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NBA Capsules: Fisher's late 3 pushes Lakers past Mavericks
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Derek Fisher spent the last year wearing more suits than sweats while negotiating the union's labor deal, and he realizes his peak playing days are probably past.
But Kobe Bryant borrows a term from former coach Phil Jackson to describe anybody who doubts what the Lakers' veteran point guard can do in the clutch.
"That's inherently idiotic," he said.
Fisher hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 3.1 seconds to play and Los Angeles emerged from a dismal offensive game by both teams with a 73-70 victory over the Mavericks on Monday night, snapping Dallas' five-game winning streak.
Vince Carter missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the defending champion Mavericks, who swept Los Angeles out of the second round of the postseason last spring, ending the Lakers' bid for a three-peat.
Neither team looked much like a championship contender in their first meeting since, with 3½ miserable offensive quarters before the exciting finish keyed by Fisher, who added another line to an overflowing list of late-game heroics.
"This is what I do," Fisher said. "When opportunities like that present themselves, I'm confident in my ability to step up and make the right play. I've been fortunate in my career to come up with some of those big plays."
Fisher scored nine of his 13 points in the fourth quarter, leading a 10-0 run midway through the period before the Mavericks rallied to tie it on Jason Terry's running jumper at the top of the key with 9.9 seconds left.
Bryant, whose streak of four straight 40-point games ended with just 14 against the Mavs, drew the Dallas defense before passing to Fisher. The veteran point guard calmly drilled a long 3-pointer from the wing.
"We made the decision to get the ball out of Bryant's hands, and we just didn't get to (Fisher) in time," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. "Our full intention was to rotate to him, but he got the shot off quick and he shot it high, so we couldn't get to it. But he made a great shot. In that situation, you've got to live with that decision. And it's tough."
Carter's desperation try was far off, and the Lakers celebrated their ninth consecutive home victory since Christmas.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 points for the Mavericks, but committed a crucial traveling violation with 38 seconds left in their first loss since Jan. 5. Lamar Odom scored 10 points in his return to Staples Center, where he won two championships before the Lakers abruptly traded him to Dallas last month.
Andrew Bynum had 17 points and 15 rebounds for the Lakers, who have won six of seven overall despite barely scoring 70 points — the franchise low in the shot-clock era, set in November 2002.
Bryant had scored at least 40 points in each of his past four games, but the NBA's leading scorer didn't even score until midway through the second quarter.
"I like the fact that if we don't score, we can still win games," said Mike Brown, the Lakers' defense-minded new coach. "Hopefully our guys understand that we can win ugly games, we can win pretty games, we can win high-tempo games. However you want to bring it, we can get down that way."
Two elite NBA franchises might have showed the strain of the NBA's compacted schedule, or the excitement of the playoff rematch — or maybe they both just stunk.
Airballs, turnovers and missed assignments dominated play, which included a seven-point third quarter by the Lakers and 35 percent shooting by the Mavericks, who extended their string of exceptional defensive performances.
Pau Gasol, whose struggles in last year's playoff series played a huge role in the Lakers' losses, had just eight points on 3-of-11 shooting, while Dallas' Jason Kidd went 0 for 8 on 3-pointers and Terry was 2 for 9 from the field until his tying basket.
"Man, we're setting records — both ways, probably," Kidd said. "I thought we were competing at both ends, but sometimes you've got to make shots in this league, and we just couldn't do it tonight. It was one of those NFC kind of games — just hand off the ball and run. It was just an ugly game."
At least the Lakers have their first chance to recover from the lockout-compacted NBA schedule: After matching the league high with 15 games in 23 days, Los Angeles has consecutive days off for the first time this season before Thursday's game at Miami.
Odom said it was "surreal" to be in the visitors' locker room at Staples Center, his home for the past seven seasons. He got a lengthy standing ovation when he entered the game midway through the first quarter, and the Lakers played a video tribute on the scoreboard.
"Actually, it gave me energy," Odom said. "I'm still trying to get my rhythm back. I'm still getting in shape, and once I get there, then I'll be able to help this team. In order for me to succeed, you have to move on, no matter what, and I plan on succeeding in this next chapter of my life."
