors forward Corey Maggette is out of the lineup against the Houston Rockets because of a left hip pointer.

The 6-foot-6 Maggette is the Warriors’ second-leading scorer (20.7 points per game) and third-leading rebounder (six per game). Vladimir Radmanovic replaced Maggette in the starting lineup Tuesday night.

Maggette’s absence is the latest in a long list of ailments for Golden State this season. Maggette joined five teammates out with injuries.

Cavs sign Jackson

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed point guard Cedric Jackson to a second 10-day contract.

Jackson, a former Cleveland State standout, signed his first 10-day deal with the Cavs on Jan. 23 after the club lost guards Mo Williams and Delonte West in consecutive games with injuries. Jackson has played in four games.

Williams has missed six games with a sprained shoulder and West will miss his sixth game on Tuesday night with a broken left ring finger. Williams was expected to be sidelined for at least one month. There is no set timetable on West will return.

The Cavs have won eight straight and lead the Eastern Conference by 5½ games.

Women

Former Tennessee star Lawson signs with Sun

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Former University of Tennessee star Kara Lawson has signed a three-year contract with the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun.

Lawson, a gold medalist with the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, spent seven seasons with the now-defunct Sacramento Monarchs, where she averaged 9.3 points in 217 games.

Connecticut coach Mike Thibault says he expects Lawson to help the Sun at both guard positions.

The move was the latest in a busy offseason for Connecticut. The Sun acquired forward DeMya Walker in the dispersal draft for Sacramento in December. The team traded guard Lindsay Whalen and the second overall pick in the 2010 WNBA draft to Minnesota for former University of Connecticut star Renee Montgomery and the draft’s top pick.

The Sun also has re-signed reserve Anete Jekabsone-Zogota to a two-year deal.