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NBA Playoffs 2013, Grizzlies vs. Spurs Game 2: Time, TV schedule, odds and more

Satchel Price — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:28:08 -0000

The Memphis Grizzlies are a team of veterans, but they've never been here before. Tony Allen and Tayshaun Prince have won NBA titles, Marc Gasol has played for Olympic gold medals, and Mike Conley led his Buckeyes to an NCAA title game in his only college season. But together, for this group, Tuesday stands as a unique hurdle.

For more on this series, visit: Grizzly Bear Blues Pounding the Rock

Trailing 1-0 to the experienced, cold-blooded San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, the Grizzlies need to come together like never before. For players who have seen so much success in the past, Game 2 awaits with one question looming to be answered above all else. Are these Grizzlies for real?

The best players on this Spurs team have been to the NBA Finals on three occasions, winning each time. The Grizzlies are the furthest they've ever been in the postseason, a team that's finally found the right combination behind a group of players that's had many successes across basketball's vast landscape.

But a history of winning stands in Memphis' way, and following a 105-83 beatdown in the first game of the series, their season comes to a breaking point Tuesday.

In order for one group of veterans to unseat another, it'll take a much better performance than Memphis gave the first time around. Entering Game 2, a few questions loom over this series and which team will ultimately represent the West in this year's Finals. Let's take a few minutes to break them down.

1. What's up with Zach Randolph?

The Grizzlies always win behind a true team effort, but that almost always demands a quality performance from power forward Zach Randolph. A guy that can score on practically anyone with his loopy array of post moves, he was effectively shut down in Game 1 by the Spurs' big guys. Z-Bo isn't the athlete he once was, but Memphis can't afford for him to repeat the two-point, seven-rebound effort he gave in the opening game of the series.

2. Can Spurs keep shooting like this?

More than anything, San Antonio shot its way to victory in Game 1. With quality spacing and execution leading to numerous open shots, the Spurs just kept filling the basket to a degree Memphis couldn't match. The Grizzlies are a team built on defense, and while Quincy Pondexter knocked down five treys in the opening game, they simply can't keep up with a red-hot San Antonio. Should the Spurs stay this scorching for the majority of the series, it will be difficult for Memphis to keep up.

3. Will Memphis capitalize in the paint?

Even as the Spurs rained threes and Randolph struggled, the Grizzlies still managed to finish the game with a 35-33 advantage on the boards. Other than Tim Duncan, who grabbed 10 rebounds, nobody on the team grabbed more than five missed shots. San Antonio's other big men -- Tiago Splitter, Boris Diaw, Matt Bonner and DeJuan Blair -- combined for just five rebounds in 60 minutes of playing time. If the shots aren't falling and Memphis continued to dominate the boards, the Spurs won't glide through this series.

Time: 9 p.m. ET
Location: AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
TV: ESPN
Odds: Spurs favored by 5.5 points

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Nets, Clippers could be targeting Lionel Hollins as next coach

Satchel Price — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:37:34 -0000

Memphis Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins may still be leading his team through the postseason this week, but that hasn't stopped two teams from showing interest in his services. Both the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers could be suitors for his services this summer, according to a pair of reports.

With his contract set to expire following the season, Hollins could be a prime candidate for numerous coaching vacancies this offseason. Assuming teams are willing to wait until Memphis' playoff run ends to pursue the coach, it wouldn't be surprising if the Grizzlies had some competition in retaining him.

After spending big money to fill the roster entering this season, the Nets could conceivably make Hollins a lucrative contract offer this offseason. Gary Woeffel of the Racine Journal Times says Brooklyn is "honing in" on the Grizzlies coach, which could make for an intriguing battle between the two teams.

A small-market team like the Grizzlies could be hesitant to match the potentially large salary Brooklyn might offer, and the big-market Clippers could get into the mix as well.

While it's unclear what L.A. plans to do with current coach Vinny Del Negro, Clippers owner Donald Sterling was seen sitting first row at the Grizzlies' opening game against San Antonio last week. His intentions were uncertain, but ESPN's Marc Stein notes of a rumor going around that Sterling was there to scout Hollins in person.

If true, there could be quite the bidding war for Hollins' services this summer. In a world where player salaries are capped and coach salaries aren't, don't be surprised if Hollins gets a nice raise.

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Bobcats to announce name change to Hornets on Tuesday

Satchel Price — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:54:18 -0000

The Charlotte Bobcats have scheduled a news conference for Tuesday evening to announce their pending nickname change to the Hornets, Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer reports. The news confirms last week's reports that the franchise would seek to restore Charlotte basketball to its former branding.

With the New Orleans Pelicans name change going into effect next season, speculation persisted regarding another re-branding in Charlotte. The Hornets nickname had been in New Orleans since the franchise moved there from Charlotte in 2002, but new ownership decided the team needed a new, local flavor.

That move put the pressure on the Bobcats to consider taking back the old Hornets nickname, which led to some public surveys by the franchise. Responses from the public were reportedly mixed, but the "Bring Back The Buzz" movement has consistently gained steam since the Pelicans move went official.

The current franchise in Charlotte has been known as the Bobcats after initial owner Robert (Bob) Johnson since its inception in 2004. Johnson sold his remaining shares in the team to current owner Michael Jordan in 2010 and the team has never quite endeared itself in the region due to a lack of success.

In the 1990s, the Charlotte Hornets reached the playoffs multiple times behind star players such as Alonzo Mourning, Larry Johnson and Glen Rice.

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George Hill injury: Pacers PG cleared to play Saturday vs. Knicks

Satchel Price — Sat, 18 May 2013 22:29:54 -0000

Indiana Pacers point guard George Hill will play in Saturday's Game 6 against the New York Knicks after being cleared by team physicians under the league's post-concussion policy, the club announced. It's likely Hill will return to his starting spot in Indiana's lineup for the potentially series-deciding game.

Staring at an opportunity to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pacers' offense should get a nice boost from Hill's return. The guard scored a team-high 26 points in Indiana's Game 4 victory, but also suffered a concussion at some point during the game.

