Sports World: 03/12/10

Watch Los Angeles Clippers vs Charlotte Bobcats Live Streaming

Friday, March 12, 2010

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7:00 pm EST Fri Mar 12, 2010

The Charlotte Bobcats have defeated two playoff contenders in the last week, but just as important may be their improved play against teams that are among the worst in the NBA. The Bobcats look to win their fifth straight and keep pace in a tight Eastern Conference playoff race when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night. Charlotte is among five teams fighting for one of the final four postseason spots in the East. The Bobcats are tied with Toronto and Miami for the No. 6 seed—two games behind fifth-place Milwaukee and narrowly ahead of ninth-place Chicago. Led by outstanding defense, the Bobcats, who have never reached the playoffs, have looked like a legitimate threat following home wins over the Los Angeles Lakers and Heat in the last week.

After a five-point win over the Heat on Tuesday, the Bobcats defeated the 76ers 102-87 on Wednesday, leading by as many as 29. The victories over the Warriors and 76ers were important for the Bobcats, who at times have struggled against teams with losing records. They’ve dropped two games to New Jersey and fell 98-94 to the Clippers on Feb. 22. Charlotte kept up its defensive pressure Wednesday, forcing 21 turnovers and holding Philadelphia to 14 points in the third quarter.

Watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs Philadelphia 76ers Live Streaming

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7:00 pm EST Fri Mar 12, 2010

With the ultimate goal being to win the franchise’s first championship, Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown took advantage of a light portion of the schedule to give LeBron James a couple of games off. The Philadelphia 76ers probably wish Brown would decide to rest the superstar a little longer. While Antawn Jamison will sit out, James is expected to play for the first time in a week Friday night as the reigning league MVP looks to help the Cavaliers beat the 76ers for the eighth time in nine meetings. James missed the previous two games after twisting his right ankle in last Friday’s 99-92 win over Detroit. The injury wasn’t considered serious, but the Cavaliers decided to be extra cautious and avoid rushing him back. Brown said if this were the playoffs, James, who leads the league with 30.0 points per game, would be on the floor.

One of the reasons Brown decided to give James a rest was because of an extended break in the schedule. The Cavs haven’t played since defeating San Antonio 97-95 on Monday. While Cleveland managed to win for the first time in 10 games since 2007-08 without James on Monday, the victory came with a price as Jamison left late in the third quarter with an apparent left knee injury. An MRI revealed no serious problem, and it was later revealed Jamison has a cyst behind his left knee that is filled with fluid.

Watch Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Live Streaming

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7:30 pm EST Fri Mar 12, 2010

The Boston Celtics may be cruising to a third straight Atlantic Division title, but re-establishing their home-court advantage before the playoffs start might be a priority. The Celtics look to rebound from one of their worst home performances of the season Friday night when they host the last-place Indiana Pacers. Boston is atop the Atlantic by eight games on second-place Toronto with 19 remaining in the regular season. The Celtics have built that cushion despite an 18-12 record at TD Garden after going 35-6 there in each of the last two seasons. Boston is 7-8 at home in the past two months, including Wednesday’s 111-91 defeat to Memphis in a listless performance that saw the Celtics get outrebounded 48-23. The loss matched their most lopsided of the season, which came at home to Cleveland on Feb. 25.

The Celtics could use increased production from Paul Pierce, the team leader with 17.5 points per game. The swingman is averaging 12.5 points and shooting 34.1 percent from the field over the last four games. Pierce had 21 points in a 103-94 win over Indiana on Dec. 22 as the Celtics extended their home winning streak in the series to four. The only other matchup this season also was the Pacers’ lone victory in the last five meetings, 113-104 on Nov. 14.

Watch Chicago Bulls vs Miami Heat Live Streaming

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7:30 pm EST Fri Mar 12, 2010

The Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls could be without some key players for their matchup Friday night. The latest injury to befall Chicago could have the most significant impact on the Eastern Conference playoff race. Already short-handed, the reeling Bulls might be without All-Star point guard Derrick Rose on Friday night when they visit the Miami Heat, who are looking for their fifth straight home win. This showdown for playoff position in the East was already shaping up to be a battle of attrition before Rose got hurt in the first quarter Thursday night. The Bulls’ leading scorer and playmaker sprained his left wrist falling to the floor after a midair collision with Orlando’s Dwight Howard on a drive to the basket.

