Grizzlies Grab 1st Ever 3-1 Series Lead Over Spurs

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Mike Conley had 15 points and seven assists to help the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies rout the San Antonio Spurs 104-86 on Monday night and grab a commanding 3-1 lead in their opening series.

The Grizzlies already had made franchise history by winning their first playoff game in Game 1 and added their first playoff win at home. Now they are a game away from becoming the second eighth seed to knock off a No. 1 seed since the NBA expanded to a best-of-seven series and join the 2007 Golden State Warriors.

Game 5 is Wednesday in San Antonio.

Darrell Arthur added 14 points off the bench for Memphis. Tony Allen had 12, Zach Randolph and O.J. Mayo 11 apiece.

Tony Parker led the Spurs with 23 points, but he also had seven turnovers. Manu Ginobili had 14, Gary Neal 11, and George Hill and Tiago Splitter 10 each. Splitter, a rookie from Brazil, had not played previously in this series.

Tim Duncan had six points on his 35th birthday.

These are the same Spurs that won 61 games in the regular season. They opened up very energetic, shooting well and even had their first halftime lead in this series.

They finished the game with their starters on the bench for the final 5:43, and now the Spurs will be trying to avoid their second 4-1 opening series loss in three seasons.

The first three games had been tight with Memphis winning by no more than three points. The Spurs won Game 2 by six.

This time it was a rout once the Grizzlies took control by outscoring the Spurs 30-15 in the third quarter for the first time in this series after trailing at the half for the first time in the four games.

Memphis opened the second half with a 14-0 run with Gasol's two free throws at 11:04 putting the Grizzlies ahead to stay at 52-50. Sam Young's dunk capped the run at 7:41 of the third for a 62-50 lead. The Spurs, who shot 55.3 percent in the first half, missed their first five shots and were 6 of 15 from the floor. They also had seven turnovers in the quarter.

The Grizzlies had every fan up and waving the rally towels handed out, cranking up the noise with every Spurs' missed shot or mistake. Arthur ended the quarter by hitting a pair of jumpers to put Memphis up 78-65 at the end of the third.

When Arthur dunked at 10:13 of the fourth putting Memphis up 83-67, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich took a timeout. It didn't help as Arthur hit a shot at 8:51 pushing the lead to 85-67.

The Grizzlies went up 94-74 on a 3 by Shane Battier who was wide open in the right corner with 5:43 left. The celebration began in earnest in Memphis.

Memphis already had become only the seventh No. 8 seed to go up 2-1 in the NBA playoffs since the league expanded the postseason to 16 teams in 1983-84, and the Grizzlies are just the third team to do it since the first round expanded to best-of-seven for the 2003 playoffs.

The Grizzlies had another electric crowd, just their sixth sellout of the season, and fans buzzed with a sense of expectation instead of mere hope for a win that surrounded this team when the Spurs swept them out of the playoffs in their first postseason trip in 2004.

The Spurs opened the game by hitting eight of their first 10 led by Parker who scored eight of the first 10 points. Memphis came out forgetting its strength is going inside to Randolph and Gasol, and Randolph set that tone by taking a long jumper as the Grizzlies' first shot. He missed, and they wound up outscored 16-6 in the paint for the quarter.

San Antonio led 26-21 after 12 minutes, the first time in this series the Spurs had outscored Memphis in the first quarter.

Greivis Vasquez had an ugly turnover at the end of the first quarter, just losing the ball. Hill took it and scored to make it 26-19. Vasquez, the second-year pro out of Maryland, rebounded by hitting his next three shots to start a 9-2 run. Mayo capped it with a fast-break layup for a 30-28 lead in the second.

Parker came into the game 15-of-44, and he hit all seven shots in the first half and his four free throws in helping the Spurs lead 50-48 at halftime. But he missed his first shot in the third quarter, a 3-pointer, at 9:58.

