SPORTS N STUFF

CBSSports.com wire reports
May 6, 2012

var ua = jQuery.browser; if (!( ua.msie && (ua.version.slice(0,1) == “7″ || ua.version.slice(0,1) == “8″))) { window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({}); FB.Event.subscribe(edge.create, function(response) { DW.levt(ria, log, {siteid: 175, mapp: social_share_bar, comptyp: app, comp: main, riaevent: click, objtyp: button, objnm: facebook_share}); }); }; (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1″; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, script, facebook-jssdk)); } else{ document.getElementById Through nearly 40 minutes, the Utah Jazz made Tony Parker look average.

He had 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting, and the San Antonio Spurs were clinging to a five-point lead.

Parker the MVP candidate then took over.

“They threw a lot of guys at me, so I needed to be more patient and then in the fourth quarter I was more aggressive,” said Parker, who hit all five field goals and went 6 of 6 from the line in the final period to finish with 27 points.

More on Spurs-Jazz Related links Report Card: Spurs, Thunder earn top grades Full playoff schedule, results Expert Picks: First round predictions Team updates: Thunder | Mavericks

His effort fueled a 102-90 victory Saturday night that gave the Spurs a 3-0 lead in the first-round Western Conference playoff series.

No NBA team has ever overcome an 0-3 deficit to win a best-of-seven series. The Spurs can close it out Monday night in Salt Lake City.

“My guys are experienced to realize an NBA game is 48 minutes. Anything can happen,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “You can look at the other games and other series and realize you dont stop playing. They stick with each other and the system. That experience is something they have gained over a long period of time and they feel comfortable with each other, even in a tough environment like we had here tonight.”

A sellout crowd of 19,911 was energized from the start, standing from pregame festivities that saw a massive green-and-yellow balloon drop.

The fans were on their feet again when a young Utah lineup brought the Jazz back after they trailed by 13 in the fourth.

DeMarre Carroll scored on a putback, rookie Alec Burks sank a pair of free throws and Derrick Favors scored after grabbing another offensive rebound to get Utah to 81-74 with 8:58 remaining. Favors then hit a 7-footer to make it a five-point game.

“Hes a handful and hes very physical,” Parker said about Favors, who had 15 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks in his most extensive action of the series. “He goes to the boards hard.”

Parker, who took the Spurs on his shoulders this season, showed he can finish just as strong.

His 5-foot floater halted Utahs run, then Matt Bonner blocked Favors shot to set up Stephen Jacksons fast-break layup.

Parkers 18-foot jumper then bumped San Antonios lead back to 10 with 5:44 left.

Utah would only get within eight after that on Paul Millsaps dunk. But Parker was there to finish the Jazz off at the line.

“We needed to get this one because we know theyre not going to give up, especially in this building,” said Spurs guard Danny Green, who finished with 14 points, including a block and fast-break layup that helped seal the game midway through the fourth.

The 12 in all in a game they lost by 12 points.

“Those were free points we need in a game like this,” said Jazz point guard Devin Harris.

Harris, after scoring just 12 points in the first two games combined, had 12 in the first quarter and finished with 21.

Al Jefferson also rebounded from two sub-par games and finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds on 10-of-18 shooting.

Jefferson, in the end, was thinking more about Utahs bad plays.

“We cant make mistakes,” said Jefferson, playing in his first playoff series since he was a rookie in 2005. “Weve got to play a perfect game to even have a chance to beat a team like this. We make too many mistakes during the crunch time of the game and they made us pay every time.”

Popovich gave reserve Tiago Splitter plenty of credit.

Splitter missed Game 2 because of a bruised wrist, but had 10 points, eight boards and a blocked shot. He had four points and five rebounds in the fourth quarter alone.

“I thought Tiago was huge for us,” Popovich said. “When Favors was giving us trouble, he made shots, got the boards and then scored a bunch during the most important time of the game.”

The last time the two teams met in the postseason, in the 2007 Western Conference finals, the Spurs went on to win the NBA title.

San Antonio, with coach of the year Popovich, its Big 3 and collection of castoffs, foreigners and rookies, looks intent on doing the same.

The Spurs won the first two games by 46 points combined, but figured Saturdays would be the toughest of the series.

They were right.

“We expected them to have a much better effort,” said Tim Duncan, who had 17 points, six rebounds and three blocks for the Spurs. “It was a good win for us. We had a lot of guys really step up and play well for us.”

Utahs Tyrone Corbin, still looking for his postseason coaching victory, tried several different approaches Saturday.

He put 6-foot-8 swingman Gordon Hayward on Parker. And Corbin went to his Big 3 lineup early and often.

Corbin had said he wanted Favors to play more, and Favors showed why he deserves more minutes.

He blocked Splitters jam attempt early in the second quarter then scored on a putback that gave Utah a 41-40 lead. He followed with a 9-foot turnaround jumper over DeJuan Blair, and then grabbed his own miss and drew the foul from Duncan. He made one of two free throws for a 44-42 Jazz lead.

In 16 minutes in the first half, Favors had seven points and seven rebounds, with a pair of blocks.

While Favors was 3 of 7 shooting in the fourth, Utahs other budding star struggled down the stretch.

Burks was just 1 of 6 in the fourth quarter and finished with 11 points.

A stark contrast to Parker.

“The experience showed tonight,” Corbin said. “They know exactly what to do… They make adjustments and we didnt get the energy and sense of urgency when we needed it.”

Notes

Jazz Hall of Famers Jerry Sloan and John Stockton were in attendance. The Spurs shot 60 percent and outscored Utah 18-2 in the paint in the first quarter (50-28 overall). The Jazz made 8 of 16 free throws in the first half, with Millsap and Favors both missing three. Manu Ginobili had six assists in the first half and finished with 10, but scored just six points. Duncan, Parker and Gi the most among any active trio in the NBA.

CBSSports.com wire reports
May 4, 2012

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The Bu or else the surprising 76ers could be the team advancing to the next round.

