Yao expected to return Monday against Cavs
Sun, Mar 4, 2007
By Associated Press
HOUSTON -- Yao Ming is expected to return for the Houston Rockets on Monday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The 7-foot-6 center has been out since breaking his right leg on Dec. 23 and has missed the last 32 games. He was medically cleared to play by the Rockets' team doctors and moved to the active roster on Sunday.
Prior to the injury, Yao was having the best season of his career, averaging 27 points and nine rebounds. He scored more than 30 points in four of the five games before his injury.
The Rockets have struggled of late, losing three of their last four, including an embarrassing 97-74 loss to San Antonio on Saturday night.
Jackson talks to Pippen about possible comeback
Sun, Mar 4, 2007
By Associated Press
PHOENIX -- Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson says he has talked to 41-year-old Scottie Pippen about making a comeback with the team.
''I did get in touch with Scottie,'' Jackson said before the Lakers played the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, ''but it was just preliminary talk about how he's doing, where he's at and how he feels.''
Jackson coached Pippen while both were with the Chicago Bulls during their title years. Jackson said Pippen is interested in coming to Los Angeles.
''I would say he kind of talked about the parameters of what he thinks he can do to help,'' Jackson said.
Pippen and Michael Jordan led the Bulls to six NBA championships. He was with the Bulls for 12 seasons, from 1987-98, and then returned for 23 games during the 2003-04 season.
Injuries to Lamar Odom and Luke Walton could make Pippen a more attractive addition.
''We'll take one step and wait and see what happens with Luke and Lamar and then go from there,'' Jackson said.
Odom, injured Friday night against Sacramento, was diagnosed with an injured left shoulder. He is to see a specialist on Monday and is out indefinitely.
''Really, it's at best anywhere from two to three weeks before we even know, unless this guy says 'Hey, an operation's important, let's get it done,' but that I doubt,'' Jackson said.
Walton, who has missed 17 games with a sprained ankle, also is to see a specialist on Monday.
Kwame Brown, however, returned Friday night after missing 27 games with a severely sprained right ankle.
Parker listed as questionable against Clippers
Sat, Mar 3, 2007
By Associated Press
HOUSTON -- San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker was a late scratch from the starting lineup against the Houston Rockets on Saturday night with a left hip flexor strain.
Team officials said the injury happened during the Spurs' victory over Orlando on Friday. Parker is listed as questionable for the Spurs next game on Monday against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Nebraska's G Ryan Anderson is doubtful (suspension)
Nebraska's G Jamel White is out (suspension).
Duke player suspended in bloody UNC win
Sun, Mar 4, 2007
By Associated Press
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Tyler Hansbrough had 26 points and 17 rebounds before suffering an ugly injury in the closing seconds of No. 8 North Carolina's 86-72 victory over 14th-ranked Duke on Sunday, clinching the top seed in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.
Senior Reyshawn Terry added 15 points in his final home game for the Tar Heels (25-6, 11-5), who swept the regular-season series with the Blue Devils for the first time in 11 years, avoided their first three-game slide under Roy Williams and gave the homespun coach his 100th victory at his alma mater.
But perhaps the lasting image of the latest renewal of college basketball's most intense rivalry will be Hansbrough's bloodied face. He leaped for a layup with 14.5 seconds left, but after the ball left his hand he was struck in the face by Gerald Henderson's right elbow.
Hansbrough crumpled to the ground, his nose bleeding profusely onto the floor and down his face, and he was restrained from the Duke players as he was being escorted to the locker room. The officials reviewed the play and ejected Henderson, then said he would be suspended for one game.
Orlando's Grant Hill has been upgraded to probable for Monday's game.
Spurs Tony Parker missed practice on Sunday and has been downgraded to doubtful for Monday's game.
Wade will attempt playoff comeback
Mon, Mar 5, 2007
By Associated Press
MIAMI -- Dwyane Wade will try to come back this season.
The Miami Heat guard said Monday he has decided to delay surgery and rehabilitate his dislocated left shoulder with the goal of returning for the playoffs.
Wade was hurt Feb. 21 at Houston. He underwent extensive tests and received a second opinion Friday from specialist Dr. James Andrews before making his decision.
''My decision for the next two to three weeks is to rehab with the possibility of coming back, but with no guarantees,'' Wade said. ''I'll find out after therapy and rehab how my body responds to things.''
Wade's announcement was a boost for the defending NBA champions, who have been plagued by injuries all season. They enter Monday night's game against Atlanta at 29-29 and are in danger of missing the playoffs.
The Heat are 3-2 since their All-Star guard was hurt when he collided with Houston's Shane Battier. At the time, Wade was the league's third-leading scorer at 28.8 points per game.
The playoffs begin April 21. Even if Wade returns this season, he is still expected to have surgery after the season.
Hansbrough's nose broken during ugly scene late in win over Duke
Mon, Mar 5, 2007
By Associated Press
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Tyler Hansbrough will probably play in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament despite breaking his nose during the blood-filled final seconds of No. 8 North Carolina's victory over 14th-ranked Duke on Sunday.
Hansbrough suffered what coach Roy Williams said Monday was a small nondisplaced fracture when Duke's Gerald Henderson flagrantly fouled him with 14.5 seconds left in the Tar Heels' 86-72 win.
Williams said Hansbrough is being fitted with a custom-made protective mask and should be ready for North Carolina's first tournament game Friday.
The fracture was discovered during an X-ray Monday morning, Williams said. Shortly after the game Williams had said Hansbrough's nose was not broken.
''I gave some bad information because I had a bad source ... the source was Tyler,'' Williams said Monday. ''It's not completely broken. ... His nose did not have to be set, straightened out or anything like that.''
Even if Wade plans on coming back for the playoffs that doesn't mean the Heat are going to even make the playoffs.
That will be F'in nuts if Pippen comes back, I wonder what impact he can have and what is his ultimate goal? Another ring?
Even if Wade plans on coming back for the playoffs that doesn't mean the Heat are going to even make the playoffs.
I agree and even if they did make the playoffs they look like one and out IMO
Oklahoma St's Mario Boggan eligible after a two game suspenion, has been upgraded to probable for Monday's game. "We'll have our team back together, so I'm excited about that," said Coach Sutton said.