NOTES: Carter limped off the court after missing the final shot. Carlisle said Carter will have X-rays. Dallas is staying in Los Angeles to face the Clippers on Wednesday night. ... Fans near courtside included Chris Tucker, Don Cheadle and boxing trainer Freddie Roach.
Odom returns to L.A. with Mavericks
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lamar Odom still isn't over his breakup with the Los Angeles Lakers, and he doesn't care who knows it.
Odom returned to Staples Center on Tuesday night as a visitor, filing into an unfamiliar locker room just down the hallway from his longtime home.
Although Odom knows he played a role in his own departure from Hollywood, he's still uncomfortable with the results of the bizarre 72-hour saga that sent him to the Dallas Mavericks last month in a hasty trade.
"It was a little surreal walking into the building and a little surreal to be in here," Odom said, looking around the cramped visitors' locker room. "But it's time to play and help my team win. I've got to kind of get that first one out of the way."
Odom got a lengthy standing ovation when he entered Monday night's game as a reserve midway through the first quarter. The Lakers honored him during the ensuing timeout with a video tribute and a scoreboard message: "THANKS for the memories LAMAR."
Although Odom appeared touched by the ovations, he didn't show his appreciation to the crowd with any grand gestures. He still produced some of his best minutes in his rough start with Dallas, leading all scorers with seven points in the first quarter, including a 3-pointer moments before the period ended.
Odom finished with 10 points in the Mavericks' 73-70 loss. The 13-year veteran is off to a shaky start in Dallas, posting some of the lowest numbers of his career. He's focused on the long haul with the Mavericks as they work to defend their NBA title.
"Mostly, I was unprepared for the whole situation," Odom said. "But I'll get there. It'll happen."
Odom acknowledges his pride was punctured when the Lakers attempted to trade him and Pau Gasol shortly before training camp in a three-team deal for New Orleans point guard Chris Paul. After the NBA nixed the deal, the Lakers said Odom demanded to leave, which Odom doesn't deny.
Los Angeles traded him to Dallas three days later for a trade exception and a draft pick — essentially getting nothing for the NBA's reigning Sixth Man of the Year, a versatile big man who wears two NBA title rings after spending the past seven seasons with the Lakers.
His former teammates were perplexed, with Kobe Bryant insisting Odom would have gotten over the hurt if the club had just waited for a few days. Fans accused the Lakers of attempting to save money, taking roughly $17 million in obligations off the Lakers' payroll and luxury tax bill.
"That's my guy," Odom said of Bryant. "We've been through some wars together, so it feels good to hear people talk about you like that. We had some good times."
Odom still is a fan favorite in Los Angeles — and nobody enjoyed the Lakers' intersection of athletics and Hollywood more than Odom, who married reality-TV star Khloe Kardashian after a one-month courtship and then put his life on display in a reality show that filmed during last season.
Odom's true Hollywood story changed with the trade, but Dallas hopes this episode will end with another title. The defending champion Mavericks are willing to wait until Odom gets his game together, knowing the value of a big man with Odom's abilities.
Odom began Tuesday night's game guarding the 7-foot Gasol, but he can also match up with small forwards.
"We have his back, and that's all that really matters," Dallas forward Shawn Marion said. "He's part of our family now. ... We just have to get the continuity and get familiarized with each other. I can't answer any questions about what's going on in his head, but he's been a true professional about everything. Hopefully he can help make us that much better and help us repeat."
Odom visited both sides of his L.A. life before the game, greeting former teammates Metta World Peace and Luke Walton before meeting up with his mother-in-law, Kris Jenner. The Kardashian clan's matriarch attended the game, as did Odom's wife, who sat in Lakers executive Jeanie Buss' second-row seats — with a television camera tracking her every move, of course.
''A change had to come, and I guess it was meant to be," Odom said. "I'm just trying to get better and better so that I can help this team."
Martin's 25 lead Rockets over Wizards
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Wizards have the NBA's worst record, and their coach believes some of the players are trying to be too flashy.