That head injury kept him out of Game 5 as the league proceeded with its post-concussion policy, which required Hill to pass a series of tests before being cleared by doctors. He didn't successfully complete those tests until Saturday.

Without Hill, the Pacers struggled offensively with an opportunity to put away the Knicks, losing 85-75 on Thursday. The man replacing him, backup guard D.J. Augustin, finished that game with 12 points and zero assists in 39 minutes as Paul George was forced to take on a larger playmaking role.

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Mike Krzyzewski considering Team USA comeback

Satchel Price — Sat, 18 May 2013 21:27:32 -0000

Duke Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski could return to his old role with USA Basketball for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil, according to Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated. The two sides are deep in discussions about Coach K coaching the Americans once again as they look to defend their gold medal in Rio.

After winning gold with the U.S. at the 2012 London Olympics, Krzyzewski stepped down as head coach to usher in a new era of USA basketball. For nearly eight months, he was steadfast in his lack of interest at returning to the program, but his apparent change of heart indicates a likely reunion.

"I think it's very close to being resolved. That's all I can say for sure," USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said Saturday.

During his tenure with USA Basketball, Coach K posted a 62-1 record while returning the program to its past glory. Considering that Colangelo said he never even reached out to other candidates, it seems clear the Duke legend was always the top choice.

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Kendrick Perkins contract: Thunder not considering amnesty clause

Satchel Price — Sat, 18 May 2013 19:41:41 -0000

People may question his value, but the Oklahoma City Thunder are seemingly sticking with center Kendrick Perkins. Coming off a disappointing postseason run, Thunder GM Sam Presti says the team hasn't considered using the amnesty clause on Perkins, according to Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman.

For many Thunder fans, this presumably comes as a bit of a disappointment. The embattled starting center of the team became a lightning rod for criticism the past few years as his production deteriorated in the eyes of most prominent analysts.

That hasn't stopped Presti from defending Perkins, who is owed $18.63 million over the next two seasons. "We think Perk has a lot of value to our team," the GM told Mayberry.

Given how much money the franchise has tied up in Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka, getting Perkins' contract off the books would the easiest way for OKC to open up some cap flexibility. Using the amnesty clause wouldn't save the team all that much money, but it would help cut the team's cap number and potentially avoid the luxury tax.

Starting 78 games this season, Perkins averaged 4.2 points and six rebounds in 25.1 minutes per contest. His 8.2 PER was the worst of his career, but the franchise continues to emphasize the value he provides on the defensive end.

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Tyson Chandler injury: Knicks center has taped wrist, says he'll be 'fine'

Satchel Price — Sat, 18 May 2013 19:05:13 -0000

Adding to his list of physical ailments, New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler will play through a wrist injury in Saturday's Game 6 against the Indiana Pacers, Ian Begley of ESPN New York reports. Tape covered the big man's wrist as he spoke with media in the morning.

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For Chandler, this is just the latest injury he'll have to play through this offseason. Already dealing with knee and back injuries sustained in the Knicks' Game 5 victory, he insisted Saturday morning he's "fine" but it's reasonable to wonder how he'll play considering the issues he's already had this postseason.

After averaging a double-double during the regular season, Chandler has put up six points and 7.5 rebounds per game in 11 postseason contests this year. His presence on the offensive end has been minimal, but New York can hardly afford to lose his post presence on the other end of the court.

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Grizzlies vs. Thunder Game 5, NBA Playoffs 2013: Time, TV schedule and more

Satchel Price — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:15:04 -0000

A year after reaching the NBA Finals for the first time, the Oklahoma City Thunder are on the brink of elimination in the second round. Trailing 3-1 to the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference Semifinals, the Thunder need to ignite a serious rally Wednesday night at home in Game 5 of the seven-game series.

For more on the series visit: Grizzly Bear Blues Welcome to Loud City

Considered favorites to win the West for a second straight year entering the postseason, the Thunder have stumbled badly following the season-ending injury to star guard Russell Westbrook. Kevin Durant trying to play hero has worked to a degree, but it's clear the Thunder lose something with Reggie Jackson as the primary point guard.

Playing at home in Game 5, the Thunder should come out with a passionate brand of basketball, but the Grizzlies aren't exactly the kind of team to kowtow to intensity. With a wild one expected for Wednesday night, here are three questions that could define the game.

1. Can the Grizz keep avoiding turnovers?

Entering the postseason, everyone wondered how Memphis would score enough to regularly compete against the league's best teams. With guys like Mike Conley and Marc Gasol stepping up their games, we have our answer to some degree, but one aspect of the Grizzlies offense stands out above all else: They don't turn the ball over. As Grantland's Zach Lowe tweeted Tuesday, "Thing I probably didn't play up enough today: MEM's playoff turnover rate is ridiculously low. Like basically historically aberrant." In the series, the Grizzlies have a 56-39 advantage in turnovers forced.

2. Is this Mike Conley's breakout?

Over the past few games, the Memphis point guard has taken his game to another level. Always a solid perimeter defender and orchestrator of the offense, Conley has emerged as arguably the team's most potent scorer in the post-Rudy Gay era. Armed with razor-quick speed, elite handles and a solid jumper, Conley has turned the Grizzlies' pick-and-roll sets into a clinic on how to use screens. Faced up against an inexperienced Reggie Jackson and an aging Derek Fisher, he's lit up the Thunder for 21.3 points and 6.7 assists per game during the past three contests, all Memphis wins. If Conley can keep up this play on that end of the floor, Memphis will be tough to beat.

3. Will Kevin Martin show up?

Without Westbrook, someone needed to step up and provide scoring punch behind Durant's heroic efforts. As the team's third-leading scorer during the regular season, shooting guard Kevin Martin appeared to be the most obvious potential Robin to KD's Batman. Instead, Martin has struggled throughout the series against Memphis, rarely looking like someone who was among the most efficient scorers in the league during the regular season. Since starting strong with a 25-point, seven-rebound effort in Game 1, Martin has averaged 12.3 points on 35 percent shooting in the past three games.

Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
TV: TNT
Odds: The Thunder are 4.5-point favorites.

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At age 37, Cuttino Mobley to work out for NBA teams

Satchel Price — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:18:34 -0000

Nearly five years after being forced to retire due to a heart ailment, 37-year-old former NBA player Cuttino Mobley will work out for teams at a pro day on May 31, Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld reports. The news comes as a bit of a surprise after Mobley disappeared from the public eye the past few years.

An 11-year veteran that spent time with the Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Clippers, Mobley retired in 2008 after it was discovered he had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart muscle is inexplicably thickened.

Mobley played his last game on Nov. 18, 2008, after which he was traded to the New York Knicks in a deal that sent forward Zach Randolph to the Clippers. Mobley never played a game for New York, officially announcing his retirement from basketball the next month.

During his career, Mobley averaged 16.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. A talented shooter, he knocked down 38 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc as a pro. With the increased importance on shooting skill throughout the league, Mobley's ability to hit open jumpers will likely be his best bet at landing another NBA gig.

Mobley's best season came in 2002, when he led the Rockets in scoring at 21.7 points per game.

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Dwyane Wade injury: Heat SG a game-time decision for Game 5

Satchel Price — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:33:42 -0000

Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade will be a game-time decision for Wednesday's Game 5 against the Chicago Bulls, according to Tom Haberstroh of ESPN.com.

Dealing with ongoing knee issues that have plagued him throughout the postseason, Wade could badly use some time off to prepare for the next round of the playoffs. Though the Heat still need to win a fourth game to advance, they're seemingly in a position of power with the undermanned Bulls struggling badly in recent games.

Even if Wade sits, the Heat will still be heavily favored to complete their series victory in Game 5, so many people are suggesting this is a good time for Wade to rest. Big man Chris Bosh said Wednesday he still expects his teammate to play, but it wouldn't be surprising if the team took a more cautious route.

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George Hill finds shooting stroke just in time

Satchel Price — Wed, 15 May 2013 02:28:44 -0000

Without the kind of potent scorers that typically populate NBA contenders, the Indiana Pacers need someone to step up every night. The team may be devoid of great scorers, but it still needs great scoring performances to beat talented teams at the sport's highest level.

In Tuesday's 93-82 win over the New York Knicks, which expands Indiana's series lead to 3-1, that man was point guard George Hill. Often forgotten when the league's top point guard are discussed, Hill provided exactly what the Pacers needed to land a pivotal Game 4 win.

On a night when his teammates shot just 35 percent from the field, Hill hit 9 of his 14 attempts en route to a game-leading 26 points. His work on both ends of the court earned some serious praise from Pacers coach Frank Vogel, who said it was, "maybe the best game I've ever seen him play."

It's not the most statistically impressive game of Hill's career, but rarely has the 27-year-old seemed so in control of the game. The Pacers had the lead from start to finish, powered by an efficient 37 minutes from its lead guard. This all from a guy that shot 30 percent in the first three games of the series.

For the Pacers, these kinds of efforts are becoming a regular occurrence. It's not necessarily the same player in each game, but someone on the roster is throwing out a star-level effort in practically every game. In Game 3, it was Roy Hibbert's 24-point, 12-rebound explosion. In Game 1, you could point to D.J. Augustin's 16 points in 13 minutes.

Indiana still has a problem, and that's the absence of a truly great player. Practically every team that's won a title featured one of these players, and most of the remaining contenders boast a player of that caliber. The Pacers have Paul George, and while he's rapidly improving, it's easy to question if he's a championship-caliber star at 23 years old.

But the Pacers keep winning, because the role players keep stepping up. Whether it's Hill, Hibbert, Augustin or Lance Stephenson, Indiana is getting effort across the board that most teams can't match. How long will this last? It's hard to say, especially with the Miami Heat looming. But it's probably time we take these Pacers, and Hill, more seriously.

Quotes via NBA.com's live feed

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Knicks vs. Pacers, NBA Playoffs: New York can't compete with Indiana's physicality

Satchel Price — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:45:18 -0000

The series between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks has played out about as everyone expected from a stylistic standpoint. The games have been slow, methodical contests between teams looking to grind their way to the Eastern Conference Finals.

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In terms of winning and losing, though, it's been Indiana's series. Playing the kind of basketball they hope to coax out of themselves each and every night, the Pacers have played bigger, played stronger and played harder than their opponents. Really, they're playing the kind of basketball that won 49 games during the regular season.

For some years now, the league has been moving toward smaller lineups armed with long-armed defenders and quality shooters. The Pacers don't severely lack those kinds of players, but their ability to couple those characteristics with size and intensity makes for a truly imposing squad.

The play in recent games reflects just how dangerous Indiana can be. The Knicks aren't exactly the weaklings of the NBA, but it's difficult to argue they haven't been pushed around a good deal in this series.

In New York's lopsided Game 2 win, the team held a plus-two advantage over the Pacers in rebounding. That actually qualifies as a resounding victory for the Knicks in that category. During the Pacers' pivotal 93-82 win on Tuesday, Indiana had a 54-36 advantage on the boards. Three days prior, it was 53-41 in the Pacers' favor during an 83-72 win.

This has become the defining issue for the Knicks in this series, more than the excessive isolation plays, mediocre three-point shooting or flu bugs. New York simply can't keep up with the likes of Roy Hibbert, David West and Paul George down low, and it's utterly killing the team.

In Game 4, the Knicks tried to make adjustments. They played bigger lineups, giving extra minutes to guys like Tyson Chandler and Kenyon Martin. It hardly mattered, as West, Hibbert and George each grabbed double-digit rebounds in their latest display of post dominance.

At this point, it's not clear what else Knicks coach Mike Woodson can do. He's gone small, he's gone big. The Pacers respond in the same way each time, with an elbow to the gut and a hand in the face. It's not hard to imagine the seeds of doubt emerging in the minds of some New York players.

The reasons for that are pretty simple. In the past four games, the Pacers have played bigger, fought harder and executed better. Entering Game 5, it's not clear New York has an antidote for this problem.

