NBA Capsules: Yo-yo Rockets back above .500, beat Wizards 96-88

WASHINGTON — For the Houston Rockets, who need as many hands on deck as possible to get out of the win-lose blahs, it was good enough simply to see Trevor Ariza and Kyle Lowry back on the court.

Ariza returned after missing seven games with a left hip injury, and Lowry was back after sitting out 12 games with a sprained left ankle. Neither was spectacular, but both shook off the rust as the yo-yo Rockets moved back above .500 Tuesday night with a 96-88 win over the Washington Wizards.

"It's good to be at full strength," said Ariza, who played 28 minutes off the bench, made 3 of 7 3-pointers and finished with 13 points. "Now we've got to get in sync, back to our roles and understand what we're trying to do."

Luis Scola had 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Kevin Martin scored 21 points for the Rockets, who took the lead for good midway through the second quarter and were hardly threatened in the second half by the Wizards, who have lost four straight and six of seven and drew a season-low 10,422 to the Verizon Center.

"I couldn't make a shot, but we won a game — who cares?" said Lowry, who went 1 for 6 from the field and finished with six points in 19 minutes. "I stepped wrong a few times and I'm a little sore, but other than that I'm fine."

The Rockets entered the game as the consummate .500 team: alternating wins and losses over their last seven, scoring and allowing the same amount of points — 101.3 — on the season. Time is running out to put together the type of winning streak needed to snatch a Western Conference playoff berth.

"You just have to keep going for it, hope you do get that streak that can send you in the other direction," coach Rick Adelman said. "We've just kind of been in 'hit and miss' over the last three weeks."

A good place to start is the Wizards, who are still sporting a who-are-these-guys look after the suspension of Gilbert Arenas and the house-cleaning deals just before the trade deadline. Andray Blatche, who has become the go-to player by default, had 18 points and eight rebounds but also five turnovers and sat out the final 4½ minutes in his first game after learning the pitfalls of trash-talking Kevin Garnett.

Wizards coach Flip Saunders said his team "choked" when they blew a 13-point fourth-quarter lead in a loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday, blaming it mainly on Blatche's unwise decision to start mouthing off to Garnett, inspiring a Celtics rally.

This time, Saunders kept Blatche on the bench when Washington made a late run to cut the lead to six in the final two minutes.

"Dray struggled — a lot," Saunders said. "He wants to the carry the team, so he got into a situation where he tried to do almost a little bit too much. We took him out, we were down big, those guys came back. You reward the guys that got you there. ... His biggest thing is he's become a high-turnover player."

Blatche said it was his worst game "by far" since he gained a more prominent role in the second half of the season.

"I kept trying to fight harder and harder," Blatche said, "and just made it worse and worse for me."

Nick Young added 18 points for the Wizards, and Al Thornton had 15.

Washington's best spurt came on a 10-0 run in the first quarter, but the Rockets were in charge the rest of the way, closing the first half with an 11-4 run to go ahead 48-40 and pushing the lead to 18 in the third quarter on rookie Jordan Hill's dunk. Hill finished with 11 points, one shy of his career high, and matched his career high with eight rebounds.

Notes: Ariza didn't start for the first time this season. Asked if he'd be OK with that, he said: "If we're winning, I don't mind, but that's not up to me." ... Notable stat: Rockets dominated 24-8 in second-chance points. ... More evidence of the Rockets' up-and-down ways: They are 22-9 in games following a loss this season. ... The Wizards signed Livingston to a second 10-day contract. ... After a day off Wednesday, the Wizards will play three straight days as they squeeze in the makeup game from the blizzard that hit Washington last month. "We're going total AAU basketball after this," Saunders said. "Games every day." ... The last-place Wizards are so anxious to fill seats that that the dance girls wore tops urging fans to renew their season tickets.

Dunleavy, Los Angeles Clippers sever ties

LOS ANGELES — Mike Dunleavy and the Los Angeles Clippers parted company for good Tuesday, barely a month after he relinquished his head coaching duties to focus solely on being general manager.

Now that arrangement is over, with the team announcing his departure in an e-mailed statement. Assistant general manager Neil Olshey will take over Dunleavy’s job.

"The team has simply not made sufficient progress during Dunleavy’s seven-year tenure," the statement said. "The Clippers want to win now. This transition, in conjunction with a full commitment to dedicate unlimited resources, is designed to accomplish that objective."