Early in the third quarter of a 114-106 loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday, Washington center JaVale McGee had a breakaway. Instead of choosing simply to dunk, McGee, who finished second in the NBA's dunk contest last February, threw the ball against the backboard and stuffed it.
His coach, Flip Saunders, glared at him and watched as the Rockets promptly turned a four-point lead into a 19-point advantage. McGee sat out the last nine minutes of the game while John Wall's 38 points made it somewhat competitive.
Saunders couldn't hide his disdain for his fourth-year center's antics.
"That's unacceptable. Maybe I'm too old school. Save that for the All-Star game," Saunders said. "We have some players that look for highlights instead of substance."
Washington lost for the 12th time in 13 games, and its next four games are against Oklahoma City, Denver, Boston and Philadelphia.
"Apparently if you get a fast break and throw it off the backboard in the third quarter and you're 1-11, you're not supposed to do stuff like that," McGee said.
Saunders has called out his 22-year-old center several times for showboat plays. McGee defended his play, and said he didn't regret it.
"I feel like I was trying to get the team hyped and make a good play. I felt like we did that — and we went on a run there," McGee said.
Actually, Washington didn't start their run until the fourth quarter — with McGee on the bench. Wall's 18 points in the quarter cut the Rockets' lead to five with 4:47 remaining.
"They made a little run on us, but part of that was just our turnovers and we missed some shots," Houston coach Kevin McHale said. "I was mildly concerned, but I thought our guys would get it back."
Kevin Martin scored 25 points and Samuel Dalembert added 20 for the Rockets.
Wall scored his career-high 38 on 13-of-22 shooting. He began the game making under 35 percent this season.
"I know it's great to have those type of numbers, but it don't mean nothing if you don't have a win, so I just think I had a good game, but I didn't get the win," Wall said.
Luis Scola had 18 and Kyle Lowry had 16 for the Rockets in their highest-scoring game of the season.
Houston outscored the Wizards 25-6 during an eight-minute stretch in the third quarter. Dalembert hit all six of his shots in the period.
The Rockets made 25 of 26 foul shots in winning their third straight game.
Martin hit all 10 of his free throws. In Saturday's win against Portland, he made 12 of 13. He also had a career-high eight assists against the Wizards.
In his first 11 games this season, Martin averaged 3.4 free-throw attempts per game — well below his career average. He says he's adjusting to a new NBA rule that restricts shooting fouls.
"I've got to adapt to it," Martin said. "Just be aggressive. If they want to give me the call, they will. If not, I've got to find other ways."
Washington lost despite its highest point total of the season. Jordan Crawford had 17 points.
Crawford ended the first quarter with a 38-foot 3-point shot to give Washington a 28-27 lead. In the second quarter, Houston went on a 17-4 run to take a 52-44 lead with 3:32 remaining.
NOTES: Washington F Andray Blatche, who missed three games with a sprained right shoulder, returned and had 11 points and 12 rebounds. Blatche and Wall were assessed with technical fouls within a minute in the third quarter. ... Wizards F Rashard Lewis was out with a sore right knee. ... Rockets swingman Courtney Lee missed his eighth straight game with a strained right calf. ... McHale fired Saunders when he was general manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves in February 2005. It was their first on-court meeting as NBA coaches. ... The Rockets have held double-digit leads in their last six games. Last year, they never had double-digit leads in more than five straight.
Retired basketball star Yao goes into politics
SHANGHAI (AP) — Retired NBA star Yao Ming has added another line to his post-basketball resume — politician — becoming a member of an advisory body to Shanghai's legislature.
Since the 31-year-old Yao announced last July that injuries had ended his career with the Houston Rockets, he has become a university student and set up a wine business to go with owning a professional basketball team in China.
Photos in official media on Monday showed Yao at the weekend closing ceremony for the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Shanghai Committee.
"There are about 142 members in the group, and Yao is the youngest," Kong Rong, who works in the service office of committee, was quoted as saying by the China Daily.
