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Watch New Orleans Hornets Vs Memphis Grizzlies Live Streaming Online Telecast Broadcast NBA Scores Schedule Friday,December 16,2011.

2011-12-16T23:24:00.002+06:00

New Orleans Hornets Vs Memphis Grizzlies Live Streaming NBA Scores Schedule Friday,December 16,2011.Standing Teams Playoffs Players Stats Heat Index TrueHoop Dime Draft Rumors Odds Tickets Analysis Direct Tv Pc Links Online Radio Video Teams Players Fixtures Channels Coverage.

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Nets chase Dwight Howard

2011-12-14T23:29:00.004+06:00

Nets chase Dwight Howard
The New Jersey Nets have entered into serious talks with the Orlando Magic on a multi-team trade scenario that would bring Dwight Howard to the Nets, according to sources close to the process.B9JTUEM8935W

Sources told ESPN.com that the most active proposal discussed by the teams would make Portland Trail Blazers swingman Gerald Wallace and Nets center Brook Lopez two of the main pieces Orlando would receive in exchange for Howard.

As part of such a trade, which could be expanded to include a fourth team, sources say Orlando also would shed the long-term contracts of Hedo Turkoglu and Chris Duhon -- both would be absorbed by the Nets -- while also potentially receiving future draft considerations.

Other players would have to be added to the deal to make the salary-cap math work, but sources said Portland would receive multiple first-round picks as part of the exchange for surrendering Wallace and facilitating the trade.

Yet it remains to be seen if the Brooklyn-bound Nets can convince the Magic to indeed go through with trading Howard before the season starts. Earlier this week, one source familiar with the Magic's thinking insisted to ESPN.com that they were not yet prepared to trade Howard, clinging to the hope that he can be talked into staying.

Howard himself is known for changing his views on the matter on a near-daily basis, torn by his desire to move to a more glamorous market such as Brooklyn or Los Angeles, and the prospect of staying with the team that drafted him and delivering the championship to Orlando that Shaquille O'Neal could not.

One source said the Nets were moving "aggressively" in their pursuit of Howard after Nene -- New Jersey's top free-agent target -- agreed to terms Tuesday night on a five-year, $67 million deal to return to the Denver Nuggets.

The Nets also know they likely have to fend off the Lakers, who have long been linked with a possible trade for Howard with an offer built around young center Andrew Bynum.

But there also is a sense around the league that the Lakers' re-emergence in the Chris Paul sweepstakes could signify the Lakers' belief the Nets are in the lead for Howard.

It's believed that a deal for Howard ultimately will force the Nets to not only release forward Travis Outlaw through the amnesty clause, provided by the league's new collective bargaining agreement, but also to renounce the rights to free-agent power forward Kris Humphries.

The question remains: How fast is Orlando willing to move when it comes to surrendering Howard, who can become a free agent in July 2012 along with Paul and Nets star guard Deron Williams.

New Magic CEO Alex Martins met with Howard Monday at Amway Center. Afterward, Howard sounded as if he'd softened on the possibility of staying in Orlando -- as long as there are some changes.

"I love this city, there is no place I'd rather be but Orlando," Howard said. "I just want to make sure we have the right things here so we can win a championship. I'm all about change. If you're willing to change and you're willing to do what it takes to win then, you know, you got me."

Martins, promoted to CEO just last week after the surprising resignation of Bob Vander Weide, has insisted publicly that the franchise believes it can keep Howard and convince him to extend his contract. But the Nets have been targeting Howard for months, convinced that re-signing Williams can be assured next summer if they can complete an in-season deal for Howard.

"I'm an optimist," Martins said Monday. "I am confident that we can work with Dwight and convince him to stay here long term."

Days earlier, Orlando announced that it would allow Howard to speak with the Lakers, Nets and Dallas Mavericks about a trade. On Tuesday, ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard reported that the Lakers, Nets, Mavericks and Magic are the only four teams Howard is willing to commit to long-term.

Dallas Mavericks Vs Miami Heat Live Streaming Game 3 NBA Scores Analysis Direct Tv Pc Links Teams Players Fixtures Channels Coverage June 5,2011.

2011-06-05T23:18:00.000+06:00

Dallas Mavericks Vs Miami Heat Live Streaming Game 3 NBA Scores Analysis Direct Tv Pc Links Teams Players Fixtures Channels Coverage June 5,2011.

Preview :
After two days of intense film study and painstaking analysis of the final 14 possessions in their end-of-game collapse in Game 2 of the NBA finals, the Miami Heat finally came up with the reason why.

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It wasn't a highly technical reason."We let one go," Dwyane Wade said.And entering Game 3 of the NBA finals, the Heat will try to let Game 2 go again. The way Miami sees it, carrying over the stigma of that loss -- one of the worst late-game collapses in finals history -- would only doom them again Sunday night when the scene shifts to steamy Dallas for the first of three games on the Mavericks' home floor.

Dallas rallied from 15 points down in the final 7 minutes to beat Miami in Game 2, outscoring the Heat 22-5 to finish the game and knot the series. Thanks to that win, Mavs' fans still may see another NBA championship celebration, only this time, by the Western Conference champions and not a Heat team that hoisted a trophy at Dallas after the 2006 finals.

"In the playoffs, it's a win or a loss. However it comes by, it's a win or a loss," Heat forward LeBron James said. "We've moved on from Game 2, seen the mistakes we've made. Seen some of the great things we've done as well. It's a win or loss. The series is tied 1-1. We never get too high or too low in the series. We haven't gotten too high or low in the regular season as well."

Game 3 is crucial for so many obvious reasons, like the Heat wanting not to deal with another stumble and the Mavericks wanting to keep momentum rolling and retain home-court advantage. Statistically, there's proof that it's a Texas-sized swing game as well. Since the NBA went to the 2-3-2 format for the finals, teams have now split the first two games 12 times. In the previous 11, the winner of Game 3 has always gone on to win the championship.

Big whoop, both teams said in response to that one."We just can't let up. We're not good enough to just relax," said Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, who led Dallas' late-game charge in Game 2 at Miami. "We need to play with an edge at all times in every game. So hopefully (Sunday), with the crowd behind us, we're going to have a great game. Just looking at this one game."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was more succinct."I think both teams have bucked a lot of those numbers and odds up to this point already," he said. "We're a non-traditional team."Maybe that's one of the reasons why the Heat were so loose Saturday.Players arrived at the arena around noon, most with headphones on as they walked off the bus, bobbing heads in time with the music and nodding to people as they walked by. James and Wade were chatting and laughing, a few players checked out the turf that would host an Arena Football League game later Saturday night and some stretched their arms to tap the goalposts as they walked across the floor where a basketball court will be Sunday.

The mood couldn't have been more different from when they walked off the floor in Miami on Thursday, stunned by what just happened."We're coming home, but we know that's no guarantee of anything," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "We've lost at home this year in the playoffs. Now Miami has as well. The venue has significance, but it never guarantees anyone anything. ... The mistake that we're not going to make is feel like coming home is going to be something that helps get us over the hump. It's not going to be like that. Both these teams are too good of road teams."

Including the playoffs, the Mavericks have won 34 road games this season, tops in the NBA. Miami ranks second with 32.The Heat also haven't lost consecutive games since early March, winning after all six of their most recent losses by an average of 11.7 points. And in their last 24 games away from home, they're 17-7.

All good signs for Miami now, given that if it doesn't win one of the next three in Dallas, the season will end here."We've been a pretty resilient bunch all year," Heat forward Udonis Haslem said. "We've bounced back every time we've been knocked down. I'm expecting the same thing with this situation."There's stats the Mavs can point to as ones they like as well, including one that seems particularly significant: Miami rarely wins in Dallas, period.

Dallas has won 12 of the last 14 meetings between the teams at home, six of those coming in single-digit games. Of course, one of those two exceptions was the last time the Mavericks hosted a finals game, June 20, 2006, when Jason Terry missed a potentially game-tying 3-pointer, Wade got the rebound, threw the ball skyward as time expired and Miami prevailed 95-92.

"We're looking at Game 3. That's the only thing on our mind right now," Terry said. "We're at home. What does that mean? It means our building is going to be crazy. We're going to play with a lot of energy. Some of those shots we're missing better go down. That's what home court is all about."

The series is even.So, too, was the level of confidence both sides were showing Saturday.Come late Sunday night, neither of those statements will keep ringing true."I know I'm excited for the game tomorrow," James said before Miami's workout session on Saturday. "It hurt. We had time to let it hurt us as much as it could yesterday after the game. But today is a new day. And we're back and focused. We're a confident bunch. Me personally, I'm looking forward to the challenge. It's going to be fun."

Dallas Mavericks Vs Miami Heat Live Streaming NBA Scores Analysis Fixtures Channels Coverage June 2,2011.

2011-06-02T23:17:00.000+06:00

Dallas Mavericks Vs Miami Heat Live Streaming NBA Scores Analysis Fixtures Channels Coverage June 2,2011.

Preview :
9:00 PM ET, June 2, 2011
AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL

Points     Rebounds     Assists
DAL    Nowitzki 28.3    Chandler 9.0    Kidd 7.6
MIA    James 25.9    Bosh 8.9    James 5.4

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Mavericks-Heat Preview
MIAMI (AP) -- Brian Cardinal took one look at Dirk Nowitzki's injured finger, turned to the Dallas Mavericks' trainer and recommended his treatment plan.

"Cut it at the knuckle," Cardinal said, making a scissors motion with his right hand. "Like Ronnie Lott."

Good thing "Dr." Cardinal is a backup forward whose specialty is comic relief.

Nowitzki's injury was more source of fun than concern Wednesday, starting from the moment he woke up. He expected the torn tendon at the tip of his left middle finger to be sore and throbbing and it wasn't either.

So only the devilish teasers were even considering a Lott-like amputation of his fingertip.

Nowitzki took the practice court wearing a splint to keep the finger straight and figures it'll be mostly a nuisance for the next month or two. He and shooting coach Holger Geschwindner were planning their own workout later Wednesday to see which moves Nowitzki can and can't make and to come up with ways to compensate, starting with Game 2 of the NBA finals against the Miami Heat on Thursday night.

"Hey, (Rajon) Rondo played with one arm, so he might be able to play with nine fingers," Geschwindner said, smiling.

Nowitzki already is experimenting with different bandages. Trainer Casey Smith said, "We're going to make it as small as we can," and indeed Nowitzki's wrap at the start of practice was smaller than what he had at a news conference a few minutes before. He was down to a hard splint under the knuckle at the tip of his left middle finger, held on by strips of white tape. The bandage looped around the knuckle and tip, leaving the nail and top exposed.

Nowitzki was hurt trying to strip the ball from Chris Bosh with a little under 4 minutes left in the opener. He knew something serious was wrong because he couldn't straighten the tip. The injury is known as a "mallet finger" and generally takes six to eight weeks to heal.

With only quick, courtside treatment, Nowitzki managed to his 1 of 2 shots and all four free throws after the incident. He was 6 of 16 while healthy.

Because the problem is on Nowitzki's non-shooting hand, most of what he does will not be affected.

But some of his game will be.

He likes to drive to his left, dribbling hard to get to his favorite shooting spots or taking it all the way to the rim. It also could affect him on defense; don't expect him to swipe down on the ball with the ferocity he did on the play when he was injured.

"I think once the game starts, the adrenaline starts flowing, I don't think it will really slow me down much," Nowitzki said. "I'm not really worried about it."

Maybe he should be.

Because Miami knows where he's hurting, and everyone knows how much Nowitzki means to Dallas, it only makes sense that guys are going to swipe at his hands more than ever, knowing that even if they don't snatch the ball, they might rattle the splint.

"Somebody's going to swat down on it, whether they want to or not," Bosh said. "It's painful. As ballplayers, we all go through it."

Teammate Jason Terry said some shooters actually benefit from hand injuries because "it helps you lock in even more." He echoed the words of all his teammates when he emphasized how certain he was Nowitzki would still carry Dallas' offense.

"I think Dirk can shoot the ball with his eyes closed, with no hands, if he had to, especially in a game of this magnitude," Terry said.

With the Mavs joking about an injury to their best player, it's clear they aren't too uptight about losing the opener of the NBA finals, ending a five-game road winning streak or being down in a series for the first time this postseason.

Besides, the Mavs made so many mistakes in Game 1 they figured they deserved to lose.

Their biggest concern was getting outrebounded by 10. Coach Rick Carlisle called it losing at the line of scrimmage, saying, "The guys that hit first and hit most aggressively and with the most force are going to have the most success. And they did it better than we did last night."

The Heat were especially good at chasing their own missed shots. They got 16 of them, leading to 13 more shots than Dallas.

Miami got comfortable behind the arc, hitting 11 3-pointers, three more than any Mavs foe this postseason. Some of their attempts were so uncontested "they had time to set their feet, check the temperature in the gym and then let it fly," center Brendan Haywood said.

Dallas, meanwhile, made a playoff-low 37.3 percent of its shots and got a measly 17 points from the bench. Terry scored 12, but all in the first half as he was smothered by LeBron James; it was a surprise move by Miami because the Mavs were expecting him to be the secret weapon against Nowitzki.

Despite it all, the Mavs led after the first and second quarters and were up by eight points in the third quarter. They weren't really out of it until the final five minutes, when Dwyane Wade, James and Bosh put on the kind of show their fans wanted to see.

Each superstar made plays that sent the white-clad fans to their feet, hollering and celebrating as if it was 2006 all over again -- only better, because if Miami can win it all in the first season of their trio of collaborators, imagine how much better the Heat could be once the guys get more experience playing together.

People around the country are certainly interested, too.

Game 1 drew the highest overnight figures for an NBA finals opener since the 2004 series between the Pistons and Lakers. It was up 15 percent from the start of the 2006 series between these same teams.

While everyone saw James win a finals game for the first time in his career, and Wade dominate the second half much like he did during his MVP romp in '06, the Heat came away seeing plenty of room for improvement.

They made only 38.8 percent of their shots and didn't get rolling until the middle of the third quarter. They were slowed by Dallas' defense switching from man-to-man to zones.

"I think once we understood they were going to do that, we just said, let's just run our offense," Wade said.

The Heat felt better Wednesday about their injury concern, too. Mike Miller practiced after leaving the arena the night before with his left arm in a sling.

Dallas Mavericks Vs Miami Heat Live Streaming Game 1 NBA Scores Analysis Fixtures Channels Coverage May 31,2011.

2011-05-31T20:21:00.002+06:00

Dallas Mavericks Vs Miami Heat Live Streaming Game 1 NBA Scores Analysis Fixtures Channels Coverage May 31,2011.

Preview :
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade joked often, smiled easily, answered thoughtfully.A few minutes later, Dirk Nowitzki bounded up to a podium and offered a big "How we doin!" to the assembled media.You'd never know only one of them is a "good guy."

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Less than a year after solidifying their place as the NBA's villains with their high-profile partnership last summer, James, Wade and the Miami Heat are in the NBA finals against the Dallas Mavericks and Nowitzki, being portrayed as a sort of anti-James for sticking with his home team instead of taking the easy way out and going elsewhere for a better shot at a title.

And if you hated the theatrics of last summer, the light shows, pep rally, and everything else Miami did to celebrate winning the championship of July, better look away. The Heat are just four wins from the first of several titles that many predicted when James bolted Cleveland for South Florida.

The way it happened bothered plenty, but James only cares about the result.

"You know, we've got a lot of flack this year, mostly because of myself. And we've tried to use that as motivation every day we get on the basketball court," James said Monday. "But just play the game of basketball. That's all we can do is play the game of basketball at a high level. Play Miami Heat basketball."

Five years after Wade largely overwhelmed the Mavericks by himself to win the Heat's first championship, the teams arrive at Game 1 of the rematch Tuesday through decidedly different constructions. The Heat essentially sacrificed seasons for salary-cap space, making the playoffs through Wade's greatness but with no realistic chance of winning. But the gamble paid off in July, when James and Chris Bosh agreed to come and Wade committed to stay, giving Miami the Nos. 1, 2 and 3 players on perhaps the greatest free-agency list in NBA history.

Nowitzki's name was on it, too, and he even said he would have listened if had James and Wade tried to recruit him. His preference was to remain in Dallas, as long as owner Mark Cuban would do what it takes to give the big German another shot at a ring.

"Ultimately, that's where my heart was at. I almost felt like we had unfinished business after '06," Nowitzki said. "Had a great meeting with Mark there, free agency. All I needed was reassurance that he was going to keep going and keep building around this team, and keep putting all his resources for us to hopefully be up there one day. We're here again at the big stage. Hopefully we can turn it around this year and finish strong."

With reliable role players such as Jason Kidd, Jason Terry and Shawn Marion but no defined second scorer, the Mavericks arrived in the postseason as an afterthought, maybe even a first-round upset loser to Portland. Instead, a stunning sweep of the Lakers in the second round was followed by Nowitzki's spectacular play against Oklahoma City in the Western Conference finals, making the Mavs the last hope for the Heat haters who wanted Boston or Chicago to humble Miami.

"We are facing a very tough team, a very good team with a bunch of closers and leaders. And so we've got to just go from there and bring our best game," Nowitzki said. "But we as players, we're not really worried about who are the good guys or the bad guys, what the fans want. That's not going to matter to us, anyhow."

Nowitzki believed the Heat were the favorites "on paper" last summer, but things changed by the time they met twice in the first two months of the season. Dallas beat Miami both times -- the Mavs have won the last 14 regular-season meetings -- as the Heat stumbled to a 9-8 start amid speculation coach Erik Spoelstra could be fired, and criticism that James' and Wade's styles couldn't work together.

The Heat have it all figured out now: James and Wade alternating big shots in the clutch, Bosh grasping his role as the third scorer, key reserves Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller getting healthy at just the right time after nearly season-long injuries.

So the Heat could win, like it or not. And they're aware the more likely answer is not.

Wade was briefly the NBA's brightest star in 2006, when he averaged 34.7 points to lead the Heat back from a 2-0 deficit to beat the Mavs in six games. A second ring could elevate him to a second level -- or it could be diminished because he needed James and Bosh to get it.

"Only thing I care about is winning. That's all I care about," Wade said. "Whatever you guys want to decide to put me or talk about me, that's where I'll be. The biggest thing is to be a champion."

Wade said he was "blessed" to win a ring so early in his career, knowing this series is loaded with players who have been chasing one for more than a decade. Kidd reached the finals in consecutive years with the New Jersey Nets and figured he'd get another chance with the Nets or much sooner with the Mavericks. He's finally back -- the oldest of seven players on the Dallas roster born in the 1970s.

"You have great teams in this league like the Lakers and the Celtics and San Antonio, who were all winning championships. It didn't work out," he said. "But now we're here. And hopefully we can find a way to win a championship."

James had only once chance and his Cavaliers were quickly swept aside by the Spurs. That was back in 2007, a small-market matchup that drew the lowest TV ratings ever for the finals.

That won't be the case now.

The Heat's free-agency score brought unprecedented attention to the NBA's offseason, a new wave of fans to a sport that needs them with a labor crisis looming when this series is over.

People may not like the Heat, but they can't stop watching.

"It's probably going to get the highest-rated finals, maybe ever. Just because of what they were assembled to do, and then the team that we have, I think it makes for great TV," Terry said.

Oklahoma City Thunder Vs Dallas Mavericks Live Streaming Game 1 NBA Scores Analysis Fixtures Channels Coverage May 17,2011.

2011-05-17T23:34:00.002+06:00

Oklahoma City Thunder Vs Dallas Mavericks Live Streaming Game 1 NBA Scores Analysis Fixtures Channels Coverage May 17,2011.

Preview :
DALLAS (AP) -- Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan have been through so many playoff series, they would be good sources to discuss the prevailing themes in the Western Conference finals, like how valuable experience is at this stage and whether there's such thing as too much rest between rounds.

Only, Bryant and Duncan aren't around. For just the second time since 1998, neither the Lakers nor the Spurs will represent the West in the NBA finals.

Instead, it'll either be Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd and the aging-but-rested Dallas Mavericks, or Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the rapidly maturing Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Mavericks are a collection of 30-somethings bonded by a collective pursuit of their first championship. They have plenty of guys who've come close to a title, including a few holdovers from the 2006 team that interrupted the collection of conference titles piled up by the Spurs and Lakers.

With strong defense and so many scoring options they never know who'll share top billing with Nowitzki, Dallas swept the two-time defending champion Lakers in the second round. The reward was a nine-day wait for Game 1 on Tuesday night.

Or maybe that was a punishment.

"That's a looong layoff," Mavs center Tyson Chandler said Monday. "Yesterday, the scrimmage got a little chippy, so it was obvious we were ready to play somebody else."

Dallas had to keep waiting because the Thunder had its hands full with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Oklahoma City went the full seven games and then some, playing three overtimes in one game and one extra period in another. While most clubs would've wanted some down time, the Thunder might be the exception. With their age and exuberance, a lone day off between series may have felt like an eternity.

"We have a young, energetic, athletic team that loves to play and wants to play every night," coach Scott Brooks said. "We're excited about being in the position that we are in. We're not 'just happy to be here' and just 'whatever happens happens."

Without the Lakers, and with the Eastern Conference finals featuring the newly crowned MVP and newly crowned Coach of the Year against the glitzy guys from South Beach, this series could be considered the undercard. Having clubs located 200 miles apart in the south, central part of the country certainly doesn't bode well for television ratings.

Maybe Mavs owner Mark Cuban will break his recent self-imposed silence and take shots at Oklahoma. He's lived in Texas long enough to know the enmity between Longhorns and Sooners. It's worth noting he was one of two owners to vote against the SuperSonics moving from Seattle to Oklahoma City.

Then again, the battle of headliners Dirk and Durant could be enough to drive this series.

If not, there are plenty of other good story lines.

- Age, experience vs. youth, inexperience

The contrast in age will be talked about a lot and for good reason.

The top four scorers on the Thunder are 23 or younger. The Mavs only have two guys who are 23 or younger and neither has played this postseason.

Dallas relies on seven players in their 30s. Oklahoma City has only two guys in their 30s and both are backups.

Although no Mavericks have won a title, nearly all of them have deep reservoirs of big-game experience. The Thunder have few guys who've ever been this close to a title, but they have two guys with rings: center Kendrick Perkins (2008, Boston) and his backup, Nazr Mohammed ('05, Spurs).

"We've got to put them in position they haven't been in to be able to use that wisdom," Kidd said. "If you don't, they're just as talented as any team left in the playoffs."

- Rest vs. rust?

Before they were put on hiatus, the Mavs had won a franchise-record six straight postseason games. It remains to be seen whether they can pick up where they left off.

In the shot-clock era, teams that have gone at least nine days between series are 9-9 in Game 1s, and 11-7 in the next round, according to research by STATS LLC.

Among the teams to win Game 1 and the series was the 2004 Pacers, coached by Rick Carlisle, who is now Dallas' coach.

"I like what we've done and I know guys are ready to play," he said.

- Revenge

In February 2009, Chandler was driving to the airport, bound for Oklahoma City to join the Thunder, when his phone rang. He was told to head home. Oklahoma City said he failed a physical and rescinded the deal.

He hasn't forgotten.

In three games against the Thunder this season, he had among his best scoring averages (12.7 points) and easily his most rebounds (15.3) against any team.

"You really don't need any extra incentives," he said, "but I've got some extra ones."

- Matchups

These teams hardly know each other.

Dallas won two of the three regular-season meetings, but that's pretty meaningless. The Mavs had Caron Butler for the first two games and didn't have Nowitzki for 1 1/2 of those games. Butler has since gone down for the season and Peja Stojakovic has arrived. The Thunder shored up its interior by adding Perkins.

All eyes will be on how each team covers the other's superstar.

Shawn Marion will start against Durant, the league's two-time reigning scoring champion, and will get help from Nowitzki and others -- perhaps even Kidd, who often covered Bryant last round. Carlisle won't expect Kidd to stay with the speedy Westbrook.

"We've got to build a wall on him," Chandler said. "It's not about one guy stopping him. It's about our team slowing him down."

Oklahoma City will start Serge Ibaka against Nowitzki, with Perkins, Mohammed, Durant, Nick Collison and James Harden among those who also may take turns against the big German.

"We have our work cut out for us," Durant said, "but it should be fun."

Atlanta Hawks Vs Chicago Bulls Live Streaming NBA Scores Analysis Fixtures Channels Coverage.

2011-05-04T23:35:00.008+06:00

Atlanta Hawks Vs Chicago Bulls Live Streaming NBA Scores Analysis Fixtures Channels Coverage.espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
Derrick Rose should be fine. Time will tell if the Chicago Bulls will be, too.

The NBA's MVP went through a full practice Tuesday, one day after twisting his left ankle in the closing seconds of a 103-95 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Rose expects to be ready for Game 2 on Wednesday.

"It's fine, it's fine," he said at his MVP news conference in Lincolnshire, Ill., a few miles from the team's practice facility. "Actually, the medicine that they gave me was great. I woke up this morning feeling great, went to practice, worked out after afterward."

Coach Tom Thibodeau said his star point guard "didn't have any swelling" and told him he's fine -- encouraging news for the Bulls. Their performance on Monday night was not.

The top seed after winning a league-leading 62 games, Chicago delivered a dud in Game 1 after being pushed in a tough five-game series by Indiana in the opening round. Now, they're in a hole against a team that hadn't won a second-round game since the 1990s.

"A lot of people have written us off even before the series began, and we've been there before," Hawks coach Larry Drew said. "Now that we've been in these situations enough times, we respond totally different to them. We don't listen to what's being said. We look at and pay attention to details now a little bit better than we have in the past. I do believe that this team is a little bit more hungry."

The Bulls figured Atlanta was a threat. For one night, anyway, they were right.

The Bulls' defense and rebounding that set the tone during the regular season were nowhere to be found, and the offense never really found its rhythm with its star delivering an uncharacteristically passive performance.

Yes, Rose finished with 24 points and 10 assists, but he settled at times for jumpers rather than his electrifying drives and wound up going 11 for 27 from the field after missing his first seven shots.

The scene in the closing seconds sent an extra shiver through Chicago when Rose came up limping after he stepped on Jamal Crawford's foot and twisted the same ankle he sprained against Indiana.

Asked if he thought about taking Rose out, Thibodeau said, "No. I've seen too many comebacks."

It was hardly an MVP performance on a night when news broke that he was getting the award. That was hardly shocking the way he dominated during the season, but his showing in Game 1 was a bigger surprise.

Asked if he could remember the last time he didn't attempt a free throw, Rose said, "Probably my rookie year or something like that."

Actually, it happened three times during the season. Then again, a short memory might not be such a bad thing for him in this case.

Rose was being guarded primarily by Jeff Teague, an occasional starter who played a total of 9 minutes over two appearances in the opening round against Orlando. He started because Kirk Hinrich is likely out for the series with a hamstring strain.

Rose didn't take advantage of Teague, who had 10 points, five assists and only one turnover.

"I don't know how much talking the coaches did to him, but I know I was in his (ear), letting him know how important this moment was and how he had to seize it," Josh Smith said. "If he had to get on anybody, police anybody, do it. We'll respect what he's saying because he's the floor general."

Joe Johnson scored 34 points, hitting all five 3-point attempts. Jamal Crawford poured in 22 and the Hawks made 40 of 78 shots against one of the league's stingiest defenses.

They also outrebounded Chicago 38-37 and outhustled the Bulls for loose balls. Put simply, they looked like a team that belonged and not one that came in with an 0-15 second-round streak.

"We've gotten to the second round in the past and pretty much gotten embarrassed," Johnson said. "It was a sense of pride and a sense of urgency that we had last night. We're going to continue to try to play with the energy and intensity we had in Game One, we're going to bring it to Game Two."

They're also bracing for more from Rose.

"I'm sure he's going to come out with a lot more aggression," Johnson said. "We're going to be prepared for it, we're going to try to do whatever it takes to just kind of slow down. It's going to be tough."

Dallas Mavericks Vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Streaming NBA Scores Analysis Fixtures Channels Coverage.

2011-05-04T23:35:00.005+06:00

Dallas Mavericks Vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Streaming NBA Scores Analysis Fixtures Channels Coverage.espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki were born just two months apart in 1978, and they've both been NBA superstars for over a decade. They've won one league MVP award apiece, and Bryant has only a slight edge in career scoring averages and All-Star appearances.

Nobody would ever compare Nowitzki with Bryant in the metrics that matter most, however. In championships, in big-game performances, Dirk just isn't in Kobe's league.

Yet after Nowitzki and his Dallas Mavericks thoroughly outplayed Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers down the stretch of their 96-94 comeback victory in their second-round series opener, Nowitzki's teammates think this might be the season their German 7-footer erases their mutual postseason reputation -- although he'll have to damage Bryant's invincible aura to do it.

"He always wants the ball down the stretch, and he always finds a way to get it done," said Dallas guard Jason Kidd, whose veteran defensive savvy also caused problems for Bryant. "He likes that stage. You don't find a lot of guys who like that stage. Kobe is one of them, but (Nowitzki) has done a lot of work to get there with him. He and Kobe are the two best players on the floor, and he found a way to get it done last night."

Game 2 is Wednesday night at Staples Center.

Although Bryant is widely perceived to be the NBA's best late-game scorer after a 15-year career filled with clutch play, some statistics show Dirk is a better closer than Kobe, including Nowitzki's superior shooting percentage on last-minute shots in tight games. Bryant has missed crucial shots in several buzzer-beating situations over the past few postseasons, including his miss off the back rim to end Game 1.