Spencer Hawes led a Philadelphia fourth-quarter comeback to remember, letting a late go-ahead jumper fly from just inside the 3-part arc to help the Sixers rally from 14 points down to beat the Chicago Bulls 79-74 on Friday night and take a 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference playoff series.

“Were playing a team that has some injuries,” Sixers coach Doug Collins said, “and well see if we can do something about that.”

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The Sixers are on their way toward eliminating the top-seeded Bulls. They won Game 2 in Chicago with Rose out and stormed back in a fourth quarter where Noah was limited to 2 minutes. Noah left the arena on crutches and was wearing a protective boot.

Noah has little time to recover. Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.

“Well be ready. Weve got to be ready,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. “We cant feel sorry for ourselves.”

Hawes scored 21 points, grabbed nine rebounds and buried the winner with 2:11 left to give the Sixers their first lead since halftime. Hawes scored 10 clutch points in the fourth to put the Bulls on the rocks.

“We have a huge opportunity here in the playoffs and we have to try and capitalize on it,” Hawes said.

Already playing the rest of the series without Rose because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, the Bulls got a second scare in the third quarter when Noah hurt his ankle. Noah, who scored 12 points, returned in the fourth quarter and mostly hobbled around the court.

With Rose out, the Sixers believed they were in perfect position to knock off the Bulls and build a series lead on their home court.

Good plan.

The Sixers scored only 11 points in the third quarter and trailed by double digits early in the fourth before taking off against the battered Bulls.

Hawes keyed the surge and buried two free throws to pull them to 71-70 with 3:28 left.

Nursing a one-point lead, Omer Asik missed two free throws giving the Sixers new life.

Hawes hit a 20-footer for a 72-71 lead and Evan Turner made two free throws for a three-point lead with 1:24 left.

John Lucas III of the Bulls buried a 3-pointer to make it a one-point game and a send a shiver into a team that faded down the stretch after a 20-9 start.

All of that is behind them now. Jrue Holiday hit two free throws to seal the win to the delight of 20,381 fans who packed the Wells Fargo Center.

“When were at our best is when we find joy in playing,” Collins said.

The Bulls missed 10 straight field goals over 5-plus minutes in the fourth to lose all of their 14-point lead. Carlos Boozer had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Bulls and Richard Hamilton scored 17 points.

“Our fourth quarter has to be our best quarter and tonight it wasnt,” Boozer said. “We had good looks down the stretch and just missed them.”

Holiday scored 17 points and Turner had 16 while reserve Lou Williams added 14. The Sixers missed 13 of 14 3-pointers and shot 34 percent (26 of 76) from the floor. Yet their late run was enough to help them win consecutive playoff games for the first time since 2003.

“We just pulled it together,” Turner said.

Noahs injury came midway through the third quarter when he stepped on Andre Iguodalas foot driving down the lane. His feet gave out from under him and he crashed to the cou while a smattering of fans cheered the fallen Bull.

Noah walked gingerly to the bench for a timeout but returned to shoot his free throws.

He was on the bench after a few possessions and stayed there until the fourth.

Noah hopped around trying to take pressure off the ankle. He put the pressure right on the Sixers and even nailed a 15-footer.

The bumps kept coming for the banged-up Bulls.

Boozer was whistled for his fourth foul with 4:36 left in the third and joined Noah on the bench. The duo had combined for 26 points and 15 rebounds by that point.

That left Taj Gibson and Asik in the frontcourt. With that lineup, the Bulls kept an ineffective Luol Deng in the game when he picked up his fourth foul about 2 minutes later.

Before the quarter was out, Gibson became tangled with Thaddeus Young and was briefly down. No worries on this one. He buried a jumper for Chicagos first double-digit lead of the game, 60-50.

Hamilton hit a 3 for a 67-53 lead in the fourth and it appeared they were cruising toward the victory.

Not so fast. With the Philly crowd standing and waving their rally towels, the Sixers seemed primed for a comeback. Hawes fought inside for a tough basket that pulled the Sixers to 69-64 to help them end the game on a stunning 26-7 run.

“When Rip hit that shot, I was looking in our guys eyes,” Collins said. “Somehow, we fought back.”

The Bulls need to figure out a new rotation without Rose and way to protect Noah if they dont want this series to slip away.

“You need guys who have that great will to win, no matter what the circumstances,” Thibodeau said.

Notes

Hall of Famer Julius Erving returned to the Sixers as a strategic adviser. His deal runs through 2015 and he will be available to the franchise on an as-needed basis. Actor Bill Murray was at the game. The Sixers snapped a four-game home losing streak.

CBSSports.com wire reports
April 24, 2012

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Rest and recovery were of much greater importance as both teams looked ahead to the postseason and patched together lineups that hardly resembled last years second-round playoff series.

The result was sloppy at times, but turned into a relatively even matchup before the seldom-used Celtics rallied for a 78-66 win over the starless Heat on Tuesday night.

Sasha Pavlovic led Boston with a season-high 16 points, scoring 12 in the fourth quarter as the Celtics pulled away by shooting 50 percent (11 for 22) in the period and forcing Miami into eight of its season-high 25 turnovers.

“Well, someone had to win the game and we did, which was really nice,” Boston coach Doc Rivers said. “You know, these games are still important, probably for both teams.”

But not important enough to risk anybodys playoff status.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were out for the Heat. Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo didnt play for the Celtics.

More on Heat-Celtics Related links Report: Union has paid Hunters family millions Ray Allen says he has bone spurs in ankle Power Rankings: Through topsy-turvy 2012 NBA Playoff Picture and magic numbers Team updates: Heat | Celtics More NBA coverage Berger | EyeOnBasketball | Blog | Newsletter

Rivers said Rondo and Garnett should be back in the lineup on Thursday when Boston hosts Milwaukee in the final game of the regular s locked into the No. 4 se can still get home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs against Atlanta with another victory on Thursday and a loss by Hawks. Atlanta heads into the season finale with a one-game lead but Boston won the season series.