The advisory committee does not have any real power, but the newspaper said Yao is supposed to attend regular meetings, and can make suggestions for the advisory body and government departments.
Yao was quoted as saying "raising proposals is very serious business, and I do not want to be hasty."
It is common for sports figures to move into politics in China. Olympic gold medal hurdler Liu Xiang is a member of both the Shanghai and national political advisory bodies.
Yao, one of the most popular celebrities in China from his eight seasons in the NBA, is a student at Jiaotong University, one of the top universities in his hometown Shanghai.
In November, he released the first-ever bottles of his new Yao Ming-branded wine, a 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon currently available only in mainland China, where the market for imported wines has boomed over the past decade.
Related State News
Plane carrying Pistons makes emergency landing
HOUSTON (AP) — A charter flight bringing the Detroit Pistons to Houston for a game against the Rockets had to make an emergency landing at Hobby Airport on Monday afternoon.
Team spokesman Kevin Grigg says everyone on the plane was OK.
A Houston Airport System spokesman says the crew of MD-80 displaying the Pistons team logo reported problems with the hydraulics operating the aircraft's left-side landing gear and declared an emergency.
Airport spokesman Joshua Agunag says the aircraft with 44 passengers aboard landed without incident at 5:45 p.m. Monday and was able to taxi to a private air terminal, where passengers were let off.
The Pistons were arriving to play the Rockets Tuesday night after losing to the Golden State Warriors, 99-91, in Auburn Hills, Mich., on Sunday.
Other NBA Capsules
Holiday, Iguodala carry 76ers to win over Bucks
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jrue Holiday scored 24 points and Andre Iguodala had 21 to help the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 94-82 on Monday and remain unbeaten at home.
The Sixers have won three straight, nine of 10 overall and already hold a four-game lead over the second-place New York Knicks in the Atlantic Division. Philadelphia is also 6-0 at home.
Iguodala went 9 of 14 from the floor hours after he was chosen as part of the 20-player men's Olympic basketball pool. Known as a lockdown defender, he surprised Tobias Harris with a block from behind late in the third.
Spencer Hawes, their 7-foot-1 center, buried his first two 3-pointers of the season in the third.
Andrew Bogut returned from concussion-like symptoms to lead the Bucks with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
THUNDER 97, CELTICS 88
BOSTON (AP) — Russell Westbrook scored 26 points, hitting a pair of 3-pointers in the final 91 seconds to help Oklahoma City pull away from slumping Boston.
Kevin Durant scored 28 with seven rebounds for the Thunder, who won their seventh consecutive game. Thabo Sefolosha scored 12 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, and Kendrick Perkins had seven points and five rebounds in his first game back in Boston since the trade that sent him to Oklahoma City and broke up the starting lineup from the Celtics' 2008 NBA championship team.
Paul Pierce scored 24 points and Kevin Garnett had 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Celtics. Rajon Rondo added 12 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for Boston, which lost its fifth straight game for the first time in the New Big 3 era.
The Celtics had not had a five-game losing streak since they lost seven straight and eight of the last nine games of the 2006-07 season, a year when they also had an 18-game losing streak that was the longest in franchise history.
MAGIC 102, KNICKS 93
NEW YORK (AP) — Ryan Anderson scored a career-high 30 points, extending his NBA lead with seven 3-pointers, and Orlando completed a perfect four-game road trip.
Taking advantage of extra space as the Knicks focused on Dwight Howard, Anderson went 7 of 13 behind the arc and is now 40 of 93 for the season.
JJ Redick added 21 points for the Magic, who won three games on the West Coast before finishing in New York and will play at home the next two nights to wrap up a stretch of three games in three nights.
Howard was in foul trouble and finished with eight points and 10 rebounds.
Carmelo Anthony had 33 points and eight rebounds for the Knicks in his return from a one-game absence with a sprained right ankle, but shot just 9 of 27.
CLIPPERS 101, NETS 91
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Blake Griffin had 23 points and 14 rebounds and the Clippers beat New Jersey without injured point guard Chris Paul after blowing an 18-point lead.