At the time, Dunleavy said, "I thought, ‘It’s time for me to give somebody else a shot, you’re burnt out on this."’

After the Clippers lost 113-87 in Orlando on Tuesday night, they are 12th in the Western Conference standings with a 25-39 record.

Players were notified of the decision during interim coach Kim Hughes’ postgame speech.

"At this point, nothing surprises me," point guard Baron Davis said. "We’re moving in a different direction. We’ve been on the road, so there’s not much that we know. You all found out before we did."

Dunleavy stepped down as coach Feb. 4. He was replaced by Hughes, then an assistant.

"I thought Mike was going to focus on being the GM and that’s what I thought was going to be the course of event. I’m a little bit shocked it occurred," Hughes said. "I’m certainly disappointed for Mike."

Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said after the game he always respected Dunleavy as a coach and thought it was unfair to pin the blame solely on Dunleavy given the Clippers’ losing history.

"It’s just hard to comment on anything another organization does because you don’t know why or how, and multiply that about 10 with the Clippers," Van Gundy said, drawing laughs.

"No knock on Kim or anybody else, but they haven’t exactly taken off since the coaching change," Van Gundy added.

Olshey had been serving as assistant GM since before the 2008-09 season. Previously, he was director of player development, assistant coach and director of player personnel.

The team said he played an important role in several transactions, including deals that brought Marcus Camby, Rasual Butler, Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw and Drew Gooden to the Clippers. Olshey also was part of the planning for the team’s last four NBA drafts, including obtaining Blake Griffin as the No. 1 overall pick last season.

Griffin has missed this season because of injury.

The move comes with the Clippers having significant salary cap space in hopes of luring a top free agent this summer, an effort center Chris Kaman applauded.

"I think that whoever’s decision it was to get rid of all that money, they did a good job doing it," Kaman said. "They left a lot of space for next year and can go after a big-time player. That was kind of the goal."

In 6½ seasons as coach, Dunleavy was 215-325, and Los Angeles made the playoffs just once in his first six seasons, getting within one game of the Western Conference finals in 2006. The Clippers haven’t been back to the playoffs since, winning just 42 games in the past two seasons.

Last month, Dunleavy said, "I wanted to stay with this organization, see things through, one way or the other. I would have rather done it as a successful coach, but on the other hand, I can see ahead. It was going to be a tough struggle all the way through."

Lakers coach Phil Jackson took a playful jab at Clippers owner Donald Sterling earlier this year when he suggested karma might be behind his Staples Center co-tenants’ long history of losing and misfortune. Sterling agreed to pay $2.73 million last year to settle allegations by the government that the real-estate mogul discriminated in his renting practices.

Jackson skirted the issue of Dunleavy’s departure and the so-called Clippers Curse when asked about them before the Lakers’ game against Toronto, saying the Clippers’ future "is really all up to the owners." When asked if Dunleavy’s former job was a no-win situation, he noted the Clippers’ long history of respected coaches, including Bill Fitch, Larry Brown and Alvin Gentry.

"Opportunities are opportunities in the NBA, and somebody good is always going to want to give it a shot," Jackson said.

-- Beth Harris

With Martin out, Nuggets keep focus on winning

DENVER — 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.

What they’re focused on, though, isn’t their health but catching the Los Angeles Lakers atop the Western Conference.

"Collectively, we’ve got to band together and make it happen," Billups said.

The Nuggets open a pivotal four-game road trip in Minnesota on Wednesday night without their defensive stalwart and easygoing coach.

Karl, who was diagnosed last month with neck and throat cancer, is sitting out the game in Minnesota as he recovers from another round of treatment. He hopes to be back on the sideline Friday night when the Nuggets travel to New Orleans.

When Martin might return remains up in the air.

The team recently announced that Martin will begin platelet rich plasma therapy — a treatment which uses a patient’s own blood components to stimulate healing — with hopes that he’ll return this season, maybe in the playoffs.

"That’s one of our anchors," Billups said. "That’s bad news for us. But the good news is there is light at the end of the tunnel."

Not that long ago, Martin was considered a malcontent. He was constantly hurt — two microfracture knee surgeries in successive years — and had a giant contract (seven years, $93 million) that made moving him next to impossible.

But he’s morphed into an integral part of the Nuggets, helping them advance to the Western Conference finals last season.