The Celtics would prefer to open the playoffs on the road with a healthy lineup than be back at home with Rondo (back), Garnett (hip flexor) or Allen (bone spurs) still hobbled by injuries.

“Well see,” Rivers said. “It would be nice to put some more pressure and force Atlanta to have to win.”

Anyone who bought a ticket to this game months ago, anticipating an Eastern Conference showdown was disappointed. Instead, it was the Heat JV taking on the Celtics Lite.

Bosh didnt dress again because of a left hamstring strain. James and Wade were still in warmups and didnt come to the bench until after the starting lineups were announced and although they were listed as active, they never entered the game.

Instead of trying to catch Chicago for the top seed in the East, the Heat are now locked in at No. 2.

“We wanted to make sure going into the last week with a quick turnaround that we were ready for this weekend,” Miami coach Eric Spoelstra said. “We had legitimate injuries. We werent just sitting guys.”

Dexter Pittman had 12 points, James Jones scored 11 and Udonis Haslem grabbed 13 rebounds for the Heat, whose 25 turnovers were a season high. Miami failed to score 20 in any quarter and had just 16 in each of the final two periods.

“We made too many turnovers and they capitalized on them,” Jones said. “We did some good things, but just not enough so we are locked into the second seed and we are focused on trying to correct some of our mistakes as we move into the playoffs.”

Marquis Daniels finished with 13 points, Brandon Bass had eight points and eight rebounds for the Celtics. Paul Pierce finished with eight points. He started the game, but sat out the fourth quarter while Pavlovic thrilled the remaining fans as the Celtics improved to 3-1 against the Heat this season.

“I started kid of slow in the first half. Doc was on me about that,” said Pavlovic, who 0 for 2 while going scoreless in the first half. “I just cam out in the second half and played as hard as I could defensively. Whenever I had an open shot, I just took it.”

Pavlovic was 5 for 6 in the fourth quarter, hitting two 3s while scoring 12.

The Celtics had almost as many turnovers (7) as points (10) in the first quarter and failed to score until a little past the midpoint of the opening period. But after the sloppy start, Bostons patchwork lineup came together in the third quarter, tying it with a 10-0 run late and then outscoring the Heat 10-4 to st obviously, with 25 turnovers,” Spoelstra said. “However we got to that point, we were still tied halfway through the fourth quarter. It just went from there.”

Sean Williams hit two free throws to put Boston up 58-54, then Pavlovic pulled up with a baseline jumper for a 60-54 lead with 6:35 remaining and Miami called a time out.

Pavlovic continued to pick apart the Heat, driving for a dunk that put the Celtics up 62-56, then hitting a 3-pointer to stretch the lead to nine with 4:45 left.

Pavlovics previous high for the season was 10, two fewer than he scored in the final quarter.

Pierce hit a jumper, fed Bass with a pass under the basket for a dunk and then Pavlovic hit a jumper to get the Celtics started on a 10-0 run that tied it at 46-all late in the third quarter. It was tied at 50 entering the fourth. Daniels stole the ball from Juwan Howard and took it uncontested for a dunk that put the Celtics up 54-52, Bostons first lead since 18-17 in the second quarter.

The Celtics are at home Thursday against Milwaukee while the Heat close out the regular season at Washington

Haslem and Mario Chalmers were the only regular Miami starters while Pierce and Bass were Boston normal starters in the opening lineup.

Notes

The Celtics didnt score until Pierces turnaround jumper with 5:45 left in the first quarter, cutting Miamis lead to 11-2. The Celtics matched their season-low for a quarter with just 10 points in the first period. The Heat knocked the Celtics out in the second round of the playoffs last year, winning the series 4-1. One of the loudest cheers of the night was when the big-screen monitor showed highlights of the Boston Bruins win over Washington in Game 6 on Sunday. The Bruins host the Capitals on Wednesday night in Game 7.

CBSSports.com wire reports
April 16, 2012

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The Bobcats lost a franchise-record 17th straight game 75-67 to New Orleans Monday night and took a step closer to finishing the season with the worst winning percentage in league history.

If the Bobcats fail to win any of their remaining games theyll finish with a .106 winning percentage, which would be worse than the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers, who finished 9-73 for a winning percentage of .110.

It would seem Charlottes best shot at a win is next Monday at Washington, the second-worst team in the league. However, that same Wizards team just throttled the Bobcats by 28 points in Charlotte last week, so the reality is Monday night might have been their best chance to win a game.

“The whole year has been frustrating but this game was more frustrating because we really got ourselves up for this one,” said Gerald Henderson, who finished with a game-high 27 points. “It was a close game the whole game but we couldnt score. It was a struggle to score.”

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Henderson seemed to be the only one who could score for the Bobcats, who shot 30 percent from the field.

Stephen Silas, who stepped in again to coach the Bobcats for his father Paul, said he went through the entire playbook looking for something that would work.

“The only thing that seemed to work was handing the ball to Gerald Henderson to try to get in the paint,” Stephen Silas said.

The loss assured the Bobcats (7-53) of the worst record in the league, giving them a 25 percent chance of landing the No. 1 pick in the NBA lottery on May 30. The Bobcats and the rest of the NBA will learn Tuesday if potential top pick Anthony Davis will enter the draft as a press conference in scheduled in Lexington, Ky.

If the Bobcats can land him it would be an immediate help to a team that has struggled both offensively and defensively this season.

The Hornets won despite playing without leading scorers Eric Gordon and Chris Kaman and shooting just 34 percent from the floor. Gordon was given the night off to rest, but no reason was given as to why Kaman was held out of action.

Greivis Vasquez picked up the slack scoring 20 points, while Carl Landry added 14 points and 12 rebounds off the bench for New Orleans.

It was the second-lowest scoring NBA game this season.

“It wasnt pretty,” Hornets coach Monty Williams said.

For a while, the teams flirted with a different kind of NBA futility.

The league record for fewest points scored in a game was set on Feb. 27, 1955 when the Milwaukee Hawks and Boston Celtics combined for 119.

This game was tied at 47 after three quarters.