Trailing by 13 after a three-point play by Reggie Evans with 10 minutes remaining, the Nets tied it at 81 with 6:46 to play. But the Clippers outscored them 20-10 the rest of the way, as Chauncey Billups scored nine of his 20 points in the final 4:23 — including a clinching 3-pointer with 1:09 left.
It was the third straight victory for the Clippers, who never trailed en route to their sixth win in seven games following a pair of ego-inflating wins against the Miami Heat and the Lakers.
MarShon Brooks led New Jersey with 19 points and eight rebounds. Deron Williams finished with 14 points and six assists.
GRIZZLIES 102, BULLS 86
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Rudy Gay scored 24 points and Mike Conley added 20 points and eight assists to help Memphis end short-handed Chicago's five-game winning streak.
The Bulls played without leading scorer Derrick Rose, who missed his second game in the last four with a left toe sprain.
Marc Gasol had 19 points and 10 rebounds while Marreese Speights finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds as Memphis extended its winning streak to three games. Gay was 11 of 18 from the field while Gasol and Conley both hit nine of their 13 shots.
Luol Deng led the Bulls with 20 points and C.J. Watson finished with 17 points. Taj Gibson had 16 points on 6 of 8 shooting. Carlos Boozer added 13 points and seven rebounds, but was 5 of 12 from the field. The Bulls shot 42 percent to 54 percent for Memphis.
CAVALIERS 102, BOBCATS 94
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kyrie Irving had 25 points and seven assists to lead Cleveland.
The Bobcats led 94-93 with less than two minutes to play, but the Cavaliers closed out the game by scoring the final nine points, getting a pair of key inside baskets from Anderson Varejao, who finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Antawn Jamison added 20 points and seven rebounds for the Cavs, who returned to .500 on the season.
Omri Casspi played a big role in Cleveland's second half comeback with 14 points and seven rebounds with most of his damage coming in the third quarter.
D.J. Augustin led the Bobcats with 24 points and eight assists and Gerald Henderson added 17 points.
TRAIL BLAZERS 84, HORNETS 77
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — LaMarcus Aldridge scored 22 points and Portland snapped a three-game skid.
Nicolas Batum add 19 points and Gerald Wallace 14 for the Trail Blazers, who blew open a tie game early in the third quarter with a 17-2 run during which Aldridge made all five of his shots for 10 points.
Jarrett Jack scored 21, while Emeka Okafor added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Hornets, who've lost four straight and 10 of 11.
New Orleans was plagued by poor perimeter shooting, going 0 of 9 from 3-point range, and turning the ball over 19 times.
After making only one of his first seven shots, Aldridge finished 10 of 17. Wesley Matthews added 10 points for Portland.
HAWKS 93, RAPTORS 84
ATLANTA (AP) — Josh Smith scored 28 points and pulled down a season-high 15 rebounds and Joe Johnson added 27 points to help Atlanta win its third straight game.
Leandro Barbosa finished with 22 points in a reserve role for Toronto, which has lost five straight. The Raptors were without center Andrea Bargnani, the NBA's ninth-leading scorer, for the third straight game because of a strained left calf. Reserve guard James Johnson didn't play because of a sprained right ankle.
The Raptors twice cut the lead to one late in the third quarter when Barbosa hit a pair of free throws and a runner, but Atlanta went on an 18-9 run that Jeff Teague ended with a free throw to make it 81-71 with 7:55 remaining.
TIMBERWOLVES 99, KINGS 86
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kevin Love had 33 points and 11 rebounds and Luke Ridnour added 25 points and nine assists to lead Minnesota over Sacramento.
Wayne Ellington scored 15 off the bench for the Timberwolves, a significant contribution for a backcourt that was missing J.J. Barea for the third straight game because of a sprained left ankle.
Tyreke Evans had nine points, 10 assists and eight rebounds but shot just 3 of 11 from the field as the Kings lost for the fifth time in six games. Jason Thompson and Marcus Thornton led Sacramento with 12 points each.