Rose was taken to the locker room for examination and didn’t return. The Bulls said X-rays were negative. Rose is scheduled to have an MRI on Friday in Miami, after which the team will determine whether he can play against the Heat. Without Rose for most of the game Thursday, the Bulls fell 111-82 in Orlando for their sixth straight defeat.

Watch New York Knicks vs Memphis Grizzlies Live Streaming

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8:00 pm EST Fri Mar 12, 2010

The Memphis Grizzlies have put together a franchise-record winning streak on the road. Matching that success at home, however, has been much more difficult. They’ll try to open a three-game homestand with a third straight victory Friday night when they face the struggling New York Knicks. The Grizzlies set a team record with their fifth straight road win by beating New Orleans on March 3, and stretched that run to seven with an impressive 111-91 win over Atlantic Division-leading Boston on Wednesday. Memphis dominated throughout, shooting 55.0 percent and outrebounding the Celtics 48-23. That goal is reaching the playoffs for the first time in four seasons, and Memphis is ninth in the Western Conference, chasing Portland and San Antonio for the last two postseason positions.

The Grizzlies, winners of four of five overall, can make a serious case for a playoff spot if they can carry their road success back to FedEx Forum, where they’re 19-14. Memphis, which is opening a three-game homestand, won its last game there Monday, beating league-worst New Jersey 107-101 to snap an eight-game home losing streak. Rudy Gay, second on the team with 20.0 points per game, is looking to build on his superb performance from Wednesday, connecting on 10 of 18 shots for 28 points and eight rebounds.

Watch New Jersey Nets vs Oklahoma City Thunder Live Streaming

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8:00 pm EST Fri Mar 12, 2010

The Oklahoma City Thunder are trying to earn a spot in the postseason for the first time in five years. A solid stretch run could have them hosting a first-round series. Oklahoma City looks for another dominant defensive effort and a fourth straight win Friday night when it hosts a New Jersey Nets team with the league’s worst offense. The Thunder are tied with Phoenix for fifth in the Western Conference, 2 1/2 games behind Utah for the fourth seed and home-court advantage in the first round. The Oklahoma City franchise hasn’t appeared in the postseason since the Seattle SuperSonics went 52-30 and won the Northwest Division in 2004-05.

Oklahoma City has won 15 of 18 behind a defense that is among the league’s best in points allowed and field goal percentage. The Thunder improved to 23-2 when holding teams to 94 points or fewer after limiting the Hornets to 57 in the final three quarters. In the final 12 minutes of a 105-89 victory at New Jersey on Dec. 28, Oklahoma City held the Nets to 13 points. It would appear the Thunder have a good chance of winning five straight at home for the first time since Feb. 14-March 4, 2007, as they face a New Jersey team shooting 42.6 percent and averaging 90.7 points - both worst in the NBA.

Watch Washington Wizards vs Detroit Pistons Live Streaming

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8:00 pm EST Fri Mar 12, 2010

Some had predicted that the Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards would be contending for playoff berths this season. Instead, both teams are near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. The struggling clubs will try to earn a rare win this month at the expense of each other Friday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Detroit had made the playoffs in eight straight seasons heading into 2009-10, but injuries in part dealt an early blow to the Pistons’ hopes. No player has appeared in all 64 games, and Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Ben Gordon have been absent for extended periods. One of their stalwarts through this injury-plagued campaign, third-year guard Rodney Stuckey, has missed the past two games after collapsing on the bench during a loss in Cleveland on March 5.

Following extensive cardiac tests Wednesday, doctors told Stuckey— averaging a career-best 17.1 points per game—that he can resume exercise, but there is no timetable for his return to game action. In their first game without their second-leading scorer, the Pistons snapped a six-game slide with an overtime victory over Houston on Sunday in the opener of a three-game homestand. Detroit, though, couldn’t rally from a 20-point halftime deficit in a 115-104 loss to Utah on Wednesday.

Watch Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Hornets Live Streaming

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8:00 pm EST Fri Mar 12, 2010

The Denver Nuggets have scored at an even higher rate than usual recently. Most impressive about the stretch is how much depth they are showing. The Nuggets look to win their fifth straight when they visit the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night. Denver, among the league leaders with 107.7 points per game, has averaged 117.3 during its winning streak after being held to fewer than 90 in back-to-back losses to the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix. The Nuggets opened a four-game road trip with a 110-102 win over Minnesota on Wednesday, with six players finishing in double figures. Carmelo Anthony, who scored 30 or more in the previous three games, shot 6 of 16 from the field for 19 points, but he was helped by his teammates as Chauncey Billups scored 25, Nene had 17 and J.R. Smith added 15.