The Bobcats trailed by as many as eight in the second quarter but closed the half on an 18-6 run to take a 39-35 lead at the break as Kemba Walker provided a spark with seven points during the stretch. The teams combined to shoot 37 percent in the first half.

Things got progressively worst in the third the lowest in the league in a quarter this season and the fewest since 2004- on 15 percent (6 for 40) shooting.

The Hornets put a run together to start the fourth quarter and built their lead to seven after Marco Belinelli knocked down a 3-pointer from the top of the key. The Bobcats would claw back to close the gap to two after Henderson got hot, but Vazquez hit a runner in the lane to make it a two-possession game.

The Bobcats couldnt get any closer after that.

Williams was not thrilled with his teams shot selection after the game.

“[We] missed some shots early but they have to keep taking them,” Williams said. “Guys have to play with confidence. We dont want guys thinking about missing shots, especially when you dont have to look over your shoulder. Its not like Im going to put somebody else in the game to take your spot.”

The Hornets only played nine guys.

Henderson said the goal from here on out for the Bobcats is to get a win and avoid setting the dubious NBA record.

“Absolutely,” Henderson said. “The Hornets are a good team, but we look at them as similar to us. This is a game we wanted to win. You look on the schedule and we felt like this was one we could really get. Thats why its even more frustrating.”

Notes

NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin took in the game from courtside. The Bobcats 23 field goals and .303 shooting percentage was their worst this season. Belinelli scored in double figures for the 41st time this season.

CBSSports.com wire reports
April 17, 2012

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Nick Young scored 19 points off the bench, Blake Griffin added 17 and Randy Foye 13 to beat the Thunder 92-77 on Monday night.

“It is something that were happy about, but by no means is that all we want,” said Griffin, who like a lot of his teammates will be in the postseason for the first time. “That was one of our goals coming in, but it goes farther than that.”

Houston lost to Denver by three points earlier Monday night, ensuring the Clippers would end the second-longest active postseason drought in the league.

“Im happy we can get Blake on TV in May,” DeAndre Jordan said.

Griffin had 11 rebounds and Jordan grabbed 12 in the Clippers fourth straight victory and 12th in their last 14 games. Their 38 wins are the most since the franchise had 40 in 2006-07.

“This is a great feeling,” said Paul, whose acquisition shortly before the lockout ended has played a key role in the Clippers changing fortunes. “We can celebrate it, be excited about it tonight but tomorrow were back at work.”

Kevin Durant led Oklahoma City with 24 points, Serge Ibaka and James Harden added 12 points each, and Russell Westbrook was held to nine as the Thunders two-game winning streak ended. San Antonio beat Golden State to move percentage points ahead of the Thunder in the race for the No. 1 seed in the West.

“Theres no time to panic right now,” Durant said. “We have to win the next game in order to get our momentum back.”

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The Clippers didnt need the victory to achieve their immediate goal, but they played like they wanted it in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Thunder 26-11.

“We got good looks, but we were missing shots and they picked their intensity up,” Durant said. “It was just one of those tough ones for us. I missed a few 3s, Russell missed a few elbow jump shots, which he normally makes, and Serge missed some that went in and out. Thats how the game is, man.”

Mo Williams hit a 3-pointer for the Clippers first lead since they scored the games first basket. Eric Bledsoe came in for Paul and calmly ran the offense, feeding Williams and Young, who combined for 10 of their first 14 points.

“Were one of the best second units in the league,” said Young, who joined the Clippers a month ago in a trade from Washington. “Im excited. I was waiting for one of these type of games. To get it tonight against one of the leagues top teams was great.”

Griffin scored on back-to-back rim-rattling dunks that had the Clippers 32nd sellout crowd of the season on its feet roaring. Paul briefly came back in, but Williams and Foye made consecutive 3s to stretch their lead to 90-77, so the All-Star guard sat down again with the game in hand.

“We have enough offensive power to play with anybody, but our defense is what triggers us,” Paul said. “When we defend, were tough to guard.”

Foye dribbled out the final seconds with a smile on his face, although at the buzzer the Clippers did little more than smile and hug each other.

“We know thats not the only thing we want,” Jordan said. “We still have a goal for this team, and this is just one of the steps towards it.”

The Clippers won the season series, 3-1.

“Theyre really good, but I dont think theyre a better team than us,” Durant said. “Its not like were afraid of them or that were scared to see those guys later on. But you have to give them credit. They beat us.”

The Clippers dominated the third, outscoring the Thunder 23-14. Durant and Westbrook were shut out, while Ibaka scored 12, including nine in a row. Young scored eight straight, hitting two consecutive 3s, to draw Los Angeles within one. Durant banged into Griffin on the perimeter for the foul. Griffin made both shots, but the second was disallowed when Jordan committed a lane violation, leaving the game tied at 66.

“We picked up the defensive intensity to start the third quarter,” Paul said. “We got some steals, got out in transition, guys hit some big buckets and we were able to sustain that momentum.”

The Thunder led by 11 points in the second quarter. The Clippers closed within four three times, the last time on a 10-3 run including four in a row by Griffin. But the Thunder ran off the final five points to go up 52-43 at halftime. Ibaka had three fouls in the first half when he had no rebounds and no points.

Notes

Paul took his 2-year-old son to a Dodgers game on Sunday. They were both wearing Dodgers caps and his son waved at the crowd. “They booed me bad,” he said. “I was just happy that my son didnt know what was going on.” The Clippers play four of their final five games on the road, where they will try to finish with a .500 or better record for the first time since moving to Los Angeles in 1984. They are 15-14 away from home, one of just three Western Conference teams with a winning road mark. The Thunder fell to 19-11 on the road, still tops in the West. The Thunder came in averaging 103.1 points. Durant made 10 of 12 free throws, but the Thunder was just 62 percent from the line, well below their league-leading 80.3 percent.