Ricky Rubio had nine points, eight assists and eight rebounds for Minnesota. Love has scored 97 points over the last three games, with a Jan. 25 deadline to extend his contract getting closer and closer.
News & Notes
Wade turns 30, eager to see what future holds
MIAMI (AP) — Dwyane Wade says it with no apologies. There was a time when he thought 30 sounded old. Now that 30 is here, it doesn't sound so bad.
Wade's 20s are over, a decade where he was part of more than 445 wins at the college, pro and international levels, fathered two sons, was the MVP of the Miami Heat run to the 2006 NBA championship, helped the U.S. capture an Olympic gold medal at the Beijing Games in 2008, claimed a scoring title, had estimated earnings topping $100 million and made seven All-Star appearances. Yes, his 20s were roaring. Bring on the 30s, he says.
"I never really sit and think about when I came in at 21 to now, turning 30, how time has gone," Wade said this week in an interview with The Associated Press. "I never really sit and think about it because I'm always moving. But when you look at your career and you say, 'I've got more years in than I want to have left,' you've got to be realistic with yourself. It's real. It becomes real. So I took a little look back."
And what did he decide after taking that look back?
"You know, you didn't do bad, kid," said Wade, who routinely says he'd like to play in the NBA until his mid-to-late 30s. "I'll see what I can do next."
Big-picture, Wade is still at the top of his game, though at this particular moment in time that's not exactly the case. A sprained right ankle is the most significant of three lower-leg maladies he's been dealing with of late, and he's not looking likely to play Tuesday night when Miami — losers of three straight — open a five-game homestand by playing host to the San Antonio Spurs.
It surprised no one that he was picked Monday for USA Basketball's pool of 20 finalists for the 12-man roster heading to the London Olympics this summer, and it will surprise no one again if he's ultimately selected for that team. Among active players, his career average of 25.3 points per game for the Heat ranks third in the league, behind only Miami teammate LeBron James (27.7) and the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (25.4). And he has blocked nearly twice as many shots as any other guard in the league since entering the NBA in 2003.
"Dwyane is a very smart guy," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Monday. "He was very mature when he came in at 21. He didn't carry himself like a normal rookie. But certainly, he's changed. His experience on and off the court, he's become a leader, he's become a brand, he's become a positive example for so many people."
He was also quickly labeled a "can't-miss" around the league, many coaches have said.
They were right.
"Yeah, he was a ridiculous talent," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said, when asked if he saw anything early in Wade's career that tipped him off for what the former Marquette guard would do in the NBA. "It was pretty obvious to everybody that he was a hell of a player. And he was a hard worker. He had great skills, great athleticism, understood how to play. Everybody knew he was going to be a great one."
There will be a time when the downside of aging means he's not as great, and Wade acknowledges that, of course.
That day still may be a long way away, although in the Heat locker room, turning 30 is not exactly warmly received.
"In NBA years, that's like 90," Heat forward Chris Bosh, who turns 28 in March, said with tongue firmly in cheek.
Keeping with the nonagenarian theme, Wade's family got him a birthday present he won't soon forget this weekend.
Wade's family and close friends gathered at a hotel Saturday for a private brunch, where the Heat guard got a bunch of tributes. First, out came his sons and a third relative who is being raised by Wade, who was surprised because it was his ex-wife's weekend to have the children before a schedule switch was agreed upon.
Then came the real gift: Wade's 91-year-old grandmother, who lives in Chicago, sneaked up to his side and left him taken completely aback. Despite her grandson's urging, she had always refused to fly — until now. The man who can buy himself almost anything got the present he wanted most.
"It was very emotional," Wade said. "She's 91. Every day with her is a blessing that we have. It's a bonus. To see her come down, to hear her laugh, it brought back so many memories. She's come to games maybe two or three times since I've been in the NBA. It's been great when we can do that with her in Chicago. She said she'll only fly with my mom, but she's ready to fly again. That was the cake."
-- Tim Reynolds
Paul out of Clippers' lineup against Nets
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chris Paul missed the Los Angeles Clippers' game against the New Jersey Nets on Monday because of a hamstring injury.