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Knicks vs. Pacers Game 4, NBA Playoffs 2013: 93-82 victory gives Indiana 3-1 series lead

Satchel Price — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:58:16 -0000

The New York Knicks needed to play more physical, run a smoother offense and find a couple guys who could step up Tuesday night. None of those things happened, and the Indiana Pacers rolled to a 93-82 victory over Carmelo Anthony and company in Game 4 of the seven-game series.

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Instead of coming out aggressively with an eye on tying up the series prior to Thursday's Game 5, the Knicks got behind early Tuesday and never came back. The Pacers led the entire game, riding the quality play of George Hill and some characteristically strong defensive work.

After struggling through the first three games of the series, Hill put up a postseason-high 26 points to power Indiana's attack. The guard hit 9 of 14 shots (64 percent) on the night, a major improvement from his 30 percent shooting percentage in the first three games of the series.

The beginning of the game gave a strong indication of what was to come for New York. The Knicks missed 11 of their first 12 shots, looking very much like a team overwhelmed by the intensity of Indiana's defense and raucous crowd.

The Knicks' offense often goes as Carmelo Anthony goes, but the star forward couldn't carry his team on the road. The scoring title winner finished the game with 24 points and nine rebounds, but a strong start gave way to some inefficient shots as he finished 9 of 23 from the field before fouling out two minutes prior to the end of the game.

J.R. Smith was once again one of the key culprits behind New York's offensive woes. The Sixth Man of the Year shot just 7 of 22 from the field, contributing 19 points in 31 minutes, most of them coming in the second half. He's now shooting 26 of 91 (29 percent) in his last six postseason contests.

With Smith's woes continuing, Anthony needed other players on the team to step up and help him. Nobody came through, as no player on the team with more than three field goal attempts shot better than 50 percent from the field.

The Pacers went roughly four minutes without a basket at one point in the second quarter, but the Knicks still never cut the lead to fewer than five points. Once they failed to capitalize, Indiana quickly made some adjustments and finished the first half on a run. With a 14-point lead at halftime, all the pressure was on New York entering the third quarter.

Facing a big deficit against a stingy defensive team on the road, the Knicks simply couldn't muster a double-digit comeback with so little working on offense. This was one of those games when New York needed its perimeter shooters, like Smith, Steve Novak and Iman Shumpert, to step up. It just didn't happen.

Paul George also had a big game for Indiana as he continues his postseason breakout. The Pacers' lone All-Star played 45 minutes, recording 18 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks.

The Pacers now hold a 3-1 lead over the Knicks in the series. A victory in Game 5, which is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, would send Indiana to a probable Eastern Conference Finals match-up against the Miami Heat.

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Knicks vs. Pacers score update, Game 4: Indiana leads 48-34 at halftime

Satchel Price — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:14:20 -0000

The New York Knicks are struggling to hit shots, grab boards or draw fouls - generally, they're just not very good at basketball right now. As a result, they're trailing 48-34 at halftime to the Indiana Pacers in Tuesday's Game 4 matchup.

Needing a victory to tie up the series heading back to New York for Game 5, the Knicks have come out utterly flat in a pivotal road game. Continuing what's becoming a theme of the series, the Pacers' stifling defense has brought the Knicks' perimeter-oriented attack to a halt.

In nearly every aspect of the game beyond turnovers, Indiana has the advantage. As they've done all series, the Pacers have a major advantage on the boards (30-18), and they're also shooting a better percentage from the field as well -- 45 percent to New York's 33 percent.

Prior to tip-off, Rodger Sherman dug into three key questions about Tuesday's game. Let's try to provide some early answers going into the second half.

Will the Knicks get three-pointers?

Nope. New York took its fair share of attempts from beyond the arc, but missed all six of its three-pointers in the first quarter and 12 of 14 attempts overall. Iman Shumpert, who is dealing with knee soreness, missed all four of his long-range shots in the first half. Carmelo Anthony hit one of two three-point attempts, part of the only remotely solid offensive effort from a Knicks player. Melo has 16 points on 6 of 13 shooting and six rebounds.

Does Roy Hibbert continue to kill it?

The Pacers center didn't dominate early, but his post presence was constantly looming and a big dunk near the end of the first quarter punctuated a 9-2 run. His overall numbers aren't bad -- four points, eight rebounds, three blocks -- but he's probably not breaking the 20-point barrier for a second straight game.

How does the Knicks' flu crew do?

J.R. Smith and Kenyon Martin both were relatively quiet in the first half, though it's unclear if that's a direct result of the illness that's struck both players. Smith's struggles shooting from the field continue, as he missed all but one of his shot attempts, while Martin didn't take a single attempt. Martin did find some ways to contribute beyond scoring. His three assists lead the team so far, plus he blocked a shot on the other end of the floor. Smith finished the half with three points, shooting 1 of 8 from the field.

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NBA Playoffs schedule 2013: Pacers, Warriors look to keep momentum Tuesday

Satchel Price — Mon, 13 May 2013 21:12:59 -0000

The Indiana Pacers and Golden State Warriors don't have much in common, but their respective goals for Tuesday night are quite similar. Each playing a pivotal second round postseason game, victories for both teams could put their respective opponents against the ropes going forward.

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In Indiana, the Pacers hold a 2-1 advantage over the New York Knicks entering Game 5, which begins at 7 p.m. ET on TNT. Scoring continues to be an issue for New York against its opponents' athletic, relentless defense following Saturday's 82-71 dismantling of Carmelo Anthony and company.

If the Knicks are going to send the series back to MSG all tied up, they'll need to start hitting more shots from practically everywhere. Usually a prolific team from beyond the arc, New York is 20 of 60 (33 percent) in the first three games of the series, which puts pressure on the team's post scorers to make up the difference.

With a hobbled Amar'e Stoudemire still getting healthy, Tyson Chandler struggling with his offensive game and Kenyon Martin being understandably limited by age, Anthony is left to attack and force the issue against a defense designed to stop such endeavors.

