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Durant, Thunder crush Raptors

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:34:46 GMT

Jeff Green added 25 points and seven rebounds for the Thunder, who have won six of seven overall.

Kyle Weaver chipped in 12 points off the bench, and Russell Westbrook logged 11 points and 10 assists in the lopsided victory.

Bulls' Deng out 2-to-3 weeks with strained calf

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:20:23 GMT

An MRI revealed an increased amount of fluid in Deng's calf, and the team has opted to rest the 24-year-old to decrease the inflammation.

Deng, who is averaging 18.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game this year, has not played since March 9th against Utah, the fifth loss in Chicago's current nine-game slide.

Pistons' Stuckey returns to lineup

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:04:20 GMT

Stuckey had missed the last six games after collapsing on the bench during a March 5 game at Cleveland. He was taken away on a stretcher and then spent time in a hospital, but tests for any possible life-threatening condition have reportedly come back negative.

Ben Wallace also made his return on Friday. Wallace hadn't played in the last eight games due to a sore right knee.

Wizards sign Livingston through rest of season

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:41:01 GMT

Livingston has appeared in 10 games for the Wizards after signing a pair of 10-day contracts with the club. He has put up 4.9 points and 3.3 assists in 15.5 minutes per contest.

Injuries have derailed the 24-year-old's once promising career.

Spurs strive for another home win over Warriors

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:18:07 GMT

San Antonio is aiming for its second straight season-series sweep of the Warriors and has won the first two matchups against them in 2009-10. The Spurs are unbeaten in their last seven meetings with Golden State, which has fallen in its last 23 trips to the Alamo City.

The Spurs haven't lost to Golden State at home since drafting future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan with the No. 1 overall pick in 1997. They are 24-10 at the AT&T Center this season and hope a return home will get them back into the win column. San Antonio split a two-game set in Florida, first beating the Miami Heat on Tuesday before losing at Orlando by a 110-84 score the following night.

Rockets to host Celtics in important late-season tilt

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:16:40 GMT

Boston is tied with Atlanta for the third seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Rockets sit 4 1/2 games off the eighth and final postseason berth in the West. The Rockets have helped themselves with a season-high four-game winning streak and will try to close out a perfect four-game homestand Friday.

Houston kept its foot on the proverbial gas pedal with Wednesday's 107-94 victory versus the Memphis Grizzlies, as Aaron Brooks led all scorers with 31 points and made all seven of his three-point attempts to lead the charge. Brooks set the Rockets' single-game record for most three-pointers made without a miss.

Cavs try to keep rolling in bout with slumping Bulls

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:14:37 GMT

The Cavaliers are 5 1/2 games ahead of Orlando for the top seed in the conference and have ripped off five straight victories, including Wednesday's 99-94 triumph versus the Central-rival Indiana Pacers at Quicken Loans Arena. NBA leading scorer LeBron James nearly had his second straight triple-double, finishing with 32 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, while Antawn Jamison added 17 points and nine rebounds in Cleveland's 24th win in 28 tries.

"Any time you can put a banner up for this franchise, it's great," said James, who surpassed Magic Johnson to become only the third player in league history to have 49 or more games with 30-plus points, eight-plus rebou

Bobcats continue playoff push with visit to Hawks

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:12:52 GMT

Charlotte is sixth in the conference standings, just a game in front of Miami, and sits 1 1/2 games in back of Milwaukee for the fifth seed.

The Bobcats, which have never reached the playoffs in their existence, are 7-1 in their last eight contests. In Wednesday's 100-92 home triumph over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Stephen Jackson posted 20 points, five assists and added five rebounds to lead the way. Jackson is ranked fifth in steals, sixth in minutes played, tied for 12th in scoring and tied for 35th in assists this season.

Bucks try to get back on track in Sacramento

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:48:14 GMT

Chris Kaman scored 20 points on Wednesday night as the Clippers surged in the fourth quarter to snap an eight-game skid with a surprising 101-93 win over the Bucks.

Brandon Jennings scored 21 and John Salmons had 20 points for the Bucks, who lost for the first time in seven games but continued to hold onto the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Lakers aim to continue mastery of Timberwolves

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:46:53 GMT

The Lakers won their fourth straight game overall on Tuesday in Sacramento when Kobe Bryant posted a near triple-double and Pau Gasol ended with 28 points on 12-of-14 shooting, as the duo led the Lakers past the Kings, 106-99, at ARCO Arena.

The win was LA's 50th of the season, the third consecutive year that the reigning champions have accomplished that feat.

Blazers seek fifth straight win with matchup vs. Wizards

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:45:16 GMT

The Blazers won their fourth straight game last Sunday against Toronto when Nicolas Batum made 5-of-6 from three-point land, en route to 22 points, leading Portland to a 109-98 win over the Raptors.

LaMarcus Aldridge also provided 22 points to go with 12 rebounds and Brandon Roy scored 20 for the Trail Blazers, who have won seven of eight overall and are 3-0 on their current four-game homestand.

Jazz, Suns jockey for playoff position at Phoenix

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:42:10 GMT

Utah is currently the fourth seed in the West, two games ahead of the Suns, who occupy the sixth slot.

The Jazz are coming off a brief but perfect two-game homestand capped by a 122-100 rout of the hapless Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. Paul Millsap and Kyle Korver were at the head of a balanced scoring attack with 21 and 20 points, respectively, in that one.

Knicks and Sixers meet for second time this week

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:34:59 GMT

The Knicks dealt the struggling Sixers a 94-84 defeat in Philadelphia on Monday behind 21 points from Danilo Gallinari and a 20-point, seven-assist effort out of rookie Toney Douglas. The win was New York's second in three meetings between the longtime rivals this season.