Nowitzki scored 11 points in the fourth quarter Monday night during the Mavericks' first-ever playoff win in Los Angeles, including four in the final 40 seconds. With Staples Center collectively screaming in his ear with 19.5 seconds to play, Nowitzki coolly made two free throws to give Dallas its first lead of the second half.

"I've basically seen it all in this league," Nowitzki said after the Mavericks' workout at the Los Angeles Clippers' training complex. "It's my 13th year. I've got to be ready for anything. I can adjust to just about anything, and the good thing is we've got a lot of shooters on this team. We can do a lot of things."

Bryant scored 21 of his 36 points in the second half, but he couldn't close out the Mavs. His bad pass was stolen by Jason Terry with 20 seconds left, and he fumbled a handoff from Pau Gasol with 4 seconds to play before missing that catch-and-shoot 3-pointer.

Nowitzki was the cooler playoff customer, while Bryant made crucial mistakes to cap the Lakers' collapse. No wonder Staples Center fans appeared more confused than angry after their team blew a 16-point lead to lose their second straight series opener.

"I'm not clutch," Bryant deadpanned after sitting out another practice at the Lakers' training complex.

Nowitzki and Bryant have struck up a friendship during times together at All-Star games or the Olympics, but Bryant doesn't feel a personal rivalry with Nowitzki. After all, they had never met in the playoffs before Game 1.

"It's different, because it's not a personal challenge for me to try to stop him or make things difficult for him," Bryant said. "It's a little different in that regard."

Their career postseason scoring averages are nearly identical, around 25.5 points apiece, and they're both among the highest in NBA history. But Bryant has scored at least 30 points in 81 playoff games, more than anybody except Michael Jordan, and his steady brilliance has pushed the Lakers to seven NBA finals, including the past three.

Nowitzki's offensive talents are unique among 7-footers, but he still hasn't led the Mavericks to the franchise's first title during a decade of playoff appearances.

He got close in 2006, but Nowitzki shot poorly while the Mavericks blew a 2-0 lead over the Miami Heat to lose the NBA finals. A year later, Dallas was knocked out of the first round by eighth-seeded Golden State, and Nowitzki went 2 for 13 in the Warriors' clinching victory after a horrific series effort, forcing him into the bittersweet spectacle of accepting his only NBA MVP award after the Mavericks had been eliminated.

Dallas had won just one round in the previous four postseasons combined, even with Nowitzki averaging more than 26 points per game over the past three years, before knocking off Portland in the first round this spring. The Trail Blazers set the stage for a typical Mavs collapse by coming back from a 23-point deficit in Game 4 to even the series -- but Dallas responded with two impressive closeout wins.

"We're mentally tougher than we have been," Nowitzki said. "It showed after the meltdown in Portland, coming back and winning two games when everybody said we were dead. We're a lot of veteran guys who have been around a lot in this league."

After Nowitzki's 28-point, 14-rebound performance in Game 1, the Lakers claimed they aren't planning a new defensive approach. Gasol, Lamar Odom and Ron Artest will share defensive duties, but Los Angeles realizes it must improve its rotation to prevent Nowitzki's teammates from spreading the floor for open shots.

The Lakers appeared thoroughly unperturbed by their third loss in seven postseason games this spring, even after blowing a 16-point lead. Unlike the Mavs, they have a large memory bank filled with postseason resilience to draw upon when things go wrong.

"We're playing against one of the best teams in the NBA, and there's no anticipation of being able to get up to a certain level and be able to maintain a lead," Lakers guard Derek Fisher said. "We've accepted the fact that it won't be perfect. We're going to lose games."

New king of NBA jersey sales : LeBron Reclaims Top Spot In NBA Jersey Sales

2011-04-14T20:58:00.001+06:00

New king of NBA jersey sales : LeBron Reclaims Top Spot In NBA Jersey Sales

There's a new king in NBA jersey sales. In his first season with the Miami Heat, LeBron James has reclaimed the top spot on the NBA's best-selling jersey list.

James is back at No. 1 for the first time since April 2004. Kobe Bryant, who held the top spot for the last two seasons, falls to No. 2.

The NBA's top-selling jerseys list is based on sales on NBAStore.com since the start of the 2010-11 NBA season.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the list comes at No. 3, a spot claimed by the Boston Celtics' Rajon Rondo, who finished 15th last season.

It's the biggest jump of any player this season and is remarkable given his popularity is still likely limited to the Boston area. Rondo traded places with his teammate Kevin Garnett, who fell from third to 15th.

Other players who saw their jersey jump in popularity include the New York Knicks' Amar'e Stoudemire, who ranks fourth after not making the list last year. Rookies John Wall and Blake Griffin were tops in the rookie class, coming in at 10th and 11th, respectively.

The New Orleans Hornets' Chris Paul saw the biggest drop, falling out of the top 15 after finishing seventh last year.

A league high -- and Most Popular Jersey list record -- five Boston Celtics made the top 15 (Rondo at No. 3, Shaquille O'Neal at No. 12, Ray Allen at No. 13, Paul Pierce at No. 14, and Garnett at No. 15).

It wasn't enough to help Boston claim the overall top spot in team sales. That distinction falls to the Los Angeles Lakers, whose gear is the No. 1 most popular selling team merchandise for the eighth time in the last nine seasons.

Making its first top-10 appearance in team history is the Oklahoma City Thunder at No. 6. It will likely come as no shock that the Cleveland Cavaliers fell out of the top 10 in team merchandise sales this season. The Cavaliers were the third most popular team in the 2009-10 season, the last before King James took his talents -- and jersey sales -- to South Beach.

Here's a look at the top 10 jersey-selling teams in 2010-11:

1. Los Angeles Lakers
2. Boston Celtics
3. Miami Heat
4. New York Knicks
5. Chicago Bulls
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
7. Orlando Magic
8. San Antonio Spurs
9. Denver Nuggets
10. Phoenix Suns

Los Angeles Lakers Vs Sacramento Kings Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 13,2011.

2011-04-14T08:41:00.002+06:00

Los Angeles Lakers Vs Sacramento Kings Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 13,2011.espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
All of a sudden, the Los Angeles Lakers have major concerns other than their poor play down the stretch after an injury to center Andrew Bynum.

Concern that the Sacramento Kings could be moving south seems to have been replaced by the growing sense that it will soon become reality.

The Lakers will be dealing with the aftermath of another injury to Bynum as they try to clinch the Western Conference's No. 2 seed Wednesday night in what will likely be the Kings' final game in Sacramento.

Los Angeles (56-25) ended a five-game skid with Tuesday's 102-93 home win over San Antonio, but it may have come at a cost. Bynum fell to the court after stepping on DeJuan Blair's foot during the second quarter and the shot-blocking 7-footer will have an MRI on Wednesday.

Bynum was hurt while getting back on defense, awkwardly tumbling to the court and nearly doing the splits while putting an inordinate amount of weight on his right knee.

Coach Phil Jackson acknowledged that Bynum could be out for at least a few games.

"We've seen him go down a couple of times that have been debilitating, so there's a concern," Jackson said. "It was kind of a freaky play, but they usually are, and that's what basketball is."

The Lakers need a victory or a loss by Dallas to New Orleans on Wednesday to gain the No. 2 seed. Los Angeles has been the top seed in winning the NBA title the past two seasons.

Jackson has won eight of his 11 titles as the conference's top seed. One of the seasons he didn't need a No. 1 seed to win it all brings back painful memories to Sacramento fans -- 2001-02.

The Kings were the No. 1 seed that season and lost a dramatic West finals to the Lakers in seven games. It was part of an era when the franchise reached the playoffs eight straight times from 1999-2006.

Sacramento (24-57) hasn't been back to the postseason since, and likely won't be hosting NBA basketball again after 26 seasons in California's capital.

Anaheim's City Council issued the bonds needed to entice the franchise and new federal trademark rights have been requested.

The Kings' owners, the Maloof brothers, have until Monday to officially file for permission to relocate, and a vote would likely come within weeks of that request. Approval by a simple majority of the owners is virtually guaranteed.

"It's going to be a basketball funeral," said Robert Crashner, a Kings season-ticket holder for almost a decade. "Unless a miracle happens, I guess it's going to be over."

The Lakers have won eight of their last nine against the Kings, and four straight in Sacramento. The Kings could be without high-scoring guard Tyreke Evans, who sat out Monday's 120-112 loss to Oklahoma City with a sprained left ankle.

Still, Sacramento wants to give its fans a memorable send-off.

"If it's the last game in this building, we want to close it out with a win over the Lakers and if it's something that will catapult us to next season here, we want to win it with a win over the Lakers," coach Paul Westphal said.

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San Antonio Spurs Vs Phoenix Suns Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 13,2011.

2011-04-14T08:40:00.002+06:00

San Antonio Spurs Vs Phoenix Suns Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 13,2011.espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
Last season, the Phoenix Suns swept the San Antonio Spurs out of the playoffs. It's quite a different story this year.

The Spurs are headed to the postseason as the Western Conference's top seed while the Suns are closing out a poor campaign Wednesday night at home.

San Antonio (61-20) still has something to play for in its finale, since it's tied with Chicago for the best record in the NBA. If the teams are tied after Wednesday, a random draw will decide which team would have home-court advantage in a possible NBA finals meeting.

It's unclear how important that is to San Antonio, which rested starters Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Antonio McDyess in Tuesday's 102-93 road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Coach Gregg Popovich, though, indicated that those players will all likely return against the Suns (39-42) in order to avoid any rust before the playoffs begin.

"It's a back-to-back, and I'd rather play (Wednesday) and not have such a long time before the weekend," Popovich said. "(The reserves) got some experience. I'm happy with what they did."

Richard Jefferson was the lone regular San Antonio starter to play. The Spurs kept the game close throughout, and were tied with 5:56 left.

"I think it showed the character, the heart that we have, and we're a pretty deep team," guard George Hill said. "We tried to give the best effort we could, and that's all you can hope for. All of us thought we could win. That was our whole motive going into the game."

Phoenix was a step away from reaching the finals last season after eliminating San Antonio in the conference semifinals. The Suns lost to the Lakers in six games, though, and after trading Amare Stoudemire to New York in the offseason will finish with their first losing record in seven years.

The Spurs have won all three meetings with the Suns this season, limiting Phoenix to 33.3 percent shooting on 3-pointers. Jefferson has led the way with 19.0 points per game in the season series while Duncan has added averages of 17.7 points and 12.0 rebounds.

San Antonio, which hasn't swept four regular-season meetings from Phoenix since 2003-04, has shot 50.2 percent against the Suns in 2010-11.

Phoenix survived a poor defensive effort in Monday's 135-127 overtime win over Minnesota, which shot 54.7 percent and outrebounded the Suns 45-35.

"Good win, but we weren't very good defensively," coach Alvin Gentry said. "Obviously, we gave up 65 points in the first half and they shot 62 percent."

Channing Frye set a Suns regular-season single-game record with nine 3-pointers after going 1 for 10 over his previous three games. He finished with a career-high 33 points.

"Tonight I'm just happy the ball went in," Frye said. "My teammates did a good job finding me."

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San Antonio Spurs Vs Phoenix Suns Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 13,2011.San Antonio Spurs Vs Phoenix Suns Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 13,2011.San Antonio Spurs Vs Phoenix Suns Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 13,2011.

Memphis Grizzlies Vs Los Angeles Clippers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 13,2011.

2011-04-14T08:39:00.002+06:00

Memphis Grizzlies Vs Los Angeles Clippers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 13,2011.espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
Leading scorer and rebounder Zach Randolph was surprisingly held out by the Memphis Grizzlies their last time out in a crucial game with playoff seeding on the line.

With Randolph unlikely to be available again, the visiting Grizzlies try for a fourth win in five meetings with the Los Angeles Clippers as the teams conclude their regular seasons Wednesday night.

Memphis (46-35) fell 102-89 at Portland on Tuesday to drop into a seventh-place tie with New Orleans and lost any chance it had of earning the sixth seed in the Western Conference.

The Hornets, who play at Dallas on Wednesday, own the tiebreaker over the Grizzlies thanks to a better Southwest Division record.

Randolph, averaging 20.1 points and 12.2 rebounds, was in uniform but remained on the bench for the duration of Tuesday's game.

"I didn't want to play Zach these last two games because I want to get him rested and fresh," coach Lionel Hollins said. "He hurt his elbow and he has the bad knee and I just didn't want to have him out there banging for two more games when we have the playoffs going."

Defensive specialist Tony Allen was also held out due to swelling in his left knee and ankle.

Randolph, who spent part of the 2008-09 season with the Clippers, is averaging just 11.5 points on 35.7 percent shooting in his last two road games against his former team.

In his first start in more than three months, O.J. Mayo had 13 points and five rebounds while Mike Conley scored 17.

"I think our mindset is that teams will fall where they may, and we're just going to have to deal with whoever we play and be focused for that team," said Conley, who scored 20 points in an 82-81 loss to Los Angeles on April 5. "Any way you cut it, you're going to play a good team."

The Clippers (31-50) had lost three straight and four of five to Memphis prior to beating the Grizzlies last week on the first stop of their recent four-game trip.

Los Angeles, though, went on to lose the remaining three games -- including a 99-78 defeat to Houston on Saturday in which it matched its lowest scoring output of the season.

Rookie of the year favorite Blake Griffin scored 13 points on 6 of 18 shooting but also had 10 rebounds for his 62nd double-double -- third most in the league.

"You could say I let us down but the weight isn't only on my shoulders," said Griffin, averaging 11.5 points -- 10.9 less than his season mark -- on 40.0 percent shooting in his last two meetings with Memphis.

"It's about improvement and growth on a consistent basis but I always think I can get better."

The Clippers averaged 91.0 points during their trip, but have won 15 of 20 at home while scoring 104.0 per game.

Memphis is holding teams to an average of 90.3 points on 43.9 percent shooting during a 9-3 run. Los Angeles is 7-21 when shooing under 44.0 percent.

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Memphis Grizzlies Vs Los Angeles Clippers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 13,2011.Memphis Grizzlies Vs Los Angeles Clippers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 13,2011.Memphis Grizzlies Vs Los Angeles Clippers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 13,2011.

Portland Trail Blazers Vs Golden State Warriors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 13,2011.

2011-04-14T08:38:00.002+06:00

Portland Trail Blazers Vs Golden State Warriors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 13,2011.espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
One thing is certain -- the Portland Trail Blazers will open the postseason on the road.

Coach Nate McMillan's team will have to see how the final day of the regular season shakes out to see which of three cities they'll be headed to begin the playoffs.

After clinching the sixth seed in the Western Conference with a victory in their home finale, the Trail Blazers close the regular season Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors.

Despite having its season high-tying eight-game home winning streak snapped with a 108-87 loss to Golden State (35-46) on April 5, Portland (48-33) clinched its third consecutive playoff berth earlier that night with Houston's loss to Sacramento.

With a 102-89 victory over Memphis on Tuesday, the Trail Blazers won for the fifth time in six games and know they'll meet the third seed when the postseason starts.

"Whenever you can get through everything we've been through this year -- the injuries and the guys out of the lineup -- and still be the sixth seed it feels good," LaMarcus Aldridge said after recording his fourth straight double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds.

However, the Trail Blazers won't know who to prepare for until Wednesday's games are completed.

The Los Angeles Lakers, who defeated West-leading San Antonio 102-93 on Wednesday to tie Dallas for the second seed, could drop to No. 3 if they lose at Sacramento and the Mavericks defeat New Orleans.

Dallas, though, would finish third if they lose to the Hornets, the Lakers win and Oklahoma City loses to Milwaukee.

The Blazers could also face the Northwest Division champion Thunder if Oklahoma City wins and Dallas loses.

Portland has dropped five its last seven on the road, and is 18-22 away from home this season.

While the Blazers prepare for the postseason, the Warriors conclude their fourth straight season without a playoff berth.

The play of Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry has given the franchise plenty of promise heading into 2011-12, but the two starting guards may miss Wednesday's finale.

Ellis, who leads the league in minutes per game (40.4) and is averaging 24.1 points, 5.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds, suffered a concussion in Sunday's 104-103 loss to Sacramento. Without the sixth-year guard, Golden State closed out its road schedule Monday with a 134-111 loss to Denver.

"Well, you miss your go-to guy," coach Keith Smart said of Ellis, who's listed as day-to-day.

Curry, scoring a career-best 18.6 points per game with 5.8 assists, sprained his right ankle in the fourth quarter and is questionable.

If the team's top two scorers are out, Dorell Wright could have even more chances to impress in the final game of his breakout season. The seventh-year swingman, acquired from Miami last summer, needs 10 points Wednesday to finish with more this season than in his first six combined (1,333).

Wright is averaging 10.7 points and 6.3 rebounds in three games against Portland this season. He scored five of his 16 in the fourth quarter and grabbed eight boards in the teams' only meeting in Oakland this season -- a 109-102 Warriors victory on Christmas Day.

Golden State is trying to win the season series from Portland for the fourth time in six years.
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Portland Trail Blazers Vs Golden State Warriors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 13,2011.Portland Trail Blazers Vs Golden State Warriors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 13,2011.Portland Trail Blazers Vs Golden State Warriors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 13,2011.

Utah Jazz Vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.

2011-04-05T23:37:00.003+06:00

Utah Jazz Vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
Pau Gasol hasn't missed a game all season. If that streak continues, the Los Angeles Lakers' home streak over the Utah Jazz likely will as well.

Gasol will be a game-time decision Tuesday night when the Lakers try for their 18th straight home win over the Jazz, losers of eight straight.

Los Angeles (55-21) had its nine-game win streak snapped with a 95-90 home loss to Denver on Sunday, but any extended loss of Gasol would make the defeat worse. Gasol was fouled by Nene on a dunk and crashed to the floor holding his right knee with 9:17 left in the third quarter, and went to the dressing room before returning to the game.

Gasol has been diagnosed with a right knee bone bruise.

"I feel actually a little better than I did last night, which is a good sign," Gasol said Monday. "I feel good about it."

Gasol has averaged 19.0 points on 64.9 percent shooting and 9.0 rebounds to help Los Angeles go 2-1 against Utah (36-41) this season. He feels the injury could have been much worse.

"It was a scary moment for me but I was able to get up and while I was walking the pain was kind of decreasing, so that's a good sign too," Gasol said.

Andrew Bynum left Sunday's game with a knee injury, but he expects to play Tuesday.

The Lakers fell 2 1/2 games behind San Antonio for the best record in the Western Conference. That's the same margin they lead Dallas by for the No. 2 seed.

Los Angeles needs five more wins to reach 60 for the 12th time and third under coach Phil Jackson. All seven of Jackson's teams to reach 60 victories won the NBA title, including five times with Chicago.

It's clear that the coach's methods that have earned him the moniker the "Zen Master" have had a positive effect on the Lakers.

"You don't get too high, you don't get too low," guard Kobe Bryant said. "You don't listen to the praises, you don't listen to the criticisms. You just go out there and do your job, and you do it the best you can."

Including the playoffs, the Lakers have not lost at home to the Jazz since Jan. 1, 2006.

Los Angeles put five players in double figures in a 96-85 victory at Utah on Friday, rallying from a six-point halftime deficit. Jackson felt the grueling effort a day after a huge win over Dallas was a reason for the Lakers' loss Sunday.

"To get in at 3:30 in the morning and then have to really put it down to beat Utah instead of having a game in which we probably could have had a great energy at the start and maybe have a laugher as we went through it," Jackson said. "It was a game that took a lot out of us to play, and guys were still exhausted from that game."

Utah has not lost nine straight since March 4-19, 2005. That 2004-05 season is the lone losing campaign for the Jazz in the previous 27 seasons.

They are one loss away from another one after allowing Sacramento to shoot 51.9 percent in Sunday's 106-97 loss.

"They shot the ball well," coach Tyrone Corbin said. "Our defense was not there."

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Utah Jazz Vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.Utah Jazz Vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.Utah Jazz Vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.

Golden State Warriors Vs Portland Trail Blazers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.

2011-04-05T23:37:00.000+06:00

Golden State Warriors Vs Portland Trail Blazers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
The Portland Trail Blazers are on the verge of clinching their third consecutive postseason berth, but coach Nate McMillan doesn't want his squad looking too far ahead. The Golden State Warriors could cause his team plenty of problems on Tuesday night.

The Blazers look to win their season-high ninth straight at home as they face a Warriors team that's dropped eight consecutive road games.

One game ahead of New Orleans and Memphis for sixth place in the Western Conference standings, Portland (45-32) will earn a spot in the playoffs with either a victory or a Houston loss to Sacramento on Tuesday.

The Blazers could have clinched Sunday with a 104-96 win over Dallas, but the ninth-place Rockets staved off elimination with a 114-109 win against Atlanta.

"Tomorrow night we need to come out with the same intensity, focus -- (the Warriors), we've had some trouble against," McMillan, whose team has won eight of 11, said following Monday's practice. "We had them here in our building and were able to escape with a (96-95) victory (on Dec. 18) with Monta Ellis missing a game winner. Then they get us down in Oakland (a 109-102 loss on Dec. 25). It's a team that can cause some problems with their speed and their ability to score."

Ellis, averaging a team-best 32.5 points against the Blazers this season after scoring 39 in the Christmas Day victory, may still be tough to cover for Wesley Matthews and Andre Miller despite suffering a strained right ankle in Wednesday's 110-91 loss at Memphis.

The Warriors sixth-year guard bounced back from that injury and scored 18 of his 32 in the third quarter of Saturday's 99-92 win over the Mavericks.

"We just have to learn from these games," Ellis said. "Watch a lot of film and see the good things we did and correct the bad things we did. Treat every game like it's our last five. We still have a job to do and that's to finish the season up strong."

The Warriors' defense is not strong -- they are 29th in scoring defense at 106.1 points per game -- but they limited the Mavericks to 41.1 percent shooting from the field Saturday to improve to 16-4 when holding teams under 100 points.

The Blazers are scoring 103.6 points per game -- 7.1 more than their season average -- during their home winning streak. The team's last 9-0 stretch at home was a 12-game run Jan. 24-March 9, 2009.

LaMarcus Aldridge leads the Blazers with 22.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game during their current surge at home, while Gerald Wallace is averaging 16.4 and 6.9, respectively, in these contests.

Golden State guard Stephen Curry, who missed the Dec. 18 loss with a sprained right ankle, will play his first game in Portland since helping the Warriors snap a four-game road skid in this matchup with a career-high 42 points in a 122-116 victory last April 14.

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Golden State Warriors Vs Portland Trail Blazers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.Golden State Warriors Vs Portland Trail Blazers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.Golden State Warriors Vs Portland Trail Blazers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.

Oklahoma City Thunder Vs Denver Nuggets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.

2011-04-05T23:36:00.002+06:00

Oklahoma City Thunder Vs Denver Nuggets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
The Northwest Division title won't be decided Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center, but the outcome between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets could go a long way toward determining the winner.

In the first of two meetings in four days, the Thunder look to open up a four-game division lead while the second-place Nuggets try to cut their deficit to two.

Oklahoma City (50-26) and Denver (47-29) each have six games remaining. Two of those contests are against one another, with the teams meeting again Friday in Oklahoma City.

Both clubs have a game in between, with the Thunder hosting the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday and the Nuggets visiting Dallas that night.

Oklahoma City can clinch the division by winning those two remaining games against Denver, but the Nuggets could also be right on the Thunder's heels if they're victorious in the final two meetings.

The division winner would get home-court advantage in a first-round playoff series -- likely against one another. Oklahoma City is in fourth place in the Western Conference, 2 1/2 games back of third-place Dallas, while fifth-place Denver owns a 2 1/2-game lead over sixth-place Portland.

Home court is extremely important to both teams. The Thunder have taken eight of nine in Oklahoma City and the Nuggets are riding a 10-game winning streak in Denver.

The clubs have split the first two meetings, each winning at home. They last played Jan. 19, a 112-107 Nuggets victory, their seventh straight home win over the Oklahoma City franchise since a 100-97 loss to the Seattle SuperSonics on March 28, 2007.

Denver hopes to carry over some momentum from a 95-90 win over the surging Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, its sixth consecutive victory.

"It's a big win," point guard Raymond Felton told NBA.com. "You hear Lakers, you hear Dallas, certain teams. But you have to talk about the Nuggets, too."

Danilo Gallinari had a team-high 22 points while Kenyon Martin scored six of his 18 in the final 3:24 for Denver, which is 15-4 since trading Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups to New York on Feb. 21.

"It helps us a lot as a young team," forward Wilson Chandler said of beating a Lakers club competing for first place in the West. "It helps us build confidence and trust each other and it helps us be grounded when the game is tight at the end."

While the Nuggets are looking to build on an impressive victory, the Thunder are hoping to put a discouraging 98-92 loss to the Clippers behind them.

Kevin Durant had 23 points, but Russell Westbrook shot 1 of 12 and finished with nine points, his fewest since scoring eight in a loss to San Antonio on New Year's Day.

Oklahoma City has averaged 91.5 points in losing its last two games after averaging 109.4 while winning the previous five.

"We can't panic," Durant told the Thunder's official website. "We've lost two in a row but we're still at the top of the division."

Durant is the league leader with 27.7 points a game, but the two-time All-Star has averaged 20.5 points and 34.4 percent shooting in his last two contests in Denver.
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Oklahoma City Thunder Vs Denver Nuggets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.Oklahoma City Thunder Vs Denver Nuggets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.Oklahoma City Thunder Vs Denver Nuggets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.

Sacramento Kings Vs Houston Rockets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.

2011-04-05T23:35:00.002+06:00

Sacramento Kings Vs Houston Rockets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
The Houston Rockets know there's hardly anything they can do about the two teams they're chasing for one of the final Western Conference final playoff spots.

Right now, though, they're doing an awfully good job with what they can control.

Eight wins in 10 games have the Rockets within three games of a playoff spot, but there remains little margin for error in a final stretch that begins with a visit from the improving Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night.

Houston (41-36) was in 11th place in the jumbled West on March 14, but the playoff picture has become a bit clearer over the past three weeks.

Phoenix and Utah have fallen out, while the ninth-place Rockets have surged to stay within striking distance. Houston fell behind by 14 against Atlanta late in the second quarter Sunday, but rallied to win 114-109 and remain within three games of New Orleans and Memphis -- the teams holding the seventh and eighth seeds.

"Ever since after the (All-Star) break, we can say what we want to say about this team and dissect wins how we want," said guard Kevin Martin, who had 35 points. "But at the end of the day, we're just a pretty (darn) good basketball team."

The Rockets play New Orleans on Wednesday, and Houston can earn a tie of that four-game season series. The Hornets, though, would win a tiebreaker, as they have a better record than Houston within the Southwest Division.

That leaves Memphis, which has won seven of eight, as the team Houston can more realistically hope to catch. The Rockets took the season series from the Grizzlies, so they'll only have to finish with the same record to win a tiebreaker.

"We just keep hanging in there," coach Rick Adelman said. "That's all we can do."

Martin's certainly been doing his part. Houston's leading scorer has averaged 28.5 points over his last eight games while getting to the free-throw line 84 times -- making 80.

The Rockets are 17-8 when he scores at least 28 points.

Martin hasn't had any huge games against his former team, as he's averaging 17.0 points and shooting 33.3 percent, but Houston hasn't needed one from him. It's won its three meetings with Sacramento (22-54) by an average of 14.6 points, the most recent a 123-101 road rout March 7.

The Kings didn't have Tyreke Evans healthy for that meeting, and since he's returned after missing 19 games with plantar fasciitis, his team has looked much different. Sacramento won the final game without him and has run off four victories in six contests since his return, most recently beating Utah 106-97 on Sunday behind Evans' 24 points and 10 assists.

"He has been playing great," said Marcus Thornton, who has averaged 21.6 points since becoming the starting shooting guard March 5. "He's still not all the way healthy so when we get him back to 100 percent we're going to be a dangerous team. We're just trying to bring this momentum into training camp and next season."

Houston has won eight of its last nine home games against teams currently below .500.

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Los Angeles Lakers Vs Memphis Grizzlies Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.

2011-04-05T23:34:00.003+06:00

Los Angeles Lakers Vs Memphis Grizzlies Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
After taking care of business against the worst team in its conference, the Memphis Grizzlies will continue their pursuit of a playoff berth against another of the West's softer clubs.

The Grizzlies seek to tie a season high with their fifth consecutive victory Tuesday night when they host the Los Angeles Clippers.

Memphis (44-33) is tied with New Orleans for the last two playoff spots in the West. Both teams are three games ahead of ninth-place Houston with five to play.

"We understand we have to keep winning," Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said. "There is a point where we will be in if we keep winning and/or Houston starts losing. Our focus is to go out and play one game at a time, and when they tell us we are in, then we will be in.

"Until that time, we have just got to keep battling."

The Grizzlies defeated Minnesota 106-89 on Saturday night -- their season-best sixth straight home victory. Memphis, which is holding opponents to 89.3 points per game -- 8.4 less than its season mark -- during a 7-1 stretch, shot 51.1 percent from the floor against the Timberwolves.

Memphis is shooting 53.2 percent during its four-game overall win streak and 49.4 percent since the All-Star break -- the second-highest mark in the league.

The Grizzlies, who are averaging an NBA-best 51.3 points in the paint, outscored Minnesota 56-36 down low.