As a result, the Knicks' offense has come to a borderline halt, with bickering beginning between players as the struggles pile up. For Indiana, this is exactly what the team wanted: media pressure mounting on a Knicks team searching for offensive identity going into a pivotal game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

For the Warriors, the pressures aren't quite the same, but a loss in Game 5 against the Spurs would put the team at a major disadvantage with Stephen Curry battling ankle problems. Golden State fought for an impressive Game 4 victory at home over the weekend, but getting another win -- this time in San Antonio -- won't be nearly as easy.

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Considering how limited Curry appeared to be in Game 4, there's some reason to believe he will be able to handle more playmaking duties going forward than he has of late, but it's clear Jarrett Jack will be depended on to make big plays for the remainder of the series.

Jack rose to the challenge Sunday, leading Golden State to victory with 24 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Facing a Tony Parker who's dealing with some injury woes himself, Jack's ability to take advantage will be integral to the Warriors' success.

The Spurs and Warriors tip off at 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT.

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Mike James and the discourse on NBA award voting results

Satchel Price — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:42:40 -0000

The NBA released the final results for the All-Defense teams voting Monday. Per usual, there were a number of surprises, the sorts that get folks across the Internet up in arms and yelling about things like transparency and credibility. This kind of thing that happens a lot, it seems.

When you get a bunch of people -- 30 NBA head coaches, in this instance -- together to share their opinions, weird things are bound to happen. After all, there are apparently people who don't like pizza, as if it wasn't created by the food gods to satisfy the palettes of all creatures.

Exhibit A: Mike James.

Among the 30 coaches in this league, two of them decided James was one of the best defensive players in the NBA this year. The response from the Internet basketball community was something amounting to, "Guffaw, good lads!"

This isn't meant to be a knock against James, who has impressively fought his way from the D-League to guaranteed NBA contracts in consecutive seasons. He's a hard-working player, a guy busting it at the age of 37 to keep his career going at the sport's highest level.

Still, he's not one of the top defensive players in the NBA. In fact, he may not even be a good defensive player.

Statistics don't have the final say in player evaluation, but they're typically pretty accurate indicators of what happens on the court. When the stats say that the Mavericks are a better team defensively with James on the bench, it's probably reasonable to wonder just how he contributes on that end of the court.

Maybe the statistics are off somewhat -- it is admittedly a small sample size -- and James is better than they indicate. Okay. But just how much better is he? How could the statistics bear out that one of the game's top defenders manages to make his defense worse?

When two coaches decided to cast their ballots with James as one of the two names listed, that's essentially the conclusion they each made. Yeah, James' numbers say he's below-average, but my eyes say he's the best defensive point guard in the league.

Obviously, it's easier to assume that these coaches simply didn't look at the statistics at all, and went simply by the eye test.

But if that's the case, how could the eye test go so awry, or so it seems? These coaches are some of the brightest minds in all of basketball. If James is really an average-at-best defender, as the numbers say, what are these coaches seeing that says otherwise?

It's something worth considering with greater detail, instead of sitting around and arguing that these coaches don't watch film, or don't have time to pay attention to other teams. If you're sitting on a couch completely dismissing the opinions of a man who's earned the trust of an NBA front office, you probably have some things to learn.

For every award vote, regardless of league or sport, it seems like there's always a Mike James. Some voter out there is always trying to think outside the box, whether as a means of innovation or simply as an alternative to jumping around screaming, "Hey, look at me!"

But these are NBA coaches. There are no extra page views to be had from a questionable choice, no incentives to be gained from stoking the fires of controversy across the web. It's only reasonable to assume these people were casting votes on merit.

In that case, two NBA coaches came away from this year believing James was one of the best defenders in the league. The statistics, obviously, say otherwise. Who's right? I'm not sure, but now I'm just hoping some reporter can unearth answers to the question, "Why did two coaches vote Mike James for NBA All-Defense?"

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Iman Shumpert misses practice with knee soreness, likely to play in Game 4

Satchel Price — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:05:24 -0000

New York Knicks shooting guard Iman Shumpert sat out the team's Monday practice due to soreness in his left knee, Ian Begley of ESPN New York reports. The injury is not expected to keep him out of Tuesday's Game 4 against the Indiana Pacers.

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Shumpert, who underwent surgery last year to repair a torn ACL, told reporters that the old injury isn't the source of his current pain. He says the soreness is actually the result of a hard fall he took during the team's 82-71 loss to Indiana in Game 3.

After missing roughly half of the regular season while rehabbing the knee injury, Shumpert returned in January and began finding his form this month. His performance has improved during the team's postseason run, as he's averaging 9.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game while shooting an efficient 44 percent from beyond the arc.

With the Knicks looking to avoid a 3-1 series deficit Tuesday, the presence Shumpert provides on both sides of the court will be badly needed.

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Jerry Sloan, Bucks have discussed coaching job

Satchel Price — Mon, 13 May 2013 20:49:08 -0000

The Milwaukee Bucks and former Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan met recently to discuss the team's head coaching vacancy, Sam Amick of USA Today reports. After taking some time off, he's considered a serious candidate for the position.

Sloan, 71, hasn't coached since his sudden resignation from the Jazz in 2010. The Hall of Fame coach had a fallout with the franchise's star player at the time, Deron Williams, which eventually led to a major rebuilding effort across the organization.

Now ready to return to coaching re-charged after a couple years off, Sloan joins a list of coaching candidates in Milwaukee that includes Rockets assistant Kelvin Sampson and former Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan. Neither can boast the kind of resume that Sloan has, though.

Since beginning his coaching career with the Bulls in 1979, Sloan has posted a 1,221-803 record as an NBA head coach. Most of the time came with Utah, a team he led to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in the late 1990's.

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Rockets to decline team option on Francisco Garcia

Satchel Price — Mon, 13 May 2013 20:00:05 -0000

The Houston Rockets will decline their $6.2 million team option on forward Francisco Garcia's contract for next season, according to Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston. The move will make Garcia an unrestricted free agent this summer, though he's said in the past he'd like to return to Houston.