Knicks Deem they’ll Get it Right by Playoffs

Greenburgh, NY - Even before needing five stitches above his left eye, Carmelo Anthony understood this could be painful.

Despite the New York Knicks were seen as a dangerous team after trading for him, but are two games in 0500, and that did the trick. And the more time they spend together, the worse they played.

A team with Anthony and Amare Stoudemire, the NBA's second highest scoring duo running Mike D'Antoni's system that has suffered three straight subpar offensive Thurs and the offense is supposed to be the highlight Knicks.

But when they reach one month anniversary of his arrival, Anthony says that these games are not a surprise, and he still believes it is time for the Knicks before passing.

"It's something I tell myself I keep telling the guys on the team, at the end of the day will get where we want to do. And I'm not too worried about it," Anthony said Tuesday after practice to look a little bloated after what he said was the first time he needed stitches.

"I am sure I am in favor of making it happen, making it all work, and especially I know we are losing games at the moment, but everyone seems that their energy is up, no bend the head and the sadness of nothing because everyone knows that would not be easy. This is a long road to get where we want to be. "

It was a lot more potholes than anyone could have imagined.

New York fell to 7-9 by Anthony on Monday to acquire 96-86 loss to the Boston Celtics, when he cut off after the collision with Rajon Rondo trying to steal the pass. The Knicks have dropped six of seven years, and 35-35, is to lose a record for the first time since November, if they lose on Wednesday in Orlando team that has already been beaten twice this season.

The Knicks talked about moving to No 5 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, but are lagging behind in Philadelphia in the seventh, after they had the No. 6 spot for more than three months.

K'Love injured in Timberwolves' blowout loss

Minneapolis, Minnesota (Reuters) - The NBA's leading rebounder Kevin Love injured his groin and walked off the court and returned to action during the Minnesota Timberwolves '127-95 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.

Love, who earlier this season, a record in modern times in the NBA with 53 consecutive games of at least 10 points and 10 rebounds, left the game early in the second quarter and was wandering with three rebounds.

"He was just upset," said Minnesota coach Kurt Rambis team's website (www.nba.com / Timberwolves). "I was not informed about what was bothering him before the game."

Love averaged 20.6 points and 15.6 rebounds per game, before the meeting on Sunday.

Cavs thrash Kings for rare road win

Sacramento, California - Ramon Sessions scored 20 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a rare road victory, against the Sacramento Kings 97-93 on Wednesday night.

Cleveland opened the season by winning three of its first four road games, but had only one win on March 4 in New York since then.

Cleveland, which snapped a four-game losing streak overall, has dropped 28 of 29 games away from home since November 10.

Marcus Thornton had 23 points for the Kings, who lost seven of eight. Samuel Dalembert contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds, Francisco Garcia and Beno Udrih both scored 14 points while rookie DeMarcus Cousins ​​had 11 points and 16 rebounds.

JJ Hickson scored 17 points for Cleveland, Luke Harangody had 15 and Samuels added 13 Samard

The game was a clash between teams with little to look forward until the NBA draft in June. Cavaliers have the worst record (13-53) in the Eastern Conference, while the Kings (16-50) has the worst record in the West.

Thornton has hit a 3 three-pointers and scored nine points in the third quarter for the Kings, who trailed by eight at one point but recovered in the last five minutes or more to take the lead 74-73 in fourth position.

When Samuels made two free throws to tie the game Udrih made a deal to turn the two cousins ​​is moving at 01:21 mark to put the Kings up 93-91. But two free throws that tied the game again Harangody 93

After an attack error against Cousins, Sessions passed three defenders and made a reverse layup for the Cavaliers ahead 95-93 with 16 seconds left.

Looking to tie the game, missed a driving layup Cousins ​​and Alonzo Gee got the rebound and was fouled quickly. Gee made two free throws with 3.3 seconds left to seal the victory.

