Terry sits out, status uncertain for Friday
Associated Press
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - North Carolina senior Reyshawn Terry again sat out practice while recovering from strep throat, leaving his status in doubt for Friday night's East Regional semifinal against Southern California.
"We're hoping, but I am not real, real encouraged," coach Roy Williams said Thursday.
The 6-foot-8 Terry is averaging 9.8 points for the top-seeded Tar Heels. He scored 14 points Saturday in a win over Michigan State.
While his teammates ran through a loose practice Thursday afternoon, Terry sat on the bench in sweats, occasionally dribbling a ball between his legs. He did little during the Tar Heels' morning workout.
Terry has been sick for several days.
"Now his throat is more (of) a problem ... the lack of energy, not eating for a couple of days," Williams said.
If Terry does not start, Williams said either Marcus Ginyard or Danny Green would play in his place.
USC duo miss practice due to dental problems
Thu, Mar 22, 2007
USC guard Loderick Stewart and forward Taj Gibson will play Friday against North Carolina even though both made emergency visits to the dentist earlier this week.
Stewart had a root canal Tuesday, forcing him to miss practice, but he returned to the practice floor Wednesday. The senior is second in scoring for the Trojans with a 13.8 average.
Gibson suffered nerve damage in his jaw during USC’s 87-68 victory over Texas on Sunday. He will wear a protective mouthpiece against UNC. The freshman leads USC in rebounds with 8.6 per game and is fourth in scoring with a 12.1 average.
NBA Today - March 23
Fri, Mar 23, 2007
By Associated Press
SCOREBOARD
Friday, March 23
Dallas at Boston (7:30 p.m. EDT). The Mavericks are 3-0 on their six-game road trip against mostly Eastern Conference teams.
STARS
Thursday
- Kobe Bryant, Lakers, scored 60 points in Los Angeles' 121-119 win over Memphis.
- Amare Stoudemire, Suns, scored 33 points and grabbed 21 rebounds to lead Phoenix past Sacramento 118-100.
- Yao Ming, Rockets, contributed 27 points, seven rebounds and a key block in the final minute as Houston held off Detroit 91-85.
BRYANT BONANZA
Kobe Bryant became the fourth player in NBA history to score at least 50 points in three straight games on Thursday night. Bryant, who posted his sixth 50-point game this season, scored 60 points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 121-119 win over Memphis. It was the fourth 60-point game of Bryant's career, tying him with Michael Jordan for the second-most 60-point games in a career. Bryant becomes the first Laker since Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor in December 1962 with three consecutive 50-point games. Jordan, the last NBA player to accomplish the feat during the 1986-87 season, and Wilt Chamberlain are the only other players.
30-20
Amare Stoudemire joined the 30-20 club with 33 points and 21 rebounds in Phoenix's 118-100 victory over Sacramento Thursday night. Stoudemire, who saw a 55-game string of double-digit scoring games end with a four-point, two-rebound performance against Minnesota on Wednesday night, started a new streak with his 11th 30-point game of the season.
IN RESERVE
Despite the efforts of reserve guard Nate Robinson, New York dropped a costly 92-86 decision to Portland Thursday night. Robinson scored a season-high 31 points, including a red-hot 8-for-9 from 3-point range, to outscore the Trail Blazers' second unit 31-20 and also better Portland from behind the arc (5-14). It was the Knicks' fourth loss in five games as they missed a chance to move into a tie for seventh place in the Eastern Conference.
STRONG IN DEFEAT
Allen Iverson led Denver with 31 points, including a drive that gave the Nuggets a one-point lead with 13.1 seconds left, but Denver saw its five-game win streak end in a wild 109-108 loss to Chicago Thursday night. ... Pau Gasol and Mike Miller scored 35 and 33 points, respectively, for Memphis, but Kobe Bryant's 60-point effort helped the Lakers edge the Grizzlies 121-119. Gasol also added 15 rebounds and Miller had seven assists.
SPEAKING
''It just feels great. Growing up I idolized all of them, from Wilt, to M.J. to Elgin. It's a tremendous honor to be in that same class with those guys and in the history books.'' - Kobe Bryant after scoring 60 points in the Lakers' 121-119 win over Memphis Thursday night. Bryant became the first Laker since Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor in December 1962 with three consecutive 50-point games. Jordan, the last NBA player to accomplish the feat during the 1986-87 season, and Wilt Chamberlain are the only other players.
Billups returns to Pistons lineup
Thu, Mar 22, 2007
By Associated Press
HOUSTON -- Point guard Chauncey Billups returned to the Detroit Pistons' starting lineup on Thursday night against in Houston after missing two games with a strained left groin.
The 6-foot-3 Billups leads Detroit and ranks 10th in the league in assists (7.4 per game). He is the Pistons' second-leading scorer (17 points per game).
Leading scorer Richard Hamilton also started after sitting out Wednesday's practice with a sore right thigh. He played with a bandage above his left eye, the aftermath of an elbow he took from teammate Chris Webber on Sunday in Dallas.
Bobcats Sean May will miss his fourth straight game tonight due to a knee injury.
Nuggets Marcus Camby has been added to the injury report as questionable (back) for tonight's game, but he has called himself "doubtful".
North Carolina's Reyshawn Terry is still listed a doubtful (strep throat) for tonight's game, and coach Roy Williams said, "I'm not real encouraged, as now his throat is more [of] a problem."
Jazz Mehmet Okur (questionable) has traveled with the team and will play (birth of child) tonight according the Salt Lake Tribune. Okur said, "I don't know how much I can play though. I haven't slept for two days; just focusing on my baby and my wife."
Hornets Bobby Jackson is listed as doubtful (achilles), and is not expected to play tonight.
Celtics Paul Pierce (questionable) will meet with the medical staff today, to see if he can sit out the rest of the season.
Butler's return to the Wizards delayed
Fri, Mar 23, 2007
Caron Butler will not return to the Washington Wizards tonight against the Golden State Warriors despite reports he would rejoin the team in San Francisco.
Butler has missed the last three games because of a sore knee and the Washington Post reports he hasn't left Washington because team doctors didn't given him clearance to play.
On Wednesday, Wizards coach Eddie Jordan told reporters it was possible Butler could play before the team finishes up its five-game road trip Monday in Utah.
Butler is Washington's third-leading scorer and made his first All-Star Game appearance this year. He's averaging 19.1 points and 7.5 rebounds in 60 games.
Antawn Jamison should continue to play the majority of time at small forward.
Randolph won't play for Blazers
Fri, Mar 23, 2007
Portland Trail Blazers leading scorer Zach Randolph is expected to miss his third consecutive game tonight due to the death of his girlfriend’s cousin.
Randolph is averaging 23.1 points and 10.1 rebounds – both team-highs. In the three games Randolph has missed this year, Portland has gone 3-0 against the spread.
Center Jamaal Magloire has received the bulk of minutes in Randolph’s absence. Magloire collected 14 points and 16 rebounds against the New York Knicks last night.