Big man Zach Randolph had 22 points and eight rebounds, while guard O.J. Mayo scored 20.

Randolph, who appeared in 39 games for the Clippers in 2008-09, had 30 points and 12 boards in a 105-82 home win over Los Angeles on March 14 -- the Grizzlies' fourth victory in five games in the series overall, and fifth in the last six home meetings. Memphis also prevailed 84-83 at Los Angeles on Dec. 11.

The Clippers (30-47), losers of three straight on the road, begin a four-game trip following Saturday night's 98-92 win over Oklahoma City.

Los Angeles overcame a 16-point deficit by outscoring the Thunder 61-43 in the second half to avoid a third straight loss.

"We just stepped it up defensively and stayed aggressive at the offensive end," rookie of the year favorite Blake Griffin said. "It's a great win, but it's only 30 wins. We have to do a better job closing out games and making sure we win a lot of them -- not just getting up to win certain games."

Griffin totaled 26 points and 16 rebounds for his fourth consecutive double-double. Griffin was held to a season-low eight points on 4-of-10 shooting in last month's loss to Memphis.

The Clippers have won five straight when holding teams below 100 points, but are allowing an average of 105.7 in their last six games away from home.

Los Angeles center Chris Kaman (viral infection) was held out for the second consecutive night while forward Ryan Gomes missed his first game of the season (sore knee). Both players are uncertain for this contest.
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Phoenix Suns Vs Chicago Bulls Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.

2011-04-05T23:34:00.000+06:00

Phoenix Suns Vs Chicago Bulls Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
The Chicago Bulls did just fine without Joakim Noah, and some are wondering how his return could affect Carlos Boozer.

Derrick Rose keeps putting up MVP-type numbers regardless of who is on the floor.

Rose and Boozer may see Noah rejoin the lineup Tuesday night as Chicago's quest for the Eastern Conference's top seed continues against the out-of-contention Phoenix Suns at the United Center.

The Bulls (56-20) lead the East by 2 1/2 games over Miami and three over Boston, and they may have a chance to wrap up the No. 1 seed as early as Thursday when they host the Celtics.

Noah, averaging a team-high 11.0 rebounds and 12.1 points, has sat out the past three games with a sprained right ankle but could be ready to come back Tuesday.

"He's almost there," coach Tom Thibodeau said after a 113-106 victory over Toronto on Saturday. "We're going to wait one more day. He's good straight ahead and not quite there laterally yet."

Chicago won all three games Noah missed, and Boozer had a big impact. He averaged 21.3 points and 10.7 rebounds in those victories while averaging 16.7 field-goal attempts.

Over the previous five games, after he missed five with a sprained ankle, Boozer attempted 11.2 shots per game as he averaged 12.6 points and 7.4 boards.

While Noah sometimes clogs the lane because he's a poor outside shooter who focuses more on rebounding, Kurt Thomas is a good mid-range shooter and seemed to give Boozer more space to operate as Thomas started at center the last three games.

Rose finds plenty of room all the time. He had 36 points and 10 assists Saturday for his third double-double in five games, a stretch in which he's averaging 29.4 points and 9.8 assists.

"That's what an MVP is I guess," Toronto's Jerryd Bayless said after trying to guard Rose on Saturday. "I think he should be it. I can't speak highly enough about him."

Phoenix saw first-hand how dominant Rose has become this season. He had 35 points and 12 assists as the Bulls rallied from a 23-point deficit to beat the Suns 123-115 in double-overtime Nov. 24. Rose's two free throws tied the game late in regulation, then he hit a reverse layup with 0.1 seconds left in the first extra period and scored Chicago's first five points of the second.

The Bulls have won four of the past five meetings, the lone loss coming last season in Chicago.

Phoenix clinched a playoff spot that night, winning 111-105 on March 30, but was eliminated from this season's chase with a 114-97 defeat to San Antonio on Sunday.

"I'm a realist. Even if we would've won every single game we played, that wouldn't have guaranteed us getting in the playoffs," coach Alvin Gentry said. "The chances of that were not good. It is what it is, but that doesn't mean we can't compete and play hard and finish on a real positive note. I think that is the thing we have to look at."

While the Suns (37-39) have dropped five of six, the Bulls have won 15 of 17.

Luol Deng, picked seventh overall by the Suns in 2004 but dealt to Chicago on draft day, has averaged 19.5 points versus Phoenix -- his best against any opponent. He had 26 points and 10 rebounds Nov. 24.

It's unclear if Steve Nash will return after missing the past two games with flu-like symptoms.

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Phoenix Suns Vs Chicago Bulls Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.Phoenix Suns Vs Chicago Bulls Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.Phoenix Suns Vs Chicago Bulls Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.

Toronto Raptors Vs New York Knicks Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.

2011-04-05T23:33:00.002+06:00

Toronto Raptors Vs New York Knicks Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
The New York Knicks have clinched their first playoff berth in seven years, and they can now turn their focus to moving up a spot in the Eastern Conference.

Facing the short-handed Toronto Raptors should be a good first step.

The Knicks look to complete their first four-game sweep of their Atlantic Division rival since Toronto's inaugural season Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

New York (38-38) certainly hasn't looked like a championship contender since trading for Carmelo Anthony, but it's going to get its much-anticipated shot at an East heavyweight starting in two weeks. The Knicks have bounced back from a six-game losing streak by winning three straight, locking up the franchise's first postseason berth since 2003-04 with a 123-107 victory over Cleveland on Sunday.

"That was the goal we set at the start of the season. The plan was to make the playoffs," said forward Amare Stoudemire, who had a game-high 28 points. "It's mission accomplished and now on to the next one."

New York is seventh in the East, 1 1/2 games behind Philadelphia, and it could catch the 76ers as soon as Wednesday when the teams go head to head.

The Knicks and Sixers will almost certainly face Miami and Boston in the first round, but those clubs are in a back-and-forth battle for the second seed.

The Knicks are 2-2 against the Heat and 0-3 versus the Celtics.

"Any time you accomplish a goal, you really have a sense of pride," Stoudemire said. "After that game (Sunday) night, I felt extremely emotional. ... But now it's time to get back on track."

New York hasn't swept four games from Toronto (21-55) since 1995-96, and doing so again may not be easy. Prior to beating the Cavaliers and Nets over the past week, the Knicks had lost six straight to sub-.500 teams.

In addition, the Raptors are coming off an impressive victory in their second game without point guard Jose Calderon and center Andrea Bargnani. A night after staying close before falling at East-leading Chicago, Toronto defeated Orlando 102-98 on Sunday behind 47 points from the starting backcourt of Jerryd Bayless and DeMar DeRozan.

"Everybody is playing well right now," said Bayless, who has scored 49 points in two games filling in for Calderon. "We're playing well, moving the ball and everybody is touching it. It's a fun way to play."

Bargnani or Calderon may not play in any of the remaining six games and that would be good news for the Knicks, particularly in the case of Bargnani. He scored a career-high 41 points at MSG in a 113-110 loss Dec. 8.

Stoudemire has averaged 28.0 points and 13.3 boards against the Raptors this season, but he may have trouble dominating the glass Tuesday. Toronto forward Reggie Evans, who missed two of the first three meetings with a broken foot, has averaged an NBA-best 20.9 boards per 48 minutes since returning March 9.

Anthony, who has yet to face the Raptors in a New York uniform, averaged 25.7 points in his last 12 games versus Toronto with Denver -- 11 wins.

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Philadelphia 76ers Vs Boston Celtics Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.

2011-04-05T23:32:00.002+06:00

Philadelphia 76ers Vs Boston Celtics Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
The Boston Celtics could face the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs. Whether each team will have a key contributor available remains to be seen.

The Celtics have again lost Shaquille O'Neal, while Louis Williams won't be on the floor for the Sixers when they visit TD Garden on Tuesday night.

O'Neal returned Sunday after missing more than two months with a strained left Achilles', but he limped off in the second quarter with a strained right calf. O'Neal, who managed six points in just over five minutes of the 101-90 win over Detroit, could be shut down for the rest of the regular season.

With limited depth at center due to injuries to Jermaine O'Neal and Nenad Krstic, the Celtics (53-23) desperately need the 39-year-old's inside presence as they gear up for the playoffs.

"I don't know what to do, honestly," Rivers said when asked if O'Neal should sit out the remaining six games. "My inclination is not, because he needs to play."

Jermaine O'Neal has played limited minutes in three games after missing the previous 36 with a nagging knee injury.

"We have to have one of the O'Neals," Rivers said. "And then Krstic has to be healthy. If we have that, we have size."

Kevin Garnett stepped up Sunday and scored a team-high 23 points for the Celtics, who are in third place in the Eastern Conference, one-half game behind Miami and three back of Chicago.

Boston has won two of three meetings with Philadelphia this season, with those games decided by a combined eight points.

The 76ers won the most recent matchup 89-86 on March 11 to avoid a four-game losing streak in the series. Boston has taken 12 of the last 15 meetings.

While the Celtics won't have O'Neal, the Sixers (40-37) will be without Williams, their top reserve who is third on the team with 13.7 points per game.

The guard strained his right hamstring during a 93-87 overtime loss to Milwaukee on Saturday and did not return. The team said he will be out for the foreseeable future.

The 76ers are in sixth place in the East, 1 1/2 games ahead of seventh-place New York with five remaining.

Philadelphia evidently missed Williams as it blew a 12-point lead against the Bucks and failed to win a season high-tying fourth straight.

"I talked to our guys a little bit about it. I said, 'That's what playoff basketball is going to be about. They're going to know all of our plays," coach Doug Collins said. "I know we picked it up back up in the fourth quarter. It's a shame we couldn't find a basket late in the game. We just couldn't make one."

The Sixers have dropped four of their last five games at Boston.

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Philadelphia 76ers Vs Boston Celtics Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.Philadelphia 76ers Vs Boston Celtics Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.Philadelphia 76ers Vs Boston Celtics Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.

Detroit Pistons Vs Washington Wizards Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.

2011-04-05T23:31:00.003+06:00

Detroit Pistons Vs Washington Wizards Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
Neither the Washington Wizards nor the Detroit Pistons will be in the playoffs.

The Wizards, though, are playing some of their best basketball of the season while the Pistons continue to falter.

Seeking a third consecutive win for the first time in four seasons, Washington will try to avoid a ninth straight loss to Detroit as the teams meet Tuesday night.

The Wizards, who last won three in a row April 4-9, 2008, beat Charlotte 97-91 on Sunday night for their third victory in four games and second straight on the road after losing 35 of their first 36 there.

"Back-to-back road wins are nice, but we've played at a pretty high level and had opportunities to win games over the last 10 (overall) or so," coach Flip Saunders said. "We've had our best stretch of ball of late."

After recording his first career triple-double with 21 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in Friday's 115-107 win over Cleveland, rookie Jordan Crawford continued his impressive play with 23 points Sunday.

"We're starting to get the mentality where we think we can," said Crawford, averaging 27.0 points over his last four games. "When you think you can win then you can pull it off."

Big man Andray Blatche also continues to step up, averaging 30.5 points and 18.0 rebounds in his last two.

The Wizards are averaging 104.6 points over their last five games -- 7.7 more than their season mark -- despite having played the last four without injured leading scorer Nick Young, who is questionable with an injured left knee.

Young, averaging 17.4 points, scored 21 in a 113-102 loss at Detroit on March 6 -- the team's eighth straight defeat in the series. The Wizards had lost two in a row to the Pistons at home by a combined five points prior to falling 99-90 on Jan. 12, 2010.

Detroit (26-50), which suffered its third straight loss and sixth in seven games with a 101-90 loss at Boston on Sunday, has lost 50 games in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1993-94 and 1994-95.

"The main thing, I think, is trying to finish out strong, compete every possession, and just try and get better at your craft," said guard Will Bynum, who scored 20 points.

The Pistons are averaging just 95.4 points over their last seven despite shooting 48.2 percent from the floor. They are 7-41 when scoring 100 or fewer points.

Richard Hamilton, who spent the first three seasons of his career with the Wizards, had 14 points against the Celtics.

Hamilton, scoring 14.4 points per game -- his lowest total since recording 9.0 during his rookie season -- is averaging 21.3 on 50.0 percent shooting in his last six contests.

Hamilton has made 9 of 17 (52.9 percent) from 3-point range and is averaging 26.3 points during his last three visits to Washington.

Guard Rodney Stuckey was held out Sunday due to an internal matter and his status for this game is unknown.

"This is a growing process," coach John Kuester told the Pistons' official website, "and in that growing process, he had a slight setback."

Stuckey is averaging 19.0 points in his last three road games.
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Detroit Pistons Vs Washington Wizards Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.Detroit Pistons Vs Washington Wizards Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.Detroit Pistons Vs Washington Wizards Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.

Milwaukee Bucks Vs Orlando Magic Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.

2011-04-05T23:31:00.000+06:00

Milwaukee Bucks Vs Orlando Magic Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy was frustrated after the Magic's sloppy play in an overtime win over the Milwaukee Bucks last month.

Almost three weeks after that meeting, Van Gundy is still venting following another lackluster effort by his team.

However, the Magic have a good opportunity to start building some momentum Tuesday night when they seek their 11th straight home win against the Bucks.

Orlando (48-29) has won two of three against Milwaukee (31-45) this season, but the latest win was hardly impressive. The Magic turned the ball over 19 times and struggled at the free throw line in a 93-89 overtime victory March 16.

"I'm happy to get out of here with a win," Van Gundy said. "We did about everything wrong we could do."

Van Gundy was even more irritated after a 102-98 loss at last-place Toronto on Sunday. The Magic, losers of three of four, were outscored 29-19 in the fourth quarter and were outrebounded 48-30 overall.

"We certainly didn't even try to turn it on tonight," Van Gundy said. "Our guys want to try to pick their spots. I'm not at all confident. I'm confident in what we're able to do when we want to play, but I'm not confident that our guys will come with an approach to really come out and play hard and play with great energy. I'm not confident in that at all."

Orlando has a four-game lead over Atlanta for the fourth seed in the East and homecourt advantage in the first round. However, Van Gundy said it could be a short stay in the postseason if his team's play doesn't improve. He's also frustrated that he hasn't been able to get star center Dwight Howard some rest down the stretch. Howard had 31 points and nine rebounds in 39 minutes Sunday.

"It's a little ridiculous that we can't even let Dwight get a drink of water, but that's the way it is," he said. "It's crazy; we should be able to take him out to get a drink of water."

Howard has also played longer than his season average in two games against the Bucks. He played 46 minutes in last month's game, finishing with 31 points and 21 rebounds, and he was on the floor 43 minutes in a 97-87 home win Jan. 5.

Howard missed the first meeting between the teams -- a Magic loss on Dec. 4 -- with a stomach virus. Orlando has won the last nine contests against Milwaukee when Howard has played.

The Magic have won 10 straight at home over the Bucks since Milwaukee's last win in 2004. The Bucks have averaged 89.1 points during the losing streak.

Milwaukee is trying hold onto slim playoff hopes, sitting 10th in the East and three games behind eighth-place Indiana. Milwaukee has played two fewer games than the Pacers, but so has Charlotte, which is a game in front of the Bucks.

The remaining schedule won't provide any help to Milwaukee, which has to visit Orlando and Miami on back-to-back nights before traveling to Detroit on Friday.

The Bucks rallied from a 12-point deficit to beat Philadelphia 93-87 in overtime on Saturday for their second win in three games.

"It's still about finishing strong," said Brandon Jennings, who scored nine of his 13 points in the extra period against the 76ers. "That's part of being a professional."

Jennings has averaged 25 points in two games against Orlando this season.

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Milwaukee Bucks Vs Orlando Magic Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.Milwaukee Bucks Vs Orlando Magic Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.Milwaukee Bucks Vs Orlando Magic Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.

Minnesota Timberwolves Vs New Jersey Nets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.

2011-04-05T23:30:00.002+06:00

Minnesota Timberwolves Vs New Jersey Nets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
With the Minnesota Timberwolves' season coming to an end and expected labor struggles this summer possibly delaying the start of 2011-12, coach Kurt Rambis would like to see Kevin Love get some more time on the court.

So would Love, but he's unsure that a strained left groin will allow that.

The Timberwolves will try to snap a season-worst 10-game losing streak Tuesday night when they face a New Jersey Nets team looking to avoid a season-high fifth straight home loss.

With five games left, Minnesota (17-60) has already clinched at least a share of the Western Conference's worst record and will finish out of the postseason for the seventh consecutive year.

Love has been a bright spot for the lowly Timberwolves, averaging career highs of 20.2 points and a league-best 15.2 rebounds. He also posted 53 consecutive double-doubles from Nov. 22-March 11 in the league's longest such streak since 1973-74.

Love, though, has missed four of the last six games with an injured groin. It's uncertain if he'll be back Tuesday, or at all this season.

"I can only speak for myself -- I like to play. It doesn't matter what the circumstance is," said Rambis, whose team last dropped 11 straight during a franchise record-tying 16-game skid Feb. 24-March 28, 2010. "It's going to be a long summer, potentially even longer (with the collective bargaining agreement expiring at the end of this season)."

If Love can't go, Minnesota may have caught a break with Nets leading rebounder Kris Humphries expected to miss his third consecutive game with a sprained right ankle and bruised heel.

Without the Minneapolis native in the lineup, the Nets (23-53) were outrebounded 50-30 in Sunday's 108-94 loss to Miami

Coach Avery Johnson said Travis Outlaw provided a "good spark for us off the bench" with 17 points and nine rebounds, so he could be in the starting lineup Tuesday after Brandan Wright was ineffective in his first start since being acquired from Golden State on Feb. 23.

Whoever starts will try to help the Nets snap a six-game overall skid and an 0-4 stretch in New Jersey. The last time the Nets dropped five in a row at home was a franchise-worst 0-14 slide Jan. 29-March 22, 2010.

Minnesota, a conference-worst 5-33 on the road, snapped a four-game losing streak in New Jersey in its last visit, a 103-99 victory Dec. 23, 2009.

The Timberwolves posted their fourth consecutive victory in this series and eighth in a row at home Jan. 1, winning 103-88.

Minnesota is allowing 107.7 points per game during its losing streak, but New Jersey is scoring 93.2 during a 1-10 slump.
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Minnesota Timberwolves Vs New Jersey Nets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.Minnesota Timberwolves Vs New Jersey Nets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.Minnesota Timberwolves Vs New Jersey Nets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.

Charlotte Bobcats Vs Cleveland Cavaliers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.

2011-04-05T23:29:00.002+06:00

Charlotte Bobcats Vs Cleveland Cavaliers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
The Charlotte Bobcats have little margin for error -- and few healthy bodies -- as they head down the stretch hoping to sneak into the playoffs and get a shot at the Eastern Conference's top team.

Right now, they're struggling to beat some of the conference's bottom feeders.

After coming up short at home against the team that's second-to-last in the East, the injury-plagued Bobcats face a near must-win situation when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers -- owner of the NBA's worst mark -- Tuesday night.

Charlotte (32-44) tied a season high with four consecutive victories to close March, a streak that pulled it to within one game of eighth-place Indiana.

What was most surprising about that run was the Bobcats managing to win despite missing some key pieces. Tyrus Thomas played in one of the four victories due to bruised ribs and a sore knee, while Stephen Jackson missed one game and left halfway through the fourth win -- 98-97 over Cleveland on March 30 -- with a chronic hamstring injury.

The lack of personnel appears to have finally caught up with Charlotte, which is also missing guard Shaun Livingston and forward Eduardo Najera. Thomas and Jackson missed an 89-77 loss at Orlando on Friday and also sat out versus Washington on Sunday, when the nine-man Bobcats couldn't climb out of a 19-point third-quarter hole en route to a potentially crippling 97-91 defeat.

"We made a push and I commend the guys for that, but it's a huge loss," coach Paul Silas said.

Charlotte trails eighth-place Indiana by two games and has two in hand, but the Pacers own the head-to-head tiebreaker by virtue of a season sweep.

Jackson said Monday he won't play against Cleveland, and that's certainly good news for the Cavaliers (15-61). He had averaged 26.5 points in leading the Bobcats to four straight wins in the series prior to leaving last week's victory early.

"If we get some of our guys back it still gives us a chance," Silas told the Bobcats' official website. "I just don't give up. That's not my nature and I don't want it to be the nature of my players."

The Cavaliers experienced an emotional high in their latest home game, a stunning 102-90 win over LeBron James and Miami last Tuesday, but they couldn't carry the momentum to the road. Following the one-point defeat at Charlotte, they struggled defensively in a 115-107 loss at Washington on Friday and fell 123-107 at New York on Sunday.

Cleveland allowed the Wizards to grab 27 offensive boards -- the most in the league over the past two seasons -- and had a season-high 22 turnovers against the Knicks.

"It is always so hard to win with this team because we are so young and we have so many missing pieces," coach Byron Scott said. "The other night it was offensive rebounds, tonight it was turnovers, it is always something."

The Cavaliers seem unlikely to have similar issues Tuesday. Charlotte is the league's second-worst offensive rebounding team with 9.9 per game and forces the third-fewest turnovers at 13.1.

The Bobcats shot 56.0 percent against Cleveland last week thanks largely to Boris Diaw, who went 11 of 16 and scored 26 points, but they've averaged an NBA-low 87.7 points since Feb. 27.

If the Cavaliers can keep Tuesday's game in the high 80s or low 90s, they should be in good shape. They're 8-2 when holding an opponent to 93 or fewer points.

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Charlotte Bobcats Vs Cleveland Cavaliers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.Charlotte Bobcats Vs Cleveland Cavaliers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.Charlotte Bobcats Vs Cleveland Cavaliers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.

San Antonio Spurs Vs Atlanta Hawks Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.

2011-04-05T23:28:00.002+06:00

San Antonio Spurs Vs Atlanta Hawks Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage April 5,2011.espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
The San Antonio Spurs ended their longest losing streak in 14 years with a convincing win over a banged-up team that's out of playoff contention.

Building on that victory and earning the top overall seed for the playoffs might not be as easy.

In a game that could have major playoff implications, the Spurs look to end their road struggles against Eastern Conference playoff teams when they face the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night.

San Antonio (58-19) defeated a Phoenix club that was missing Steve Nash 114-97 on Sunday to snap a six-game losing streak, the franchise's longest since the 1996-97 season.

George Hill led the way with 29 points and the West-leading Spurs moved 2 1/2 games ahead of the second-place Los Angeles Lakers, who lost later Sunday. That lead was seven games following San Antonio's previous win March 21.

"We've got a lot of confidence, and hopefully we can finish in first place," said guard Tony Parker, who missed nine of 11 shots and scored seven points.

While the Spurs managed to pad their lead over the Lakers, they're just 1 1/2 games ahead of East-leading Chicago for home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

If the Spurs and Bulls finish with the same record, home court would go to the team with the better mark against the opposing conference because the clubs split their season series. San Antonio and Chicago are both 22-7 against the opposing conference, and each plays their final interconference game Tuesday, with the Bulls hosting the slumping Suns.

San Antonio beat Atlanta 108-92 on Dec. 10, its eighth victory in nine meetings. Richard Jefferson and Manu Ginobili each scored 18 points to lead six Spurs in double figures.

Although they've had little trouble against the Hawks lately, the Spurs have had some problems on the road, losing four straight and seven of 10 away from San Antonio. They are 0-6 on the road this season against East teams that have clinched playoff spots.

The Hawks have won their last three at Philips Arena.

Atlanta (44-33) will likely be the fifth seed in the East. It is four games back of fourth-place Orlando and four games up on sixth-place Philadelphia with five to play.

The Hawks are coming off a 114-109 loss to Houston on Sunday that snapped a four-game winning streak. Joe Johnson had a team-high 25 points and Atlanta shot 53.1 percent, but the Hawks allowed the Rockets to shoot an opponent season-high 57.3 percent.

Atlanta, which yielded 83.8 points and 42.6 percent shooting over the previous four games, allowed 56 points in the paint.

"That's way too many," forward Josh Smith said. "We've got to make it more stingy. If we would have closed in some of those gaps and made them kick out to shooters, I would think it might have been a different outcome."

While tightening their interior defense and forcing perimeter shots could have been the answer for the Hawks on Sunday, that strategy might not work against the Spurs.

San Antonio leads the league in 3-point shooting at 39.8 percent and made 15 of 29 from beyond the arc against the Suns. Jefferson hit all four of his 3-point attempts Sunday and was 5 of 6 on 3s in the first meeting with the Hawks, as the Spurs went 10 of 21 from long range.

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Toronto Raptors Vs Denver Nuggets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 21,2011.

2011-03-21T23:26:00.002+06:00

Toronto Raptors Vs Denver Nuggets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 21,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
Following a successful stretch, the Denver Nuggets had trouble with two of the Eastern Conference's best clubs. They might have a better result against one of the East's worst teams.

While attempting to maintain their playoff position, the Nuggets will try to continue their dominance of the Toronto Raptors on Monday night.

Denver (41-29) had won 10 of 12 and the first two of a four-game road trip before it played against Orlando on Friday. The Nuggets fell 85-82 in that game on a 3-pointer as time expired and followed with a 103-98 loss the next evening to Southeast Division-leading Miami.

In that defeat, Denver couldn't contain Heat All-Stars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, who combined for 83 points.

The Nuggets were also playing without guard Raymond Felton, who sat out with a sprained left ankle.

"I felt we were trying to search for our personality rather than knowing our personality," coach George Karl said. "When you are playing a team and their best players are having great games, you are just searching for too many answers."

Felton is expected to miss Monday's game, and fellow guard Arron Afflalo might also be out after re-aggravating a strained left hamstring Saturday.

If recent history is an indication, Denver might not have a problem overcoming those two absences. The Nuggets have won 12 of 13 over the Raptors (20-49) -- including seven in a row -- and six straight meetings at the Pepsi Center.

They recorded a 123-116 victory -- Karl's 1,000th as an NBA coach -- on Dec. 10 in Toronto as Al Harrington scored a season-high 31 points and Nene added 26. Harrington hasn't played the past two games for unspecified reasons but his 5.1-point average in his previous 12 contests might be a factor.

If he plays Monday, Harrington will face a Raptors team that's searching for its third straight win following a 5-25 stretch. After his team earned a 116-107 win over Washington on Friday, Amir Johnson made a layup with 1.4 seconds left in Sunday's 95-93 victory over Oklahoma City, the opener of a five-game trip.

"It was a pick-and-roll play, but (guard Leandro Barbosa) was supposed to take it all the way to the basket," Johnson said. "They double-teamed him, he made a great pass and I was able to finish."

Andrea Bargnani had 23 points to lead five players in double figures after scoring 33 in the win against Washington.

"I said to these guys that we have to carry this over to tomorrow," coach Jay Triano said. "It's tough on a back-to-back against Denver, another team that's playing extremely well. They're sitting there waiting for us, so it's a challenge. We have to play with the same energy. We have to be good, if not better."

Bargnani tallied 24 points in the loss to Denver earlier this season as Toronto shot 51.1 percent. The Raptors, though, allowed the Nuggets to finish at 56.6 percent -- their third-best performance this season.

With another win over Toronto, Denver can extend its franchise-best run of winning NBA seasons to eight.

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Golden State Warriors Vs San Antonio Spurs Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 21,2011.

2011-03-21T23:25:00.003+06:00

Golden State Warriors Vs San Antonio Spurs Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 21,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
Golden State Warriors Vs San Antonio Spurs Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 21,2011.Golden State Warriors Vs San Antonio Spurs Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 21,2011.
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Golden State Warriors Vs San Antonio Spurs Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 21,2011.

Utah Jazz Vs Memphis Grizzlies Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 21,2011.

2011-03-21T23:25:00.000+06:00

Utah Jazz Vs Memphis Grizzlies Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 21,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
The Memphis' Grizzlies success at home this season is one reason why they're contending for their first playoff berth in five seasons. The Utah Jazz's struggles away from home might keep them out of the postseason for the first time since 2006.

The Jazz will try to cut their deficit in that Western Conference race by avoiding a fourth consecutive road defeat Monday night against the Grizzlies.

After losing three of four, Memphis (38-32) maintained its lead on the West's final playoff berth with a 99-78 rout of Indiana on Saturday. Tony Allen had 19 points and a season-high 11 rebounds in the Grizzlies' 22nd win in 28 home contests, which helped them stay 1 1/2 games ahead of the Houston Rockets.

"I'm looking at the standings every day for where we need to be," Allen said of his performance. "I'm just looking to do whatever I can to help whether it is passing out water, giving somebody a towel, congratulating someone or giving them advice about the previous play or the next play."

The Jazz, meanwhile, couldn't overcome a slow start Sunday in Houston, where they lost 110-108 for their 15th defeat in 20 road games. In his return from left knee tendinitis, Paul Millsap had the second-best scoring performance of his career with 35 points, but his team didn't recover from an early 12-point deficit.

"We made a lot of mistakes, and still had a chance to win. A lot of little mistakes cost us in the end," said center Al Jefferson, who had 17 points and matched a season high with 19 rebounds.

The loss also proved costly in the playoff race as Utah fell from ninth to 11th in the West -- one percentage point behind Phoenix. The Jazz (36-34), though, are just two games behind Memphis.

They'll try to pare that deficit by winning by avoiding a third straight loss at the FedExForum, which would match their longest losing streak there. The Grizzlies' Rudy Gay scored 28 points and Zach Randolph had 26 in a 110-99 victory over Utah on Jan. 7 in Memphis, but Gay hasn't played since Feb. 15 because of an ailing left shoulder.