Town six points at half, the Cavaliers used 13-3 run to take a 65-58 lead mid-third quarter. But the 3-pointer and two other Garcia, Thornton helped the Kings take 67-65 lead 4:41 left in the third.

Cousins ​​had 11 points and eight rebounds in the first half of the Kings, who led 51-45. Harangody scored 11 points for the Cavaliers rushed, who committed 12 turnovers.

Bosh scores 30, the Heat roll Spurs 110-80

MIAMI - The Miami Heat was in the inversion symmetry.

Lose 30 San Antonio, winning 30 in Miami.

Chris Bosh scored 30 points and 12 rebounds, Dwyane Wade scored 29 and the Miami Heat avenged their worst loss of the season by rolling over the NBA-leading Spurs 110-80 on Monday night.

"It 's really huge for us, just to get even with this team," said Bosh. "They beat us pretty good, and I'm glad we were able to make a perfect game today. But at the same time is only a game."

LeBron James finished with 21 points, eight assists and six rebounds and the Heat, who have won three straight and moved two games in the Eastern Conference of the pioneers in Boston and Chicago.

Miami lost 125-95 at San Antonio on March 4, the midpoint of a five-game slide that now seems almost forgotten after the victories over the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and now the Spurs.

"Sometimes when you get the results we have and who have this extreme noise from the outside, which can be a distraction if you let it," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. "But in terms of types confidence, never wavered. This is a very confident group. But the consistency that we had in the last three games is something we can build."

It was the Spurs' biggest regular-season loss since April 7, 2005, a 104-68 defeat to Dallas.

Tony Parker scored 18 points and Tim Duncan added 14 for the Spurs, who won 15 of their last 18 against Miami. Before Monday, the worst loss in San Antonio this season was a 96-72 defeat to New Orleans.

And he has been instrumental in the scoring column: Miami outrebounded the Spurs 47-33 and shot 54 percent in San Antonio 38.

"We did a lot of shots in San Antonio and have done a lot of shots," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, whose team suffered its third lowest total score is the fifth-worst shooting effort of the season. "What goes around comes around."

According to STATS LLC, is only the second time in NBA history that two clubs had two series win once with 30 or more. The second event came last season as Dallas beat New York 50 to Madison Square Garden, then lost at home to the Knicks with 34 nearly two months later.

Add San Antonio 123-101 loss to Orlando on Dec. 23, and the Spurs two trips to the Sunshine State this season were the losses by a combined 52 points.

Mario Chalmers scored 11 for Miami. Manu Ginobili finished with 12 and Antonio McDyess scored 10 for the Spurs.

"They needed the game more than us," said Ginobili. "They were more shocked than us, and are a good team. We're not playing for second division in Asia. We're talking about the Heat."

When the teams met a week and a half ago, it was more after one quarter. San Antonio ran an advance of 36-12, eight 3-pointers in the first quarter alone en route to a franchise-record 17 connections beyond the arc.

Funny how things even out: In Miami, the Spurs were able to get very little out of the paint in the fall. They finished 6 for 22, 3.

San Antonio shot just 6 of 25 from the field in the first half, 1 of 9 in the second quarter and the Heat held the Spurs to their fourth lowest output during the first 24 minutes of a game this season. The driver of the Heat was 49-39 at halftime, with Bosh and Wade combined for 31 points and 12 rebounds along the road.

Meanwhile, Duncan and remove McDyess - 9 and 13 combined in the middle - and the Spurs were downright devastating offensive. Together, their comrades fired nine of 33 in the first two quarters.

"They definitely had a lot of energy," Parker said the heat. "But all in all, they just played better than us."

The Spurs are things going in the third, particularly Parker, who hit June 5 shots and scored 14 in the period.

But the result was never in doubt. Wade took James for a dunk with 10:14 left, then uttered a joyous cry the way back to the other end. It was a cry of longer duration 17 seconds later, after stealing the ball to Steve Novak and calls for a dunk of his own that led to Miami 87-67 edge.

