Toronto - Philadelphia
IN THE SIXERS' defense, they had just a day's rest after a six-game West Coast road trip, so fatigue and jet lag probably played a factor. In the Sixers' defense, they have just won once of their last five games, so desperation and anxiety for a win could have played an even bigger factor.
"They (bucks) just had some big shots down the stretch," Miller said. "Our bodies are a little tired, but we still could have been better."
"We feel bad enough but my job is to come in and uplift them and point out the things they did well," Mitchell (trener toronta) said. "We talked about the things we didn't do well, they know it, but we did a lot of good things. The Raptors all-star forward (bosh) said the players appreciated Mitchell's positive approach to practice. "Sam knows we fought hard and he knows we're disappointed too," Bosh said. "There's no need to come in here yelling and shouting. . . Some coaches would (run players), but that's when people get hurt. "We still had a good practice, we practised hard, we responded well. When you get coaches (that punish teams), you lose the players' focus and that's how losing streaks get started."
Atlanta - Cleveland
With Johnson struggling with his shot — he's shooting 33 percent (21-for-63) from the floor in the past four games and has posted back-to-back single-digit scoring performances — and the Hawks, losers of four straight, following the same path, another option seems like a pretty good idea right now. Coach Mike Woodson would settle for better defense.
Water flooded the Hawks' practice court late last week, causing major damage to the floor and forcing the Hawks to find a place to work for, what Woodson called, the "foreseeable future." They were on the court at Morehouse College's Forbes Arena, finishing up their preparations for tonight's game against Cleveland at Philips Arena.
Playing just five games since Dec. 21, however, has taken a decided toll on their chemistry.
The Cavs (18-17) have won six of their last seven games. Forward LeBron James said Varejao is the main reason for the improvement on defense.
"Defensively, we have been playing better," James said. "When we don't play defense, we're not that good.
"It's all about stopping your man first and relying on help second. Andy is a big part of our defensive strategy. (With) him being 100 percent in shape really helps our defense."
Milwaukee - Miami
"As unfortunate as Mike's (Redd) injury has been, it's brought us closer together,' Bucks coach Larry Krystkowiak said. "We're moving the ball well and playing well.'
In the ESPN the Magazine cover story about Miami guard Dwyane Wade, Heat coach Pat Riley suggests that Wade may be too consumed with business matters off the court. "I tell him he needs to learn to leave a little on the table," Riley says about the former Marquette star. "He can't gobble up all of life right now - all the endorsements, all the businesses. You have to be true to who you are, as a person and as a player. I tell him, your greatest refuge is the court; it's what got you here. Sometimes young players get away from themselves with all the stuff that comes from them."
Wade does not see it that way.
"From coach's perspective, yeah, it looks like I have a lot going on. From my perspective, I want more. It's my life. I know what I can take on."
Wade addresses speculation that his marriage is in trouble. "Wade admits that he and his wife, Siohvaughn, are in a rough patch, that his marriage, like everyone else's, has its ups and downs.
After committing in the offseason to coaching the Heat through 2009-2010, Pat Riley is leaning toward stepping aside after this season. With his team struggling and in need of a significant roster overhaul, Riley said it might be in the franchise's best interest if he focuses solely on his role as team president.
Riley said he expects O'Neal to rejoin the team in time for a Sunday practice at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Dallas - Detroit
Coach Avery Johnson said Dampier and Jerry Stackhouse (right thumb) both were cleared to play tonight against the Pistons. Considering the way Dampier was playing before sitting out, his return should bode well for the Mavericks. He made 11 shots without a miss in his last two games.
After a slow start, reigning MVP Dirk Nowitzki has averaged 26.2 points per game since Dec. 16.
"We (pistons) don't necessarily want to be underdogs. We didn't come here to be an underdog. We came here to be one of the elite teams and a favorite. But this year, because of some other teams and the progress they've made, we've been kind of positioned in that role where we're not being talked about as much."
Porter ran Tuesday's practice in place of Saunders, who was away from the team to be with his son, Ryan, who was in surgery. A team spokesman said Saunders would coach tonight's game. ... Rookie guard Rodney Stuckey (averaging 5.6 points, three assists and 1.4 steals in fewer than 16 minutes off the bench) tweaked an ankle at the end of Tuesday's practice and will be re-evaluated at today's shoot-around.
Portland - Golden state
While Roy Brandon admitted he's not 100 percent, he made it more than clear that -- at the very least -- he intends to play on Wednesday. Of course, he said the same thing before the Blazers defeated Utah on Saturday, and Roy could endure just 9 minutes, 27 seconds of painful basketball.
The Golden State Warriors signed guard CJ Watson to a 10-day contract Tuesday, hoping a top player in the NBA's Development League can become their backup point guard. He is the D-League's third-leading scorer this season, averaging 26.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists.
Post je objavljen 09.01.2008. u 13:23 sati.