Utah will try to take advantage of that absence to record its 14th win in 16 matchups with Memphis. Millsap had 22 points in a 98-92 victory Jan. 1, and C.J. Miles helped his team to a 95-84 win Dec. 6.

Miles had a career-high 40 points Wednesday in a 119-104 victory over Minnesota.

The Jazz are just 5-10 since Tyrone Corbin replaced Jerry Sloan as coach and 5-8 since trading All-Star point guard Deron Williams to New Jersey, but are seeking their third victory in four games.

Williams averaged a team-best 21.7 points in the three previous games against the Grizzlies this season. Millsap was the second-leading scorer in those matchups, averaging 16.3.

Randolph has led Memphis with 23.3 points and 13.7 rebounds per game versus the Jazz in 2010-11. He's averaged 27.5 points and 13.0 rebounds in his two career matchups with Utah at the FedExForum.
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Utah Jazz Vs Memphis Grizzlies Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 21,2011.

Sacramento Kings Vs Chicago Bulls Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 21,2011.

2011-03-21T23:24:00.002+06:00

Sacramento Kings Vs Chicago Bulls Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 21,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
The Chicago Bulls are known for playing tough defense under coach Tom Thibodeau.

That trait was virtually nonexistent for much of the Bulls' last game, however, and that led to their first loss in more than two weeks.

A much stronger defensive effort should be expected Monday night as Chicago looks to bounce back against the lowly Sacramento Kings at the United Center, where the Bulls have won 12 in a row.

Chicago (49-19), tied with Boston for the Eastern Conference's best record, is first in the league in scoring defense at 91.0 points, but had a sloppy defensive performance in Friday's 115-108 overtime loss to Indiana, snapping an eight-game winning streak. The Bulls surrendered 62 first-half points after allowing fewer than that through three quarters in each of their previous two games.

"We've got to do a lot better," Thibodeau said. "This is a step backwards. We've got to come out ready to play."

Despite the sloppy first-half showing, Chicago, playing without Carlos Boozer for a fifth straight game, managed to force overtime by limiting the Pacers to 13 fourth-quarter points.

"The only quarter we played defense was the fourth," Thibodeau said. "So you usually get what you deserve."

A sensational performance by Derrick Rose also helped send the game to overtime.

The two-time All-Star scored 19 of his career high-tying 42 points in the fourth, made three free throws with 1.2 seconds left in regulation to tie the score and then blocked a shot to force overtime.

Despite Rose's heroics, Thibodeau was still upset with his team's effort, as Chicago fell to 3-13 when allowing opponents to hit the century mark.

When the Bulls play sound defense they usually win, going 42-2 when allowing fewer than 96 points.

Chicago also usually prevails when it takes the court at the United Center.

The Bulls, an East-best 30-4 at home, haven't lost in Chicago since falling to Charlotte by one point on Jan. 18, their only blemish in their last 21 games at the United Center. The 12-game home winning streak is Chicago's longest since a 17-game run during its 1997-98 championship season.

Similarly to Friday, the Bulls used a stellar defensive effort late against the Kings on Nov. 27, limiting them to nine fourth-quarter points in a 96-85 win, their fourth victory in five meetings.

Also like Friday, Rose carried Chicago, finishing with 30 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Boozer sat out with a broken right hand.

Luol Deng also had a strong game, as he usually does against Sacramento, finishing with 22 points and nine rebounds. In six games against the Kings since 2006-07, Deng is averaging 22.2 points, his highest against any opponent.

The Kings (17-51) arrive in Chicago after opening a five-game road trip with a 127-95 win over Minnesota on Sunday in a matchup of the West's worst teams.

Rookie DeMarcus Cousins was ejected in the third quarter after shoving Martell Webster, but Sacramento went on a 21-0 run without him. Samuel Dalembert had 26 points and 17 rebounds and Marcus Thornton added 23 points to help the Kings bounce back from Friday's 102-80 loss to Philadelphia and win for just the second time in 10 games this month.

"We had our worst game of the year last game and our guys responded extremely well," Paul Westphal said. "I was happy for the effort."

Building on this performance and winning back-to-back games for the first time since Jan. 28 and 29 could be tough against a Chicago team that hasn't lost two in a row since Feb. 5 and 7.

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Sacramento Kings Vs Chicago Bulls Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 21,2011.

Boston Celtics Vs New York Knicks Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 21,2011.

2011-03-21T23:23:00.002+06:00

Boston Celtics Vs New York Knicks Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 21,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
The Boston Celtics are returning to the playoffs as Atlantic Division champions for a fourth consecutive season. The New York Knicks are aiming to just end a six-season postseason drought.

Their recent play is delaying that process.

The Knicks attempt to begin pulling out of their funk as they face the Celtics at Madison Square Garden on Monday night in the opener of a difficult three-game homestand.

Boston (49-19) has already clinched its 20th Atlantic title in franchise history, four more than the other four division members combined.

The Celtics are also tied with Chicago atop the Eastern Conference, two games ahead of Southeast-leading Miami heading into the final 14 games of the regular season.

New York (35-34) has 13 games left, and it appears to be on its way to reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2004. The team is seventh in the conference, one-half game behind sixth-place Philadelphia and seven ahead of Milwaukee in ninth.

The Knicks failed to create more separation from the Bucks on Sunday, losing 100-95 at Milwaukee while hitting just 38.6 percent of their shots. They've dropped five of seven and are 7-8 since acquiring Carmelo Anthony from Denver last month.

"They're frustrated, and that's good," coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We're trying to get this done. We'll get it done. It's just a matter of staying calm and knowing our problems and working through them."

One of the problems has been poor defensive play, and New York has show some improvement over the last three games. The Knicks have allowed an average of 99.3 points after giving up 117.3 over the previous three.

While the defensive issues appear to be waning, Anthony could provide a spark offensively after scoring 23 points Sunday. He was held to six points while making just 2 of 12 shots in a 99-95 loss at Detroit two nights prior.

The forward had 32 points for the Nuggets in a 113-99 loss at Boston on March 24 of last year.

The Knicks are in for a series of rough tests during this homestand, also hosting Orlando and Milwaukee. They've dropped 14 of 16 meetings with the Celtics, and nine of 11 at MSG.

New York's latest home defeat in the series came in heartbreaking fashion, as Paul Pierce hit a jumper with 0.4 seconds left while Amar'e Stoudemire's 3-pointer came just after the final buzzer as Boston won 118-116 on Dec. 15.

Boston may have dropped four of seven, but the team is allowing an average of just 81.8 points over the past six..

The Celtics are looking for another strong defensive effort in order to build on Saturday's 89-85 win at New Orleans after opening this three-game road trip with a 93-77 loss to Houston the previous night.

"The energy level changed," said forward-center Glen Davis, who had 20 points and eight rebounds against the Hornets. "We started doing the things we know how to do best. We changed the tempo of the game and we made them uncomfortable in the things they had been doing."

Pierce has made just 3 of 19 shots -- 1 of 10 from 3-point range -- to total 19 points over the last two games. The swingman is averaging 27.0 points over the last five visits to the Garden after getting 32 in December.
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Boston Celtics Vs New York Knicks Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 21,2011.

Indiana Pacers Vs New Jersey Nets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 21,2011.

2011-03-21T23:22:00.002+06:00

Indiana Pacers Vs New Jersey Nets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 21,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
The Indiana Pacers are trying to hold onto the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Their next two games should give them a good chance to solidify their standing.

On Monday night, the Pacers will try to win their seventh straight over a New Jersey Nets team that will again be without Deron Williams.

Indiana (30-40) is 1 1/2 games ahead of Charlotte and Milwaukee for the final playoff spot in the East. The Pacers have 12 games remaining while the Bucks and Bobcats, who are off until they host Indiana on Wednesday, have 13 left.

The Pacers had won three of four before suffering a 99-78 loss at Memphis on Saturday. After beating Chicago in overtime the night before, fatigue may have been a factor as Indiana shot 35.6 percent and was held to 37 points in the second half.

"Anytime you get a big win like that, you come out and have a little stiffness," said forward Tyler Hansbrough, who scored 14 points.

Danny Granger tied a season high with seven turnovers while Roy Hibbert -- averaging 12.4 points and 7.6 rebounds -- had two points, no boards and five fouls in 11 minutes.

Granger shot 5 of 15 from the field and scored 17 points. He has shot below 37.0 percent the last three games.

"Our offense right now is not doing a good job of getting shots for us, getting shots for myself," he said. "We're just going one-on-one. The ball just kinds of dies and stops."

Granger was held to 11 points in his most recent game against New Jersey (22-46), but he's averaged 22.0 in the last eight meetings.

Looking to gain a half-game over Charlotte on Monday, Indiana will not having to contend with Williams, who will miss at least two more games with a wrist injury.

The star point guard has struggled since first injuring the wrist before being acquired from Utah last month, and New Jersey hopes he won't have to be shut down for the season.

"It's something that we know, rest -- not surgery -- is required," coach Avery Johnson said. "We'll treat him. We'll rest him."

Williams has played eight games with the Nets.

Without Williams, New Jersey lost 98-92 to Washington on Sunday. The Nets led by 17 just before the half, but were outscored 28-12 in the third quarter as they went 4 of 15 from the field in that period.

It was the club's third straight defeat.

"I told our players, 'This loss was really painful," Johnson said. "We were pretty good in the first half. In the second half, we weren't very good."

Jordan Farmar started in Williams' place and had 10 points and a career-high 17 assists, while Kris Humphries had 18 points with 17 rebounds and Brook Lopez added 21 points and 10 boards. New Jersey outrebounded Washington 47-32 but allowed the Wizards to shoot 51.9 percent.

Indiana has outscored New Jersey 110.5-93.2 during the six consecutive victories, and has won nine of the last 10 matchups. The Pacers haven't won seven in a row over the Nets since a seven-game run March 21, 1989-Dec. 29, 1990.

Indiana, winner of four straight on the road in the series, has never won five in a row at New Jersey.

The Pacers took the most recent meeting 105-86 at Newark on Feb. 6.
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Orlando Magic Vs Cleveland Cavaliers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 21,2011.

2011-03-21T23:21:00.002+06:00

Orlando Magic Vs Cleveland Cavaliers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 21,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
The Orlando Magic's offense has contributed to their recent inconsistency, but they've ground out their last two wins with good defense.

The Magic will try to win their third straight and sweep the season series against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night at Quicken Loans Arena.

Orlando (44-26) has won three of four, but with 12 games remaining is still four games behind Miami for third place in the Eastern Conference.

While the Magic have gone 19-14 since their season-high nine-game winning streak Dec. 23-Jan. 8, they are hoping to begin another run following back-to-back hard-fought victories.

After an overtime win over Milwaukee on Wednesday, the Magic defeated Denver 85-82 on Friday despite shooting 37.3 percent -- their lowest percentage in a win this season. Jameer Nelson hit a 3-pointer as time expired to help the team escape.

"It was a great effort," coach Stan Van Gundy said. "You have to take away everything from the game. We made some mistakes, but I thought our guys made a hell of an effort today. All nine guys that played ... did everything we could."

Defense has been key for Orlando, which has given up fewer than 90 points in each of its last three wins. It held the Nuggets to 35.9 percent shooting and their lowest point total of the season.

While the Magic are pleased with their defensive effort, on offense they are struggling. They've averaged 18.3 turnovers the last three games -- 3.5 above their season mark -- and they've scored 85 or fewer points four times while going 4-4 in their last eight.

Despite their offensive issues, the Magic feel their defense is good enough to help them pull out games when the offense is out of sync.

"When you have things happen you're just able to persevere and grind it out or pull it out, no matter how you get it it's always good to show some resiliency in your team," swingman Jason Richardson said.

The Magic have a good chance to extend their winning streak Monday. They've won five in a row against the Cavaliers, including three meetings this season. Dwight Howard struggled with foul trouble in his last visit to Cleveland, finishing with 12 points and six rebounds Dec. 28, but he had 20 points and 20 boards in a 103-87 home win Jan. 30.

Cleveland (13-55) has lost six of seven and its last two. After a 111-70 defeat at Portland on Thursday, the Cavaliers fell short in a 100-92 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.

Cleveland pulled within two points early in the fourth quarter, but the Cavs had five turnovers in the final period and two in the last three minutes of the game. J.J. Hickson had 28 points and nine rebounds, but also four of the team's 15 turnovers.

"These are the type of games where you learn from your mistakes," Hickson said. "We're going to go back to the drawing board and try to get better and see where we are as a team."

Baron Davis missed the game with back spasms. He scored three points in 15 minutes Thursday after missing the previous three games following the death of his grandmother. His status for Monday is unknown.

Orlando's defense could put on another impressive display as the Cavaliers have averaged 84.3 points and shot 41.2 percent the last seven games.
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Orlando Magic Vs Cleveland Cavaliers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 21,2011.

Orlando Magic Vs Golden State Warriors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.

2011-03-11T23:37:00.002+06:00

Orlando Magic Vs Golden State Warriors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
After narrowly defeating one of the Western Conference's worst teams, the Orlando Magic are hoping for a much better effort against another one.

Seeking a season-best fourth consecutive road win, the struggling Magic will try for a sixth straight victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday night.

Orlando (41-24) sits fourth in the East and is chasing Miami for the Southeast Division lead but has played poorly since beating the Heat last Thursday. The Magic followed that win by losing back-to-back home games for the first time since December, averaging 83.0 points and 17.5 turnovers against Chicago and Portland.

They were better offensively Wednesday night to open a five-game road trip, but they were outrebounded by 15 and trailed heading into the fourth quarter against a Sacramento team which entered with the West's second-worst record.

Jameer Nelson, though, scored 12 of his season high-tying 26 points over the final 12 minutes and led Orlando to a 106-102 win.

"We played poorly. We didn't put much into the game, got crushed on the glass. I'm not happy, but we got a win. We'll take it and move on," coach Stan Van Gundy said. "We've said (we'll change) a lot. We say a lot of things."

Dwight Howard returned from an automatic one-game suspension for picking up his 16th technical foul and recorded 16 points and 15 rebounds, extending his double-double streak to 22 games -- two shy of a career high.

Jason Richardson, who spent his first six seasons with the Warriors, has made 17 of 26 from 3-point range in the last four games while averaging 20.3 points. Richardson is averaging 22.8 points against his former team -- his most versus any opponent.

While the Magic had a hard time overcoming the Kings, they've had little difficulty against Golden State, winning the last five meetings by an average of 19.6 points. Orlando won 110-90 on Jan. 3 in the lone meeting this season as Howard had 22 points and 17 rebounds, Richardson added 20 points and eight Magic players scored in double figures.

The Warriors (28-36), who are 12th in the West, return home following a 2-5 road trip which dropped them seven games back of Memphis for the eighth and final playoff spot.

They lost 94-90 at New Jersey on Wednesday as Monta Ellis was held to 16 points, nearly nine below his season average.

"We're not happy at all. We won two games on (the trip). That's not enough to get us where we want to be," Ellis said. "We just have to move on from this one and grind the rest of the 19, 18 games we have left."

Golden State, loser of seven of nine overall, has been held to an average of 86.0 points on 38.2 percent shooting in its last two home contests.

The Warriors are 2-6 at home when scoring less than 100 points. The Magic, who have won their last four trips to Oakland, have limited teams to an average of 95.2 points during their last five road games.

David Lee, who missed the Jan. 3 meeting with a bruised back, has seven double-double in his last eight games.

Stephen Curry, scoring 17.9 points per game over his career, has averaged 12.3 on 37.8 percent shooting in three games against Orlando.
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Orlando Magic Vs Golden State Warriors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.

Sacramento Kings Vs San Antonio Spurs Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.

2011-03-11T23:36:00.005+06:00

Sacramento Kings Vs San Antonio Spurs Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
Any concerns that Tony Parker returned too soon from a calf strain were alleviated in one of the San Antonio Spurs' most impressive offensive games of the season.

Parker and the NBA-leading Spurs could put up similar numbers Friday night when they try to win their 11th straight over the last-place Sacramento Kings.

San Antonio (52-12) was expected to be without Parker for a month, but he missed only two games before returning last Friday against Miami.

After totaling 29 points his first two games back, Parker finished with 23 points on 11-of-15 shooting in a 111-104 win over Detroit on Wednesday. He scored five points in the final 2:07 after Detroit cut a once 19-point deficit to five.

"There were a couple times in the game where he took over," Manu Ginobili said of Parker. "I remember one play that (coach Gregg Popovich) told me to go sub in, but he was playing so well that he told me to wait two more minutes and see what happens, so he finished the quarter and in the fourth quarter he just finished the game, so he was huge."

The Spurs, who shot a season-high 64.3 percent, were 17 of 21 from the field in the first quarter en route to a 40-26 lead.

With the win, San Antonio became the first team in the Western Conference to clinch a playoff spot.

The Spurs are looking to win their 11th straight over Sacramento after extending the streak with a 113-100 victory Feb. 4. The Spurs shot 57.1 percent and received 25 points from Parker.

Just as they did versus Detroit, San Antonio got off to a fast start against the Kings, leading 34-19 after the first quarter.

"Hopefully we face the Kings the same way we did (Wednesday)," Ginobili said. "Starting hard, moving the ball and playing good 'D' solid. ... We know that when you give a team confidence and they start playing relaxed and they don't have anything to lose, they can get you in trouble and you can get up losing a game that you shouldn't. So hopefully we start hard and play our usual style."

Parker has been key in San Antonio's dominance of Sacramento, averaging 23.7 points and 8.5 assists the last six games in which he's played at least 20 minutes.

The Kings (15-47), who have the worst record in the West, have lost four straight, falling 106-102 to Orlando on Wednesday. They led by six with less than six minutes remaining, but the Magic went on a 13-4 run to regain control.

The loss came despite a career-high 29 points from DeMarcus Cousins and 22 from Marcus Thornton. Sacramento finished with 21 turnovers.

"There were so many really good things about that game for our team. I just hate to come in here and talk about that close loss against a good team, but that's what it was," said coach Paul Westphal, whose team has lost 14 of 17. "We had too many turnovers again and it wasted a really, really, good effort."

The Kings played Wednesday without Beno Udrih, who sat out his first game of the season with the flu. He's expected back in the lineup Friday.

Despite his team's struggles, Cousins has played well the last four games, averaging 23.8 points and 11.8 rebounds. However, he was limited to seven points in 24 minutes against the Spurs last month.

Sacramento has lost seven straight in San Antonio since a 97-87 victory in 2006.
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Sacramento Kings Vs San Antonio Spurs Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.

Detroit Pistons Vs Oklahoma City Thunder Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.

2011-03-11T23:36:00.002+06:00

Detroit Pistons Vs Oklahoma City Thunder Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
The Oklahoma City Thunder have enjoyed plenty of success against Eastern Conference foes, while the Detroit Pistons have been awful on the road against the West.

The Thunder will likely be heavily favored Friday night when they try to hand the Pistons a 10th straight road loss to a West opponent.

Oklahoma City (40-23) improved to 17-6 versus the East with a 110-105 overtime win at Philadelphia on Wednesday. That's the second-best record of any West team behind NBA-leading San Antonio's 21-6 mark.

Detroit (23-42), meanwhile, saw its struggles on the road continue with a 111-104 loss to the Spurs on Wednesday. The Pistons turned in their worst defensive performance of the season, allowing San Antonio to shoot 64.3 percent.

The Thunder have taken four straight in the series, winning 105-104 on Oct. 29 on the road. Jeff Green made the go-ahead layup with 2.5 seconds left after the Pistons focused their defense on Kevin Durant, who scored 30.

Green is no longer with Oklahoma City, which is 4-3 since he was traded in the deal that brought Kendrick Perkins, Nate Robinson and Nazr Mohammed to the Thunder on Feb. 24.

Durant provided the clutch shots Wednesday, erasing a five-point deficit with a minute left in regulation by hitting a runner and a 3-pointer that sent the game into overtime. He finished with 34 points and 16 rebounds, and leads the league with 28.3 points per game.

"It looked bad for a minute, but we stayed with it and made some shots," Durant said.

Mohammed has started the last five games at center with Perkins yet to make his Thunder debut due to a sprained left MCL. Reserve Nick Collison came through with 13 points and 10 rebounds in nearly 32 minutes.

"We played some different lineups tonight, sometimes with four guards and sometimes with two bigs and they both worked well," Collison said. "We're finding different ways to compete and win games."

The four-guard lineup has been working well in large part because of how Russell Westbrook is playing. He's averaging 27.0 points and 52.1 percent shooting over his last five games for the Thunder, 9-2 at home against the East.

The Pistons are tied with Toronto for the worst field-goal percentage defense in the league at 48.3. Wednesday's effort was evidence of why, as the Spurs made their first 14 shots and scored 40 points in the first quarter.

"We didn't defend well at all," forward Tayshaun Prince said. "We were late on our rotations and other things in that first half."

Tracy McGrady had 15 points and nine assists. He started at point guard, with Rodney Stuckey moving to the bench.

"We're looking to mix and match all the time," coach John Kuester said. "We're always searching to see who's going to give us the most in certain spots and situations. I thought Tracy was outstanding. His leadership and the way he controlled the game was outstanding."

Stuckey had started his previous 10 games, averaging 20.1 points and 6.0 assists over the last seven. He went 1 of 5 for three points and had one assist Wednesday.

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Detroit Pistons Vs Oklahoma City Thunder Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.

Utah Jazz Vs Minnesota Timberwolves Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.

2011-03-11T23:35:00.002+06:00

Utah Jazz Vs Minnesota Timberwolves Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
Despite impressive individual numbers, Kevin Love won't be leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to the playoffs.

Former teammate Al Jefferson, who is doing his best to keep the Utah Jazz in the postseason race, knows all too well what Love is going through.

Coming off a record-setting night, Love and the Timberwolves will try to avoid a fifth consecutive loss to the visiting Jazz on Friday night.

Love recorded 16 points and 21 rebounds Wednesday night for his 52nd consecutive double-double as Minnesota (16-50) snapped a three-game losing streak with a 101-75 win over Indiana.

Love surpassed Moses Malone for the longest double-double run since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976 in the victory -- just the team's 12th during the stretch.

"In some ways I wish it would've ended. In some ways I'd like to keep it going," said Love, who almost didn't play and sat out the fourth quarter with his team in control due to a sore left knee.

"Maybe it'll die down a little bit and I can just go out there and do my job. Nothing's really changed about how I feel about the double-double streak or the situation. I just go out there and play hard."

Love is averaging 23.5 points and 17.0 rebounds in two games against the Jazz this season.

Minnesota, allowing an NBA-worst 106.9 points per game, limited the Pacers to an opponent season-low in points and shooting at 29.6 percent.

While the Timberwolves improved to 5-0 when holding teams to under 90 points, they could have trouble slowing Utah down. The Jazz are averaging 112.3 points during their four-game run in the series.

Utah (34-31), which as of Jan. 16 sat in a tie for third place in the Western Conference, lost 18 of 24 before Jefferson's tip-in as time expired gave it a 96-94 win at Toronto on Wednesday night.

Jefferson, scoring a team-high 18.7 points per game, finished with 34 and eight rebounds. He is averaging 27.9 points and 10.3 boards over his last 10 contests.

Utah is 1 1/2 games behind Memphis for the final playoff spot in the West.

"I've been in situations when I was with Minnesota and teams would come in fighting for a playoff spot and they called us spoilers," Jefferson told the NBA's official website. "Right now I'm on other side, I'm fighting for this playoff spot."

Jefferson averaged 20.1 points and 10.4 rebounds with the Timberwolves as they went 61-185 from 2007-10.

The Jazz trailed by as many as 14 in the fourth quarter Wednesday but battled back for their second win in three games.

"It's a perfect example there that you're never out of the game, no matter how many points you get down," said Jefferson, who had 23 points and nine rebounds in a 112-107 win at Minnesota on Dec. 22.

"You've just got to keep playing, give it all you got and you never know how things will turn around for you."

Utah, which hasn't won back-to-back games since a three-game run Jan. 8-14, also defeated the Timberwolves 108-100 on Jan. 28 as Andrei Kirilenko and Paul Millsap combined for 57 points. Jefferson was held to eight on 3-of-14 shooting.

Kirilenko (back) and Millsap (left knee) were held out against the Raptors, and it is unknown if either will be available for this game.
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Utah Jazz Vs Minnesota Timberwolves Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.

Atlanta Hawks Vs Chicago Bulls Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.

2011-03-11T23:34:00.002+06:00

Atlanta Hawks Vs Chicago Bulls Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
Just as the Chicago Bulls were closing in on their first division title in 13 years, Carlos Boozer went down with an ankle injury.

Having one of their leaders hurt is nothing new for the Bulls.

Chicago will likely be without its starting power forward as it looks to avenge its only loss in the last eight games Friday night against the visiting Atlanta Hawks.

The Bulls (45-18) have clinched the Central Division despite playing only 18 games with their core of Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Luol Deng and Boozer together. Chicago, which has won 14 of those contests, looks like it will be short-handed again.

Boozer sprained his left ankle in Wednesday's 101-84 win at Charlotte when he was knocked to the floor on a flagrant foul by Kwame Brown while going for a layup.

That win coupled with Indiana's loss at Minnesota gave the Bulls their first division crown since 1997-98, when they defeated Utah in the NBA finals in Michael Jordan's last season with Chicago.

Coach Tom Thibodeau said Thursday that Boozer, who missed three games in January with a left ankle sprain, could be out "anywhere from a couple days to a week."

"Carlos brings a lot to this team," said Noah, who returned Feb. 23 from a thumb injury that sidelined him for 30 games.

If Boozer can't play, Taj Gibson will likely take his place in the lineup.

Gibson started 14 games earlier in the season when Boozer was out with a broken right hand and averaged 11.3 points and 6.9 rebounds. Gibson is also considered a better defender and often subs for Boozer late in games.

"It's going to hurt us but we've still got to go out there and play the game," Rose said.

The Bulls, winners of 17 of 18 at the United Center, might also lean a bit more on Rose, who is averaging team highs of 24.5 points and 8.1 assists.

The two-time All-Star is having an MVP-caliber season, but he had a sloppy performance in last Wednesday's 83-80 loss in Atlanta.

Chicago seemed to be well on its way to an easy win, jumping out to a 14-0 advantage and leading by as many as 19. The Bulls, however, were outscored 50-30 over the final two quarters.

The Hawks (37-27) took their first lead on Al Horford's slam with 29 seconds left. On the ensuing play, Horford stole the ball from Rose and passed it ahead to Joe Johnson for a dunk.

The Bulls still had a chance to tie, but Rose and Kyle Korver each missed a 3-pointer in the final four seconds. Rose missed 16 of 21 shots, turned the ball over six times and finished with 12 points -- his third-lowest total of the season.

"The game was definitely on me," Rose said afterward. "But I guarantee it won't happen again."

Horford matched a career high with 31 points for Atlanta, which has won eight of nine in the series.

While the Bulls have won four in a row since facing Atlanta to pull within 1 1/2 games of Eastern Conference-leading Boston, the Hawks have lost their last three.

In Tuesday's 101-87 defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta shot 39.8 percent and fell behind by as many as 22. Horford had 17 points on 8-of-16 shooting as Atlanta lost for the seventh time in 10 games.

"We tried to put a lot of emphasis on playing up-tempo, and it seemed like we ran out of gas," coach Larry Drew said.

It could be tough for the Hawks to push the ball against the Bulls, who have allowed 81.5 points over their last eight games.
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Atlanta Hawks Vs Chicago Bulls Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.

Portland Trail Blazers Vs Charlotte Bobcats Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.

2011-03-11T23:33:00.002+06:00

Portland Trail Blazers Vs Charlotte Bobcats Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
For seven years, Gerald Wallace was the face of the Charlotte Bobcats, leading them to their first playoff appearance and earning the only All-Star nod in team history.

Wallace was working on getting the Bobcats back to the postseason before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers two weeks ago. He'll make what should be an emotional return to Charlotte on Friday night as the Trail Blazers go for a fifth straight victory.

The Bobcats (26-38) traded Wallace, the last original member of the expansion team, to Portland on Feb. 24 for center Joel Przybilla, reserve forward Dante Cunningham, center Sean Marks and a pair of conditional first-round draft picks. The move was made to shed salary, with owner Michael Jordan saying he loved the financial flexibility the deal would bring, but it was not well received by some fans.

Wallace was also angered by the trade, calling it a "stab in the back."

An All-Star last season while leading Charlotte to the playoffs, Wallace said he was told by coach Paul Silas hours before the trade deadline that he wouldn't be dealt and "then I get home and bam, I'm traded."

Wallace, who was selected by the Bobcats in the 2004 expansion draft and became a fan favorite in Charlotte, envisioned retiring as a Bobcat. He wasn't pleased about how the situation was handled by general manager Rod Higgins, saying "I don't even want to comment on that guy."

"To feel like you're not wanted anymore or you're not good enough for the franchise anymore it's a slap in the face," Wallace said. "That was a hurtful feeling for me."

Wallace had his best game with his new team in Tuesday's 105-96 win over Miami, scoring 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting.

"I love him. He's a guy that brings it. He's a very competitive player, mentally tough," Blazers coach Nate McMillan said. "In this league there are men and there are boys. Gerald is a man."

His worst performance with the Trail Blazers (37-27) came against his former team Saturday, when he finished with seven points and shot 1 of 7.