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Garcia, 32, joined the Rockets in February from the Sacramento Kings along with 2012 first-round pick Thomas Robinson. Emerging as a key player for the team down the stretch, he played a major role during the exciting playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Though he's a limited scorer at this point, Garcia can still knock down jumpers and provide length to a defense. In the modern game, players with his skill set are becoming increasingly valuable, so it won't be surprising if the Rockets decide to bring him back on a smaller salary.

In 58 games between Houston and Sacramento this season, Garcia averaged 5.5 points per game and hit over 37 percent of his 3-pointers. During the playoffs, he averaged 10.7 points while playing 27.3 minutes per contest.

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Adam Wainwright loses no-hitter in 8th inning vs. Rockies

Satchel Price — Sat, 11 May 2013 20:17:29 -0000

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright lost his bid for a no-hitter in the eighth inning Saturday as Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado connected for a single with one out. Arenado was just the second baserunner allowed by the veteran ace.

It was the first hit for the Rockies in 49 plate appearances when including the dominant performance of Shelby Miller on Friday. The rookie retired 27 straight hitters after allowing a leadoff single, with Wainwright continuing the effort Saturday afternoon. Wainwright was just five outs away from the first St. Louis no-hitter in nearly 12 years.

Wainwright still finished the eighth inning scoreless, leaving him with a possible one-hitter like Miller. Through eight frames, he's recorded seven strikeouts with one walk. He would have been the first Cardinals pitcher to record a no-hitter since Bud Smith in 2001.

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Adam Wainwright has no-hitter through 7 innings vs. Rockies

Satchel Price — Sat, 11 May 2013 20:04:54 -0000

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright could be six outs away from his first career no-hitter, as he just finished his seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies without allowing a hit on Saturday afternoon.

Just a day after teammate Shelby Miller retired 27 consecutive batters against the Rockies, Wainwright has continued the Cardinals' dominance of Colorado hitters. It's now been 49 plate appearances since the team's last hit, which is probably as ridiculous as it sounds.

Wainwright had been on his way to a perfect game Saturday, retiring the first 13 batters before walking first baseman Todd Helton. He hasn't allowed another man on base since.

The last no-hitter for the Cardinals came on Sept. 3, 2001 by then-rookie Bud Smith against the San Diego Padres. Miller came close to accomplishing the feat Friday night after allowing a single to the first batter of the game, but it's Wainwright that could ultimately enter the record books.

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Amar'e Stoudemire's return could help Knicks' offense

Satchel Price — Sat, 11 May 2013 19:10:03 -0000

All things considered, the New York Knicks offense has fared pretty well in this series. Facing one of the game's great defenses in the Indiana Pacers with a isolation-oriented attack, Carmelo Anthony and his teammates have averaged 100 points per game so far playing a style that's becoming increasingly uncommon in today's NBA.

With the return of big man Amar'e Stoudemire for Saturday's Game 3 after a lengthy absence, the Knicks have to hope he'll contribute to a more balanced, effective attack.

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After developing a unique offense powered around the isolation skills of Anthony and J.R. Smith along with a host of talented shooters, New York has increasingly focused its attack around isos during the postseason. Though the team continues to win, it's clear everyone benefits from trying to spread the floor and find open shooters.

And that's what New York really needs from Stoudemire, a nudge back in that direction.

Though he's a legitimate one-on-one weapon for the Knicks in his own right, his presence as another scoring option on the floor could encourage Anthony and Smith to get the offense flowing again.

Optimism comes from the team's effort in Game 2, where Iman Shumpert, Raymond Felton, Pablo Prigioni and Kenyon Martin all scored in double-digits as the Knicks won in lopsided fashion. Stoudemire's ability to score in the mid-range and demand attention from defenders could enable those role players to get even better shots going forward.

This all assumes Stoudemire is healthy enough to make an impact, of course. The guy hasn't played since March 7 after undoing knee surgery and he's been saddled with a playing time limit of 10-15 minutes by coach Mike Woodson for his first game back.

It's reasonable to wonder if he simply won't have what it takes physically to be a contributor in a heated postseason series against a team like the Pacers.

Still, Stoudemire wasn't always 100 percent during the regular season, and he was as efficient a scorer as he's been in years. Though he only played in 29 games and averaged less than 24 minutes a night, he still put up 14.2 points per game on 57 shooting.

If he can come in and play up to that level for even 10-15 minutes a night, it's not hard to imagine him being a difference-maker in a game when the Knicks are in need of scoring. In a series that looks close, those little runs could be the difference between advancing or heading home.

In the end, we don't really know what Stoudemire will bring to the table for the remainder of the series. But it's hard to imagine Woodson playing him game after game if he's consistently struggling, and the recent evidence suggests the hobbled veteran could still provide New York with a boost on the offensive end of the floor.

Against a team that rolls out defenders like Paul George, Roy Hibbert and Lance Stephenson, the Knicks should be willing to roll the dice on any possible advantage they can get.

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Warriors vs. Spurs Game 2, NBA Playoffs 2013: Time, TV schedule and more

Satchel Price — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:35:26 -0000

If the first game of this series between the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs is any indication, now might be a good time to free up your schedule for Wednesday night. Coming off San Antonio's thrilling 129-127 double-overtime victory in the opening game, it's difficult to imagine the remaining games being anything but a blast.

Golden State of Mind: Putting the Warriors Game 1 collapse in perspective.

With two teams that embody the evolution of NBA offenses in recent years, emphasizing floor spacing, passing and long-range shooting, it's no surprise the Spurs and Warriors put on such a show in Game 1. Golden State got nothing for its impressive effort, though, leaving pressure on the W's to avoid bringing a 2-0 deficit back to the bay for Game 3.

After blowing a 16-point lead with just four minutes remaining in regulation -- the first time that's ever happened in the NBA playoffs -- the Warriors kept battling in overtime but couldn't put away the Spurs. A defensive miscue in the final seconds of the second overtime allowed Manu Ginobili to get a wide open look for the game-winning shot, which he calmly drained after missing 15 of his first 19 shots.

Now the Warriors need to come up with another great performance on the road after getting the job done for the first 44 minutes of Game 1. How can they do it? Here are three questions to ponder before Wednesday's Game 2.