Howard achieves NBA scoring milestone in Magic victory over Suns

PHOENIX, Arizona (AFP) - Dwight Howard Orlando reached a milestone marking the NBA on Sunday, but he was happier to finally get out of Phoenix with a win.

Magic has a long history of losing to the Suns, Arizona, dating back to November 2001 - when Howard is only 15 years.

"I had not won here since I'm in the NBA, so it was our goal together," said Howard, "to get a good victory."

He did his part, delivering 26 points with 15 rebounds and five blocked shots. Howard sat the fourth quarter watching from the bench as the Magic completed a 111-88 victory.

For good measure, Howard has surpassed 10,000 career points with a little hook on Robin Lopez in the third quarter, but the stage was very important to him.

"I never look at the points," Howard said. "Rebounds and blocks are what win games for me."

Magic Six other players had two points, led by Brandon Bass 17 and Gilbert Arenas 16

But Magic coach Stan Van Gundy noted that Sun was a "completely different team" without veteran point guard Steve Nash, who missed the contest with what the team called "watershed approach".

Aaron Brooks in place by Nash 19 points and 10 assists.

Aaron Brooks was very good today. He scored a lot, but Steve Nash makes the whole world, everybody plays, "Van Gundy said." We were fortunate that we've played twice without Steve Nash and is a completely different ball game. "

Even so, it was a morale building win at Orlando on Monday before the match against two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.

Orlando had lost three or four, most recently, a 123-120 overtime loss to Golden State on Friday.

But they dominated the depleted Suns, who are 0-3 without Nash this season.

The defeat meant Phoenix could not lay down the possibility of moving in a half-game of the day before the Memphis Grizzlies for the eighth and final postseason in the Western Conference.

Cotto Stops Mayorga in 12th Round to Retain WBA Title

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP) - Puerto Rico, Miguel Cotto retained his World Boxing Association super welterweight crown by stopping Ricardo Mayorga of Nicaragua 53 seconds to 12 Thurs

Cotto has imposed that the precipitation of the fight in the opening seconds of the last round in an exchange with a beautiful left hook, unbelievable Mayorga, who knelt and took the left hand in pain.

"This corner was the only one to decide the fight," Cotto said after Saturday's game. "The match was wide, but the finish was fantastic."

Mayorga has increased and continued for a few seconds, but Cotto landed a tingling in the chest and Mayorga challenger seconds later stopped the fight, said he could not continue because of his injured hand.

"Left hand, one of these combinations, I heard he hit the back of my hand and started to damage the" Mayorga said. "I started trying to make a fist and I could not. Then I said I could not continue."

Cotto improved to 36-2 with his 29th strike in the distance in his first fight after a layoff of nine months, including surgery on his right shoulder.

Former world welterweight champion Mayorga fell to 29-8 with one drawn only three months after the dismissal of 26 months, then said he would retire.

"I'll get a job," said Mayorga. "It is time to retire.

Mayorga taunted Cotto in the weeks before the fight, but said after the fight, "I never wanted any of this. It's all promotion. It's entertainment." Cotto, meanwhile, never let the verbal jousting disturb his concentration.

"He has not left my bed." Cotto said. "I just keep my job and just be myself."

Awesome trade began in the first few seconds, with the warning shots the referee Robert Byrd Mayorga behind the head and low blows in the first round.

Mayorga had a couple of lefts to the head of evil, and then shook his head to indicate he does not hurt, a routine that played throughout the fight.

Second round, Mayorga landed a solid uppercut and a pair of right hands cut off his head, but said Cotto left solid, using the moments when the challenger has tried to slow the pace fast.

Mayorga backed into a corner in the middle of the third inning, taunting Cotto to come to him. The Master pressed the attack but would not be tricked into dropping his composure and patience to the fight against the wily veteran.

Cotto, the progression right shoulder surgery, showed no signs of trouble to throw a strong right hand punches and blows.