Despite Wallace's struggles, Portland had little trouble taking care of the Bobcats, beating them 93-69 for their fourth straight win in the series. LaMarcus Aldridge had 26 points in that game, and scored 26 again against the Heat.

With Tuesday's victory, the Trail Blazers extended their road winning streak to seven games, their longest since reeling off nine in a row away from Portland from March 20-April 10, 1991.

The Blazers have won four straight overall, and are 11-3 since Feb. 5.

Charlotte is heading in the opposite direction, and is struggling to stay competitive since trading Wallace.

After beating Sacramento 110-98 in its first game following the trade, Charlotte has lost a season-worst six in a row. The offense is struggling mightily, averaging just 81.7 points during the skid.

Despite this rough stretch, the Bobcats are still just one game back of Indiana for the Eastern Conference's final playoff berth.

Charlotte has been hit hard by injuries, and played without top scorer Stephen Jackson (hamstring), sixth man Tyrus Thomas (knee surgery), reserve guard Matt Carroll (ankle) and Przybilla (knee) in Wednesday's 101-84 loss to Chicago.

"I told them if they play that way and we get our full complement of guys, then I like our chances," Silas said.

Silas could have Jackson and Thomas, who both sat out last week in Portland, back for this game.

Gerald Henderson, Wallace's replacement in Charlotte's starting lineup, had 20 points Wednesday, and is starting to look more comfortable with his new role. Henderson is averaging 18.7 points on 56.5 percent shooting in his last three games after averaging 6.7 points on 25.0 percent shooting in his previous three.
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Portland Trail Blazers Vs Charlotte Bobcats Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.

Indiana Pacers Vs Toronto Raptors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.

2011-03-11T23:32:00.003+06:00

Indiana Pacers Vs Toronto Raptors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
As poorly as the Indiana Pacers have been playing, they're still in control of their playoff destiny.

The scuffling Pacers again hope to get their offense back on track and avoid losing a sixth straight Friday night when they visit the Toronto Raptors.

Since winning seven of its first eight games under coach Frank Vogel, Indiana (27-37) has lost nine of 12. The way the Pacers have been losing lately has been a bit concerning, as they've been outscored by an average of 17.0 points during their five-game skid.

Indiana seemed to hit a new low Wednesday, shooting a season-worst 29.6 percent in a 101-75 loss to woeful Minnesota.

Tyler Hansbrough, who finished with a team-high 21 points, made two of his first four field-goal attempts, but his teammates missed their first 15. Danny Granger had 10 points on 2-for-19 shooting, his worst shooting performance when taking at least seven shots.

Granger has had a lot to do with Indiana's struggles in the last five games, shooting 27.5 percent and averaging 13.6 points -- 6.9 fewer than his team-leading average.

The Pacers are scoring 93.4 points per game during their slide after averaging 105.9 in their first 15 games under Vogel.

"Clearly we're struggling on the offensive end," Vogel said. "We're struggling as a basketball team. We will work until we come out of it, and we will come out of it."

Indiana, which beat the Raptors 104-93 on Jan. 31 in Vogel's first game after taking over for the fired Jim O'Brien, theoretically should have better luck offensively against a Toronto team that has allowed an average of 110.3 points in losing seven of nine.

The Pacers, however, didn't show much life on offense Wednesday against the Timberwolves, who rank last in the league in scoring defense at 106.9 points.

Despite Indiana's awful play, it is still one game ahead of Charlotte for the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot.

"It's unbelievable, but yeah we're still in the playoffs as of right now," Hansbrough said. "That's why we need to turn things around quickly. It's been a goal of ours to get into the playoffs for a while. So we'll see what happens."

Hansbrough has been one of the few bright spots for the Pacers lately, averaging 21.3 points in his last three games -- 11.7 better than his season average. He had 14 points against Toronto in January, while Roy Hibbert led Indiana with 24 points and 11 rebounds.

The Pacers have won both meetings with the Raptors this season but have lost four straight in Toronto.

The Raptors (17-47) are coming off a 96-94 loss to Utah on Wednesday, their third straight defeat. Toronto, loser of 23 of 27, led by 14 points with 8:21 to play but scored just eight more on 2-of-14 shooting.

Toronto was without leading scorer Andrea Bargnani (flu-like symptoms), but Reggie Evans returned to the lineup for the first time since suffering a broken bone in his right foot in a Nov. 26 loss at Boston. Evans, averaging a team-high 12.1 rebounds, grabbed 11 boards.

"He was a little rusty but I was pleased with his energy and his effort," coach Jay Triano said.

DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors with 17 points Wednesday and was one of seven Toronto players to reach double figures against the Pacers in January.

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Indiana Pacers Vs Toronto Raptors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.Indiana Pacers Vs Toronto Raptors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.Indiana Pacers Vs Toronto Raptors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.

Boston Celtics Vs Philadelphia 76ers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.

2011-03-11T23:32:00.000+06:00

Boston Celtics Vs Philadelphia 76ers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
While it's hardly a surprise that no Eastern Conference team has more wins than the Boston Celtics, none having more than the Philadelphia 76ers over the past seven weeks certainly is.

In a possible first-round playoff preview, the 76ers could make a big statement Friday night by handing the Celtics their first loss in Philadelphia in nearly four years.

Boston (46-16) has been atop the East virtually all season following its trip to last year's NBA finals. Philadelphia (33-31) shared the conference's third-worst record last season and wasn't expected to do much better in coach Doug Collins' first season, particularly after a 3-13 start.

However, the 76ers have gone 16-6 since Jan. 21 -- the only East team with a better record in that span is Chicago (16-4) -- to climb to seventh in the conference. If they stay in that spot, they could open the playoffs against a Boston team which is at risk of falling to second because the Bulls have moved within 1 1/2 games.

Both meetings between these teams came in December and the Sixers lost both but put up a good fight, falling by a combined five points. The Celtics are 12-2 versus the 76ers since their Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce was formed in the 2007-08 season, including victories in all seven visits to Philadelphia.

The Sixers' only three losses in their last 10 home games came to three of the league's top eight teams record-wise -- Orlando, Dallas and Oklahoma City. They nearly knocked off the visiting Thunder on Wednesday, blowing a five-point lead in the final minute of regulation and losing 110-105 in overtime.

"I thought our guys did a terrific job," Collins said after his team's three-game winning streak was snapped. "I thought we were one play away from winning the game. That is the first one that has gotten away from us like that in a long time."

The Celtics had one get away in the early going Wednesday, and to a significantly inferior opponent. They trailed by 13 after one quarter and 18 at halftime en route to a 108-103 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers -- the West's third-worst team.

The loss snapped a five-game win streak and came three days after Boston fell behind by 10 in the first quarter against sub-.500 Milwaukee.

"It's a lot of inconsistency," Pierce said. "Some of that had to do with implementing a lot of new guys but ... we've got to get off to better starts and that's with the guys that have been here."

The Celtics are still trying to get acclimated to newcomers Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic, Troy Murphy and Carlos Arroyo, all acquired within the past two-plus weeks. Plus, Boston is still missing forward Glen Davis (knee) and guard Delonte West (ankle), though it's possible Shaquille O'Neal will return Friday after missing 14 games with a foot problem.

Both teams have been struggling defensively. Philadelphia has given up at least 100 points in a season-high five straight, allowing opponents to shoot 49.5 percent. Boston is second in the league in points allowed at 91.9 per game but has surrendered more than 100 in four of five.

Ray Allen has helped make up for the Celtics' poor defensive play by going 20 of 34 from 3-point range (58.8 percent) in the last six games, averaging 21.5 points. He's averaged 22.5 in the season series with Philadelphia.
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Boston Celtics Vs Philadelphia 76ers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.Boston Celtics Vs Philadelphia 76ers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.Boston Celtics Vs Philadelphia 76ers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.

Los Angeles Clippers Vs New Jersey Nets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.

2011-03-11T23:31:00.002+06:00

Los Angeles Clippers Vs New Jersey Nets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 11,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
If the New Jersey Nets are to accomplish a feat they haven't reached in more than two years, they'll have to do it without superstar point guard Deron Williams.

The Los Angeles Clippers won't have their leading scorer, and they've been waiting even longer for this sort of winning streak.

Williams will miss his second straight game Friday night while tending to the birth of his child when New Jersey hosts Los Angeles, which again will be without Eric Gordon.

Missing Williams on Wednesday, the Nets (20-43) beat Golden State 94-90 for their third straight victory behind 26 points and 10 rebounds from Brook Lopez. New Jersey hasn't won four consecutive games since Jan. 31-Feb. 7, 2009.

Williams, averaging 15.8 points and 15.2 assists in five games with the Nets, is expected to rejoin the team Saturday.

Lopez helped make up for the missing production with his second straight double-double, which he hadn't done since March 24-26.

"The team definitely fought through on this one," Lopez said. "I knew we'd pull it out just because of the way we were playing defense. We were getting stops."

Anthony Morrow added 22 points, and Kris Humphries had 11 and 15 rebounds for his career-high fifth consecutive double-double.

"Our big guys were terrific," said Sasha Vujacic, who had 16 points. "We were able to limit their shots and easy buckets."

Lopez scored a team-high 24 points Nov. 15 in a 110-96 victory against the Clippers.

Blake Griffin hasn't scored less than the 11 points he had in that contest since, though he came close in a rough performance Wednesday.

Los Angeles (25-40) beat Eastern Conference-leading Boston 108-103 despite only 12 points and seven rebounds from Griffin on 4-of-14 shooting. Griffin had recorded a double-double in eight straight games prior to Wednesday.

The Clippers have won a season-high four straight following a stretch in which they lost 12 of 14. They haven't won five in a row since Nov. 2-12, 2006.

Mo Williams scored 28 points, his most in five games since being acquired from Cleveland.

"There's so much attention to Blake, but you win as a team," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "The reason we're playing a little bit better is that we have weapons."

However, one of those weapons may not be around any time soon to help extend the winning streak.

Gordon, who scored 30 points in the November meeting with New Jersey, re-injured his wrist Saturday against Denver. He'll miss his third straight game Friday, and Del Negro said he isn't sure when Gordon will return.

"Let's just see how he responds to the therapy," Del Negro said. "It's his shooting hand, so it might make it a little more difficult. But all signs point to him returning. But when? That's another story."

DeAndre Jordan scored a season-high 21 points, his most since tying a career high with 23 on Jan. 12, 2010.

The Nets have not swept the Clippers in a season series since 2003-04.

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Denver Nuggets Vs Los Angeles Clippers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 5,2011.

2011-03-05T23:52:00.005+06:00

Denver Nuggets Vs Los Angeles Clippers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 5,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
A surprising defensive effort has helped the Denver Nuggets get on a roll after parting with their leading scorer.

The Los Angeles Clippers just got theirs back and are looking to slow Denver down.

The Nuggets seek a fourth consecutive win and sixth in seven games since trading away Carmelo Anthony when they visit Eric Gordon and the Clippers on Saturday night.

Denver (37-26), averaging an NBA-best 107.5 points, is 5-1 since shipping its franchise player to New York after a 103-101 victory at Utah on Thursday night.

While the offense has barely missed a beat, scoring 106.3 points per game following the Anthony deal, the defense has improved tremendously.

The Nuggets, in fifth place in the Western Conference, have allowed 93.3 points per game since the trade -- 10.7 less than their season mark.

"We're pretty focused at both ends of the court," coach George Karl said, "which has always been the headache of the Nuggets teams I've had coaching here: the defensive end of the court never was our forte. I think you're seeing a team that could be not only a good offensive team, it might become a special defensive team.

"We have size, we have speed. We're not giving up transition points. Our transition defense is the best it's ever been since I've been here."

That defense should be tested by Gordon, who returned from an 18-game absence (fractured wrist) to score nine of his 24 points in the fourth quarter of a 106-103 win over Houston on Wednesday night.

Gordon helped the Clippers (22-40) snap a five-game losing streak and score more than 100 for the first time in nine games.

"I just started shooting the ball about a week ago, but I've been staying in shape. That's all I've been doing," said Gordon, averaging 24.1 points.

"I've been running every day. The toughest part was just sitting there, knowing that I could have been out there helping the team in some way. It was good to finally come back and help the guys get a win."

The Clippers, who averaged 91.3 points in their previous eight games, have won 15 of 19 when scoring at least 100.

Mo Williams, acquired along with Jamario Moon from Cleveland for Baron Davis and a first-round pick Feb. 24, had 17 points and 11 assists Wednesday in his second game with the team.

"We've just got to build our chemistry with the new guys we have -- and now with myself and Eric healthy, we'll see how it goes," said Chris Kaman, who has missed 45 games with an ankle injury. "We have 20 games left, and we just want to show what we can do going into next season."

In contrast, the Nuggets -- who play six of their next seven on the road -- already are thriving with their new roster.

"We're playing together and we're winning right now," said guard Ty Lawson, who had 23 points Thursday. "That's fun for everybody. There's no sticky hands out there. We're passing the ball, getting everybody involved. It feels a lot better when everybody is happy."

Los Angeles had lost four straight and 11 of 12 to Denver before Gordon hit four 3-pointers and scored 28 points in a 106-93 win Jan. 5 in the last meeting.
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Denver Nuggets Vs Los Angeles Clippers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 5,2011.Denver Nuggets Vs Los Angeles Clippers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 5,2011.Denver Nuggets Vs Los Angeles Clippers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 5,2011.

Charlotte Bobcats Vs Portland Trail Blazers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 5,2011.

2011-03-05T23:52:00.002+06:00

Charlotte Bobcats Vs Portland Trail Blazers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 5,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
Portland regained its scoring touch in its most recent victory. The Charlotte Bobcats haven't been able to do the same -- especially in recent matchups against the Trail Blazers.

Portland looks to keep pace in the tight Western Conference playoff race Saturday night when it hosts struggling Charlotte, which is trying avoid a winless four-game West Coast trip.

The Trail Blazers (34-27) busted out of their scoring slump Wednesday with a 107-102 victory against Sacramento after failing to reach 90 points in losing their previous two games.

Coach Nate McMillan forced the Blazers to watch film of Tuesday's 103-87 home loss to the Rockets, and the motivation seemed to work. Portland scored its most points since a 109-103 victory Feb. 7 against Chicago.

Wesley Matthews scored 21 points against the Kings, and LaMarcus Aldridge added 20 and 10 rebounds.

Gerald Wallace scored 12 points and will face his former team for the first time since being acquired from Charlotte on Feb. 23.

Nicolas Batum scored 17 points for the Blazers, who are seventh in the West and one-half game behind sixth-place New Orleans.

"It's March and every game counts," Batum said. "We have 21 games remaining, so every game is a big one because the Western Conference is a tough place to play."

Brandon Roy sat out since McMillian has opted not to play his star guard on back-to-back nights as he recovers from arthroscopic surgery on both knees. Roy is expected back in the lineup Saturday to provide the Blazers with another offensive weapon.

However, they may not need much offense against Charlotte.

The Bobcats (26-35) have lost three straight to the Blazers, scoring less than 80 points in each matchup. It's been nearly the same against recent opponents, as Charlotte dropped its third straight in a 92-84 loss Friday to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Bobcats have been held under 90 points in each game during their skid and were coming off their worst loss in franchise history -- a 120-80 loss Tuesday in Denver.

Making matters worse, leading scorer Stephen Jackson left Friday's game in the third quarter with a strained left hamstring.

Coach Paul Silas said Jackson could be out for at least a few games. Losing its leading scorer could be a major blow to Charlotte's playoff hopes, as the ninth-place Bobcats are only one game behind eighth-place Indiana for the Eastern Conference's final postseason spot.

"I hurt (the hamstring) in Charlotte before, but it's never gotten this serious to where I couldn't get through it in the game," Jackson said. "It's been two games in a row, so I've got to take a serious look at it. It's frustrating, because we're right there."

Silas went as far as to say Wallace would have been helped with Jackson going down.

"Well, a big difference was we didn't have Gerald Wallace," Silas said. "If we would have had him, we would have been better, but they were good."

D.J. Augustin scored 22 points for Charlotte, which ranks 28th in the NBA offensively at 93.9 points per game.

The Bobcats have lost four straight overall and seven of nine on the road, but the Blazers have dropped two straight at home.
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Sacramento Kings Vs Utah Jazz Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 5,2011.

2011-03-05T23:51:00.000+06:00

Sacramento Kings Vs Utah Jazz Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 5,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
The Utah Jazz have made four consecutive postseason appearances due in part to their dominance at home.

Their recent play in Salt Lake City, though, has hurt their chances of extending that playoff run.

Looking for their first home victory in more than a month, the Jazz hope to avoid a ninth loss in 10 games overall when they face the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night.

Utah (32-30) went an NBA-best 133-31 at home from 2006-07 through 2009-10 and made the playoffs in each of those four seasons.

However, since defeating Charlotte 83-78 on Jan. 31, the Jazz have lost seven straight in Salt Lake -- their longest home skid since losing a franchise-record 12 in a row Feb. 15-March 29, 1982.

The Jazz have fallen to 10th in the Western Conference by losing 17 of 22 overall, including the last three by five points or less.

They fell 103-101 to Denver on Thursday night after Andrei Kirilenko stole an inbounds pass with 1.2 seconds remaining but lost the ball under the basket as the buzzer sounded.

"We got a lot of ball left to play, (Thursday) is a prime example -- as long as there's some time on the clock, you still have a chance to win the game," said coach Tyrone Corbin, 1-6 since taking over for Jerry Sloan. "We never quit on the game, and as long as we don't do that, don't quit on each other, we got a chance to work our way out of this thing."

One positive sign Thursday was Devin Harris scoring 21 points, his most in four games since being acquired from New Jersey in the Deron Williams deal. He had a season-high four 3-pointers and nine assists.

Al Jefferson has averaged 26.0 points and 10.9 rebounds over the last seven games, but the Jazz have struggled defensively during that stretch as they've allowed an average of 105.9 points.

Defense also has been a problem for Sacramento (15-44), giving up an average of 109.9 points in the last 13 games.

The Kings dropped to 3-11 since the beginning of February with a 107-102 loss to Portland on Wednesday night.

Marcus Thornton followed a season-best 29-point performance with 26 against the Blazers and is averaging 21.0 in four games since New Orleans shipped him to Sacramento.

Rookie DeMarcus Cousins had a season-high-tying 28 points and 11 rebounds Wednesday in his third game since being removed from the starting lineup.

"It's all a learning experience for him, everything is new," coach Paul Westphal said. "DeMarcus learns from doing, rather than having somebody tell him what's going to happen. ... I think that the more things he has happen to him, both good and bad, the more he'll be able to be consistent in the future."

Cousins, the fifth overall pick in the draft, is averaging 21.5 points -- 7.6 better than his season mark -- and 11.5 rebounds in two meetings with Utah.

It's unclear if he'll go up against fellow rookie forward Derrick Favors, also acquired in the Williams deal, because the third overall pick sat out Thursday due to a cold.

The Kings continue to play without reigning Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans (foot) but could have swingman Francisco Garcia available after a strained left calf sidelined him for 21 games.

Utah has taken seven of nine against Sacramento -- including both meetings this season -- and six of seven at home in the series while averaging 108.6 points.

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Sacramento Kings Vs Utah Jazz Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 5,2011.Sacramento Kings Vs Utah Jazz Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 5,2011.Sacramento Kings Vs Utah Jazz Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 5,2011.

Indiana Pacers Vs Houston Rockets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 5,2011.

2011-03-05T23:50:00.002+06:00

Indiana Pacers Vs Houston Rockets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 5,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
Desperately trying to move into playoff position, the Houston Rockets know they can't afford too many more missed opportunities.

The Rockets look to bounce back from their first defeat in more than a week Saturday night when they host the Indiana Pacers, who are trying to maintain their tenuous grip on an Eastern Conference playoff spot.

Houston (31-32) had its five-game winning streak snapped with a 106-103 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. Despite that winning streak, the Rockets are 11th in the Western Conference -- three games behind Memphis for the eighth and final playoff spot.

The Rockets shot 41.8 percent against a Clippers team 8 1/2 games behind them in the standings, but coach Rick Adelman is confident they can recover in another seemingly favorable matchup.

"You're going to lose some games," Adelman told the Rockets' official website. "We lost, now you have to respond against Indiana. You can't give in to it."

Houston snapped a four-game skid in this series with a 102-99 win at Indiana (27-34) on Nov. 12. Indiana has won the last two meetings in Houston, including a 125-115 victory last season.

"We're more prepared to win games and we'll have more chances down the stretch to win games," said Rockets forward Luis Scola, who had 25 points and 11 rebounds in last season's home loss to Indiana. "It's not like I feel well about (Wednesday's) loss, I just feel well about the way we're approaching games."

Kyle Lowry had 24 points with 11 assists and Courtney Lee added 18 points off the bench Wednesday as the Rockets gave up more than 90 points for the first time in three games.

Lowry has recorded 11 assists in each of the last two games, and is averaging 21.0 points on 50 percent shooting in his last three. He had 13 points, seven assists and six rebounds against the Pacers in November.

Indiana could have a tough time continuing its recent success in Houston after losing for the fourth time in five games, 116-108 at Dallas on Friday.

Despite their recent rough stretch, the Pacers hold a one-game edge on Charlotte for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.

"We've always known there are ups and downs with the schedule," coach Frank Vogel told the Pacers' official website. "We're just battling every night. We believe a great deal in ourselves that we are going to make the playoffs."

Danny Granger had 22 points and Darren Collison added 17, but it wasn't enough as the Pacers allowed more than 110 points for the third time in four games and fell to 0-2 on a three-game trip.

Granger, who bounced back from a nine-point effort in a 113-89 loss at Oklahoma City on Wednesday, scored 36 at Houston last season.

The Pacers are 10-7 since Vogel replaced the fired Jim O'Brien on Jan. 30.

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Minnesota Timberwolves Vs Washington Wizards Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 5,2011.

2011-03-05T23:49:00.003+06:00

Minnesota Timberwolves Vs Washington Wizards Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 5,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
Returning to the Verizon Center hasn't cured the Washington Wizards' woes, but they might have a chance to salvage the end of a four-game homestand.

The Wizards will try to do that by recording their seventh consecutive home victory Saturday night over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Washington (15-45) was probably looking forward to a lengthy stay at home after playing four of five on the road near the end of last month. The Wizards, though, have extended their losing streak to seven.

Washington's rally from a 20-point deficit fell short in Wednesday's 106-102 loss to Golden State, their season-high fifth in a row at home and 16th in 18 overall. Nick Young scored 31 points but missed a potential tying 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds left.

"To fight back and have a shot to tie it at the end is a credit to them, but we can't afford to dig ourselves a hole," said Randy Wittman, who served as acting Wizards coach while Flip Saunders missed the game to attend to his ailing mother.

Saunders is expected to return to coach against his former team, which failed to win for the third time in four games Friday. Minnesota (15-48) trailed Philadelphia by a point with 2:47 left but allowed the 76ers to score 10 unanswered points in a 111-100 defeat.

"The best thing about the NBA is there's another game tomorrow," the Timberwolves' Kevin Love told the league's website. "There's another chance for us to help turn it around."

Love shook off a third-quarter collision with Elton Brand to finish with 21 points and 23 rebounds, his 10th 20-20 game this season. It was also the All-Star forward's 49th consecutive double-double, leaving him two shy of matching Moses Malone's streak from 1978-79.

"It's amazing and it's becoming mundane," coach Kurt Rambis said of Love, who has a league-best 58 double-doubles this season. "He just keeps doing it over and over."

Love had 35 points and 11 rebounds to lead Minnesota to a 109-97 win over Washington on Jan. 13. Rashard Lewis led five Wizards players in double figures with 19 points and is expected to play Saturday despite suffering from sore right knee.

Lewis has averaged 4.0 points on 30.8 percent shooting since returning from a three-game absence.

"Sometimes the soreness in his knee puts him in situations where his leg can't fire as much as he wants it to," Saunders said. "He's such a professional. He wants to play at a high level and help the team. ... He's important to us, as much as anything just for his leadership."

Minnesota, the Western Conference's worst road team at 5-26, is trying to complete consecutive winning three-game trips. The Timberwolves were 2-1 against New Orleans, Houston and Indiana from Feb. 7-11.

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Toronto Raptors Vs New Jersey Nets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 5,2011.

2011-03-05T23:49:00.000+06:00

Toronto Raptors Vs New Jersey Nets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 5,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
Owner Mikhail Prokhorov knows the key to the New Jersey Nets turning their franchise around is getting a long-term commitment from Deron Williams.

With a few more fourth quarters like he saw Friday in London, perhaps Williams will be more inclined to stick around.

An impressive comeback helped the Nets pick up their first win since Williams' arrival, a performance they'll look to replicate against the Toronto Raptors in Saturday's tail end of the NBA's first regular-season foray in Europe.

Prokhorov couldn't lure Carmelo Anthony to New Jersey, but shocked the league by landing Williams in from Utah on Feb. 23.

But while Anthony immediately signed a three-year, $65 million to stay in New York after being dealt from Denver, the Russian billionaire hasn't yet been able to secure a similar commitment from Williams.

Prokhorov said the two will sit down while in London to discuss Williams staying with the Nets (18-43) for the long haul, and Friday was the best New Jersey has looked since the trade. Trailing by three going into the fourth quarter, the Nets outscored Toronto 38-22 and came away with a 116-103 win to end their six-game losing streak.

"We had a lot of energy today," said Williams, who had 16 points and 11 assists. "We were all a little worried about how the trip would affect us, fatigue would set in. But we had a lot of energy. We had definitely some bright spots, some guys played great for us tonight."

New Jersey shot 55.6 percent -- its best since a 59.7-percent effort Nov. 15 -- as it got 25 points from Brook Lopez and 18 points and 17 rebounds from former Raptor Kris Humphries.

"Our chemistry grows every game by the boatload," said Lopez, who's averaged 21.3 points in his last four games against the Raptors.

One thing the Nets are definitely doing more is sharing the ball. New Jersey averaged 19.7 assists prior to the All-Star break -- 28th in the league -- but it's averaged an Eastern Conference-best 26.8 since Williams' arrival.

Precise passing from their opponents has spelled trouble for the Raptors. Toronto is 11-12 when it allows 19 assists or fewer and 6-33 if the opposition records 20 or more.

While the Raptors (17-45) certainly need to defend better Saturday, they had some solid offensive performances Friday. DeMar DeRozan had a game-high 30 points, Andrea Bargnani had 23 and Ed Davis hit all six of his shots to finish with 12 points and eight boards off the bench.

Bargnani has averaged 25.5 points since Feb. 4, but the 7-footer has only pulled down five rebounds per game in that span.

"Andrea's been very good over the last month, and he's been a guy that's carried us," coach Jay Triano said. "He needs to be a better rebounder and better at the defensive end, but we think he's making progress (even if) tonight wasn't a good example."

Both teams were impressed with Friday's announced sellout crowd of 18,689, which seemed to be split between the teams.

"I loved the crowd," Bargnani said. "I really felt the excitement. I was nervous in the first half. I think it's going to be better (Saturday)."

Williams agreed.

"These games are great for global basketball, great for the NBA," he said. "... When both teams did something good out there, they liked it. And I hope this is just the start of many, many more games."

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Toronto Raptors Vs New Jersey Nets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 5,2011.Toronto Raptors Vs New Jersey Nets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 5,2011.Toronto Raptors Vs New Jersey Nets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage March 5,2011.

Denver Nuggets Vs Portland Trail Blazers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.

2011-02-25T22:44:00.002+06:00

Denver Nuggets Vs Portland Trail Blazers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
The Denver Nuggets haven't seemed to mind life without Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups.

The Portland Trail Blazers hope a new addition can keep them going strong toward the postseason.

Portland hosts Denver on Friday night in a matchup of teams separated by only one game in the tight Western Conference standings.

The new-look Nuggets (34-25) have won both games since sending Anthony and Billups to New York for Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton and Timofey Mozgov. Two nights after beating Memphis 120-107 with a short-handed roster due to the trade they completed earlier Tuesday, the Nuggets knocked off Eastern Conference-leading Boston 89-75 on Thursday.

Each of the newcomers was in uniform against the Celtics, and none contributed more than Chandler.

An emerging guard averaging a career-high 16.7 points per game, Chandler scored 16 off the bench and hit a late 3-pointer to put Denver ahead for good.

Kenyon Martin led all scorers with 18 points despite playing with the flu and missing the second quarter while getting an IV in the locker room.

"It's how hard you play. Shots come and go," Martin said. "It's about just giving maximum effort day in and day out. That's what we did. That's what we'll continue to do."

The Nuggets held Boston to 39.0 percent shooting and closed the game with a 16-0 run to put away the Celtics. It marked only the third time in 16 games that Denver had won when scoring fewer than 100 points.

One of those victories came against the Trail Blazers, 95-77 on Dec. 28 in Denver.

Portland hasn't scored that little since, partly because of the surging LaMarcus Aldridge, who is averaging 33.2 points over his last six games.

Aldridge scored 29 points and had 14 rebounds for the Trail Blazers (32-25) on Wednesday, but Portland saw its season-best six-game winning streak snapped with a 106-101 overtime loss at home to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Blazers, seventh in the West and a game behind Denver, blew a 10-point lead in the final six minutes.

Portland hopes to have athletic scorer and new acquisition Gerald Wallace in the lineup Friday to help complement leading scorer Aldridge.