Philadelphia did sweep the four-game season series in 2008-09, however, and has enjoyed plenty of success when visiting the Big Apple in recent years. The 76ers have prevailed in three straight and five of their last six trips to Madison Square Garden, including a hard-fought 141-127 overtime decision on October 31.

Thunder resume road trip north of the border vs. Raptors

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:34:34 GMT

The Thunder appeared on their way to a sixth straight win in Wednesday's opener of this three-game trek after jumping out to a 19-point second-quarter lead against Charlotte. The Bobcats roared back, however, to claim a 100-92 victory.

Oklahoma City owned a seemingly-comfortable 51-32 advantage with 2 1/2 minutes left in the first half, but an 11-0 run to close out the second quarter brought Charlotte within eight points at the break. The Bobcats then outscored the Thunder by a 30-19 margin in the third quarter and were able to stay in front the rest of the way.

Granger-less Pacers host Pistons in Central Division clash

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:33:23 GMT

Granger was elbowed in the cheek during the late stages of Indiana's 99-94 home triumph over Charlotte on Tuesday and sat out the Pacers' game at Cleveland the following night. The 2009 All-Star, who's averaging 23.1 points and 5.7 rebounds this season, is not expected to be available for this evening's test as well.

The Pacers were able to hold their own against the powerful Cavaliers despite missing both the standout forward and point guard T.J. Ford, but still wound up on the short end of a 99-94 decision on Wednesday. Indiana trailed by 16 points entering the fourth quarter before outscoring Cleveland 29-18 in the final peri

Nuggets handle Hornets to gain ground in West

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 02:07:12 GMT

"I was going for 20 (rebounds). That was my goal," Anthony said. "I knew we were going to need it." Nene added 20 points and J.R. Smith 17 for Denver, which took a half-game lead over Dallas for the No. 2 seed in the West. The Nuggets, who won for the eighth time in nine games, won their seventh in a row at home and moved to 30-5 this season at the Pepsi Center.

Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton each scored 15 for the Hornets, who are likely not to make the playoffs. They're now 8 1/2 games behind eighth-place Portland with Houston and Memphis in between.

Lewis leads Magic to OT win over Heat

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:07:20 GMT

Lewis, who posted 12 total points in three games before Wednesday's 20-point outburst against San Antonio, finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds for the Magic, who remain the NBA's hottest team with their 10th win in 11 games.

Vince Carter led five Orlando players in double figures with 27 points, while Jameer Nelson had 15. Matt Barnes posted 13 points and nine boards, and Dwight Howard checked in with 10 points and 11 rebounds in the win.

Pistons' Stuckey cleared to return Friday

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:02:57 GMT

Stuckey has missed the last six games after collapsing on the bench of a March 5 game at Cleveland. He was taken away on a stretcher and then spent time in a hospital,buttests for any possible life-threatening condition have reportedly come back negative.

Stuckey and Ben Wallace participated fully in practice Thursday and both are expected to be on the court against the Pacers. Wallace hasn't played in the last eight games due to a sore right knee. He is averaging 5.3 points and 9.1 rebounds in 60 contests this season.

Road-weary Hornets visit Nuggets

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:34:27 GMT

Denver is currently deadlocked with idle Dallas for the No. 2 seed in the West, four games behind the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers.

Most recently for the Nuggets, Carmelo Anthony scored 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds on Tuesday, as Denver battled back to upend the Washington Wizards, 97-87, at the Pepsi Center.

Magic visit Heat in possible playoff preview

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:34:04 GMT

The Magic have been on a roll recently and are currently the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt as well as the leaders of the Southeast Division, four games ahead of Atlanta. Orlando also comes into tonight's game having clinched their fourth playoff berth in as many years after a host of teams lost on Tuesday.

The Heat, meanwhile, are battling for a playoff berth and currently are seventh in the East, 3 1/2 games over ninth place Chicago. If the Magic and Miami both stay in their current positions, the two teams would meet in the first round of the playoffs.

Warriors rally from 21 down to top Hornets

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:53:41 GMT

Monta Ellis scored 28 points and tied a career-high with 13 assists, while Reggie Williams notched 22 points and Chris Hunter put in 17 as Golden State avoided the season sweep with only its second win in the last nine games.

The Hornets were led by David West's 36 points and season-high 15 rebounds, while rookie Darren Collison added 20 points and 14 assists to help build a seemingly comfortable 87-66 lead with 5:36 to go in the third before dropping their fourth game in the last five.

Millsap, Korver pace Utah rout of Minnesota

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:28:25 GMT

Carlos Boozer had 19 points and 11 rebounds, Mehmet Okur chipped in 14 and Wesley Matthews provided 10 points.

Deron Williams dished 11 assists to pair with nine points for the Jazz, who won for the sixth time in eight contests. Korver reached a season-high in points by hitting 7-of-9 shots, while Millsap added 11 boards in the rout -- with both performances originating from Utah's bench.

Brooks perfect from long distance, Rockets end Memphis' road run

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:19:38 GMT

Brooks broke the team record for most triples in a game without a miss for the Rockets, who won their season-high fourth straight contest.

Luis Scola aided in the winning effort with 20 points and seven rebounds, while Kevin Martin netted 18.

Magic stay hot, cool Spurs

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:13:24 GMT

Both teams came in having won eight of nine, but it was the Magic who never trailed in a game they dominated from start to finish. Rashard Lewis added 20 points, while Jameer Nelson and J.J. Redick each poured in 10.

Dwight Howard contributed with nine points and seven rebounds for Orlando, which has won three straight over San Antonio for the first time in franchise history.

Mavs get back on track with win over hurting Bulls

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:56:06 GMT

J.J.

Barea registered 15 points for Dallas, which won for the 14th time in 15 games.