CBSSports.com wire reports
April 15, 2012

var ua = jQuery.browser; if (!( ua.msie && (ua.version.slice(0,1) == “7″ || ua.version.slice(0,1) == “8″))) { window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({}); FB.Event.subscribe(edge.create, function(response) { DW.levt(ria, log, {siteid: 175, mapp: social_share_bar, comptyp: app, comp: main, riaevent: click, objtyp: button, objnm: facebook_share}); }); }; (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1″; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, script, facebook-jssdk)); } else{ document.getElementB Sure, Pau Gasol and the Los Angeles Lakers are well aware a regular-season sweep means nothing compared to a playoff sweep.

The Lakers are still pleased theyre controlling this rivalry with the Dallas Mavericks heading to another postseason in which they just might meet again – and they even did it without Kobe Bryant.

Andrew Bynum had 23 points and 16 rebounds, Gasol made back-to-back 3-pointers in overtime, and the Lakers won their fourth straight game without the NBAs leading scorer, 112-108 over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.

Ramon Sessions scored 22 points, and Gasol had 20 points and 10 rebounds as Los Angeles rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit before finishing off a four-game season sweep of the defending champion Mavericks, who swept the two-time champion Lakers out of last seasons playoffs.

“This team eliminated us last year, and theyre the champs right now,” said Gasol, who buried his sixth and seventh 3-pointers of the season in OT. “If we face them again, I dont know if this 4-0 in the regular season will be worth a whole lot. Well have to start over and make sure we play as hard as weve been playing lately.”

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Coach Mike Brown thought the Lakers put together a remarkable team effort in Bryants absence, with everybody on the floor in overtime contributing a key play. Matt Barnes cagey defense capped the OT effort against Jason Terry, who missed what should have been an easy tying layup with 5 seconds left.

With the Lakers holding the No. 3 spot in the West playoff picture and the Mavs at No. 6, both teams realize they could meet again in two weeks. The Lakers boosted their lead over the Clippers atop the Pacific Division to 1 ½ games with six to play. The Lakers also have the tiebreaker edge on their next-door rivals.

“Were excited about the playoffs, but were still going to have that bitter taste in our mouths until then,” Barnes said.

Barnes had 11 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and Los Angeles key defensive play, and Metta World Peace scored 18 points for the Lakers, who are 4-1 while Bryant rests his bruised shin. Bryant is still contributing to the Lakers by shouting out instruction and encouragement from the bench, but his teammates are figuring out how to win when they cant count on Kobe to take the big shot.

“Metta, Andrew, myself, we all feel we have to step up in Kobes absence,” Gasol said. “A different guy can do it every game.”

Dirk Nowitzki had 24 points on 9-of-28 shooting and 14 rebounds for the Mavericks, whose three-game winning streak ended. Delonte West scored 20 points, and Terry had 21 before overthinking his drive and jamming a layup into the underside of the rim while trying to avoid Barnes defense.

“I solely take the blame for it,” Terry said. “I command and ask for the ball in that situation, and to not be able to deliver for the team is an utter disappointment. … Give [Barnes] credit, it was a savvy defensive play, but if I do it again, I know what kind of play Im going to make.”

Gasol added two free throws with 0.5 seconds left in the Lakers fifth straight regular-season win over Dallas.

Both teams had chances to win near the regulation buzzer, but Sessions missed an awkward shot with 1.5 seconds to play, and Nowitzki clanged a 3-point attempt off the back rim.

While the Mavericks claimed Barnes goaltended one of the Lakers overtime baskets, they also blamed themselves for a middling effort.

“I just have to make some shots,” said Nowitzki, an unimpressive 36 for 95 over his last five games. “I was more of a volume shooter, and thats not the way I want to play. I want to be an efficient scorer. Ive got some work to do.”

Gasol gave the lead back to the Lakers on consecutive corner 3s, with Nowitzkis third 3-pointer sandwiched between them. World Peace put the Lakers up 110-106 with a fadeaway jumper with 1:04 to play.

Bynum has been fighting a respiratory infection, but coach Mike Brown described him as “an absolute beast” against Dallas. After a slow start in the first half, Bynum returned to the dominant form he showed while getting 30 rebounds and scoring 30 points in consecutive games, a feat last accomplished by Moses Malone in 1982.

During a midgame interview with ABC, Bryant said his shin feels much better, and he intends to return to the Lakers well before the playoffs. Bryant is walking without discomfort, but the 28.1-points-per-game All-Star hasnt played since April 6.

Bryant has missed just 100 games in his 16-season NBA career, including the past five. If Bryant plans to return soon, Los Angeles has just five games remaining, including Tuesdays visit from San Antonio, before the postseason.

“Thats Coach Bryant now,” Sessions said. “Hes over there drawing stuff up on the board. Hes pulling us over to the side and helping us out tremendously.”

Notes

Lamar Odom is still listed on the Mavericks roster, but the longtime Lakers forward wont play again this season for Dallas, which acquired him early in training camp after the Lakers aborted trade for Chris Paul hurt Odoms feelings. Dallas Jason Kidd went 3 for 4 on 3-pointers after going 0 for 8 in Dallas previous visit to Staples Center this season.

CBSSports.com wire reports
April 14, 2012

var ua = jQuery.browser; if (!( ua.msie && (ua.version.slice(0,1) == “7″ || ua.version.slice(0,1) == “8″))) { window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({}); FB.Event.subscribe(edge.create, function(response) { DW.levt(ria, log, {siteid: 175, mapp: social_share_bar, comptyp: app, comp: main, riaevent: click, objtyp: button, objnm: facebook_share}); }); }; (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1″; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, script, facebook-jssdk)); } else{ document.getElementB The San Antonio Spurs insist that being the No. 1 seed in the West isnt important to them. They still might wind up with it.

Simply making the playoffs is important to Phoenix. And this blowout wont help.

Tim Duncan had 19 points and 10 rebounds and Tony Parker scored 14 before calling it an early night, and the Spurs made the Suns playoff pursuit that much harder with six games to go, coasting past Phoenix 105-91 on Saturday night.