Mayorga, who turned 38 on Thursday, had promised to knock out Cotto in the fourth round, but failed, even though he landed five consecutive shots, a gust of wind at the finish.

Cotto, 30, was the best of several exchanges in the fifth round, scoring with solid left hooks and uppercuts.

"He hits very hard (but) it does not scare me," Mayorga said Cotto.

Mayorga caught Cotto early in round seven with a left to the body and solid rights to the head and later in the round with an uppercut and several hard rights.

"Time to strong fighter," Cotto said Mayorga. "He has time to strong hands. He can not win. He can beat anyone."

Cotto took an elbow to attack all the time, but Mayorga effectively counter punch right in the ninth and tenth tuiskuttaa day.

Mayorga taunting Cotto resumed mid-11 round, but the champion kept his focus and kept challenger at bay, creating dramatic end.

If Mayorga made his decision to retire, has lost five of their last nine fights career. He also fell in 2008, Shane Mosley, Oscar de la Hoya in 2006, Felix Trinidad in 2004 and Cory Spinks in 2003.

Cotto is now hoping that the chance to avenge 2009 loss Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao and Mexico in 2008 defeated by Antonio margaritas, whose victory was marred by a one-year ban after traces of the glove was found after the battle , beat Cotto.

Other potential competitors are the future of Mexico Saul Alvarez undefeated champion of the World Boxing Council super welterweight.

Bosh fires Heat to Win over Lakers

MIAMI (Reuters) - Chris Bosh strengthened to help the Miami Heat star to a five-game series with a 94-88 victory over two-time NBA champion to defend the Lakers in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Bosh, who had complained about his limited role in the team's offense during the Depression led to 24 points and nine rebounds for Miami as the leader of south-east heat to secure playoff berth.

"I was aggressive coming to the ball, but were uninterested left me," said Bosh. "I was not playing. I just wanted to focus on going hard."

When the game tied 88-88, Miami, Dwyane Wade had the ball in Kobe Bryant and LeBron James has sent a clear undisputed embed with 1:27 still, that the Heat ahead for good.

"It was an opportunity to really just keep our composure and execute down the stretch, stopping when the pressure was on the game when the pressure is on," said Bosh.

"It 's been there during the last three minutes. I think our mind and psyche, it was very important."

Wade added another field goal and James secured the victory with two free throws with 19 seconds at the end of the Lakers sequence of eight consecutive victories.

"We must move forward," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

"The most important thing to go through a stretch like that, men are not close. The kids want to do this work. The more we are, the more convinced that we will succeed.

"But it's a game we're not on the mound. We still need to improve and improve."

Very low score in the third quarter, the Lakers have threatened to take command of the race game 9-0 to create a game high six-point lead, but the heat stopped their momentum and lead shaved to two points going to the previous quarter.

"I think they (Miami) can play better than them," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "I hope to see later this year."

Kevin Love passes Moses Malone with 52nd double-double in row

Minneapolis (AP)-Kevin Love recorded his 52nd double-double in a row to pass Moses Malone for the longest streak of its kind since the ABA and NBA merged in 1976 with the Minnesota Timberwolves "101 -75 plummeting over Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.

Love overcame a bruised left knee that put up 16 points and 21 rebounds in just 27 minutes to help the Timberwolves won for just the 16th time this season. Love wasted no time extending the streak of double-digit points and rebounds, with just under seven minutes to play in the first half.

Tyler Hansbrough (Notes) scored 21 points for the Pacers, who shot a season-low 29 percent lost their fifth straight. Forward Danny Granger managed just 10 points in two of his 19 shots.

Michael Beasley (Notes) added 16 points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes for Minnesota.

Love was not even sure he was going to play the game just before tipoff after bruising his left knee in a loss to Dallas on Monday. But he decided to give it a go.

With the ringing in quick Pacers, Love had 10 rebounds in just 12 minutes of playing time and people knew it too.