This year, Martin is in the midst of one of his finest seasons since joining the Nuggets, averaging 11.8 points and 9.6 rebounds.

He’s been playing through persistent pain and swelling in the knee the last few weeks. The condition, which the Nuggets have described as chronic patella tendinitis, has apparently worsened in recent days, leading Martin to try PRP therapy.

"That’s one guy we’re going to miss playing without, especially defensively," Billups said. "There’s no one person that can come in and make up for everything that he does."

More than his scoring, Martin has been counted on for his relentless defense. He’s been asked to cover some high-caliber offensive players — and with little help.

"There will be matchups where we’ll let Kenyon just play it straight up. Just say, ‘Go out there and take care of your man,"’ Anthony said. "That’s what we’re going to have to live (without). We’re going to miss that. I think everybody is going to have to come together and figure something out."

The little-used Johan Petro — along with Joey Graham and Malik Allen — will step in while Martin’s out. Petro played nearly 23 minutes in a win over Portland on Sunday, grabbing a season-high 10 rebounds and contributing six points.

"We’re not going to expect him to be Kenyon Martin," Billups said. "But I think a lot of people are going to get a chance to see that he’s a really good basketball player. He just hasn’t gotten an opportunity."

If the situation calls for it, Anthony said he would even slide over and play in Martin’s spot. Anything to keep this team on task of making another deep run through the postseason.

Not only will the Nuggets be without Martin on Wednesday, but rookie backup point guard Ty Lawson could miss his fifth straight game with a bruised left shoulder.

"Other guys just have to step up and play a little bit harder, play a little bit smarter," assistant coach Adrian Dantley said.

Karl is undergoing a rigorous six-week treatment program of radiation and chemotherapy that will force him to miss games here and there. He missed the Nuggets’ win over Golden State on Feb. 25, when Dantley ran the team.

"It’s part of the process that he’s going through and he’s being strong about it," guard Arron Afflalo said. "On our end, we have to continue to support him and make sure we play well in his absence."

-- Pat Graham

Alston stays away from Heat; team moving forward

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — 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 Thursday’s win over the Los Angeles Lakers in favor of Carlos Arroyo. He then failed to show for Saturday’s win over Atlanta, and was suspended indefinitely without pay.

Mario Chalmers is the only other true point guard on Miami’s roster.

Spoelstra said Jermaine O’Neal should play against the Bobcats after missing the second half of Saturday’s game with a sore hip and knee.

Pistons’ Stuckey to miss at least another game

DETROIT — Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey will miss at least a second game after collapsing in Cleveland.

Detroit president of basketball operations Joe Dumars says Stuckey won’t play Wednesday night against Utah and there is no timetable for his return, which will be determined by doctors.

Stuckey was out of the lineup against Houston on Sunday, two days after he was wheeled off the court on a stretcher during a game against the Cavs. An oxygen mask was put on his face and he was taken to a hospital for tests and an overnight stay.

Stuckey missed two games last season after experiencing dizziness during a game.

The third-year pro from Seattle is averaging 17 points, five assists and four rebounds for the rebuilding Pistons.

-- Larry Lage

NBA suspends Frye, Granger 1 game for altercation

NEW YORK — Phoenix forward Channing Frye and Indiana’s Danny Granger have been suspended one game without pay by the NBA for their part in an altercation Saturday.

The league punished Frye on Tuesday for throwing a punch. Granger was penalized for fighting with Frye in the final minute of the third quarter in the Suns’ 113-105 victory.

Also, the Pacers’ Earl Watson was fined $30,000 for instigating and adding to the escalation of an on-court incident. Indiana’s Roy Hibbert and the Suns’ Jason Richardson were each fined $25,000 for adding to the escalation of an on-court incident.

Granger sat out Tuesday against Philadelphia. Frye will miss the Suns’ game against the Lakers on Friday.

Jamison’s sore knee not serious

CLEVELAND — 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 continue daily treatments. He scored 17 points before leaving Monday’s win.

The Cavs acquired Jamison last month in a trade with Washington. He said he experienced similar stiffness in his knee while with the Wizards but was able to improve it with rest and rehab.

Jamison plans to play on Friday when the Cavs visit Philadelphia.

Wizards sign G Livingston to 2nd 10-day contract

WASHINGTON — 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.