The Spurs officially clinched the Southwest Division, but more importantly, stayed neck-and-neck with Oklahoma City for the No. 1 playoff seed in the Western Conference. San Antonio remains a game behind the Thunder with eight games remaining.

“It doesnt matter what we do. Were going to end up where we end up. Theres no reason to sit there and study it,” Duncan said. “Were going to play these games as best as we can. Win or lose, were going to end up where. Were in a great position right now. Hopefully we can end on top. If we dont, hopefully were number two and were happy with that.”

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Sebastian Telfair scored 21 points for Phoenix, which simply wants to make the postseason. Yet the Suns never looked ready to play from the start and slipped 1 1-2 games behind Denver and Houston for the Wests eighth and final playoff spot.

Phoenix trailed by 17 before the first quarter was even halfway finished, and Steve Nash and Grant Hill sat out the entire second half. Nash said he irritated his right hip socket in a loss to Memphis on Wednesday, and despite fighting through it in Fridays win at Houston, he only lasted the first 6 minutes.

Yet even that early, it was clear it wasnt going to be the Suns night.

“It was a situation where, one, I wasnt going to be effective and two, I didnt want to miss the last six games,” Nash said. “Lucky to get out, I think, when I did.”

Nash said he hopes to be OK for Mondays game against Portland.

The Spurs also didnt needlessly wear out their stars in this blowout. Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili all sat out the fourth quarter and most of the second half, giving coach Gregg Popovich some bonus rest for his Big Three after he began the week by not even letting them on the plane to Utah.

Duncan got the rout going by hitting his first five shots, and quickly racked up 11 points and five rebounds by the time the stunned Suns found themselves down 21-4 just six minutes into the game.

Thats when Nash called it a night. The 38 year old played 34 minutes the night before in Houston, where the Suns squeaked out a big road win against one of the teams in front of them for the No. 8 seed.

Hill was coming off a long night, too. Houston was the 39-year-old veterans first game since undergoing surgery March 30 to repair a medial meniscus tear in his right knee, and Suns coach Alvin Gentry admitted the 25 minutes Hill played was probably more than ideal. Hill wound up playing eight minutes against the Spurs, scoring four points.

“Weve been on the road a lot. We get a chance to be at home and try to finish,” Hill said. “Its a tough loss, its embarrassing, but were still in the hunt. ”

Rookie Kawhi Leonard added 14 points for the Spurs and DeJuan Blair had 10.

Phoenixs starters combined for just 20 points. Michael Redd scored 13 and Markieff Morris had 10 in a game that was hardly as close as the final score indicated. Phoenix trailed by as much as 28.

Phoenix has six games left a including hosting the Nuggets on Saturday.

But the Suns must also face the Thunder and finish the season against the Spurs. Popovich, however, will give serious thought to playing his stars in the final game even if the No. 1 seed is still on the line, especially after Ginobili got hurt in that very same situation last season.

Newcomer Stephen Jackson, who the Spurs acquired at the trade deadline, isnt predicting how Popovich will manage minutes in the final two weeks.

“You never know what Obi-Wan is going to do,” Jackson said.

Notes

Both the Spurs and Suns emptied their benches, using all 13 of their active players. Everyone scored. The 13 points that San Antonio held Phoenix to in the first quarter was a season-best for the Spurs.

CBSSports.com wire reports
April 14, 2012

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Although thats an unlikely scenario for success, the Lakers still took an enormous step toward the postseason thanks to Matt Barnes outside shooting and Andrew Bynums inside persistence.

Bynum had 30 points and eight rebounds, Barnes added a season-high 24 points and 10 rebounds, and the Lakers clinched a playoff berth with a 103-97 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.

Pau Gasol had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Pacific Division-leading Lakers (38-22), who have won three of four without Bryant while the NBA scoring leader rests his bruised shin. Los Angeles also played without Brown, who left Staples Center shortly before tipoff for undisclosed personal reasons.

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“You can tell that these guys went out tonight and wanted to represent Mike Brown as best they could, and thats what they did,” said assistant coach John Kuester, who didnt give any additional information about Browns issues after running the team. “They have worked extremely hard, they care about one another, and its also those types of feelings that are poured out on the floor.”

With Bryant shouting instructions and counsel as a virtual assistant coach on the bench, the Lakers gave away another early lead and committed 23 turnovers, yet still took three of four from Denver to win the clubs season series for the first time in three years. With six games left, Los Angeles is 1 ½ games ahead of the Clippers for the division lead and the No. 3 playoff seed.

“With Kobe out, guys need to step up, but at the same time, not do too much,” said Barnes, who matched his highest-scoring performance in two seasons with the Lakers. “Were so talented, but sometimes were lazy. When were lazy, we allow teams to do stuff that shouldnt normally happen. When we play hard, were a hard team to beat.”

Barnes scored six consecutive points after Denver trimmed Los Angeles lead to one point, hitting a 3-pointer and adding a clutch jumper with 1:29 to play.

After Bynum grabbed 30 rebounds against San Antonio earlier in the week, he faced double- and triple-teams from the moment he touched the ball on most possessions. The All-Star center persevered for a 13-point third quarter in a mature effort from a mercurial player.

“It was big for us to get this third win [without Bryant],” Bynum said. “For our team, especially not having our leader, it was important to come together and get a win.”

Andre Miller scored 20 points and Al Harrington added 18 for the Nuggets, who had won five of seven. Arron Afflalo also had 18 for Denver (32-27), which is even with Houston for the seventh playoff spot, one game ahead of ninth-place Phoenix with seven to play.

“We need to use these last seven games to build some momentum,” Afflalo said. “Weve got a tough little schedule ahead of us, and were looking forward to it. … [Barnes] had an exceptional game and hit some big shots down the stretch. Thats probably my fault, and they deserved it.”

Los Angeles led for all but the opening minutes, going up 87-75 with 9:25 left. Denver trimmed the lead to one point with a 15-4 run capped by Harringtons 3-pointer with 3:38 left, but Barnes hit a clutch 3-pointer and added a free throw and a jumper before throwing a phenomenal half-court alley-oop to Bynum in the final minute.