Love grabbed his first rebound of the first 10 seconds of the game, and a fan shouted, "That 's what! And 'that! "

He went to the free throw line with 6:51 to play in the first half and nine points and 10 rebounds, and the audience rose to its feet and roared.

The first free throw splashed through, and love gave a deep sigh of relief that his execution was announced. He gestured to the crowd, and then went back to work.

Only nine players in NBA history, both before and after the merger, there were at least 50 double-doubles. Eight of love-Malone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Walt Bellamy, Wilt Chamberlain, Elvin Hayes, Jerry Lucas, Bill Russell, are in the Hall of Fame.

Next on the list of the longest streaks are Hayes of 55 straight in 1973-74.

Better yet, love to see the entire fourth quarter from the bench, resting a knee that clearly bothers him as he lay on the ground. The Timberwolves won for only the 12th time in their sequence.

Pacers are in the midst of a streak of their own, and it's not a good idea. After winning seven of their first eight games following the firing of coach Jim O'Brien, Pacers have lost seven of their last eight games and lost an average of 17 points over the last five years.

They entered the 1 1 / 2 night games ahead of Charlotte Square in the eighth and final playoff and hit a new low in getting blown of the worst teams in the Western Conference.

Hansbrough made two of his first four shots but his teammates have lost their first 15 shots. The game got out of hand in the third quarter when Indiana scored only two points in the first six minutes of delay of 22.

Magic Rally to Stagger LeBron and Miami

MIAMI (Reuters) - The Orlando Magic Miami numbed with a return in the second half inspired on Friday, overcoming a deficit of 24 points with a burst of three points to secure a thrilling 99-96 victory in heat.

The Magic took control with a run of 18 points fools right in the fourth quarter, spelled out a late fee of Miami in the final seconds of the match.

"That one almost defies explanation," said Magic coach Stan Van Gundy.

"Even six minutes into the second half, we just looked down and out. We had no way to stop 'em.

"It was a great comeback. This is probably one of those games I will remember in 10 years. When I forget everything except all losses. This is a victory that I could remember. "

Orlando, who scored an impressive 48 points from the three point line, led all scorers with 24 points from Jason Richardson to move within three games of Miami to lead the Southeast Division.

LeBron James had 29 points and Dwyane Wade added 28 to lead the way to Miami, the duo combined for 47 points as the heat of an advance of 63-45 at halftime.

"We're measuring right now. We just keep pushing through. There is no other way to put it," said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

"The guys really wanted it. For most games, we played hard enough to get there and then the tide turned already."

Cotto vs. Mayorga - Preview & Prediction

Miguel Cotto recovery from shoulder surgery is more effective, and his next opponent was announced. On 12 March, "Junito" compete with the thug Ricardo Mayorga of Nicaragua. This is an important must-win for both men. The 37-year-old Mayorga was apparently reached the end of his career, and has been blocked in its efforts to make a comeback he had considered a jump to MMA. Beat Cotto and WBA Light Middleweight title would give him a new life. The questions are opinionated Cotto since he was beaten to a pulp by Antonio Margarito in 2008. Although Cotto could not get more than one pay for a victory over older Mayorga, a loss would signal the beginning of the end for Cotto's career.

Ricardo Mayorga (29-7 with 23 KOs)

37 years old, 5'9 ", 70" reach

Nicaragua

Welterweight champion, a former Light-middleweight Champion

El Matador "was short of money, because otherwise it is hard to imagine why he would do such a do-or-die encounter. Of course, power and style Mayorga fight are also very characteristics that boxer. However, his chin has been weakened over time. Mayorga is still a step, but no man can take. Ricardo Mayorga has lost four of their last eight trips, his last victory of any substance over Fernando Vargas had spent even more on its sales of Mayorga. Nicaragua is not just over the hill, but rusty. Its location in December 2010 against the worker was the first exit after Mayorga Shane Mosley walloped him in 2008.