The All-Star point guard strained his left hamstring during the fourth quarter of a victory over the Lakers on Saturday. Five-time All-Star Chauncey Billups, playing with tightness in his back, started at point guard instead of shooting guard. Randy Foye was at the other guard spot. Paul is averaging 18.0 points and 8.4 assists.
This was the third time during the Nets' four-game road trip that they didn't have to deal with an opponent's starting point guard.
Steve Nash didn't play for the Suns because of a bruised right quad and Denver beat the Nets without Ty Lawson, who had a strained right foot.
Clippers backup point guard Mo Williams missed his second straight game because of a sore right foot and reserve forward Brian Cook did not dress because of a sprained left ankle. Eric Bledsoe, recovering from offseason surgery on his right knee, is still two to three weeks away.
Reserve guard Courtney Fortson made his NBA debut after signing with the Clippers on Monday. The 5-foot-11 guard, who was with the club during their brief training camp, averaged 15.9 points and 5.2 assists in 17 games this season in the NBA's D-League.
Love named Team USA finalist
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love has been named one of 20 finalists for the United States Olympic men's basketball team that will compete in London this summer.
Love played on the team that won gold at the World Championships in Turkey in 2010. He is averaging 25 points and 14.6 rebounds for the Timberwolves this season and leads the league with 12 double-doubles. He also leads the league in minutes played and is second in rebounding and free throws made.
Love is one of four power forwards on the list of 20 finalists, along with Blake Griffin, Chris Bosh and Lamar Odom. The roster will eventually be pared down to 12 players who will defend Team USA's gold medal from the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Bulls' Rose out for Grizzlies game with toe sprain
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose was a late scratch from Monday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies because of a sprained left toe.
Rose had warmed up and seemed ready to play. Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau had said Rose's availability was a game-time decision, but he was anticipating he would play. John Lucas III started in his place.
Rose missed the Jan. 11 game against Washington because of his toe. He did play, however, in Chicago's last two games, scoring 25 and 18 points. Rose is the Bulls' leading scorer at 20.8 points a game.
Anthony back in Knicks' starting lineup
NEW YORK (AP) — Carmelo Anthony is in the New York Knicks' starting lineup after missing a game with a sprained right ankle.
Anthony was also bothered by a sore left wrist when he sat out the Knicks' 104-92 loss in Oklahoma City on Saturday, but he worked out Sunday and before the game against Orlando on Monday and was cleared to play.
Anthony was hurt Thursday in a loss at Memphis. He leads the Knicks in scoring with 25.5-point average.
Oklahoma City forward assigned to Tulsa 66ers
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma City Thunder forward Ryan Reid has been assigned to the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League.
Thunder officials said Monday that Reid has yet to appear in a regular season game since he was signed by Oklahoma City on Dec. 13. Before his callup, Reid started in eight games with the 66ers and averaged 11.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steal in 34.3 minutes.
Related NBA News
Cavs owner buys Arena League team
CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert has bought the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League. Gilbert's ownership group purchased the team from Jim Ferraro, an area attorney who has owned the Gladiators since 2000. A news conference to announce the sale is scheduled for Tuesday at Quicken Loans Arena, home of the Cavs and Gladiators.
Ferraro moved the franchise to Las Vegas in 2002, and five years later took it to Cleveland after teaming up with former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar, who has served as a part owner and advisor. Gilbert's acquisition of the Gladiators was first reported by the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
The Gladiators enjoyed strong early success in Cleveland but have struggled to draw fans in recent seasons. They are scheduled to begin training camp in February.
International
U.S. names 20-play men's Olympic basketball pool
NEW YORK (AP) — This U.S. basketball team might be even better than the last two that won gold medals.
"This will be the most talented of the three teams that I've had the opportunity to coach," coach Mike Krzyzewski said Monday during a conference call.
The Americans announced the 20 players who will be candidates for the London Games, adding Blake Griffin of the Clippers and LaMarcus Aldridge of Portland to the 18 holdovers from either the 2008 Olympics or 2010 world championship who have said they wish to be considered again.