Denver coach George Karl disagreed with several foul calls in the fourth quarter, but praised the Nuggets effort.

“We didnt have a lot of luck,” Karl said. “But we kept fighting and fighting, and finally found five guys that figured out if you rebound it and go after Bynum, good things would happen.”

Bryant is no longer wearing a protective boot. The fifth-leading scorer in NBA history is walking without pain, but must run and jump without pain before hell return.

Bryant has built a career on playing through any amount of pain, but with the Lakers comfortably in the playoff picture, he apparently feels he can take a brief rest from the compacted regular season. Brown wouldnt speculate on how long Bryant will sit, saying theyll re-evaluate his injury before Sundays game against the defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks.

Notes

The Lakers have missed the playoffs just five times in their 64 years of existence, just twice in 33 years under owner Jerry Buss. Wilson Chandler missed his seventh straight game for Denver with a strained left hip, while Rudy Fernandez is still sidelined with a strained lower back. Kuester also coached the Lakers in February while Brown served a one-game suspension. Kuester was the Detroit Pistons head coach for the past two seasons before getting fired last summer. Barnes got a technical foul with 2:24 left for arguing a call, but Afflalo missed a free throw that would have cut the Lakers lead to three points with the ball.

CBSSports.com wire reports
April 10, 2012

var ua = jQuery.browser; if (!( ua.msie && (ua.version.slice(0,1) == “7″ || ua.version.slice(0,1) == “8″))) { window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({}); FB.Event.subscribe(edge.create, function(response) { DW.levt(ria, log, {siteid: 175, mapp: social_share_bar, comptyp: app, comp: main, riaevent: click, objtyp: button, objnm: facebook_share}); }); }; (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1″; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, script, facebook-jssdk)); } else{ document.getEl A week ago, the Boston Celtics beat the Miami Heat with defense. This time, they did it with offense.

Paul Pierce scored 27 points, Kevin Garnett added 24 points and nine rebounds, and the Celtics made their first eight shots of the fourth quarter to hold off the Heat 115-107 on Tuesday night.

Rajon Rondo posted double-digit assists for the 18th straight game, extending the NBAs longest such streak in 20 years with an 18-point, 15-assist effort. Brandon Bass added 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Avery Bradley scored 11 for the Celtics, who shot a season-high 61 percent and survived two possessions where Miami could have tied the score in the final quarter.

“We talk about it in fighting terms,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “We told them today before the game, youre in a boxing match, you expect to get hit. Theyre going to hit you. They did and we withstood it. I thought that was important for our team.”

LeBron James finished with 36 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for Miami, which got 20 from Dwyane Wade and 18 from Mario Chalmers. Chris Bosh finished with 13 on 5-for-13 shooting for Miami, which has gone 5-5 in its last 10 games.

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The Celtics beat Miami 91-72 in Boston on April 1, a game the Heat called “unacceptable” after establishing season-lows in scoring and shooting.

This one wont sit much better with the reigning Eastern Conference champions, who ousted the Celtics in five games from last years playoffs and could see them in the second round of the upcoming postseason. No team had shot better than 55 percent against the Heat this season, and Bostons 115 points were two shy of matching a season-high against Miami.

“We left Boston feeling awful at our performance,” James said. “I dont feel as bad tonight. Those guys, they were locked in. Not only did they make their open shots, they made their contested shots. … When youve got it going like that, just tip your hat off. We tip our hat off to them tonight. They won it.”

Boston improved to 18-7 since the All-Star break, and dealt Miami a blow in the race for the No. 1 seed in the East. The Heat fell 2½ games behind Chicago, which played later Tuesday at home against the New York Knicks.

“It took a while,” Rondo said, “but were peaking at the right time.”

A layup by Wade got Miami within 108-103 with 2:22 left, before Garnett made a high-arcing jumper that dropped softly through the net, his 11th make in 14 shots.

That pretty much described the night. Whenever Miami got close, the Celtics found a way to hold them off.

“Its a game of runs,” Pierce said. “You have one of the best teams in the NBA at home. You know theyre going to make a run. Thats what makes them who they are. They know how to turn it on. We did a good job of holding their runs to a minimum.”

Miami had two shots to tie early in the fourth after being down by as many as 18 earlier, before Garnett made jump shots on four straight possessions, the average length of those makes being 19 feet.

A 10-0 run early in the first quarter gave Boston a quick lead – and that wasnt even the Celtics best run of the opening period. Boston scored the last 11 of the first, the run actually becoming 13-0 when Garnett scored to open the second quarter, and Bostons lead was 35-22.

Everything the Celtics wanted, they got. Boston shot 61 percent in the first quarter, 62 percent in the second. Celtics coach Doc Rivers used eight players, all of them making multiple shots by halftime. Of them, the only one who failed to make at least half his shots was Bass, who more than made up for that with six first-half rebounds.

Heres how well the Celtics were shooting: Miami went into the break shooting 51 percent from the field, 60 percent from 3-point range and 78 percent from the foul line – and Boston was at least 10 percentage points better in every department.

“None of us were expecting that,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “To give up 115 points on our home floor, thats not our style. And were being made to feel uncomfortable right now. Thats really the residual of the last three weeks or so. This is probably the one silver lining out of it, is our group, staff and players, were getting to know each other now on the level that is needed for us to prepare for the playoffs.

“We all know we have to take a real big step forward as a basketball team,” Spoelstra added.

The next chance for that “big step” comes Thursday, when the Heat visit Chicago.

Down by 18 in the first half, Miami cut the deficit to 65-57 at halftime. James closed it with a 3, punching the air as the shot dropped.

Even with that, every moment of the second half was an uphill battle.

And the Celtics werent being caught.

Miami got within five twice in the third, with Rondo answering both times to make it a three-possession game again. The Celtics held the Heat to 36 percent shooting in the quarter, keeping the eight-point lead entering the fourth at 89-81.