Miguel Cotto (35-2, 28 KOs)

30 years old, 5'7 ", 67" reach

Puerto Rico

The current WBA heavyweight champion, a former welterweight champion light welterweight

Miguel Cotto is widely regarded as damaged goods after his beat-down concrete-Amir (literally) margaritas Antonio and his confrontation with the fastest murderess from the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao. The question is "how damaged she is?" In the end, though Yuri Foreman meeting proved nothing Cotto became the winner of an encounter with Joshua Clottey in 2009.

A distraction "Junito" has clearly lost something in terms of simple, cost too many wars, but his biggest problems is that her face is almost made of scar tissue, and personal. When your opponent skips his or her head is a good shot, Cotto's face turns red and loses his cool. Cotto also interferes with the internal problems and the death of his father. Hope is all behind him, and it allows for the new coach Emmanuel Steward Cotto can take advantage of his exceptional talent.

Cotto vs Mayorga Prediction and Analysis:

Ricardo Mayorga is a big man in the ring that night, hands down. I expect him to do his usual ferocious attack, and the results of the battle entirely determined by how the attack is not the original two or three shifts. If Mayorga to communicate with the hard and bust open Cotto, he takes the initiative and will probably keep it, and this leaves cooked blood gushing out and win an arrest.

However, if Mayorga Miguel Cotto can box as you Joshua Clottey, could complicate the race of the offender Nicaragua bull and start scoring. Clottey is a plodder than Mayorga, Mayorga, but equally there is Clottey from the standpoint of the defense and is intended to be a counter-punched. After three or four rounds of punishment takes a lot of steam out of the worn-down Mayorga. In this case, Mayorga will rally and then make another stab at the overwhelming Cotto, but fails. Cotto may be cut sooner or later, but it can avoid cutting a jack-hammered out a bloody mess and will carry a fixed point of victory.

Mayorga may be a bigger man, but Cotto is tuned, and despite the wear, younger and fresher the two fighters. They are already intimidated to fight, but Cotto is clear the storm and a box of their way to victory.

Miami Heat Part With Carlos Arroyo, Clearing spot for Mike Bibby

MIAMI - LeBron James spoke with Mike Bibby, one week after the last game, and twice NBA MVP title keeps the exact details of this private conversation.

One thing is known: It was a recruiting ground.

"I gave him the eye," James said. "And I think the eye worked."

Since Wednesday evening, James and the heat can not say that with certainty.

The heat released Tuesday by a file location paths separated by Carlos Arroyo, and even if the team officials had no comment because the rules of the NBA, more players - James, Dwyane Wade, Mario Chalmers, among others - have Bibby said the council shortly.

Bibby should be in South Florida Wednesday, are likely to participate in target practice in the morning practice Thursday and be in uniform when the Heat play the Orlando Magic of the night.

"I think it's a good thing for us," said Eddie House keeps heat, Bibby's brother. "He will do many things that can help LeBron, Dwyane and everybody here."

Miami move Arroyo announced in time for the veteran guard to sign with another team and be eligible to list their playoffs.

"It was a very difficult decision to make because Carlos has done a great job for this team and this organization," Heat president Pat Riley said. "It is truly a first class individuals and professionals. We wish him nothing but the best. "

Bibby has been sold to Atlanta and Washington last week. It 'was in Miami on Friday for his first - and, ultimately, the next-to-last - Wizards game that he was aware of the marks buyout, but no one knows what the future may hold.

"I can not control," said Bibby.

Wizards and Bibby reached an agreement to acquire, on Monday, and it did not take long to make his next destination. This means that the heat at a crucial moment of the season, will give a new point guard in training on the fly how to play the game.

"It's easier with experienced players with a high IQ and has a definite system and philosophy," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. "What we're doing."

As Bibby is a player the Heat on Wednesday, Spoelstra could not talk to him separately.
James could.