Smith, averaging 15.2 points, is scoring 18.8 per game during the winning streak. He hit three 3-pointers in the third quarter, when Denver outscored the Timberwolves 31-19. The improved play of Smith and Chris Andersen, who is averaging 11.3 points over the last four games, has helped make up for the absence of Kenyon Martin, who is out indefinitely while undergoing plasma therapy on his left knee. Martin is averaging 11.8 points and a team-high 9.6 rebounds. The Nuggets are looking for their second victory in three games against the Hornets after recording a 116-110 overtime win Jan. 23.

Watch San Antonio Spurs vs Minnesota Timberwolves Live Streaming

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8:00 pm EST Fri Mar 12, 2010

Less than two days after finding out Tony Parker would not return in the regular season, Manu Ginobili said the rest of the San Antonio Spurs needed to step up their games. Ginobili has definitely done his part. Expected to start for the third straight game Friday night at Target Center, Ginobili will try to help San Antonio win its 11th in a row over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Spurs learned Monday that Parker, the team’s second-leading scorer at 16.5 points per game, would not need surgery for a broken right hand suffered in Saturday’s 102-92 victory at Memphis, but he would be out until at least the start of the playoffs.

Ginobili has done plenty recently at Minnesota, averaging 27.6 points in his last five games there. In a 117-99 home win Dec. 29 in these teams’ only meeting of the season, the Spurs posted their 10th consecutive victory over the Timberwolves as Ginobili had 14 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. The Timberwolves haven’t covered anyone well lately, allowing 107.2 points per game while dropping 13 of 14. Minnesota lost its seventh straight overall and seventh in a row at home Wednesday, 110-102 to Denver. Before opening a four-game trip Sunday in Sacramento, Minnesota will try to snap a five-game home losing streak to San Antonio.

Watch Utah Jazz vs Milwaukee Bucks Live Streaming

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8:30 pm EST Fri Mar 12, 2010

The Milwaukee Bucks knew they had three tough games to begin their homestand. Though they won the first two, the third may prove to be the most difficult. The Bucks will try to cool off the similarly red-hot Utah Jazz on Friday night in a matchup of teams on four-game win streaks. Milwaukee is one of the NBA’s hottest teams, winning 13 of 16 to surge into fifth place in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks have matched their win total from last season. There may have been doubters before this four-game homestand started with matchups against division leaders Cleveland and Boston. The Bucks took advantage of LeBron James’ absence to win 92-85 over the Cavaliers on Saturday and beat the Celtics 86-84 on Tuesday.

The latest contender standing in Milwaukee’s way is Utah, shooting an NBA-best 49.1 percent and averaging 117.8 points during a 5-1 stretch. Bogut was the catalyst Tuesday with 25 points and 17 rebounds, and is averaging 17.4 and 11.4 over the last 11 games. He’s also been a major factor on defense, ranking second in the league with 2.5 blocks per game. The Jazz, meanwhile, have opened a four-game trip with two wins to improve to 10-2 on the road since Jan. 20.

Watch Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns Live Streaming

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9:00 pm EST Fri Mar 12, 2010

Another late game-winner from Kobe Bryant didn’t make the Los Angeles Lakers feel much better, and this may be their last chance for a while to get a true boost of confidence. Before a very easy stretch of the schedule, the Lakers desperately want a strong all-around performance Friday night when they visit a well-rested Phoenix Suns team which has been playing well. While Phoenix has won 14 of 18 to move into a virtual tie for fifth place in the West, Los Angeles has split its last 10 to see its lead atop the conference dwindle to 2 1/2 games over red-hot Dallas. Bryant has been very critical of his team, particularly on defense, and referred to the Lakers’ most recent effort as “garbage” after a 109-107 home win over Toronto on Tuesday. It was nearly their fourth consecutive loss, but Bryant’s 17-foot fallaway with 1.9 seconds left provided the difference.