The Blazers obtained Wallace, who averaged 15.6 points and 8.2 rebounds in 48 games with Charlotte this season, before the trade deadline Thursday for center Joel Przybilla, reserve forward Dante Cunningham and center Sean Marks.

"He is just the sort of talent we were looking for," Blazers owner Paul Allen said. "I'm sure our fans will embrace him and hopefully he can help us make some noise in the playoffs."

Another major talent, Brandon Roy made his return from knee surgery Wednesday, scoring five points in just over 15 minutes. Blazers coach Nate McMillan said Roy will not play in back-to-back games initially, meaning the high-scoring guard Roy will sit out against Denver.

"It felt good," Roy said. "I was happy to be out there playing, just trying to get my flow back."

The home team has won the last six meetings in this series, including an 86-83 win for Portland on Nov. 18, when Aldridge had 24 points to lead all scorers.
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Denver Nuggets Vs Portland Trail Blazers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.Denver Nuggets Vs Portland Trail Blazers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.

Los Angeles Clippers Vs LA Lakers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.

2011-02-25T22:43:00.002+06:00

Los Angeles Clippers Vs LA Lakers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
As superstars for their respective Los Angeles teams, Kobe Bryant and Blake Griffin were very complimentary of each other during All-Star weekend. It's safe to say the feelings may not be the same between Griffin and Bryant's Lakers teammate, Lamar Odom.

The Staples Center co-tenants had a feisty confrontation in their most recent meeting last month, and the Clippers will have an entirely different backcourt Friday night after trading Baron Davis.

Bryant and Griffin were the headliners during All-Star weekend in Los Angeles. Griffin won the slam dunk contest and Bryant earned his fourth All-Star game MVP award while also praising his younger counterpart.

"I love Blake, man," Bryant said. "This summer, I got a chance to get to know him a little bit because we were doing therapy at the same place, so we were sitting next to each other most of the time and got a chance to kind of talk, when nobody is around."

Odom probably feels differently. Odom, Griffin, Davis and Ron Artest were all ejected near the end of the Clippers' 99-92 victory Jan. 16.

With 5.7 seconds left, Griffin slammed aggressively into Odom's back while seeking position for a possible rebound. Odom grabbed Griffin's jersey and verbally expressed his displeasure.

"Maybe I overreacted, but I just feel like if you're up 9, a ram in the back at that point?" Odom said after the game. "Any other time, I get it. You play hard, you're strong, whatever, but the ram in the back (while) up 9? I don't get it, so I'm just going to have to react."

Griffin ducked his head and tried to walk away from the confrontation. That's when Davis shoved Odom firmly in the chest, leading to both teams circling under the hoop.

"There's never a situation where I'm not going to go to the glass," Griffin said. "I would think of all people, (Odom) would know that."

The Clippers got 30 points from Eric Gordon and 14 from Davis in that game, but neither will play Friday. Gordon remains out with a sprained right wrist while Davis and a 2011 first-round draft pick were traded to Cleveland on Thursday for guard Mo Williams and forward Jamario Moon.

"Mo Williams is a 28-year-old All-Star whose skill set not only complements our frontcourt players but is an excellent running mate with Eric Gordon on both ends of the floor," vice president of basketball operations Neil Olshey said. "Jamario is an elite athlete that can play multiple positions and will help us improve defensively."

It's not clear if Williams and Moon will be available Friday for the Clippers, who have not played at Staples Center since Feb. 2 and are coming off back-to-back losses to Oklahoma City and New Orleans. They have consecutive games against the NBA finalists this weekend, hosting Boston on Saturday.

The Lakers have captured both games since the All-Star break, winning 106-101 in overtime at Portland on Wednesday. Bryant scored 37 points to help his team rally from 10 down with 5:49 left in the fourth quarter.

"This was truly a playoff type of test, because of the crowd and things weren't going our way," Bryant said.

The Clippers have won three of the last five meetings with the Lakers, who will be the home team Friday. The Lakers have won the last six home matchups.

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Los Angeles Clippers Vs LA Lakers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.Los Angeles Clippers Vs LA Lakers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.

Atlanta Hawks Vs Golden State Warriors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.

2011-02-25T22:42:00.002+06:00

Atlanta Hawks Vs Golden State Warriors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
After struggling for two weeks, the Atlanta Hawks hope a new addition will help them get back on track.

Veteran Kirk Hinrich could make his Atlanta debut when the visiting Hawks try to avoid matching a season high with their fourth consecutive loss Friday night against the Golden State Warriors.

Atlanta (34-23) is fifth in the Eastern Conference, but has lost five of its last six. Its latest defeat, 105-97 at Phoenix on Wednesday, came hours after trading Mike Bibby, Jordan Crawford, Maurice Evans and a 2011 first-round pick to Washington for Hinrich and forward Hilton Armstrong.

With the 32-year-old Bibby having lost step at both ends of the court and second-year backup Jeff Teague averaging 4.0 points and 1.7 assists, the Hawks hope Hinrich can provide some stability at point guard.

In his eighth NBA season, Hinrich averaged 11.1 points and 4.4 assists in 48 games with 29 starts for Washington.

"We have been searching for a point guard, someone who can come in and run this club," Hawks coach Larry Drew said. "I am not saying that Mike didn't do a good job. There just comes a point with the team where a change has to take place.

"With Kirk he brings toughness at that position. He is a heady guy, a smart guy and can make shots, all the tangibles we were looking for."

While the Hawks sacrificed depth, the remaining players are willing to let the move play out.

"We have to wait and see what happens," Atlanta All-Star Joe Johnson said.

The Hawks hope Hinrich also can provide some improvement on offense over Bibby and help a club that's averaged 88.3 points and shot 43.8 percent over the last six games.

Atlanta shot 48.1 percent at Phoenix, but couldn't overcome an 18-point deficit. Josh Smith scored 26 points, but Johnson was held to 12 on 5-of-13 shooting.

Johnson is averaging 19.3 points per game -- his lowest in six seasons with the Hawks -- and 11.3 while shooting 39.2 percent over the last six contests. The veteran swingman has totaled 26 points the last two games overall against the Warriors, but averaged 26.0 in the last four at Golden State.

Though Smith had 22 points with 10 boards in a 103-93 home win over the Warriors (26-30) on Dec. 29, the Hawks have allowed 113.5 points per game while dropping their last two trips to the Bay Area.

Golden State is 4 1/2 games out of the final playoff spot in the West despite winning seven of 10.

The Warriors had a three-game winning streak snapped with Tuesday's 115-93 loss to Boston. Leading scorer Monta Ellis was held to 15 points -- 10 below his average.

Ellis had 12 on 4-of-13 shooting at Atlanta in December, but has scored 26 in each of his last two at home against the Hawks.

Golden State also made a minor trade Wednesday, sending backup forwards Brandan Wright and Dan Gadzuric to New Jersey for veteran Troy Murphy and a 2012 second-round pick.

"Our draft-pick situation could use some help," Warriors general manager Larry Riley said. "Whenever we have an opportunity to acquire a draft pick within reason, we'll do that."

Murphy spent five-plus seasons with the Warriors after being selected 14th overall in 2001.
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Atlanta Hawks Vs Golden State Warriors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.Atlanta Hawks Vs Golden State Warriors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.

New Jersey Nets Vs San Antonio Spurs SAS Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.

2011-02-25T22:41:00.003+06:00

New Jersey Nets Vs San Antonio Spurs SAS Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
After failing to acquire one All-Star prior to the trade deadline, New Jersey was able to land another. That still might not be enough to help the Nets win in San Antonio for the first time in more than nine years.

Deron Williams is expected to make his Nets debut Friday night when they try to avoid a ninth consecutive road defeat to the Spurs, who have not lost at home in almost three months.

When New Jersey (17-40) lost out on Carmelo Anthony this week, it moved fast to acquire the two-time All-Star point guard from Utah on Wednesday for Devin Harris, rookie Derrick Favors, two first-round draft picks and $3 million in cash in a deal that stunned most of the league, including Williams.

"Very rarely are you able to trade for someone who is arguably the best at his position," Nets coach Avery Johnson said. "We had to give up a lot, but when you get a chance to get him, you go for it. It wasn't a planned trade.

"This wasn't a plan B. He's a plan A guy. We eventually had to do something like this to get a player of this skill level."

The club hopes Williams can be the focal point when it moves into the new Brooklyn arena for the 2012-13 season, but Williams said he will not make a decision on whether to opt out of his contract with the Nets until next season. The sixth-year veteran is scheduled to make $17.7 million in 2012-13, but can walk away from that deal after 2011-12.

The Nets would rather focus on Williams helping them avoid a fourth straight loss in their first game since the All-Star break.

Though Williams apparently had his issues with recently retired Utah coach Jerry Sloan, he averaged a career-high 21.3 points with 9.7 assists for the Jazz this season.

"Whatever his relationship with coach Sloan, that will not have any affect on our relationship," Johnson said. "I have never had a point guard with Deron's talent level and skill level. I've coached some terrific guys, but with the package he brings to the table, we're really excited."

Johnson hopes Williams can pay immediate dividends for the Nets, who have averaged 80.3 points during an eight-game skid in San Antonio dating to a 92-86 win there Jan. 22, 2002.

Williams has averaged 20.0 points his last six games at San Antonio and scored a season-high 39 against the Spurs in Utah on Jan. 26.

The Nets have lost 15 of 16 overall to San Antonio (47-10), including 102-85 at home Feb. 14.

Manu Ginobili had 22 points in that contest and 21 in a 97-85 win over New Jersey in the teams' last meeting in San Antonio on Jan. 10, 2010.

The All-Star swingman had just 11 points, but Tony Parker added 20 and Gary Neal 19 off the bench as the Spurs improved to 26-2 at home with a 109-105 win over Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Owner of the NBA's best record, San Antonio has a chance to win 20 straight at home for the first time in a season since Nov. 11-1989-Feb. 6, 1990.

"It's great, it's been big, the homecourt," Ginobili told the Spurs' official website. "But it's just a stat."

Parker has totaled 46 points the last two games.
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New Jersey Nets Vs San Antonio Spurs SAS Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.New Jersey Nets Vs San Antonio Spurs SAS Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.

Oklahoma City Thunder Vs Orlando Magic Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.

2011-02-25T22:41:00.000+06:00

Oklahoma City Thunder Vs Orlando Magic Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
With Kevin Durant and Dwight Howard as their respective centerpieces, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Orlando Magic are viable contenders for an NBA championship.

Only the Thunder made moves to improve their chances, while Howard and the Magic aren't happy with much lately.

With Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson possibly joining Durant in the lineup Friday night, the Thunder seek their first win at Orlando in almost seven years.

Oklahoma City (36-20) leads the Northwest Division this late in a season for the first time since winning it as the Seattle SuperSonics in 2005.

Durant is a major reason for the Thunder's success, leading the NBA in scoring for a second consecutive season, averaging 28.8 points in 2010-11 while his 7.1 rebounds tie Serge Ibaka for the team high.

Howard is Orlando's team leader with 23.0 points per game and his 13.9 rebounds rank second in the league, as the Magic (36-22) are fourth in the Eastern Conference.

Only one of these All-Stars, though, is getting help for the stretch run.

The Thunder landed Perkins and Robinson from Boston in exchange for forward Jeff Green, center Nenad Kristic, a 2012 first-round pick and cash prior to Thursday's trade deadline.

Perkins appears to be what Oklahoma City was looking for, a strong defender at center who helped the Celtics win the 2008 title and lose to the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games last season.

Oklahoma City allows an average of 102.3 points, easily the worst of the six division leaders.

"We had a unique opportunity to add a proven presence in our front court in acquiring Kendrick," general manager Sam Presti said. "He will help anchor our defense while Nate will add depth and athleticism to our backcourt."

Perkins, though, has played just 12 games since returning from knee injury sustained in Game 6 of the NBA finals. He's averaging 7.3 points and 8.1 rebounds, getting a season-high 13 boards with Boston while playing opposite Howard in a 91-80 win over Orlando on Feb. 6.

Robinson, averaging 7.1 points in 55 games -- 11 starts -- with the Celtics this season, will provide depth behind star guard Russell Westbrook.

The additions might be timely after Durant scored 30 with nine rebounds while Westbrook added 25 points and seven assists in a 109-105 loss at San Antonio. The other three Thunder starters combined for 18 points.

Westbrook had a triple-double with 32 points, 13 assists and 10 boards while Durant scored 36 in a 125-124 win over Orlando on Jan. 13.

The Thunder have dropped six consecutive visits to Orlando since a win there March 13, 2004.

The Magic have split their last 14 games, and Howard was livid following their 26.3 percent shooting in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's 111-105 loss to last-place Sacramento.

"We've been talking for a long time -- all we seem to do is talk," Howard said. "We have a lot of talent, but talent won't win you championships. You get to the finals, both teams are very talented. That's how they got to the finals. But hard work, commitment-every play, every night is what gets you the championship.

"We're one of the most talented teams in the NBA. We're a deep team, we have guys that can do a lot of different things, but if you don't bring it, it's a waste of talent."

Howard is doing his part, averaging 31.3 points and 13.3 rebounds over the last three games. He had 39 points and 18 boards in the latest meeting with Oklahoma City.
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Oklahoma City Thunder Vs Orlando Magic Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.Oklahoma City Thunder Vs Orlando Magic Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.

New Orleans Hornets Vs Minnesota Timberwolves Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.

2011-02-25T22:40:00.001+06:00

New Orleans Hornets Vs Minnesota Timberwolves Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
The Minnesota Timberwolves have the fewest wins in the Western Conference during a tumultuous season of many lows and very few highs.

Two of those victories, though, have come against the New Orleans Hornets.

While going for an NBA-record 45th consecutive double-double, Kevin Love also will try to lead the Timberwolves to a season sweep of the Hornets on Friday night in Minnesota.

Love matched Moses Malone's mark set during the 1982-83 season by finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds Wednesday in the Timberwolves' 104-95 loss to Memphis. It was the sixth straight defeat overall for Minnesota (13-45), which has also lost six in a row and 12 of 14 at the Target Center.

Love didn't record his 10th rebound until 3:02 remained in the game and admitted the streak has been a distraction.

"In some ways I was like, 'Okay, I want to tie this thing,' but in a lot of ways I was like, 'I just wish this thing would end so I could go out there and just start playing again,'" he told the league's official website.

Love had 16 points and 11 rebounds Dec. 27 in a 113-98 home win over the Hornets. He then tallied 27 points with 17 boards Feb. 7 in a 104-92 victory in New Orleans.

Love is in the top 20 the league with 20.9 points per game, and the NBA's leader with 895 rebounds -- 118 more than second-place Dwight Howard of Orlando.

"We need to play hard. I'm going out there every night playing extremely hard. I know that," Love said. "But it doesn't take one person. It takes everybody, and we need to go out there and try to get the job done by any means possible."

Minnesota has not swept a season series from New Orleans since taking all four meetings in 2004-05.

Michael Beasley shot only 5 of 17 and scored 14 points against Memphis, but had a team-high 30 with nine rebounds and seven assists versus the Hornets in December.

Despite Minnesota's high-scoring output against New Orleans, the Timberwolves have averaged only 88.2 points over their last five games and 89.5 during their home losing streak.

A low-scoring affair may play right into the hands of the Hornets, who have scored fewer than 100 in nine of their last 10.

New Orleans (34-25) forced 13 turnovers and shot 51.3 percent -- its highest since Jan. 26 -- in a 98-87 victory Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers.

"That's the kind of game we've been playing all year long," coach Monty Williams told the league's official website. "When we play ugly games like that, those games feel good to us."

David West scored 22 points while Chris Paul added 19 and 10 assists. West has averaged 20.5 points and Paul has totaled 26 assists versus Minnesota in 2010-11.

The win was the Hornets' third in 12 games after winning 10 straight from Jan. 9-26, dropping them into a tight race for one of the West's last four playoff spots.

Carl Landry is expected to make his New Orleans debut after being acquired Wednesday from Sacramento for guard Marcus Thornton. Landry, who averages 11.9 points and 4.8 rebounds, should lend an inside presence that's been missing with Emeka Okafor out for the last 10 games with strained left hip.
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New Orleans Hornets Vs Minnesota Timberwolves Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.New Orleans Hornets Vs Minnesota Timberwolves Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.

Washington Wizards Vs Miami Heat Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.

2011-02-25T22:39:00.002+06:00

Washington Wizards Vs Miami Heat Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
The Miami Heat did nothing in their latest game to dispel the notion that they can't keep up with the NBA's other top teams.

When facing the league's bottom feeders, however, they've been nearly unstoppable.

The Heat look to bounce back Friday night by picking up an 11th straight win over a sub-.500 opponent when they host the Washington Wizards, who seem to have little hope of avoiding a 28th loss in 29 road games.

Miami (42-16) came out of the All-Star break clicking on all cylinders in a 117-97 rout of Sacramento, a victory that improved the Southeast Division leaders to 30-2 against teams that currently have losing records.

That set up a showdown of division leaders Thursday at Chicago, but the Heat again came up short against one of their top-flight peers. Miami led by nine at halftime but was outscored 27-14 in the third quarter and outrebounded 53-39 for the game in a 93-89 loss.

While LeBron James and Dwyane Wade combined for 63 points on 24-of-45 shooting, Chris Bosh missed 17 of his 18 field-goal attempts -- the worst individual shooting performance the league had seen since Tim Hardaway went 0 for 17 for Golden State against Minnesota on Dec. 27, 1991.

The Heat fell to 1-7 against the league's other five teams with at least 39 victories.

"It makes it frustrating just knowing that if I would have made two or three of them in a close game like that it would have made a difference," Bosh said.

Bosh is facing the right team to bounce back. The Wizards allow their opponents to shoot a league-best 49.1 percent on the road, and Bosh's average of 25.4 points versus Washington since 2005-06 is his best against any Eastern Conference club.

The Wizards (15-41) are the last sub-.500 opponent Miami will see for a while. Starting with Sunday's visit from New York, the Heat will play 10 straight against teams with winning records -- though eight of those are at AmericanAirlines Arena, where they've won six in a row and 15 of 17.

Miami beat Washington 105-94 at home Nov. 29, behind 30 points from LeBron James and 26 from Dwyane Wade.

The Heat weren't nearly as sharp in the nation's capital Dec. 18, rallying from a five-point deficit in the final 32.6 seconds and escaping with a 95-94 victory.

"We played a horrible basketball game," coach Eric Spoelstra said. "... Sometimes you steal games when a team outplays you for the majority of the game."

Top overall draft pick John Wall, who's averaged 20.5 points and 9.3 assists over his last four games, missed both games versus Miami due to injury but is now healthy.

The Wizards finally earned a road win Feb. 13 in Cleveland, halting their skid at 25, but it's been business as usual away from the Verizon Center since then. Washington shot 34.9 percent in a 101-76 loss at Orlando right before the All-Star break, then trailed by as many as 36 points in a 117-94 loss at Philadelphia on Wednesday.

The team had a bit of a mid-game distraction. News broke during the game that the Wizards had traded Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong to Atlanta for Mike Bibby and Jordan Crawford, Maurice Evans and a first-round draft choice.

"It was a pretty tough thing to hear," Wall said. "Kirk's a veteran guy who taught me an awful lot about NBA basketball. I'll really miss him. And Hilton was a good friend, too."

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Washington Wizards Vs Miami Heat Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.Washington Wizards Vs Miami Heat Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.

New York NY Knicks Vs Cleveland Cavaliers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.

2011-02-25T22:38:00.003+06:00

New York NY Knicks Vs Cleveland Cavaliers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
The last time the New York Knicks were in Cleveland, they fell apart down the stretch in a loss that turned out to be the Cavaliers' lone victory in an 11-week stretch.

New York will be bringing a few more late-game options to Quicken Loans Arena this time.

Carmelo Anthony makes his Knicks road debut Friday night trying to help his new team avoid a 10th straight loss Cavaliers, who made a few intriguing moves shortly before Thursday's trade deadline.

New York led Cleveland 86-82 with 6:50 remaining on Dec. 18, but missed nine of its last 11 shots in regulation before losing 109-102 in overtime.

It was the Cavs' ninth straight win in the series -- LeBron James, of course, had much to do with the first eight -- but it was their only victory in a 37-game stretch from Nov. 30-Feb. 9.

After the past week, both rosters look considerably different than they did in December. The Knicks (29-26) made the most anticipated splash leading up to the trade deadline Tuesday by landing Anthony and Chauncey Billups, neither of whom disappointed in their debuts Wednesday against Milwaukee.

Anthony had 11 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, while Billups had 21 -- including four free throws in the final 21 seconds -- to help New York hold on to win 114-108 even after Amare Stoudemire fouled out late in the fourth quarter.

"Now you've got two guys that can take over a game, and one of them took it over (Wednesday)," team president Donnie Walsh said. "In the past, if Amare had fouled out, we could've won the game, but not in that fashion."

The Knicks have won three straight for the first time since Jan. 2-7.

"I know we got to jell. We got to get our chemistry down," Anthony said. "At the same time, we've got to roll. We got things to go out there and accomplish. We got goals to reach, and it starts now."

The Cavaliers (10-47) are in full rebuilding mode with James gone and Anderson Varejao out for the season, and they took another step in that direction Thursday. Cleveland shipped Mo Williams and Jamario Moon to the Los Angeles Clippers for Baron Davis and an unprotected 2011 first-round pick.

Davis makes nearly $12 million more than Williams on the remaining two years of his deal, but the Cavs felt adding another likely top-10 pick was worth that price.

"We feel good about it," general manager Chris Grant told the team's official website. "It gives us another opportunity and a 'chip in the game,' so to speak, that, because of our ownership group willing to step up at a pretty high level financially, allowed us to do something like this."

Davis, who had 16 points and 16 assists in helping the Clippers win at Madison Square Garden earlier this month, likely won't arrive in time for Friday's game. He'll be coming off the bench if he does, with Ramon Sessions -- averaging 19.7 points and 9.2 assists this month -- starting.

Later Thursday, Cleveland sent a 2013 second-round pick to Boston for rookies Semih Erden and Luke Harangody.

None of the Cavs' new acquisitions figure to offer much help defensively, but as they showed in their first game following the All-Star break, they certainly need it. Cleveland shot 51.6 percent and hit 13 3-pointers Wednesday against Houston, but was outrebounded 57-37 in a 124-119 loss.

The Cavaliers edged New York 56-47 on the boards Dec. 18, though Varejao had 17 of those.

Anthony has averaged 36.5 points in his last two visits to Cleveland.
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New York NY Knicks Vs Cleveland Cavaliers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.New York NY Knicks Vs Cleveland Cavaliers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.

Sacramento Kings Vs Charlotte Bobcats Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.

2011-02-25T22:38:00.000+06:00

Sacramento Kings Vs Charlotte Bobcats Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
With owner Michael Jordan participating in drills during practice and sitting courtside come game time, the Charlotte Bobcats know they are expected to play at a high level.

If they're going to meet those expectations and advance to the playoffs for the second straight season, they will have to do so without Gerald Wallace.

A day after Wallace and backup center Nazr Mohammed were traded in separate deals, the Bobcats will try to win their third straight at Time Warner Cable Arena on Friday night when they face the Sacramento Kings.

Despite turning 48 last Thursday, Jordan has been spending more time recently as a participant in practices. He may have lost a few steps since his last NBA game nearly eight years ago, but the Hall of Fame guard has not lost his competitiveness.

"Mike is winning some of our drills ... and I lay in on (the guys), 'How you going to let this man come out and beat you guys?'" coach Paul Silas said. "It's fun. They're into it, and that's what's most important is that they're buying in."

A 114-101 victory over Toronto on Tuesday left a smile on Jordan's face as the Bobcats began the unofficial second half of the season with their third win in four games.

Following Wednesday's practice, Wallace talked about how pleased he was with the team's intensity, but the veteran forward, who averaged 16.4 points and 7.5 rebounds in six-plus seasons with the club, won't be with the Bobcats (25-32) as they try to catch Indiana for the Eastern Conference's eighth and final playoff spot.

Wallace was sent to Portland before Thursday's trade deadline for center Joel Przybilla, forward Dante Cunningham and two first-round picks.

Charlotte traded Mohammed to Oklahoma City for forward D.J. White and guard Morris Peterson.

Sacramento (14-41) could have guard Marcus Thornton available after acquiring him from New Orleans on Wednesday for forward Carl Landry.

Thornton could back up second-year player Jermaine Taylor, who is making the most of his opportunity with Tyreke Evans sidelined at least three weeks with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

Taylor, acquired from Houston in December for a second-round pick, is averaging 17.0 points and shooting 21 of 35 from the field while starting the last three games. He scored a career-high 21 points in Wednesday's 111-105 victory at Orlando.

"(Evans' injury) is not something you want to see, but it's the NBA. It happens," Taylor said. "As long as I'm in the starting spot, I'm going to take advantage of it and go out there and have fun and play."

The Kings, who will be trying to win two straight for the first time since Jan. 28-29, have dropped five in a row against Charlotte and are 1-5 all-time at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Bobcats leading scorer Stephen Jackson, who had a team-high 21 points in a 94-89 victory in Sacramento on Jan. 25, is expected to play after leaving Tuesday's game with a strained left hamstring.
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Phoenix Suns Vs Toronto Raptors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.

2011-02-25T22:37:00.002+06:00

Phoenix Suns Vs Toronto Raptors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
The Phoenix Suns don't sit too far out of the playoff picture.

An upcoming six-game road trip could go a long way in determining their fate.

Looking to improve its position in the Western Conference, Phoenix begins its trek Friday night seeking a 13th consecutive victory over the Toronto Raptors.

Despite leading by as many as 18 points versus Atlanta on Wednesday night, the Suns (28-27) found themselves in a tie game with five minutes remaining before pulling out a 105-97 victory.

"It was a good team win to start off (after) the break," said Jared Dudley, who made 4 of 5 from 3-point range and scored 17 points off the bench. "We know what the task is at stake. Basically, we are a couple games back of the playoffs, home game before the road trip; we needed to come out with energy, get a win to get us going. We know what we need to do and this is a stepping stone."

Channing Frye keyed the win, scoring six of his 20 points in the final four minutes. He finished 4 of 8 on 3-point attempts and is shooting 54.2 percent from beyond the arc over the last three games while averaging 25.0 points.

The Suns are 11-1 when he makes at least four 3-pointers.

Phoenix remains in 10th place in the West, two games behind Memphis for the eighth and final playoff spot.

"We're approaching this like we're a college team and we're trying to get into the NCAA tournament," coach Alvin Gentry said. "We've got 27 games left and we don't have a conference tournament, so we've got to have an at-large bid."

Gentry's team could make up some ground during the first half of this trip with three games against opponents with sub-.500 records -- Toronto, Indiana and New Jersey.

The Suns, who have won five of seven on the road, have won six straight in Toronto while averaging 121.5 points. They've outscored the Raptors by an average of 12.2 points during their 12-game win streak in the series overall, which dates to a 101-94 loss Feb. 10, 2004.

Steve Nash, who grew up in British Columbia, has had at least 16 assists in each of his last three trips back to Canada. He is looking for a season-best eighth consecutive double-double after registering 13 points and 10 assists versus the Hawks.

While Nash continues to excel, Vince Carter is averaging 8.7 points on 37.7 percent shooting -- including 2 of 17 from 3-point range -- in his last seven games. Carter, though, has averaged 24.9 points against the Raptors in Toronto, where he spent his first six-plus seasons.

The Raptors (16-42) snapped Chicago's four-game winning streak with a 118-113 victory Wednesday night as both Andrea Bargnani and DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points.

Toronto, allowing opponents to shoot an NBA-worst 48.3 percent, improved to 9-2 when holding teams under 43.8 percent.

"Our main key is really defense, our defense definitely won us this game," said Amir Johnson, who scored 17 points. "If we can play defense and keep scoring like we do, we could be a problem."

It could be difficult to slow down the Suns, who average 105.1 points to rank fourth in the league. While offense has been its catalyst, Phoenix has surrendered 95.2 points per game -- 10.1 below its season average -- en route to winning eight of 11.

Phoenix acquired point guard Aaron Brooks from Houston on Thursday for guard Goran Dragic and a first-round draft pick. Brooks is averaging 11.6 points and 3.8 assists in 34 games.
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Detroit Pistons Vs Philadelphia 76ers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.

2011-02-25T22:36:00.000+06:00

Detroit Pistons Vs Philadelphia 76ers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
After an impressive stretch, the Philadelphia 76ers have a chance to reach the .500 mark for the first time this season.

Seeking what was once an improbable playoff berth, the 76ers will try for a ninth win in 11 home games when they meet the Detroit Pistons on Friday night.

Seven players scored in double figures as Philadelphia (28-29) outscored Washington by 31 points over the second and third quarters en route to a 117-94 win Wednesday night.

"I think it was a great thing to see us push forward in the second half," said forward Thaddeus Young, who had 18 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. "We've had too many games this season where we let teams back in it. We didn't do that this time and I think it's a sign of us maturing as a team."

Following a 3-13 start, it looked as though the 76ers would miss the playoffs for a second consecutive season. However, they have since gone 25-16 and climbed into seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

"Anytime we become a .500 team or above, it says a lot about where we came from or what we came through," said Young, averaging 19.5 points on 64.0 percent shooting in his last four games. "We've had a lot of obstacles and a lot of different things in front of us, and we all took the steps to get here. Now we are on one path of trying to get to the playoffs."