1. Can Steph Curry keep rolling?

If the Warriors are ultimately going to win this series, it will be because of the efforts of guard Stephen Curry. Arguably the best shooter the NBA has seen in a very long time, the third-year pro was absolutely incredible in the opening game against San Antonio.

Knocking down 18 of his 35 shot attempts, Curry led all scorers with 44 points in addition to dishing out 11 assists. Playing in the postseason for the first time, his numbers through seven games have been fantastic -- 27.1 points, 9.6 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals in 42.4 minutes per game.

2. Will Spurs' experience win out?

In the final minutes of Game 1, it felt like a well worn narrative was playing out -- the older, more experienced Spurs taking advantage of a young Warriors team still cutting its teeth in the postseason. Golden State won't be able to repeat such mistakes if it wants to advance to the conference finals.

With many rotation players making their first-ever postseason appearances -- Curry, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green, Festus Ezeli -- as well as a relatively young coach in Mark Jackson, the Warriors stand in stark contrast to the Spurs. That youth will serve them at times, as it did during the first 44 minutes of Game 1, but finishing games against San Antonio won't be an easy task.

3. Can Andrew Bogut be a difference-maker?

The Warriors will likely need to shoot their way to victory, but the ability of big man Andrew Bogut to fill the paint will be integral. In Game 1, Bogut was an active defender and rebounder, grabbing 15 boards in 37 minutes, in addition to powering the team's 52-42 advantage on points in the paint.

Given how strong both teams are at spacing the floor and capitalizing on open looks, getting an advantage in the post could be key for the Warriors. And without many legitimate big men outside of Bogut, it will likely be up to the Australian to make a significant impact during the remainder of the series.

Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
TV: TNT
Odds: The Spurs are 7-point favorites, per OddsShark.

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Bulls vs. Heat Game 2, NBA Playoffs 2013: Time, TV schedule and more

Satchel Price — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:08:18 -0000

The Miami Heat are the best team in basketball, a carefully fashioned collective of talents centered around the shining beacon of athletic prowess that is LeBron James. The Chicago Bulls, at least on paper, are an inferior team in practically every tangible way, a beaten up bunch running on fumes.

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And yet, here we are, entering Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a Nate Robinson-Marco Belinelli backcourt looming as a legitimate threat to Miami's title run. Trailing 1-0 following Sunday's stunning 93-86 Bulls win, the Heat are looking to avoid a legitimate deficit heading back to Chicago for Game 3.

In many ways, this situation is almost unimaginable. The Bulls weren't supposed to get this far, not after Derrick Rose decided an epiphany would be necessary to play again, Joakim Noah's feet stopped cooperating and Luol Deng found himself watching the end of Round 1 in a hospital.

But those guys don't define what makes Chicago so darn frustrating for other teams. It's the Robinsons, Belinellis and Jimmy Butlers of the world, the guys that pop out of the woodwork ready to buy into Tom Thibodeau's philosophy, that make the Bulls an impossible team to sleep on.

The Heat continue to learn that lesson first hand. Maybe they thought this series, with no Rose, a questionable Deng and a hobbled Noah, would finally be different from past matchups between the teams.

But as long as Thibodeau is around, the Bulls will always be relentless, passionate and determined to win. The Heat have matched this effort in the past, namely during the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, but they'll need to do it again and again, because one thing Thibs's team won't do is stop fighting.

With a pivotal Game 2 looming Wednesday night, here are three questions to ponder:

1. Chris Bosh, where art thou?

If you spent most of Game 1 completely forgetting that Bosh was on the Heat, all is forgiven. The guy just wasn't doing all that much out there, continuing what's been an utterly underwhelming postseason performance from the All-Star big man.

Coming off a nine-point, six-rebound outing in Sunday's series-opening loss, Bosh is averaging 12.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in this year's postseason. While he's reportedly been dealing with some leg soreness recently, Miami needs to get more out of its third-best player.

2. Can Chicago keep dominating the boards?

Though it improved during the season, one aspect of Miami's game that lacked was rebounding. The Heat were in the bottom 10 in rebounding rate during the regular season, per NBA.com, as they constantly played smaller lineups that push James to power forward and spread the floor.

In Game 1, the Bulls absolutely punished Miami for going small, putting up a 46-32 advantage on the boards. Noah and Butler combined for 25 rebounds as they bullied the Heat inside, embodying the aggressive play that's become a trademark of this team.

While the Bulls don't have many advantages on paper, rebounding is one of them. If Chicago is going to keep this series competitive going forward, the domination on the glass needs to continue.

3. What about Derrick Rose?

What about him? At this point, there's nothing new to learn about Rose's condition. The team doctors say he's perfectly healthy, Rose seems to think otherwise and there are enough reasons to doubt Chicago management that criticism feels misplaced at this point.

If Rose really cared what the doctors said to him, he'd probably be playing by now, but he's not, and there's little reason to believe anything is going to change. Nobody can really say for sure why the former MVP hasn't simply been shut down for the season yet, but it's easier to pretend like this actually happened.

For the next few weeks, this is essentially Nate Robinson's team.

Game time: 7 p.m. ET

TV: TNT

Odds: Heat are 13.5-point favorites, per OddsShark.

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NBA Draft 2013: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope rising on draft boards

Satchel Price — Wed, 08 May 2013 17:54:46 -0000

In a draft that lacks consensus elite talent, the movers and shakers of the class continue to be sorted out. Draft boards remain in flux, mocks providing only the faintest glimpses of different scenarios that could play out in the coming weeks.

With all that said, few names have garnered more attention from NBA scouts recently than Georgia wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a unique combination of size and skill lacking in most of this year's prospects.

A 6'6 shooting guard at Georgia, Caldwell-Pope offers the height, length and athleticism to be an effective two-way wing at the next level. Though he struggled to carry a mediocre Bulldogs team to major success, his ability to play within the offense and find efficient looks was impressive for such a talented player.