The Suns’ only four losses in the past six weeks were to teams among the West’s top eight. The Lakers’ next three games after this one are against the West’s worst teams - Golden State, Sacramento and Minnesota - followed by a matchup with a last-place team from the East - Washington. Opening a three-game trip, the Lakers look to avoid losing five consecutive road games for the first time since March 4-15, 2007. Los Angeles has lost two straight in Phoenix, giving up 118 points in each.

Watch Portland Trail Blazers vs Sacramento Kings Live Streaming

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10:00 pm EST Fri Mar 12, 2010

After Tyreke Evans’ first career triple-double sparked the Sacramento Kings to victory, coach Paul Westphal raved about how the rookie guard has a chance to alter the direction of the franchise. The Portland Trail Blazers know all about that kind of impact player. After riding former rookie of the year Brandon Roy to their fifth win in six games, the Blazers look to continue the surge and tighten their hold on a playoff spot Friday night when they visit Evans and the Kings. The fourth overall pick in the draft, Evans appears to be the leading candidate to be named the league’s top rookie with averages of 20.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists. The 6-foot-6 20-year-old out of Memphis had 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists Wednesday, helping Sacramento snap a three-game losing streak with a 113-90 victory over Toronto.

Roy was a runaway rookie of the year in 2006-07, when he averaged 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists. In his first three seasons, he transformed the Blazers from a perennial lottery team to last year’s Northwest Division co-champs. Though injuries have decimated Portland this season, the team is still in playoff position - largely because of Roy.

Watch Pittsburgh Penguins vs New Jersey Devils Live Streaming

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7:00 pm EST Fri Mar 12, 2010

The Pittsburgh Penguins have managed to build a modest lead in the Atlantic Division. It might not hold up if they can’t find a way to solve Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils. Following their first defeat since the Olympic break, the Penguins look to avoid another loss to the inconsistent Devils on Friday night. Pittsburgh won its first four games after captain Sidney Crosby’s overtime goal against the United States gave Canada a win in the gold-medal game at the Olympics. The Penguins, though, had their run snapped Thursday, losing 4-3 in overtime to Carolina in the opener of a five-game road trip.

Pittsburgh, which leads the Devils by four points in the Atlantic, will now play two games in six days at the Prudential Center including a rematch Wednesday. It’s been a one-sided season series, though, with New Jersey winning all four games. Brodeur, a teammate of Crosby’s in Vancouver, has started all of those contests, surrendering two goals. Brodeur isn’t expected to get much rest down the stretch for the Devils, and has allowed one goal or less in six of his last seven games against Pittsburgh. Crosby has 11 goals and six assists over his last 11 games, but he has not found the back of the net this season against New Jersey. Penguins center Evgeni Malkin has been held without a point in three straight contests versus the Devils.

Watch Tampa Bay Lightning vs Washington Capitals Live Streaming

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7:00 pm EST Fri Mar 12, 2010

Enjoying more success than any team in the league, the Washington Capitals certainly can’t blame their players for wanting to be on the ice as much as possible. Coach Bruce Boudreau will likely continue to juggle his lineup as the league-leading Capitals try to continue their dominance at home Friday night against Tampa Bay Lightning. With 99 points and a 14-point lead in the Eastern Conference, Washington has enough leeway to rest some of its regulars while trying to break in new players. That plan, though, isn’t necessarily sitting well with those who are missing time.

On Monday night, Tomas Fleischmann was left off the lineup for the first time all season as the Capitals lost 4-3 in a shootout with Dallas, snapping a franchise-record 13-game home winning streak. Two days later, he scored in overtime as Washington bounced back at home with a 4-3 victory over Carolina. Fleischmann was smiling when he mode those comments, but it highlights the tough position Boudreau is in on a team overloaded with talent. Jason Chimera and Eric Fehr, who had not been rested since Jan. 2, took their turns sitting out versus the Hurricanes. Boudreau is trying to work in new players Joe Corvo, Scott Walker and Eric Belanger. On March 3, Corvo and Walker were acquired from Carolina and Belanger was picked up in a deal with Minnesota. Belanger assisted on Fleischmann game winner.

Watch Minnesota Wild vs Buffalo Sabres Live Streaming

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7:30 pm EST Fri Mar 12, 2010

With Ryan Miller playing like an Olympic star, the Buffalo Sabres are well on their way toward ending their postseason drought. The Sabres, however, could give their goaltender a rest as they open a tough stretch Friday night at home against the struggling Minnesota Wild. Buffalo hasn’t reached the playoffs since winning the Northeast title in 2006-07, finishing five points shy of the postseason in 2007-08 and three short last season. The Sabres should have more than enough to get back into the postseason as they lead Ottawa by two points for the division’s top spot with three games in hand and 17 to play.