Philadelphia's success can be partly attributed to holding opponents to an average of 91.9 points while taking 17 of 22 at home. The 76ers could make things difficult on the Pistons, who are tied for last in the NBA with 90.9 points per game on the road.

Philadelphia's Andre Iguodala is averaging 10.8 points and shooting 24.5 percent over the last five games. However, he is averaging 21.0 points in his last nine matchups with the Pistons.

The 76ers have lost four of five meetings with the Pistons, falling 112-109 in overtime at Detroit on Jan. 8 as Iguodala sat out with Achilles' tendinitis.

Despite trailing by as many as 16 points in the second half Wednesday night, the Pistons (21-38) rallied and nearly escaped with a road victory. Indiana, though, scored with 5.4 seconds remaining to hand Detroit a 102-101 loss -- its fifth in six games.

Rookie forward Greg Monroe had a season-high 27 points and 12 rebounds.

"It felt good to be in the game like that, but I'd rather come out with a win," said Monroe, who registered 16 points and 13 boards Jan. 8. "We have to play the whole game like we did the fourth quarter and we might have a different outcome."

Tayshaun Prince, who also came up big with 23 points last month against the 76ers, went a season-worst 0 for 9 from the field in Tuesday night's 108-100 loss against Houston and missed his first three shots Wednesday before leaving with a back injury. His status for this game is unknown.

Rodney Stuckey, who leads Detroit with 15.1 points per game, has averaged 24.7 during his last three visits to Philadelphia.

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Utah Jazz Vs Indiana Pacers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.

2011-02-25T22:34:00.002+06:00

Utah Jazz Vs Indiana Pacers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 25,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
The Utah Jazz are on the verge of matching a season-high six-game losing streak. They hope their new-look roster can help them avoid doing so Friday night.

With Devin Harris and Derrick Favors expected to make their Jazz debuts, Utah visits a hot Indiana Pacers team that's seeking its third straight win.

After shipping star point guard Deron Williams to New Jersey in exchange for Harris, Favors, two first-round draft picks and cash Wednesday, Utah (31-27) lost 118-99 at Dallas that night. The Jazz's fifth consecutive defeat dropped them 0-4 under interim coach Tyrone Corbin.

Williams averaged 21.3 points and 9.7 assists with Utah this season.

"There are no excuses because guys are out of the lineup." Corbin told the team's official website. "We've got five guys on the floor, they play with five, and those out there on the floor have got to play the whole time they're out there. We just have to be better at finishing the game."

Having Harris, averaging 15.0 points and a career-best 7.6 assists, and Favors on the floor could help Utah do so.

The new players will look to mesh with big men Al Jefferson, who had 30 points and eight rebounds Wednesday, and Paul Millsap, who had 18 points and nine boards.

The Jazz, losers of 14 of 18, are averaging 93.8 points -- 5.6 fewer than their season mark -- during their five-game skid.

"Nobody else is going to feel sorry for us," Corbin said. "These guys, and most teams in the league, if you show them any weakness, they'll bury you. We don't want to be embarrassed."

Utah, which has lost eight of 10 on the road, is a half-game out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Pacers are clinging to eighth place in the East, but Indiana continued to put up wins Wednesday despite blowing a 16-point second-half lead to Detroit and trailing by one with time running out. Brandon Rush came through for Indiana, delivering the winning dunk with 5.4 seconds to go.

"They're not all going to be pretty," interim coach Frank Vogel said after the Pacers improved to 9-3 under him. "Sometimes you have to grind it out and get the 'W.'"

Indiana went 6 of 33 from 3-point range but earned the victory in large part because of reserve Tyler Hansbrough. The forward had 21 points and a season high-tying 12 rebounds -- eight offensive.

"He's really coming on, nobody in the NBA plays harder than Tyler Hansbrough, nobody," Vogel said. "That just wins a lot of games of you."

Danny Granger, averaging a team-best 21.0 points, was held to 14 during a 110-88 loss at Utah on Dec. 1. Williams had 24 points and 16 assists.

The Pacers have dropped five of the last six matchups, their only win in that span coming March 26 by a 122-106 score behind Granger's career-high 44 points.

Rush, likely to start again in place of the injured Mike Dunleavy, has gone 6 of 9 from beyond the arc over the last two meetings with the Jazz.
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Boston Celtics Vs Denver Nuggets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 24,2011.

2011-02-24T23:08:00.000+06:00

Boston Celtics Vs Denver Nuggets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 24,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
The Denver Nuggets started a new era in impressive fashion after shipping Carmelo Anthony to New York.
A repeat performance could be hard to come by against the Boston Celtics.With all of their new acquisitions expected to be available, the Nuggets will look to avoid a fourth loss in five meetings with the Celtics when the teams meet Thursday night at the Pepsi Center.The three-team deal that sent Anthony, Chauncey Billups and three other Nuggets to New York for Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari and Timofey Mozgov left the Nuggets (33-25) short-handed Tuesday. Denver, though, defeated Memphis 120-107 as six of its eight active players scored in double figures."Our guys, when their backs are confronted with a difficult situation, they usually play at a high level," coach George Karl said. "We always react to tough situations in a very positive way."

Denver, which also acquired Kosta Koufos from Minnesota in the three-team trade, led by 19 after two quarters and scored a season-best 41 points in the third to put the game out of reach.J.R. Smith went 6 of 11 from 3-point range and had 26 points while Arron Afflalo and Ty Lawson each scored 21."They played great (Tuesday), played hard," said the newly acquired Chandler, who averaged 20.5 points in his last two games with the Knicks. "They have a lot of good players here. I'm happy to be here ..."Denver was without Anthony in a 105-89 loss at Boston on Dec. 8, and could again have difficulty scoring against a Celtics team that has allowed 88.1 points in its last 15 games -- 3.1 below its league-best average.The Nuggets, whose 107.8 points per game rank first in the league, are 3-13 when they score less than 100.

Lawson had a season-high 24 points Dec. 8. Chandler, Gallinari and Felton combined for 64 points in a 118-116 loss to Boston on Dec. 15.While the Nuggets have lost three of four to the Celtics by an average of 22.7 points, they've won five of the last six matchups at home.Boston (41-14) began a four-game trip with a 115-93 win over Golden State on Tuesday thanks to solid second-half effort. After going into halftime tied at 60, the Celtics outscored the Warriors by 22 over the final two quarters for their third consecutive win."You lose the first game (after the All Star break), you kind of lose your momentum and then you're battling uphill," forward Paul Pierce said. "So it's kind of good to get that first one and keep that momentum."

Pierce scored 23 points Tuesday while Garnett had 24 -- his highest output since scoring 26 on Nov. 26. Garnett added 12 rebounds and six assists, while Rajon Rondo had 19 points and 15 assists.Ray Allen scored 28 points against the Nuggets in December and has averaged 24.9 -- his most against any team -- in 31 career games versus Denver.The Celtics have been playing without centers Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal, and they may be without Kendrick Perkins on Thursday after he left Tuesday's game with a bruised knee. His status is uncertain.

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Miami Heat Vs Chicago Bulls Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 24,2011.

2011-02-24T23:06:00.002+06:00

Miami Heat Vs Chicago Bulls Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio National Basketball tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 24,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :Miami Heat Vs Chicago Bulls Live Streaming
When the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls squared off last month, each team played without significant contributors.

That won't be the case this time around.

Miami visits Chicago on Thursday night in an Eastern Conference showdown with both teams at full strength.

LeBron James and Joakim Noah missed the Bulls' 99-96 victory Jan. 15 at the United Center, and Miami's Chris Bosh departed early with a sprained left ankle that caused him to miss the next four games.

That left Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose virtually alone in the spotlight for their respective teams.

Chicago star Rose had 34 points to lead all scorers, while Wade scored 33 to nearly lead the Heat back from a 14-point deficit.

"We're looking forward to it," Bosh said of Thursday's matchup. "For one, they're one of the best teams in the East, really the league for that matter, and they're playing well. We feel that we dropped a game when we played them in Chicago. We weren't at 100 percent. They weren't at 100 percent. Now it's a different circumstance."

Noah returned to the Bulls' starting lineup Wednesday, scoring seven points and grabbing 16 rebounds in Chicago's 118-113 loss at Toronto. He missed the previous 30 games because of surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb, but the Bulls (38-17) went 22-8 without him.

"It's definitely not the result I wanted but we've just got to keep fighting," Noah said of the loss. "We've got to come with a better edge."

The 118 points allowed were the second-most this season by Chicago, which is limiting opponents to 92.4 per game.

"Defensively we just weren't there," Rose said. "When we needed a stop toward the end."

Rose scored 19 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter and Carlos Boozer added 24 -- his most since he had 24 on Jan. 29 in a 110-89 victory over Indiana.

Rose, who scored a career-high 42 points last Thursday against NBA-leading San Antonio before starting alongside Wade and James for the East in Sunday's All-Star game, is averaging 30.0 points over his last six contests.

The Bulls likely will need him to step up against Miami again.

The streaking Heat (42-15) have won 11 of 12 including Tuesday's 117-97 rout of lowly Sacramento, with their only loss in that stretch coming Feb. 13 at East-leading Boston.

Miami's superstar trio showed no signs of fatigue after All-Star weekend. James scored 31 points, Wade added 23 and Bosh finished with 22 points and nine rebounds against the Kings.

"Me and D-Wade talked before the game ... and said 'Let's go out and dominate this game," James said.

The Heat have done anything but dominate the NBA's elite. Miami is 1-6 against Boston, Chicago, San Antonio, Dallas and the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.

Thursday's rematch with the Bulls begins a 13-game stretch in which the Heat face 12 legitimate playoff contenders.

Miami has beaten Chicago in seven of the last 10 meetings, but the Bulls have won three of the last four matchups at the United Center.

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Los Angeles Lakers Vs Portland Trail Blazers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.

2011-02-23T23:50:00.002+06:00

Los Angeles Lakers Vs Portland Trail Blazers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida KCAL-TV, Los Angeles

Preview :
Kobe Bryant is again a big reason why the Los Angeles Lakers are comfortably leading the Pacific Division. It may be LaMarcus Aldridge's impact on the Portland Trail Blazers, however, that is more impressive.

Aldridge may also be getting some significant help, too.

With guard Brandon Roy potentially back, Aldridge and the red-hot Trail Blazers seek their longest winning streak in over three years when they host Bryant and the Lakers on Wednesday night.

Bryant is among the league scoring leaders with 25.0 points per game. That production from the four-time All-Star game MVP has helped Los Angeles (39-19) build a 10-game lead on second-place Phoenix as it seeks a fourth consecutive division title.

While Bryant continues to keep the Lakers among the league's elite, Aldridge has been vital to Portland (32-24) overcoming a slew of injuries to reach the All-Star break fifth in the Western Conference by percentage points on New Orleans and Denver.

The forward is averaging 26.3 points and 9.7 rebounds since a loss to Dallas on Dec. 15. That stellar play has helped the Trail Blazers survive despite knee injuries to Roy, Greg Oden and Marcus Camby.

Aldridge has 10 games this season with at least 30 points, scoring 34 in a 103-96 win over New Orleans on Feb. 16, Portland's season-high sixth in a row.

"We're playing through him," guard Andre Miller said. "The game is coming easy to him and we can get him transition points, post him up, get him to the free throw line and (have him) knock down jump shots, so he doesn't have to play too much with his back to the basket. And when he does he's making plays for everybody else."

Now, the Blazers may have Roy back for the first time since Dec. 15 after undergoing surgery to both knees last month.

He won't know his status until after the shootaround Wednesday.

A three-time All-Star, Roy is having a down season, averaging 16.6 points on 39.9 percent shooting after making 47.3 percent from the field for 21.5 points per game in 2009-10.

"We've missed him," Aldridge said. "We've been using Nic (Batum) at the four, and a lot of guys have been playing a lot of minutes. So getting Brandon back should be big for us."

Aldridge and Roy both struggled in a 121-96 loss at Los Angeles on Nov. 7, scoring eight points each while combining to make 4 of 15 shots.

Roy, though, is averaging 25.2 points in his last five meetings with the Lakers at the Rose Garden. However, a hamstring injury forced him to miss a 99-82 loss in the most recent matchup there Feb. 6, 2010, ending the Blazers' nine-game home winning streak in the series.

Re-establishing that home success would give Portland its longest win streak since a 13-game run Dec. 3-30, 2007.

The Lakers are looking for consecutive victories after returning from the break with a 104-80 rout of Atlanta on Tuesday, ending a three-game skid.

"We know we're an elite team," Pau Gasol said. "We know we can be dominating. It just hasn't happened consistently enough. We're glad it happened (Tuesday), but we've got to do it again and again."

Bryant is averaging 18.5 points on 39.7 percent shooting over the last four games, and was limited to 12 points in the latest meeting with the Blazers.

Like Roy, an injury forced Bryant out of the Lakers' last visit to Portland, but he's averaging 33.9 points in his last 13 games there.

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Los Angeles Clippers Vs New Orleans Hornets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.

2011-02-23T23:49:00.002+06:00

Los Angeles Clippers Vs New Orleans Hornets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida

Preview :
Blake Griffin was a major reason why the Los Angeles Clippers ended a long losing streak to the New Orleans Hornets in their last meeting. Keeping the young superstar fresh and on the court could help end another extensive slide.

Griffin looks to lead the Clippers to their first road win over the Hornets in more than four years Wednesday night.

Griffin leads all rookies with an average of 22.9 points and his 12.5 rebounds per game rank fourth among all players. He had 24 points and 13 boards in a 99-95 home win over New Orleans (33-25) on Nov. 22, ending a 14-game skid in the series for the Clippers (21-36).

Now, Griffin will try to end Los Angeles' seven-game road losing streak to the Hornets, dating back to a 100-90 win on Jan. 8, 2007 in Oklahoma City. He was held to 10 points and six rebounds in a 101-82 loss at New Orleans on Nov. 9, and avenging that defeat may be a tall task.

The Clippers are 5-22 on the road this season and 2-7 during an 11-game swing that concludes Friday against the Lakers at Staples Center.

Griffin ended up on the bench after committing four fouls midway through the first quarter of Tuesday's 111-88 loss to Oklahoma City during his first visit to his hometown as a pro. He overcame the foul trouble to finish with 28 points, 11 rebounds and a season high-tying eight assists, but later admitted feeling fatigued.

"Definitely tired from the All-Star weekend. However, every team has to play on the road and we just need to do a better job of keeping our stamina up," said Griffin, who won Saturday's slam-dunk contest after leaping over the hood of a car.

While Griffin may be feeling tired, the Hornets are well-rested as they look to end a slump.

Having lost nine of 11 going into the break, New Orleans hopes Emeka Okafor has recovered from a strained left hip that's sidelined him for nine straight games. The center averages 11.1 points and a team-leading 10.1 rebounds, and the club has gone 2-7 since his last action on Jan. 30.

The Hornets fell again without Okafor, 103-96 at Portland last Wednesday as their slide reached three.

"It's really tough," said guard Chris Paul. "The only good thing is we've got a lot of basketball left to play."

Paul also may be looking to improve after averaging 11.6 points and 7.8 assists over the last four games. He scored 10 points with seven assists and five steals during Sunday's All-Star game in Los Angeles.

Paul is second on the team with 16.2 points per game while leading with 9.6 assists. In the most recent meeting with the Clippers, Paul was limited to 14 points and six assists while the Hornets got 30 points and 10 boards from David West

West leads New Orleans with an average of 19.0 points and is second on the club with 7.6 rebounds.

Jarret Jack, averaging 11.6 points over the last five games, was arrested and charged with drunken driving in an Atlanta suburb Sunday. It's unclear if the guard will face disciplinary measures.

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Atlanta Hawks Vs Phoenix Suns Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.

2011-02-23T23:48:00.002+06:00

Atlanta Hawks Vs Phoenix Suns Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida

Preview :
The Phoenix Suns needed all the points they could muster to hold off Atlanta Hawks in November.

The Suns might not have to work as hard to record their third straight win over the Hawks and 16th in 18 home matchups Wednesday night.

Steve Nash made four free throws in the final seven seconds, and was one of six players in double figures during Phoenix's 118-114 win in Atlanta on Nov. 7. The Hawks, who had won their first six games under first-year coach Larry Drew, got 34 points from Joe Johnson and 30 from Al Horford as they nearly overcame an 18-point deficit in the third quarter.

The experience of a high-scoring game might be a faint memory for Atlanta, which has averaged 86.6 points while dropping four of five. The Hawks (34-22) had their worst performance over that stretch Tuesday, shooting 36.6 percent in a 104-80 defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers.

"I thought our guys took the path of least resistance the whole game," Drew said. "On offense, we settled, and defensively, we didn't play with physicality. I just thought we settled, which is starting to be a pattern with us."

Johnson had 14 points in the third of seven straight road games, and is averaging 11.2 over the last five contests -- 8.3 below his team-best mark. Top reserve Jamal Crawford, scoring 15.0 points per game this season, is averaging 6.2 on 30.8 percent shooting over that same span.

"We really have some soul-searching to do as a team," Horford said.

If there's some hope for a quick turnaround, it might come against a Suns team that's given up more than 100 points in three straight games. Phoenix let Dallas shoot 52.4 percent in a 112-106 loss Thursday in the NBA's final game before the All-Star break.

The loss helped keep the Suns in 10th place in the Western Conference. However, they're just 2 1/2 games behind Utah for the eighth and final spot.

"We have guys that are not quitters," coach Alvin Gentry said. "I believe in this team. We will come back after the All-Star break and we will play good basketball and we will find a way to make a run and get in the playoffs."

Another strong performance from Channing Frye might help Phoenix (27-27) take another step toward the postseason. The Suns' big man had 24 against the Mavericks after posting a career-high 31 in a 102-101 win over Utah on Feb. 15.

Frye, however, has averaged 7.5 points in four career starts against the Hawks. Nash, who has scored 12 points or fewer in four of his last five home matchups with Atlanta, is 14 assists shy of 9,000 for his career.

He had 15 in the win over the Hawks earlier this season.

Johnson, who played with Phoenix from 2002-05, has averaged 21.1 points in 11 meetings with his former team. However, he's managed just 13.0 per game in his last three trips to the U.S. Airways Center.

Josh Smith, meanwhile, has fared a little better, averaging 22.5 points in his last two games there. He's averaging 16.5 points per game this season

The Hawks have dropped five of six overall to the Suns and shot 39.5 percent in an 89-80 loss in Phoenix last season.

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Utah Jazz Vs Dallas Mavericks Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.

2011-02-23T23:47:00.002+06:00

Utah Jazz Vs Dallas Mavericks Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida

Preview :
Only three teams entered the All-Star break with a better record than the Dallas Mavericks, who have been the hottest team in the NBA over the last month.

A tumultuous stretch for the Utah Jazz has them desperate to get back on track as they try to get coach Ty Corbin his first win.

The Mavericks look to win their eighth straight at home when they face the Jazz on Wednesday night.

Dallas (40-16) has won 13 of 14 since Jan. 22, the best record in the league during that span. Its only loss in that period was 121-120 at Denver on Feb. 10.

"All the injuries we've been through, the ups and downs. To be able to keep our composure and be one of four teams to get to 40 (wins) before the All-Star break is a big time accomplishment for us," center Tyson Chandler told the Mavericks' official website after a 112-106 win over Phoenix on Thursday.

Dallas surged into the break with the fourth-best record in the NBA. The Mavericks are second in the West, six games behind San Antonio.

Dirk Nowitzki turned in one of his best performances of the season in Dallas' final game before the break, scoring 35 points and going 13 of 18 from the field in the victory over the Suns. It was his first 30-point game since Jan. 17.

"Dirk's back," coach Rick Carlisle said of Nowitzki, who missed nine games from Dec. 28-Jan. 14 due to a knee injury. "He's all the way back and it's great."

Chandler has shot 79.4 percent from the floor in his last five games. He had 12 points and 12 rebounds versus Phoenix.

Dallas has won both meetings with Utah this season and took the most recent one 103-97 at the American Airlines Center on Dec. 11. Nowitzki had 31 points and 15 rebounds and has averaged 29.8 points and 8.6 boards in his last eight games against the Jazz.

While the Mavericks are looking to continue their surge, Utah (31-26) is still trying to turn things around after losing four straight and 13 of 17.

The Jazz dropped their last two games by a combined eight points, falling 107-100 to Golden State on Wednesday. Utah was short-handed, with forward Andrei Kirilenko and guards Raja Bell and Ronnie Price out with injuries.

Kirilenko has been ruled out for Wednesday, while Price and Bell will be game-time decisions.

The injury problems have compounded an already difficult situation for Corbin, who is 0-3 since taking over following Jerry Sloan's surprising resignation on Feb. 10.

"We have to stay strong, stay confident," Corbin said. "I believe in these guys."

Utah hasn't dropped five straight since a six-game skid Dec. 4-14, 2007.

Star point guard Deron Williams has averaged 17.1 points and 11.4 assists in seven games since missing four with a wrist injury, but he's committed 29 turnovers in that stretch -- 11 in the last two contests -- while shooting 40.0 percent.

The Jazz have lost six of seven in Dallas, though Williams has averaged 24.8 points and shot 48.2 percent in his last five road games in the series.
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Memphis Grizzlies Vs Minnesota Timberwolves Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.

2011-02-23T23:46:00.005+06:00

Memphis Grizzlies Vs Minnesota Timberwolves Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida

Preview :
The Memphis Grizzlies encountered a setback in their pursuit of a Western Conference playoff spot.

A matchup with the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves may help them get back on track.

Visiting Memphis looks for its sixth victory in seven meetings with Minnesota when the teams square off Wednesday night.

The Grizzlies (31-27) won four straight heading into the All-Star break, but lost 120-107 on Tuesday to a Denver team that was short-handed after trading Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups to New York. The defeat dropped Memphis one-half game behind idle Utah for the eighth spot in the West.

Playing without Rudy Gay, who will miss four weeks after partially dislocating his left shoulder Feb. 15 against Philadelphia, the Grizzlies got 26 points from Tony Allen. O.J. Mayo also helped pick up the slack with 21 points, his most since mid-December, but Memphis still came up short.

"We didn't play with a lot of desire, a lot of purpose," coach Lionel Hollins said. "I didn't care how the Nuggets came out, I was worried about how we came out, and we came out (bad). We turned the ball over multiple times, we took quick shots, we didn't guard, they just drove us off the dribble all night."

Zach Randolph finished with 12 points and eight rebounds -- his fewest boards since he had eight Jan. 2 -- but is averaging 19.3 points and 12.0 rebounds in his last four games against Minnesota.

Mayo, whom the Timberwolves traded to Memphis for Kevin Love on draft night in 2008, scored 29 points Oct. 30 in a 109-89 home victory over Minnesota. He missed this season's other meeting between these clubs, a 102-84 Grizzlies win Feb. 2 at Minnesota, as part of his 10-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance.

That loss sent the Timberwolves (13-44) on their current downward spiral of eight losses in 10 games. Love had 20 points and 17 rebounds Tuesday to extend his franchise record for consecutive double-doubles to 43, but the Wolves fell 94-88 in Milwaukee -- their fifth consecutive defeat.

Minnesota was playing its first game without regular starter Corey Brewer, who was traded Tuesday to the New York Knicks for Anthony Randolph, Eddy Curry -- whose contract is expected to be bought out -- and a second-round pick.

Love, who barely kept his double-double streak alive with 10 points and 10 rebounds against the Grizzlies earlier this month, said the Wolves miss Brewer but are looking forward to Randolph's arrival.

"We're just looking forward to Anthony Randolph coming in and, hopefully, adding that same spark," Love said of the 14th selection from the 2008 draft. "(Randolph) is the type of guy in the draft that everybody said had a lot of upside.

"We have to welcome him in, because he's our teammate now. We've got to try to, I guess, bring him along and we want that upside to be in full effect."

Randolph, who averaged 2.1 points while seeing sporadic action in 17 games with the Knicks this season, is expected to join Minnesota on Wednesday.

Wesley Johnson started in place of Brewer and scored 14 points. Michael Beasley had 21 points in his return after missing five games with an ankle injury.

Minnesota has lost five straight home games, while Memphis has won three of five on the road.

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Milwaukee Bucks Vs New York Knicks Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.

2011-02-23T23:46:00.002+06:00

Milwaukee Bucks Vs New York Knicks Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida

Preview :
On a night when New York honors some legends of the past, the player that could be the franchise's next one is likely to don a Knicks uniform for the first time.

The Knicks hope to have Carmelo Anthony on the floor Wednesday at Madison Square Garden when they face the Milwaukee Bucks.

Sixth in the Eastern Conference and seeking their first playoff berth since 2004, the Knicks (28-26) made a blockbuster move Tuesday when they acquired Anthony from Denver in a three-team trade that also involved Minnesota. New York also received guards Chauncey Billups and Anthony Carter, and forwards Renaldo Balkman, Shelden Williams and Corey Brewer in the deal, while giving up forwards Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari, guard Raymond Felton and center Timofey Mozgov, draft picks and cash.

The deal became official after Anthony signed a three-year, $65 million contract extension.

While the Knicks gave up a lot, they gained one of the league's stars.

"When you go out hunting, would you rather have a bigger gun or a little gun?" coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We got a bigger gun."

The presence of Billups -- a former NBA finals MVP and All-Star -- and fellow All-Star Amare Stoudemire gives New York an impressive three-man arsenal to compete with those of East heavyweights Boston (Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen) and Miami (LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh).

The combination of Stoudemire's 26.1 points per game and Anthony's 25.2 scoring average could be tough to stop.

"Every team needs a 1, 1A punch," Stoudemire said. "And so with the ways that we both can score .... we're very versatile, so it's hard to guard us."

Anthony, a New York City native, will surely be excited to suit up for his hometown team.

"It's what he wants. It's what I wanted, to come to New York and play on the big stage," Stoudemire said of Anthony, who has averaged 30.4 points in eight career games at MSG. "He has the same type of swag. This is what he wants and he can handle it. We're going to do it together."

Fittingly, Anthony's likely debut will take place on the Knicks' third annual Legends Night, when the franchise pays tribute to some of its past stars. Allan Houston, John Starks, Mark Jackson, Earl Monroe, Dick Barnett and Harry Gallatin are scheduled to be honored Wednesday.

With all the star power on hand, the Bucks (22-34) are almost certain to be overshadowed. However, the Knicks may choose to overlook them at their own peril.

Milwaukee has won four straight meetings with New York, eight of nine in the series overall, and four consecutive visits to MSG. The Bucks haven't lost a road game to the Knicks since a 91-88 defeat Nov. 30, 2007.

Brandon Jennings had 19 points to lead seven Bucks in double figures in this season's previous meeting, a 107-80 Milwaukee victory Nov. 9 at the Bradley Center. The 80 points is still a season low for the Knicks, whose worst offensive output last season was an 83-67 home loss to the Bucks on Feb. 22, 2010.

Milwaukee had dropped eight of 10 heading into the All-Star break, but started its second half on a positive note Tuesday by beating Minnesota 94-88 at home. Jennings scored 27 points and Corey Maggette added 20 off the bench for the Bucks.

"Second half of the season so, you know, you have to get a little more serious," Jennings said. "We have to come more mentally focused and ready to play."
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Chicago Bulls Vs Toronto Raptors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.

2011-02-23T23:45:00.002+06:00

Chicago Bulls Vs Toronto Raptors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida

Preview :
The Chicago Bulls have played nine games with their imposing frontcourt of Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah together, the last seven of which were wins before Noah went down with a torn thumb ligament.

They're finally ready to see if they can pick up where they left off.

Out since having surgery in mid-December, Noah returns against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night as he'll try to help lead the surging Bulls to their fifth consecutive win and 11th in 13 games.

Chicago (38-16) didn't have Boozer for the first 15 games of the season after its star free agent acquisition broke his hand, leaving Noah to do the bulk of the work down in the paint.

Noah injured his right thumb Nov. 27 against Sacramento -- a game before Boozer returned -- but played through it for the next nine games. After a 110-93 road win over the Raptors (15-42) on Dec. 15 -- the Bulls' seventh straight -- the team announced he'd undergo surgery and miss eight to 10 weeks.

He'll be back Wednesday at Air Canada Centre, the same place he played his last game. Chicago went 22-8 in his absence, but is anxious to see its leader in rebounds (11.7) and blocks (1.6) return -- even if it he's not ready to play 35 minutes right away.

"I don't know how he's going to respond once he's out there," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "We'll see how he is. Obviously, we'll try to get him up to starters minutes as quickly as possible. It'll be similar to what Carlos went through -- each game a little bit more -- and I think once they start playing, they'll come around pretty quickly."

Derrick Rose helped carry the team when Boozer was out, and the All-Star point guard did the same during Noah's recovery.

He saved his best performance for the Bulls' final game before the break. Rose scored a career-high 42 last Wednesday in a 109-99 victory over league-best San Antonio.

"I'm just trying to win," Rose told the Bulls' official website. "That's the biggest thing. This gives us confidence knowing we can beat some of the best teams. ... We always knew we had a good team. We're just trying to keep this going and I think we can."

Rose has averaged just 14.8 points in five games against Toronto since the start of last season -- his second-lowest versus any opponent -- but he hasn't had to do much. Chicago has won the series' last three games by at least 16 points apiece.

They'll hook up for the third time this season Wednesday on the court, but Tuesday the Bulls and the Raptors made a minor deal off it. Chicago sent little-used James Johnson -- the 16th pick in the 2009 draft -- to Toronto for a 2011 first-round pick it's owed from Miami.

