Well, they’re in. The Philadelphia 76ers are in the playoffs. They might not be there very long, and once they exit, their leading scorer might be leaving as well. But for now, all is well in the City of Brotherly Love. The Sixers won a game they were supposed to win, had to win, needed to win, pulling away for a 105-87 road victory over the shorthanded New Jersey Nets that clinched their second playoff berth in as many years under coach
Imagine how mad Doug Collins would have been had the Philadelphia 76ers lost. Collins was fined $15,000 for verbally abusing a referee as he left the Bankers Life Fieldhouse floor in Indianapolis on Saturday night – after his 76ers won, 109-106, in overtime. The fine was announced Monday by NBA executive vice president of basketball operations Stu Jackson. The Sixers held a three-point lead when Indiana’s Danny Granger missed a 3-pointer. There was some serious pushing and shoving underneath the basket, and Pacers
The Larry Sanders Show has been panned by the NBA. The forward of the Milwaukee Bucks was suspended two games without pay and Indiana Pacers forwards David West and Danny Granger were fined $25,000 apiece by the NBA on Friday for their roles in a skirmish in Thursday’s game. Sanders was suspended for Saturday’s game vs. New Jersey and Monday’s game vs. Toronto. The ban is for initiating an altercation, failing to leave the court in a timely manner and actions following
NEW YORK — Old guys are resting, young teams are angling, and Kobe Bryant is dreaming of another championship. It’s that time of year: the NBA’s playoffs are upon us! And thanks to the Milwaukee Bucks losing to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night, the Knicks (33-29) officially clinched a berth in the NBA’s postseason party. At the very least, Knicks fans can be assured of four more games after the Knicks conclude their regular season in Charlotte on April 26,
There are some automatic penalties in the NBA. For example, if you throw a punch at another player, you are suspended at least one game. And if you give someone a “Wet Willy,” you are fined $25,000. That is what Dallas Mavericks guard Delonte West did to Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward on Monday night, and NBA executive vice president of basketball operations Stu Jackson ruled on it Wednesday with a $25,000 fine, calling it a “physical taunt.” West was not suspended for the
Four point guards, including Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks, were chosen as divisional winners for the annual NBA Sportsmanship Award. Lin, whose emergence from benchwarmer to star transcended the game for more than a month, is the finalist for the Atlantic Division. He is currently sidelined with a knee injury. Other point guard finalists are Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks (Southwest), Luke Ridnour of the Minnesota Timberwolves (Northwest) and Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers (Pacific). The other two
Centers Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics and Andrew Bynum of the Los Angeles Lakers were named NBA Players of the Week on Monday. Garnett won for the Eastern Conference, leading the Celtics to a 4-1 record. He played in four games and averaged 20.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals – not bad for a guy forced to play out of position. Garnett had 22 points, 12 rebounds and three steals in an 88-86 home win over Atlanta. During
After 16 months under the ownership of the NBA, the New Orleans Hornets have been sold to Tom Benson, who owns the NFL’s New Orleans Saints. The sale was announced Friday by the Saints. On the team’s Twitter account was a post that confirmed “Tom Benson as the new owner of the New Orleans (at)Hornets!” The NBA and the Hornets have yet to make an official announcement. The NBA’s Board of Governors will vote on the sale Friday afternoon, the New Orleans