Cavs' Pavlovic ends holdout on eve of opener
October 30, 2007
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Sasha Pavlovic agreed to a three-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, ending his lengthy holdout.
Pavlovic's agent, Marc Cornstein, confirmed the deal but declined to discuss financial terms.
After a summer-long stalemate extended through the Cavaliers' preseason, Cornstein said talks picked up over the last couple days with major concessions made by both sides.
"There was a little sense of urgency with opening night being tomorrow," he said. "From Sasha's side, it really bothered him being at home, not being with his teammates."
Cavaliers spokesman Tad Carper declined to comment on the deal.
Pavlovic was in Serbia on Tuesday. He was expected to be back in Cleveland on Wednesday before the Cavaliers' opener against the Dallas Mavericks, but he was not expected to play, Cornstein said.
Mavericks to bring back Juwan Howard
October 30, 2007
DALLAS (AP) -- The Dallas Mavericks are bringing back Juwan Howard after agreeing to terms with the veteran forward on Tuesday.
Howard, who played for Dallas during parts of the 2000-01 and '01-02 seasons, can't sign with the Mavericks until he clears waivers Wednesday, the same day Dallas plays its season opener at Cleveland.
"Any time you can pick up a guy with his skill set and experience, it's a no-brainer," Donnie Nelson, president of basketball operations, told The Associated Press. "When this opportunity came up, it was too good to pass up."
Nelson noted Howard's leadership and playoff experience.
"We're very familiar with him, being a former Maverick, and he can hit the ground running. The experience, his versatility and his professionalism are the things that really separate him," Nelson said.
Howard is expected to play immediately.
Yi, Mason to start in Bucks' opener
October 29, 2007
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Yi Jianlian will be in Milwaukee's starting lineup when the Bucks open the season in Orlando on Wednesday night.
The lineup unveiled Monday by coach Larry Krystkowiak includes the 6-11 power forward from China.
Also getting a starting nod is veteran forward Desmond Mason, who signed as a free agent in the offseason to rejoin his former team.
Other starters are guards Mo Williams and Michael Redd and center Andrew Bogut.
With that starting lineup, Charlie Villanueva will be coming off the bench at power forward and Bobby Simmons at small forward.
NBA today - October 31
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SCOREBOARD Wednesday, Oct. 31
Dallas at Cleveland (8 p.m. EDT). LeBron James averaged 35 points on 53 percent shooting in two games against the Mavericks last season.
STARS Tuesday
-Tim Duncan, Spurs, had 24 points and 13 rebounds to lead San Antonio to a 106-97 victory over Portland.
-Carlos Boozer, Jazz, had 32 points and 15 rebounds in Utah's 117-96 victory over Golden State.
-Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Rockets. McGrady scored 30 points and Ming had 25 points and 12 rebounds to lead Houston to a 95-93 win against the Los Angeles Lakers.
LAST-SECOND HEROICS
Shane Battier made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 2.5 seconds left, and the Houston Rockets withstood a furious rally by the Los Angeles Lakers in a 95-93 victory on Tuesday night.
CELEBRATION
The San Antonio Spurs held the final celebration of their fourth title in nine seasons before Tuesday night's 106-97 season opening victory over Portland. The 14-karat gold and bearing almost 4.5 carats of diamonds were handed out first to the coaches, then to players in alphabetical order. The handmade rings - with diamonds in round, princess and baguette shapes - say ''NBA Champions'' on the face and show the team's spur logo. In all, 21 rings were doled out in the pregame ceremony. Eleven players from last year's team are returning this season.
STRONG IN DEFEAT
Kobe Bryant scored 18 of his 45 points in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' 95-93 loss to the Rockets on Tuesday night. Bryant finished 13-of-32 from the field and 18-of-27 from the line.
MAKING MOVES
The Dallas Mavericks agreed to terms with veteran forward Juwan Howard on Tuesday. Howard, who played for Dallas during parts of the 2000-01 and '01-02 seasons, can't sign with the Mavericks until he clears waivers Wednesday, the same day Dallas plays its season opener at Cleveland. To make room for Howard, the Mavericks waived center DJ Mbenga. Also, the Mavs exercised their 2008-09 contract option on second-year guard Maurice Ager, their first-round pick in 2006. ... Sasha Pavlovic agreed to a three-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, ending his lengthy holdout.
SIDELINED
Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Randy Foye will be out several weeks because of a lingering knee injury. Tests revealed a stress reaction in his left kneecap, and the team said Tuesday the second-year player will be out indefinitely.
SPEAKING
''It's always a special game when you play after a ring ceremony. It's great memories. But we're back to work and ready to defend our title.'' - San Antonio's Tony Parker after a 106-97 victory over Portland on Tuesday night. The Spurs received their championship rings during a ceremony before the game.