"I always liked his game when he was at Wake Forest," said Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan, who was in the same draft class with Johnson. "You never know. It could work out great for him and be a great pickup for us. We hope so."

Hours after acquiring Johnson, his new teammates continued to struggle. Toronto committed a season-high 31 fouls at Charlotte on Tuesday in a 114-101 loss, its 11th straight on the road.

"I know it will turn around," said guard Jerryd Bayless, who had 11 points and 10 assists. "We're young, we're learning."

The Raptors are 5-31 when they score 101 points or fewer. Just four of the Bulls' last 36 opponents have scored that many points.

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Oklahoma City Thunder Vs San Antonio Spurs Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.

2011-02-23T23:44:00.002+06:00

Oklahoma City Thunder Vs San Antonio Spurs Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida

Preview :
The San Antonio Spurs may own the best record in the NBA, but they're still not satisfied. Continuing their success against Kevin Durant and the Northwest Division-leading Oklahoma City Thunder won't change that.

Playing at home for the first time in nearly a month, the Spurs emerge from the All-Star break Wednesday night looking to defeat Durant and the Thunder for a sixth straight time.

League-best San Antonio (46-10) leads Dallas by six games atop the Western Conference with 26 to play, but merely having a good regular season won't suffice for the Spurs.

"To date we have a good record but nothing of importance has been accomplished yet," said Gregg Popovich, who coached the West during Sunday's All-Star game.

Popovich's players appear to share that mentality.

"I think the main key for us is just to stay focused and not be satisfied," point guard Tony Parker said. "Keep working on the stuff we want to get better at, especially our defense. Aside from that, I think the biggest key for is to stay healthy."

San Antonio allowed Chicago to shoot 53.8 percent from the field in Thursday's 109-99 loss to conclude a 6-3 road trip caused by a rodeo at AT&T Center.

The Spurs may be helped by returning to San Antonio, where they're a league-best 25-2 on the season and have won 18 in a row.

A meeting with Durant and the Thunder (36-19) would appear to provide a major test, but the Spurs have won the last five meetings, including a 101-74 home victory Jan. 1, when they held Oklahoma City's superstar forward to 16 points -- well below his league-best 28.7 average. Tim Duncan had 21 points and nine rebounds to lead San Antonio, while Parker added 14 points and 10 assists and George Hill had 16 points off the bench.

The Thunder gave a more typical offensive effort Tuesday, beating the Los Angeles Clippers 111-88. Durant scored 21 while Russell Westbrook had 13 with seven assists. Both players sat out the fourth quarter in order to be rested for this contest.

"This is a great test," Parker said. "Great for our defense to play against Durant and Westbrook, two of the best scorers in the league. It's going to be a great game."

Westbrook is averaging 22.1 points and 8.5 assists on the season, but Parker and the Spurs have limited him to 34.3 percent shooting and averages of 13.6 points and 6.5 assists in 10 career meetings.

The schedule won't get easy anytime soon for the Thunder. After facing San Antonio, Oklahoma City will visit Orlando on Friday before returning home to face the Los Angeles Lakers two days later.

"We can't look ahead," coach Scott Brooks said. "If you do, it's overwhelming."
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Washington Wizards Vs Philadelphia 76ers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.

2011-02-23T23:43:00.005+06:00

Washington Wizards Vs Philadelphia 76ers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida

Preview :
The Philadelphia 76ers have been surging for a little more than a month as they rebound from a poor start. Continuing that solid play coming out of the All-Star break may not be a difficult task at all.

The 76ers seek their fourth win in five games Wednesday night when they meet the woeful Washington Wizards for the final time in 2010-11.

Philadelphia lost 13 of its first 16 with two of those defeats coming against Washington (15-40), both in overtime and by a combined three points. On Jan. 20, the 76ers were eight games below .500 and outside the top eight in the Eastern Conference.

They've since gone 10-4 -- a stretch highlighted by home wins over league-leading San Antonio, Denver and Utah, and a 34-point victory in Atlanta.

"We have to start believing that we're a really good team," forward Andre Iguodala said. "... We've shown that we can compete with anybody. We've just got to stay consistent and beat the teams we're supposed to (beat). That's the biggest thing."

Philadelphia entered the break following a 114-105 win at Houston last Wednesday. Jrue Holiday had 20 points to lead seven Sixers in double figures, and Iguodala recorded 13 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his first triple-double since March 7, 2007.

With its next victory, Philadelphia (27-29) will exceed last season's total, and the 76ers will now begin a favorable stretch of schedule that could move them further up the East ladder. After Washington, Philadelphia will play Detroit and Cleveland to close February.

"We've got our minds on something else, and that's the playoffs," Holiday said. "To start off 3-13 and kick butt from there on, it's great for us."

Keys to Philadelphia's recent success have been the overall play of Elton Brand and long-range shooting by Louis Williams and Jodie Meeks.

Over the last 14 games, Brand has shot 55.0 percent from the floor while averaging team highs of 16.6 points and 8.8 rebounds. Williams has gone 22 of 51 from beyond the arc and is second with 15.9 points per game in that span, while Meeks has drained a club-best 27 3-pointers.

The 76ers are in position to split this season series after a 109-97 home win over Washington on Jan. 5 behind 26 points each from Holiday and Williams. Philadelphia has taken 15 of the last 20 home meetings with the Wizards.

After alternating wins and losses over its last four games before the break, Washington fell 113-96 on Tuesday at home to Indiana. Andray Blatche scored 21 points, Nick Young added 16 and John Wall chipped in 15 with 10 assists, but also had six turnovers.

"Guys didn't bring no effort," Blatche said. "...For a minute out there, it seems like guys didn't care after a while -- like we just gave in to a team that we're definitely much better than them if we compete. But nobody brought heart with them."

Washington has dropped two straight by an average of 21.0 points after snapping a 25-game road losing streak Feb. 13 against NBA-worst Cleveland.

Wall has played well against Philadelphia in his brief career. In three games, he's tallied 72 points, 33 assists and 11 steals -- all his most against any opponent.

Center JaVale McGee is averaging a double-double -- 10.3 points and 10.0 rebounds -- versus Philadelphia this season.
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Sacramento Kings Vs Orlando Magic Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.

2011-02-23T23:43:00.002+06:00

Sacramento Kings Vs Orlando Magic Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida

Preview :
After a difficult stretch, the Orlando Magic headed into the All-Star break on a positive note with help from star center Dwight Howard.

Howard and the Magic could keep rolling in their return Wednesday night as they host the lowly Sacramento Kings.

The Magic (36-21) dropped five of eight from Jan. 24-Feb. 6, but won four of five before Howard headed off to Los Angeles to start for the Eastern Conference All-Star squad, which lost 148-143 on Sunday.

Howard had five points and seven rebounds during the exhibition, but has shined recently in games that count, averaging 28.3 points and 14.3 rebounds over the past four contests. Before the break, he scored 32 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in a 101-76 rout of visiting Washington on Feb. 16.

"I'll be anxious to see how we come out and play down the stretch," said coach Stan Van Gundy, whose team is 10-1 in its last 11 against sub-.500 teams.

If recent matchups with the Kings are an indication, the Magic might start that stretch run with a victory, Orlando has won five in a row over Sacramento (13-41) and three straight at home.

The Magic also won't have to face Tyreke Evans, who is out for three weeks with an injured left foot. The reigning rookie of the year, who has been slowed much of the season by plantar fasciitis, was averaging a team-high 18.3 points and 5.5 assists per game.

Without its second-year guard, Sacramento lost for the eighth time in nine games, 117-97 to Miami on Tuesday. The Kings were outscored 35-16 in the first quarter and trailed throughout while allowing the Heat to outshoot them 56.7 to 47.6 percent.

"When you give a team like that those chances, it's tough to win the game," guard Beno Udrih said.

Samuel Dalembert was the only Sacramento player to score more than 14 points with 18 off the bench, and he had 13 rebounds for his fourth double-double this season.

Rookie DeMarcus Cousins, now the team's active scoring leader (14.0 ppg) finished with eight points on 3-of-14 shooting. The Kings also played without forward Carl Landry, who was held out because he might be sent to New Orleans before Thursday's trading deadline.

"We're involved in some fairly significant discussions so it was pertinent not to play him," coach Paul Westphal said.

Cousins, Dalembert or Jason Thompson might have the difficult task of trying to contain Howard, and the Kings might need all three players to stop the Orlando center, who has averaged 26.3 points and 14.2 rebounds in his last six matchups with Sacramento.

Since winning at Phoenix on Feb. 13, the Kings have dropped three in a row on their season-high, seven-game road trip. Following the game with Orlando, they'll stay in the South with matchups against Charlotte on Friday and Memphis on Saturday.
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Detroit Pistons Vs Indiana Pacers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.

2011-02-23T23:42:00.002+06:00

Detroit Pistons Vs Indiana Pacers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida

Preview :Detroit Pistons Vs Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are playing some of their best basketball under interim coach Frank Vogel but suffered consecutive losses heading into the All-Star break, including an overtime defeat to the Detroit Pistons.

After a dominant performance in their first game back, the Pacers have a chance to avenge that loss and record their sixth win in seven home contests Wednesday night.

The Pacers (25-30) had won seven of their first eight games after Vogel took over for Jim O'Brien on Jan. 30, but fell 110-103 at home to Miami on Feb. 15. They followed with a 115-109 overtime loss at Detroit the next evening, ending a six-game win streak over their Central Division rivals.

Indiana rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to send it to the extra period, but was outscored 11-5 over those five minutes. The Pacers allowed the Pistons to shoot 51.5 percent and finish a point shy of matching their season scoring high.

"Sometimes a team goes on vacation one game early for the All-Star break, and this is what happens," forward Danny Granger said. "We didn't do anything on defense and we got beat."

Indiana had a much better defensive showing in a 113-96 win in Washington on Tuesday, limiting the Wizards to 39.8 percent shooting. Granger scored 21 points and Roy Hibbert had 16 after tying a career high with 29 in the loss to Detroit.

All 12 players who saw the floor scored in Tuesday's win, and the Pacers benefited from 26 fast-break points in the first three quarters.

"There's a lot of talk around the NBA about the super-teams and the powerhouses and all that," Vogel said. "We don't have any of those super-superstars, but we've got 15 guys that can play, and our depth is going to win us a lot of games."

The Pistons, meanwhile, suffered their fourth loss in five games, 108-100 to visiting Houston on Tuesday, despite getting 56 points from their bench.

Detroit (21-37) used some of those to rally from an 11-point deficit -- after leading by as much as 11 in the first half -- but was outscored 15-6 over the final 3:53.

Will Bynum had a team-best 21 points off the bench, and Rodney Stuckey was the top scorer among the Pistons starters with 19. Tayshaun Prince, who had 25 points against Indiana, missed all nine of his field goal attempts and finished with one point.

"This is one of those rare games that he didn't have it going as much," coach John Kuester said. "We had to have some other people step up and I thought we did."

Granger had it going in the loss to Detroit with 28 points, and he's averaged 29.1 in his last nine matchups.

With his help, the Pacers are hoping to earn their fifth consecutive home win over the Pistons.

"We can't give up games that we're supposed to win," Granger said. "We're really trying to move up to either the seven or the six seed, which we can do. It's just a matter of putting a lot of wins together."
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Houston Rockets Vs Cleveland Cavaliers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.

2011-02-23T23:41:00.002+06:00

Houston Rockets Vs Cleveland Cavaliers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 23,2011.national basketball association.AWAY TV Fox Sports Net Houston Fox Sports Ohio - High Def Fox Sports Detroit Comcast Sports Sacramento Fox Sports Florida

Preview :Houston Rockets Vs Cleveland Cavaliers
The Houston Rockets have their work cut out for them if they plan on climbing back into the Western Conference playoff picture, but they got off to a good start in their return from the All-Star break.

They'll have a excellent opportunity to keep it going in Cleveland.

The Rockets continue a three-game stretch against some of the East's worst teams Wednesday night at Quicken Loans Arena, where the Cavaliers hope the momentum from beating the league's two-time defending champion hasn't disappeared after a week off.

Houston (27-31) went into the break with three losses in a four-game homestand, dropping it five games out of the West's eighth playoff spot. With visits to Detroit and Cleveland followed by a return home to face New Jersey, though, the Rockets couldn't have asked for a better start to the second half.

They were far from great Tuesday against the Pistons, getting just 49 points from their starting five, but Patrick Patterson stepped up. The rookie put Houston ahead for good at 95-94 with a tip-in, scoring nine of his season-high 20 in the final 3:53 to help seal a 108-100 win.

"It's important because we have seven out of nine on the road to start after the All-Star break," coach Rick Adelman said. "If we want to get back in this thing, we have to win on the road. Winning this game was very important to us."

The Cavaliers (10-46) visited Houston on Dec. 11, early in their hard-to-fathom stretch of 36 losses in 37 games, and watched Kevin Martin score 40 points in a 110-95 defeat.

Cleveland finally snapped its NBA-record 26-game losing streak Feb. 11 against the Los Angeles Clippers, then seemed to be returning to business as usual with a 115-100 loss to Washington two nights later.

But the Cavaliers delivered perhaps their most impressive performance of the season last Wednesday. Ramon Sessions scored a season-high 32 points and Cleveland's typically dreadful defense held Kobe Bryant to 8 of 24 shooting in a stunning 104-99 win over the Lakers.

"It means a great deal," coach Byron Scott said after the Cavaliers avenged their earlier 55-point loss to the Lakers. "First thing that it means is that within the last month we have improved as a basketball team."

Sessions' impressive effort off the bench came after starter Mo Williams injured his right ankle early in the first quarter, an injury that kept him out of practice Monday and Tuesday and has him questionable to face the Rockets.

The possibility of Sessions starting -- as he did from Jan. 19-Feb. 11 with Williams injured -- shouldn't concern Cleveland. He's averaged 19.6 points, 8.9 assists and 2.0 steals in February while shooting 58.6 percent.

Regardless of who's in the backcourt, the biggest concern Wednesday should be figuring out a way to slow Martin, who's always been a tough cover for the Cavaliers. Martin has scored at least 30 points in each of his last four games against Cleveland -- the first three of which came with Sacramento.

Martin, though, has averaged just 13.8 points and shot 32.0 percent in his last four games. The Rockets are 5-13 when he scores 19 points or fewer.
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Atlanta Hawks Vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 22,2011.

2011-02-22T23:00:00.002+06:00

Atlanta Hawks Vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 22,2011.national basketball association.

Preview :
After winning All-Star game MVP honors Sunday, Kobe Bryant jokingly claimed he couldn't remember the Los Angeles Lakers' last game before the break.

Many in the organization also would like to forget about that defeat, as well as the two before it.

An exciting All-Star weekend in Los Angeles may have helped that cause, though Bryant and the Lakers will still be trying to put an ugly stretch behind them when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night in the teams' first meeting of the season.

Los Angeles (38-19) appeared to be headed in the right direction by winning the first four contests of a seven-game road trip leading into the break, but things quickly took a turn for the worse.

After losing to Orlando 89-75 last Sunday, the Lakers suffered a 20-point loss to Charlotte the following night. While those two lopsided defeats were discouraging, nothing was more embarrassing than losing to league-worst Cleveland 104-99 last Wednesday.

Bryant had 17 points on 8-of-24 shooting, Andrew Bynum missed 10 of 12 shots to finish with six points and Los Angeles had 19 turnovers, its most since Jan. 2.

"It's back to the drawing board," Lamar Odom said. "Defense. Cohesiveness. Our chemistry on offense. I'm not that worried. I think it's things we can fix."

Despite the lackluster play, the Lakers still own the Western Conference's third-best record and a 9 1/2-game lead in the Pacific Division. General manager Mitch Kupchak is unlikely to make a trade before Thursday's deadline, and he thought the humiliating loss to the Cavaliers might be a turning point.

"We have five days to think about it, and maybe that turns out to be a rallying point," Kupchak said last Thursday. "Let's see where it leads. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you can climb up."

Bryant didn't talk to the media after the loss to Cleveland, and seemed to take out some of his frustration Sunday. He finished with 37 points and 14 rebounds to win his record-tying fourth All-Star MVP in front of the Staples Center crowd.

During All-Star weekend, Bryant and Pau Gasol, who had 17 points for the winning West team, discussed coming out strong for the stretch run.

"We're looking forward to it," Bryant said. "We're up for the challenge. Pau and I have been talking this whole time about looking forward to it, and getting back at it."

The unofficial second half of the season begins with a daunting schedule for the Lakers, who play eight of their next 11 games against teams currently in the playoff picture. This stretch includes road contests against Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Miami and Dallas, as well as two matchups versus the Hawks.

The Lakers split the season series with Atlanta in 2009-10, with Bryant combining for 69 points in the two games.

Like Los Angeles, the Hawks (34-21) entered the break in a bit of a funk, losing to New York 102-90 on Wednesday. They've dropped three of four to fall one game back of Orlando for fourth in the East.

Two-time All-Star center Al Horford had 12 points and 11 rebounds against the Knicks, his third game after sitting out two with a bruised back. He had two points and three boards in 10 minutes Sunday, while Atlanta teammate Joe Johnson scored 11 for the East.

The rest of the Hawks will meet Horford and Johnson in Los Angeles, where they'll begin a five-game trip against West teams. Atlanta has been outscored by an average of 15.2 points in losing four straight to the Lakers in Los Angeles.

This will be Los Angeles' first game at Staples Center since losing to the Spurs 89-88 on Feb. 3.
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Boston Celtics Vs Golden State Warriors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 22,2011.

2011-02-22T22:59:00.002+06:00

Boston Celtics Vs Golden State Warriors Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 22,2011.national basketball association.

Preview :
The Boston Celtics have won an NBA title and more regular-season games than any other team since Kevin Garnett arrived in 2007-08.

There's one place they haven't enjoyed any success.

Oracle Arena is the only visiting venue where the Celtics have failed to win since Garnett's arrival, a six-game drought they'll try to end Tuesday night as they open a four-game road trip against the improving Golden State Warriors.

Boston (40-14) has won 218 games over the past 3 1/2 seasons, riding the league's top defense to two NBA finals appearances and the 2007-08 championship.

Golden State (26-29) has averaged the second-most points in that span, and while it's been held to 96.0 points per game in losing all three trips to TD Garden, the Celtics haven't done so well defensively in Oakland. The Warriors have averaged 107.0 points in three victories over Boston at Oracle Arena, stretching their home winning streak in the series to six with a 103-99 win on Dec. 28, 2009, behind 37 points from Monta Ellis.

Perhaps more impressively, Golden State has rallied from at least 12 down in each of the home wins with Garnett anchoring the Celtics' defense.

Ellis missed out on making the Western Conference All-Star squad, but with Garnett, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce in the East lineup, the Celtics were well-represented.

Pierce -- who missed last season's game in his hometown of Oakland with a knee injury -- turned in an All-Star performance in Boston's final game before the break. After scoring one point and missing all 10 field-goal attempts in a win over Miami on Feb. 13, Pierce bounced back Wednesday with 31 points in a 94-80 victory over New Jersey.

"He's back, because he's a great player and those guys just don't have a lot of back-to-back bad games," coach Doc Rivers said of Pierce. "He was terrific."

Tuesday's game will be the last the Celtics play prior to Thursday afternoon's trade deadline, and Boston could be in the market for a player that would fit seamlessly with a defense that allows a league-low 91.1 points per game. The Celtics and Rockets have reportedly discussed a deal that would land Shane Battier with the East's defending champion.

A much-improved defense has certainly given the Warriors a boost recently. After allowing an average of 107.0 points through 46 games, Golden State has surrendered 97.6 points over its last nine.

It's an impressive 7-2 in that stretch, including three straight wins heading into the break. Ellis scored 35 points in Wednesday's 107-100 victory at Utah, the Warriors' sixth since Jan. 30 against an opponent with a winning record.

"This is a big step for us," coach Keith Smart said. "Knowing that this team was desperate, they had to try and get a win and our guys fought through it."

The Warriors improved to 15-2 when they hold their opponent to 100 points or fewer, but getting a big contribution from Ellis is still critical. Golden State is 16-5 when Ellis scores 27 or more.

Rondo will be at least partly in charge of slowing Ellis down, but the NBA assist leader has had some huge offensive games against the Warriors. Rondo has averaged 20.3 points versus Golden State since 2008-09, easily his most against any opponent.

Allen's 26.9 points per game in Oakland since 2004-05 are his most in any road venue.
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Memphis Grizzlies Vs Denver Nuggets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 22,2011.

2011-02-22T22:58:00.002+06:00

Memphis Grizzlies Vs Denver Nuggets Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 22,2011.national basketball association.

Preview :
Speculation about where Carmelo Anthony would end up has run rampant since the summer. For the Denver Nuggets, a season's worth of rumors have finally given way to reality.

A blockbuster deal has Anthony, Chauncey Billups and three others on their way to New York, likely leaving the Nuggets short-handed Tuesday night against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies as they begin life without their All-Star cornerstone.

Almost as soon as LeBron James decided to sign with the Miami Heat in July, the guessing game regarding Anthony's future employer began.

The Nuggets (32-25) put a three-year, $65 million extension on the table, but Anthony's refusal to commit kicked off a season-long soap opera, with New York emerging as his most desirable option. A four-team trade that would have sent him to New Jersey in the summer fell through, then the Nets pulled out of a three-team deal last month.

New Jersey again appeared in the running to land Anthony over All-Star weekend in Los Angeles, but the Brooklyn native will now be playing in New York. Late Monday night, the Nuggets reportedly struck a deal that will ship Anthony to the Knicks. Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov and three draft picks will come to Denver.

Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman are also headed to New York, while the Knicks are set to acquire Corey Brewer from Minnesota for Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry.

The trade is expected to be finalized Tuesday, which almost certainly means the Nuggets will be without their new additions until Thursday's visit from Boston.

Coach George Karl expressed some sadness about the deal but added that it was "time to move on, reinvent." He said he'll particularly miss Billups.

"I'm 100 percent behind the decision we made, even though it will be dangerous and there won't be the veteran point guard back there," Karl added. "Felton, I thought was having a great season this year. But I think Ty (Lawson) and Felton are going to have a great challenge to live up to what Chauncey has given us in past years."

The deal with the Knicks could give Denver the pieces to still make a playoff run. The four players coming from New York average 53.4 points -- 2.5 more than what the Nuggets' five outgoing players provided.

Denver is currently seventh in the Western Conference race, one-half game behind Portland and New Orleans but also just one game ahead of Utah and Memphis (31-26).

If the Nuggets drop out of a playoff spot, the Grizzlies could benefit. Memphis won four in a row and nine of 11 heading into the All-Star break to climb back into the picture.

"I like where we are right now," coach Lionel Hollins said after the Grizzlies' 102-91 win over Philadelphia last Tuesday. "... We just have to rev it back up when we come back."

Staying hot won't be easy with Rudy Gay on the shelf. Memphis' second-leading scorer at 19.8 points per game, Gay partially dislocated his left shoulder in the victory over the 76ers and will miss at least four weeks.

Gay had 23 points in the Grizzlies' 116-108 home victory over the Nuggets on Feb. 13.

The Pepsi Center has been a house of horrors for Memphis, which has won there just once. The Grizzlies have lost seven straight on the Nuggets' home floor -- surrendering 115.3 points per game -- and 24 of 25 overall in Denver dating to the team's days at the McNichols Sports Arena.

Nene, now the Nuggets' leading scorer at 15.0 points per game, has thrived versus Memphis. He has averaged 17.6 points -- his most versus any opponent from the West -- in nine games against the Grizzlies since 2008-09.
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Los Angeles Clippers Vs Oklahoma City Thunder Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 22,2011.

2011-02-22T22:57:00.002+06:00

Los Angeles Clippers Vs Oklahoma City Thunder Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 22,2011.national basketball association.

Preview :
A little more than halfway through his first NBA season, Blake Griffin is already the star he was expected to become when drafted No. 1 overall in 2009.

For the first time as a pro, the rookie All-Star plays in his hometown when the Los Angeles Clippers try for a fifth consecutive road victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.

A knee injury kept the Oklahoma City native from playing at all last season, when Los Angeles won 101-93 at the Thunder, but nothing will stop Griffin from taking the court this time.

After competing in his first All-Star game and clearing the hood of a car to win the slam dunk contest over the weekend, Griffin (22.8 points, 12.6 rebounds per game) returns to the area where he starred as a prep for nearby Oklahoma Christian School.

"At home and on the road, he's an exciting player to watch, to get the fans out of their seats," Clippers guard Randy Foye said. "Just like in baseball, chicks dig the long ball. Chicks dig when guys can fly and jump."

While the former national player of the year at Oklahoma hopes to put on a show in his hometown, Griffin's main focus should be helping the Clippers (21-35) remain undefeated against the Thunder (35-19) in Oklahoma City.

The Clippers and Boston are each 3-0 all-time at Oklahoma City, and are the only teams the Thunder have yet to beat on their home floor since relocating from Seattle prior to the 2008-09 season. The Clippers have not lost a road game to the Thunder franchise since Dec. 5. 2007.

They also are looking for a second straight victory overall in this series after winning 107-92 at home Nov. 3. Griffin had 18 points and nine rebounds as the Clippers held the Thunder to 37.8 percent shooting. NBA scoring leader Kevin Durant (28.9 ppg) shot 6 of 24 from the field and finished with 16 points.

The Thunder have shot 40.4 percent and averaged 88.3 points during the four-game home skid versus Los Angeles.

Durant, who had 34 points in Sunday's All-Star game, scored 40 in the teams' last meeting in Oklahoma City.

The Thunder could be in good position to end their home drought against the Clippers. Northwest Division-leading Oklahoma City has won seven of 10 overall, and entered the break with a 126-96 home victory over Sacramento last Tuesday.

Daequan Cook scored 20 points off the bench to lead seven players in double figures for the Thunder, who scored a season-high 68 points in the first half and held the Kings to 40.2 percent shooting on the night.

"It all starts on the defensive end for our team," Cook said. "If we bring it on the defensive end, we are going to get rewarded on the offensive end."

Los Angeles has dropped seven of nine, but entered the break on a positive note by winning 98-90 at Minnesota on Wednesday. Griffin had 29 points to lead all scorers.

Chris Kaman returned after missing 34 games with an ankle injury, and had four points with six rebounds in nine minutes off the bench.

While Kaman is back in the mix, Clippers leading scorer Eric Gordon (24.1 ppg) will miss his 14th straight game due to a broken wrist.

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Minnesota Timberwolves Vs Milwaukee Bucks Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 22,2011.

2011-02-22T22:56:00.002+06:00

Minnesota Timberwolves Vs Milwaukee Bucks Live Streaming NBA Channels Coverage espn 360 Gamecast Broadcast Online Radio Schedule statistics Exclusive Watch National Basketball Home NAT tv Telecast Internet Feed Broadcast Soapcast Radio coverage February 22,2011.national basketball association.

Preview :
The Milwaukee Bucks have the NBA's worst offense and dropped eight of 10 before the All-Star break, but they are only a few games out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

The Bucks will try to avoid a second loss this season to the last-place Minnesota Timberwolves when they meet Tuesday night at the Bradley Center.

Milwaukee (21-34) is in 10th place in the East, but despite stumbling before the break, it hasn't played itself out of playoff contention. The Bucks trail eighth-place Indiana for the final spot by 3 1/2 games.

However, they know their offense needs to be better.

Milwaukee is the worst-shooting (42.3 percent) and lowest-scoring (91.3 points per game) team in the NBA. The Bucks are averaging 89.6 points in their last seven games.

"We just have to be able to make a couple of plays to get over the hump," guard John Salmons said after a 94-87 loss to Denver on Wednesday. "It is frustrating, but we just have to keep playing through it."

Salmons had his best game of the season against the Nuggets, scoring 33 points on 13-of-23 shooting.

Milwaukee will begin the second half looking to take better advantage of favorable matchups. Of its last five losses, three came against teams that had losing records.

The Bucks would particularly like to avenge a 96-85 loss to Minnesota (13-43) on Oct. 29. They shot 35.6 percent, were outrebounded 62-39 and Salmons was held to seven points on 3-of-8 shooting.

The Western Conference-worst Timberwolves have recorded eight of their 13 wins at the expense of teams from the East, but they've lost four straight overall, including 98-80 to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.

"Guys are sick and tired of losing, I can tell you that right now," coach Kurt Rambis said. "They're disappointed in how we're playing. It's been a difficult year, winning and losing wise, on everybody."

Minnesota has averaged 86.0 points and shot 36.8 percent over the last three games. Michael Beasley, averaging 19.9 points and 5.6 rebounds, has missed the last five with a sprained left ankle and it's not certain if he'll be available Tuesday night.

Point guard Jonny Flynn will miss a second straight game after he was shut down before the break as he tries to recover from hip surgery. Flynn, averaging 5.8 points and 3.3 assists, will also sit out Wednesday against Memphis.

Beasley's injury will put additional pressure on All-Star Kevin Love, who leads the league in rebounding with 15.5 per game while averaging 21.1 points. He had 17 points and 16 rebounds against the Bucks in October.

While the Timberwolves are realistic, they are hoping for a better finish this season after going 2-27 down the stretch last year.

"Everybody says it's going to take some time," center Darko Milicic said. "We're going through that time right now and it's painful."

The Timberwolves have lost five of their last six visits to Milwaukee.
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