The Heat had two chances to tie early in the fourth, after starting the period on a 7-0 run. The first of those slipped away when Bosh failed to finish off a three-point play opportunity by missing from the line. The next came when Udonis Haslem missed from the left baseline with 9:17 left, and Bostons answer that time was absolute.

Allen made a catch-and-shoot 3 for a 94-89 lead, and then Garnett just took over.

“When they shoot like that, its going to be tough to beat them,” Wade said. “Obviously, we can always do things better. But give them credit.”

Notes

Alex Terrio, a fan wearing a Heat T-shirt, won a 2012 Kia Optima for making a halfcourt shot in between the third and fourth quarters. “Shock,” Terrio said. James had 11 points in the third quarter for the third consecutive game. Hall of Fame quarterbacks Dan Marino and Jim Kelly were at the game, as was Chicago Bears star Julius Peppers.

CBSSports.com wire reports
April 9, 2012

var ua = jQuery.browser; if (!( ua.msie && (ua.version.slice(0,1) == “7″ || ua.version.slice(0,1) == “8″))) { window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({}); FB.Event.subscribe(edge.create, function(response) { DW.levt(ria, log, {siteid: 175, mapp: social_share_bar, comptyp: app, comp: main, riaevent: click, objtyp: button, objnm: facebook_share}); }); }; (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1″; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, script, facebook-jssdk)); } else{ document.getElementById With a playoff spot locked up and a grueling stretch ahead, San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich called it a “no brainer” to rest stars Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

That was fine by a Utah Jazz team still trying to punch a ticket to the postseason.

After losing to the Spurs by 10 on Sunday night in San Antonio, the Jazz (30-28) rebounded with a 91-84 victory in Mondays rematch in Salt Lake City.

“We wanted to come out and get a little bit of revenge from last night,” said Gordon Hayward, who started at shooting guard Monday for the injury-depleted Jazz. “They battled and battled until the end and we were able to come out on top.”

Credit Devin Harris, who scored 11 straight for the Jazz in the fourth quarter and had a team-high 25 points.

“The big difference in the game, like with a lot of NBA games down the stretch, is you have got to make shots, and Devin came down and knocked down two in transition in a row. On the other end, we couldnt throw it in the ocean,” Popovich said.

The Spurs (40-15) were down just 84-80 with 2:23 remaining after Harris run, which included a pair of 3-pointers. But they shot just 2 of 7 the rest of the way and committed a turnover.

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“I think both teams were digging deep, especially after playing last night and having the long flight here,” said Matt Bonner, who finished with 10 points for the Spurs. “It was like a heavyweight boxing match and it was coming down to the end. They hit us with a couple of extra punches.”

Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin was glad to see Harris step up after he started 1 of 5.

“He was the one guy for us who acted like he had a little more in the tank so it was great to see him come out and be aggressive on the offensive end,” Corbin said.

The victory halted the Spurs 11-game winning streak and allowed Utah to remain 1½ games out of the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot.

The loss was San Antonios first since March 17 and ended a six-game winning streak against the J the number of blocked shots the Jazz had Monday.

Hayward said the Jazz wanted to make a statement.

“We have to protect this house,” said Hayward, who had a pair of blocks. “No easy buckets.”

Al Jefferson led the Jazz with four blocks. He added 12 points and 10 rebounds and a steal.

Paul Millsap had 18 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks for the Jazz, and sealed the win with a put-back dunk with 43 seconds remaining.

Reserve Jeremy Evans had three blocks before leaving in the third quarter with a sprained right ankle.

Popovich wasnt worried about securing the No. 1 overall seed but “trying to survive.”

The Spurs play three games in four days starting with the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. They have 11 games remaining in the condensed season.

While the Spurs were resting players who combined averaged 46.8 points, Corbin was trying to find bodies.

Guard Raja Bell (knee) remains inactive, guard Earl Watson will need knee surgery, and small forwards Josh Howard (knee) and C.J. Miles (calf) also are out with injuries.

That left DeMarre Carroll, on his fourth team in three years, making only his second career start in 99 games. The Spurs started Patty Mills, Boris Diaw and Stephen Jackson.

Both teams looked out of sorts early, with the Jazz starting 1 of 7 with a pair of turnovers and the Spurs starting 1 of 6.

“Coach Pop told us before the game to play hard,” said Tiago Splitter, who along with Gary Neal led the Spurs with 14 points. “We tried hard. We gave a great effort. In the end we couldnt hit the shots.”

DeJuan Blair, who was given Sunday night off, added 13 points for San Antonio.

Popovich gave the Jazz plenty of credit before the game, and after for holding it together despite a lack of stars and injuries.

“You think they played harder tonight because of the playoffs?” Popovich said. “This is Utah, the Jazz play hard every night. There has never been a night that they dont play hard.”

The Jazz took a 23-19 lead into the second quarter and bumped it to 30-23 on a spin move inside by Derrick Favors.

Neal, Mills and Splitter brought San Antonio back with seven points apiece in the second quarter as the Spurs pulled within 47-44 at the break.

The Spurs looked in control in the fourth, when they surged ahead 75-67 on a free throw by Splitter.

But Jamaal Tinsley hit a jumper then Harris took over. He finished 7 of 17, but 3 of 7 from beyond the arc, and made 8 of 12 free throws with six assists, a steal and a blocked shot.

“It was kind of a sluggish game for the first three quarters,” Harris said of a matchup that featured 34 turnovers (20 by the Jazz). “But we got some stops, got into transition and get some good shots and knock them down. San Antonio [without its stars] defensively is still one of the best teams in the league. But we were able to grind it out and get the win.”

Notes

Hall of Famer John Stockton was in attendance and received a standing ovation from the crowd when he was announced and shown on the big screen. Utah signed NBA D-League sharp-shooter Blake Ahearn to a 10-day contract Monday. The Jazz announced backup point guard Watson would have surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee. He is out indefinitely. Miles wont travel with the team on its three-game road trip because of a strained left calf. The Spurs entered the game first in the NBA in 3-point shooting (.387) but were just 7 of 24 from beyond the arc.