Concussed Cavs G Irving being evaluated (AP)
Cavaliers rookie point guard Kyrie Irving remains day to day with a concussion that sidelined him for one game and could keep him out a few more. Irving was evaluated at the Cleveland Clinic on Thursday, one day after he was diagnosed with a concussion shortly before the Cavs beat the Los Angeles Clippers.
As Lin emerges, Asia adds Knicks games (AP)
Jeremy Lin is making the Knicks must-see TV in Asia. The NBA says Thursday its Asian TV partners have added Knicks games to their broadcast schedules following the emergence of Lin, the first American-born NBA player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent. Sina in China will show Friday’s game against the Lakers, while stations in Taiwan will televise Knicks games this month against Toronto,…
No panic yet, but Blazers concerned (AP)
While there’s no reason to panic after two straight losses at home, the Portland Trail Blazers are certainly concerned that some larger issues have crept into the Rose Garden. Dropping a game in Portland was a rarity before this week. The Blazers were 11-1 at home, which went a long way toward boosting the team’s overall standing in the Western Conference.
Howard’s 25 and 24 lift Magic past Heat (AP)
It’s been an open secret for several seasons how much the 3-point shot has become an indispensable part of the Orlando Magic’s offense. They reminded the Miami Heat just how punishing they can be when they get it going from long range. Dwight Howard had 25 points and 24 rebounds, Ryan Anderson scored 27 and the Magic hit 17 3-pointers in a 102-89 victory Wednesday night.
Griffin, Irving top Rising Stars roster (AP)
All-Star Blake Griffin and rookie guards Kyrie Irving and Ricky Rubio headline the list of 18 players chosen for the Rising Stars Challenge to be held during All-Star weekend. In this year’s new format, first- and second-year players will be mixed in the game on Friday, Feb. 24 in Orlando. TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal will serve as general managers and draft players for…
Billups: Injury won’t end my career (AP)
Chauncey Billups will only watch as the Clippers continue their promising season without him. This isn’t going to be easy. With his left leg encased in a plastic protective boot and a newly issued crutch standing nearby, Billups sprawled across a few seats Wednesday inside Quicken Loans Arena as his teammates went through their first pregame shootaround since their veteran guard and leader…
Stern: Howard won’t overshadow All-Stars (AP)
NBA Commissioner David Stern doesn’t think Dwight Howard’s uncertain future will overshadow the All-Star game in Orlando in three weeks. The commissioner spoke Wednesday in Houston, where he officially announced that the All-Star Game would be held there in 2013. Houston hosted the league’s All-Star weekend in 2006, and the city also hosted the game in 1989, in the Astrodome.
Thunder survive Ellis’ 48, beat Warriors (AP)
Kevin Durant came hard off the screen, took the pass and launched a jumper that banked off the glass and through the net. In a season already filled with late-game highlights and game-winning shots, Durant can’t miss even when he’s off the mark. The same might go for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Pierce Celts’ No. 2 scorer, passes Bird (AP)
Paul Pierce knew what was on the line with every shot. The pressure was quite clear to Pierce and anyone else in the arena as he stood on the verge of passing Larry Bird for No. 2 on Boston’s career scoring list. He needed only 10 points to overtake Bird when the Celtics hosted Charlotte on Tuesday night and those final three seemed as if they would never come.
Nuggets F Gallinari likely out 1 month (AP)
Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari is expected to miss a month with a severely sprained left ankle that turned out to be less serious than first feared. Tests on Tuesday revealed the chip fracture in his left foot didn’t actually occur Monday night when he rolled his ankle in a game against Houston.