The next two weeks, though, will be crucial. Buffalo will play six times in the next 10 nights, including a five-game road trip that begins Saturday against Detroit. Beginning with that trek, the Sabres will play 11 of their final 16 games away from home. That makes rest all the more important for Miller, who has 33 wins and is second in the NHL with a 2.15 goals-against average. Despite a 1.95 GAA during Buffalo’s three-game winning streak, he’s expected to sit in place of Patrick Lalime against the Wild, paving the way for the East Lansing, Mich. native to start against the Red Wings. Miller also gave up three goals in a 10:32 span bridging the second and third periods in Minnesota before the Sabres rallied for a 4-3 overtime win on Oct. 23, 2008.

Watch New York Rangers vs Atlanta Thrashers Live Streaming

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7:30 pm EST Fri Mar 12, 2010

Respective late-season swoons have the New York Rangers and Atlanta Thrashers fading from the playoff picture. The Rangers hope to avoid a season high-tying fifth straight loss Friday night when they face the Thrashers, who will look to end their four-game skid and sweep the season series from New York for the first time since 2002-03. New York is in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, five points behind Boston for the final postseason spot - and a likely first-round matchup against Alex Ovechkin -led Washington. Atlanta is one point behind the Rangers, and tied with Tampa Bay for 10th.

The Rangers dropped five in a row Dec. 9-16, a stretch that included a 2-1 shootout defeat to Atlanta. Their latest skid grew to four Wednesday after a 6-3 loss at Atlantic Division rival New Jersey. Vinny Prospal, Erik Christensen and Brandon Prust helped the Rangers erase three one-goal deficits, but Henrik Lundqvist gave up a pair of late second-period goals to put the game out of reach. The Swedish Olympian, who had a career goals-against average of 1.75 against the Devils coming in, stopped 12 of 17 shots before being replaced by Alex Auld with less than five minutes to play in the middle frame.

Watch Los Angeles Kings vs Dallas Stars Live Streaming

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8:30 pm EST Fri Mar 12, 2010

Battling for home-ice advantage in the opening round of the playoffs, the Los Angeles Kings have struggled somewhat of late. A matchup with the Dallas Stars should give them a good chance to get back on track. Anze Kopitar looks to set a personal scoring record while helping the Kings continue their dominance of the Stars on Friday night. Los Angeles is fifth in the Western Conference, two points back of fourth-place Phoenix. The Kings have a game in hand with 16 remaining, but need to get back to playing well in order to beat out the Coyotes for that spot.

Los Angeles went 13-2-1 from Jan. 14-March 2, but have since dropped three of four. The Kings managed to pick up a point in their last game, a 3-2 overtime loss at Chicago on Wednesday. One of Los Angeles’ goals as well as an assist came from Kopitar, who has five goals and four assists during a career high-tying eight-game point streak - his second such run in the last 17 games.

Watch Nashville Predators vs Anaheim Ducks Live Streaming

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10:00 pm EST Fri Mar 12, 2010

Matchups at the Honda Center have always given the Nashville Predators trouble. A deflating loss to the Western Conference’s top team certainly won’t help their confidence entering another contest there. The playoff-hopeful Predators look to put aside a disappointing defeat when they visit the struggling Anaheim Ducks on Friday night. Nashville blew a 4-2 lead in the final period of an 8-5 loss to San Jose on Thursday night. The Predators - 1-1 on a four-game road trip that concludes Sunday in Los Angeles - fell apart after dominating the first two periods of what could be a playoff preview.

Though Nashville is in playoff position, it is hardly guaranteed of returning to the postseason following a one-year absence. The Predators have fallen into a tie with Calgary for seventh in the West, leading ninth-place Detroit by one point. Losing to teams such as the Ducks won’t help Nashville’s cause. The Predators are 4-14-3 all-time at Anaheim, and have allowed 16 goals - eight on the power play - while dropping three of the last four matchups. They fell 4-0 at the Honda Center on Nov. 5, and also lost 3-2 to the Ducks at home Jan. 9 to fall to 1-2-0 in the season series.

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