Hughes doubtful for Cleveland in Game 4
May 28th, 2007
Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Cleveland Cavaliers guard Larry Hughes is doubtful for Tuesday's Eastern Conference finals Game 4 in Cleveland.
Hughes suffered a strain of the left foot plantar fascia during the first quarter of Game 3 Sunday. He was re-evaluated by team physician Dr. Richard Parker at The Cleveland Clinic this morning. An MRI was performed with the result being consistent with the plantar fascia strain.
If Hughes does not play, Cleveland will likely go with rookie Daniel Gibson in his place.
NBA Today - May 29
Tue, May 29, 2007
By Associated Press
SCOREBOARD
Tuesday, May 29
Detroit at Cleveland (8 p.m. EDT). The Cavaliers look to pull even with the Pistons in the Eastern Conference finals.
STAR
Monday
- Tim Duncan, Spurs, had 19 points, nine rebounds and five blocked shots as San Antonio took a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference finals with a 91-79 victory over Utah.
STRONG IN DEFEAT
Utah point guard Deron Williams had 27 points, 10 assists and three steals playing with a stomach flu, but the Jazz fell one game away from elimination with a 91-79 Game 4 loss to San Antonio on Monday night in the Western Conference finals.
SCORING
San Antonio hit more free throws (30) than field goals (28) in its 91-79 victory over Utah on Monday night, giving the Spurs a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference finals. The Spurs shot twice as many free throws (41) as the Jazz (20).
IN DOUBT
Cleveland's starting point guard Larry Hughes is listed as doubtful for Game 4 against Detroit on Tuesday night after spraining his left foot in the first quarter of the Cavaliers' 88-82 win on Sunday. Hughes' injury has been diagnosed as a strain of the left foot plantar fascia.
SNAPPED
San Antonio got its first playoff win in Salt Lake City, 91-79 Monday night to take a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference finals. The Spurs had been 0-9 counting losses in 1994, '96, '98 and Saturday night. They also were 0-3 in Salt Lake City this season.
SPEAKING
''We just couldn't keep them off the free-throw line. I don't want to talk about those (technical fouls) because all that does is give me more trouble.'' - Utah coach Jerry Sloan after being ejected with two technicals from Monday night's 91-79 loss to San Antonio in the Western Conference finals.
Pistons F Tayshaun Prince, who rolled his left ankle in Game 3, received treatment Monday and said he'll be ready to play in Game 4.
Hughes misses shootaround, unlikely for Game 4
May 29, 2007
CLEVELAND (AP) -Cavaliers point guard Larry Hughes did not attend Cleveland's shootaround on Tuesday to get treatment on his injured left foot, another strong sign he will miss Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against Detroit.
Hughes sustained a partial tear of the plantar fascia in his foot while making a layup in the first quarter of Game 3. He played only 22 minutes and sat the entire fourth quarter of Cleveland's 88-82 win.
With Hughes unlikely to play, Cavaliers coach Mike Brown has several options at the point. He may start veteran Eric Snow, who ran Cleveland's offense for the first half of the season. Brown could also go with rookie Daniel Gibson, who had a huge impact in Game 3, or got with 3-point specialist Damon Jones.
Whatever decision he makes, the better alternative would be to have Hughes, whose career has been marked by injuries.
``I've got reservations about starting everybody besides Larry,'' Brown said with a laugh. ``I'd have reservations about starting Daniel. I'd have reservations about starting Damon. I'd have reservations about starting Eric, Ira (Newble). You always do when you don't have a feel for the unknown.
``We had a little bit of a comfort zone with Larry starting. So if he can't play, we have to go out of it.''
The Cavs have listed Hughes as ``doubtful'' for Game 4, but an injury like his normally takes weeks to heal completely.
``Were going to miss him,'' center Zydrunas Ilgauskas said. ``But we're going to have to do it without him. Guys are going to have to step up.''
Gibson did in Game 3. He played a postseason-high 30 minutes, scoring nine points with two rebounds and a block. He also did a nice job helping Cleveland contain Detroit's backcourt of Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton, who shot a combined 6-of-22 for 20 points.
Gibson said he hasn't been told of his role yet, but he's looking to contribute anyway he can.
``Coach has prepped me for this opportunity and I'm going go out there and have fun and make the most of it,'' he said.
Hughes missed 45 regular-season games with a finger injury last season, and he sat out four playoff games against Detroit last May after his younger brother, Justin, died.
ESPN reports Hughes will play
May 29, 2007
ESPN is reporting that Cleveland guard Larry Hughes is dressed out and will try to play in tonight's Game 4 vs. Detroit. Hughes injured his foot in Game 3 and did not participate in today's team shootaround.
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Lakers owner Buss arrested on DUI suspicion
May 29th, 2007
Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving early Tuesday morning.
The San Diego Union Tribune reports the 74-year-old Buss was arrested after being pulled over by police for driving the wrong way on a downtown street in Carlsbad shortly after midnight Tuesday morning.
Buss reportedly spent eight hours in jail and had a blood alcohol level of .08 or greater.
"Although I was driving only a short distance, it was a bad decision and I was wrong to do it," Buss said in a statement released by the Lakers. "It was a mistake I will not make again."