The 12-man roster and alternates for the Olympics will be chosen from the new player pool in June.
Returning from the team that won gold in Beijing are: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Deron Williams. Back from the reigning world champions are: Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, Tyson Chandler, Eric Gordon, Rudy Gay, Kevin Love, Lamar Odom, Chauncey Billups, Russell Westbrook and Andre Iguodala.
"I like the fact that we have a roster full of guys who've been champions, either in the Olympics or world championships, and guys who are excited to play," Krzyzewski said.
USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo had planned to add Griffin to the national team roster in 2009, but he was hurt shortly after being selected with the No. 1 overall pick and those plans were scrapped. Aldridge was on the national team roster but withdrew from consideration for the 2010 worlds for personal reasons.
But both have a shot now if the Americans decide to bolster the frontcourt on a roster loaded with point guards and wing players. And it's an experienced group, with Anthony playing in 59 games for the U.S. and James 55.
"To be on that list, I'm honored again, to be able to represent my country at the highest level. I mean, it's an unbelievable class. We've got an unbelievable group coming in and I'm looking forward to it," James said.
The final roster of 12 players and six alternates is due June 18, before the NBA finals will be completed in this lockout-delayed season, so there will be no time for a tryout camp. But USA Basketball needed to submit the list of all candidates by the end of this month so they could be entered in the drug-testing program.
The Americans will have to decide how many point guards to keep from a list that includes Rose, the NBA MVP, Paul; Williams, Westbrook and Billups — though he started at shooting guard in Istanbul, as he does now playing alongside Paul on the Clippers.
Size could be a consideration for a potential matchup against a Spain team that boasts Pau and Marc Gasol, along with Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka, which could help the two newcomers. Colangelo said Aldridge is a versatile big man who can shoot from the perimeter, and he sounds just as excited about Griffin as the many fans of his astounding dunks.
"He's showing what kind of future he has and I have no doubt that going forward Blake will have a significant impact on USA basketball, if not now than certainly in the future," Colangelo said.
Colangelo said the Americans decided to tab 20 players, rather than the 18 that were originally expected, to protect themselves in case some players aren't available when training camp opens. The Americans will start practicing July 6, before a free agency class that could be headlined by Howard and Williams will be able to sign contracts.
But Howard said his status wouldn't be a factor.
"I talked to Jerry a couple of days ago and I told him that I'm committed to being on the team and looking forward to winning another gold medal for the U.S. So nothing else matters," Howard said.
Whichever players are picked, the Americans will again have the unmatched athleticism that allowed them to end an eight-year Olympic gold-medal drought in Beijing and a 16-year absence from the gold-medal podium in the world championship two years ago.
Colangelo assembled the original national team roster in 2005 after taking control of the USA Basketball program following the Americans' poor performance a year earlier in Athens, where they managed only a bronze medal. That group committed to representing the Americans for three years, but then all the players and the entire coaching staff signed on for a return after winning gold in 2008.
None of those players competed in 2010, but the Americans won anyway with a young team led by Durant, the MVP of the world championships. Colangelo then combined the best of both rosters for the new pool.
Jason Kidd was the only former gold medalist on the squad when Colangelo formed the program. Now there are 18 in the mix to wear red, white and blue this summer.
"Things are moving smoothly and the proof of that pudding is we are loaded in terms of our pipeline," Colangelo said.
Only Kidd, who retired from international competition following a long career, Carlos Boozer, Tayshaun Prince and Michael Redd weren't chosen from the 2008 team. Stephen Curry and Danny Granger aren't back from 2010.
Nor was Amare Stoudemire named after he was forced to pull out on the eve of U.S. practices in 2010 because his contract couldn't be insured. He wasn't aware if insurance was the reason he was bypassed this time, saying he wasn't even aware the roster was being announced.
"It's definitely not my choice. I would love to play. My loyalty is with USA Basketball, as it always has been," Stoudemire said. "Last year I couldn't play because I had pulled out, but if they want me to play, I'd be totally open to representing the USA."
-- Brian Mahoney