It appears those efforts caught the attention of NBA executives, too. In the latest mock draft from ESPN's Chad Ford, Caldwell-Pope is projected to be selected 10th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers, up nine spots from his previous edition published weeks ago.

Ford noted that few players have boosted their stock more than Caldwell-Pope:

Right now, Caldwell-Pope is one of the fastest risers on NBA draft boards. He is a terrific shooter and a very good athlete. While the Blazers already have Wesley Matthews, adding Caldwell-Pope to the mix gives Portland great depth in the backcourt.

Even now, it feels like there's still room for further improvement in his draft stock. Three other wings -- Kansas' Ben McLemore, Georgetown's Otto Porter and UCLA's Shabazz Muhammad -- are all projected to go ahead of Caldwell-Pope in the draft. Though it's unlikely he'll be the first guard off the board, it wouldn't be shocking if he was able to pass Muhammad in the eyes of some teams.

During his sophomore year at Georgia, Caldwell-Pope averaged 18.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and two steals per game. His assists numbers were lacking due to inferior teammates, but he substantially improved his offensive efficiency after a shaky freshman year.

With so few options in this draft truly standing out, Caldwell-Pope becomes a highly intriguing option for many teams given the increased importance placed on wings who can shoot and defend. If he can be a committed defender and continue his development as a shooter, few players in this draft project as nicely at the next level.

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LeBron James could guard Nate Robinson in Game 2

Satchel Price — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:08:38 -0000

Miami Heat forward LeBron James says he could be tasked with defending Chicago Bulls point guard Nate Robinson during Wednesday's pivotal Game 2 in South Beach, ESPN Chicago's Nick Friedell reports. The Heat are hoping to avoid a 2-0 deficit in the Eastern Conference Semifinals series.

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Coming off a 27-point, nine-assist effort in the opening game of the series, it's clear Robinson has become a focal point for Miami's defense. While being defended by the likes of Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole in Game 1, the 5'9 guard had little trouble finding seams to penetrate the Miami defense, but adjustments are likely coming for Game 2.

One of those adjustments could be putting James, the 6'9 league MVP, on the diminutive point guard. "It wouldn't be a surprise if I matched up with him," James said Tuesday. "But I'll take the challenge on [defense]."

This is a role James has filled in the past. During the Heat's impressive dismantling of the Bulls during the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, LeBron consistently guarded Chicago point guard Derrick Rose in key situations. Rose struggled as the Bulls lost the series, 4-1.

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NBA Playoffs 2013 schedule: Thunder, Pacers aim for 2-0 series leads Tuesday

Satchel Price — Mon, 06 May 2013 22:10:46 -0000

The Oklahoma City Thunder have an opportunity to make a key statement Tuesday night, expanding their series lead to 2-0 over the Memphis Grizzlies despite the absence of Russell Westbrook.

Meanwhile in New York, the Knicks are just hoping to bring a 1-1 tie to Indiana after coming out flat in the opening game at Madison Square Garden. Carmelo Anthony in particular will need to find more efficient ways to score after the Pacers were able to stifle New York's attack by packing the paint and challenging shooters.

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Coming off a stunning Game 1 comeback victory behind the superlative efforts of Kevin Durant, the Thunder have to be aiming for a more decisive win Tuesday. Once considered the favorites to represent the Western Conference in the Finals, OKC needs to re-assert itself as alpha dog after losing Westbrook to a knee injury.

Durant has done his part so far, turning in dominant performance after dominance performance since Westbrook went down in the middle of the first round. His Game 1 effort against Memphis -- 35 points on 26 shots, 15 rebounds, six assists -- was the stuff of champions, but he'll need to sustain that effort against a vicious Grizzlies defense.

Over in New York, the pressure is similarly looming on Anthony and the Knicks, but a loss Tuesday would have some radically different implications. If the Knicks head back to Indiana, where the Pacers are 33-11 including the playoffs this season, staring at a 2-0 deficit, it would practically spell doom for the Knicks' hopes of reaching the East finals.

In the opening game of the series against Indiana, Melo scored 27 points but consistently struggled to find open shots as the Pacers' defense limited his penetration. Difficult shots led to poor efficiency, and Anthony finished the night shooting 10 of 28 from the field.

Series	Time (ET)	TV
Pacers at Knicks	7 p.m.	TNT
Grizzlies at Thunder	9:30 p.m.	TNT

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Kirk Hinrich injury: Bulls guard ruled out for Game 1 vs. Heat

Satchel Price — Mon, 06 May 2013 22:45:17 -0000

The Chicago Bulls have ruled starting point guard Kirk Hinrich out for Game 1 of the second round series against the Miami Heat, head coach Tom Thibodeau announced prior to the game.

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This will be the fourth consecutive game Hinrich has missed with a calf injury. After playing 60 minutes in a triple-overtime win over Brooklyn in Game 4 of the opening round, Hinrich couldn't take the court in the final three games of the series as his teammates toughed out a win.

Though he's no longer an effective scorer, Hinrich proved to be integral to Chicago's success throughout the season. A talented defender with length and experience, he helped the Bulls to weather an entire season without Derrick Rose and still reach the conference semifinals.

In the first four games of the postseason, Hinrich averaged 11.3 points, 5.8 assists and two steals per game.

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Marco Belinelli fined $15,000 for mimicking 'Sam Cassell dance,' according to report

Satchel Price — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:55:33 -0000

Chicago Bulls shooting guard Marco Belinelli received a $15,000 fine from the NBA for an obscene gesture during the fourth quarter of Saturday's 99-93 Game 7 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today reports.

After making a key three-pointer in the fourth quarter of the Bulls season-saving win over the weekend, Belinelli did what's known as the "Sam Cassell Dance," a move popularized by the former NBA player and current Washington Wizards assistant coach.

The shot, which gave Chicago a 91-81 lead in the pivotal game, was part of an effort that saw the Italian guard record 22 points, seven assists and five rebounds for the shorthanded Bulls.

As Zillgitt noted, the league isn't quite as fond of the move as some players are. Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith and former Miami Heat guard Eddie House were both fined by the league for making the same move during games in January 2011.

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