"It will help us immensely," said James.
The Heat had discussions with other players who have hit the market through acquisitions, such as Troy Murphy, who should be signed on Wednesday in Boston. If Murphy has taken over in Miami, the Heat probably would have left the little-used big man Jamaal Magloire to create a roster.

Magloire was relieved to be at practice on Tuesday.

"I'd be disappointed otherwise" Magloire said.

Spoelstra said he can not wait to ask what will happen to Miami to file late.

"Once you have passed that date, you can focus on absolutes - as you and you do not," said Spoelstra. "And we're close. ... I think our team is good enough."

Miami (43-17) entered play Tuesday, a game behind Boston (43-15) and the first game in Chicago (41-17) contest first place in the Eastern Conference.

Bibby averaged 9.4 points and 3.6 assists as a starter with Atlanta this season, his 13 in the league. The heat became the fifth NBA team, a list which also includes Vancouver, Sacramento, Atlanta Hawks and the Wizards, who shot a 9 in two games after the trade of what he said was taken by surprise the week pass.

He also appeared and started in 80 playoff games, which is more than any other current player heat. Zydrunas Ilgauskas and James have been in 71 playoff games, all during their time together in Cleveland.

"Some features are surprising and unexpected," said Wade. "The Mike Bibby (trade) was probably the most surprising, unexpected moves. Many people think that it was Kendrick Perkins moves (from Boston to Oklahoma City), but I think it was Mike Bibby. Nobody expected it. It became available and when the opportunity arises, you have to jump on them. "

Arroyo was not at practice and did not immediately respond to a text message. He started 42 games for Miami this season and played in seven, but recorded only 27 minutes of cutting time from 30 January - more than half of that coming in a game February 16 in Toronto.

"It is never easy," said Wade. "It's always bitter, especially in this situation. We look at it, he has been doing an excellent job of Carlos really done anything wrong. It is very regrettable. The only thing that can only hope lies in a good situation."

New-look Nuggets Bang Short Handed Celtics 89-75

DENVER – The integration of five new players offensively will take time for the Denver Nuggets. Defense? That came immediately.

Nuggets kept short-handed - and shortened - Boston Celtics profit in the last minute over six Thursday night, closing the game with a 16-0 run 89-75 victory, their second in a row from the front Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups at the New York Knicks.

"Defense is all effort," said Kenyon Martin, who led Denver with 18 points and 10 rebounds despite playing with the flu and missing the second quarter to get two bags of intravenous fluids.

"This is the difficulty of play. Plans to come and go," said Martin. "This is simply to give maximum effort every day. That's what we did. That's what we will continue to do so."

Wilson Chandler, one of the newcomers, had 16 points and eight players each played more than 20 minutes coach George Karl system to spread the new wealth stars Ty Lawson and Raymond Felton time to divide point to the last five minutes when they were in the field and helped the Nuggets to get out.

The game between two teams who have transformed their lists before the NBA trade deadline. Nuggets took a lot of new players and the Celtics a lot of empty seats along the bench after a wave of occupations that have landed a large group of men.

Celtics dressed only nine players and had to fight through the emotions of losing center Kendrick Perkins, who was treated in Oklahoma City to forward Jeff Green in the greater Boston trio trading Thursday.

"Tough day to play basketball," said Kevin Garnett. "Very difficult day to play basketball, not concentrated. Being honest right. You feel like you lost a family member today. Hard day. "

"It was very moving, especially for me is that I had the chance to see Perkins grow from day one, fresh from high school who come here and see the level he has come to a team of championship, "said Paul Pierce." It's definitely emotional. I had the chance to talk with him this afternoon a little, he was certainly injured. The guys around this locker room was pretty painful to see Perk go. "

Nuggets, 2-0 since trading Melo, had their full complement of players, but their best defensive player, Martin, spent the second quarter in the locker room.

New Nuggets Chandler, Danilo Gallinari and Felton went to a slow start, combined to shoot 2 for 12 in the first half, which ended in Denver ahead 37-36.

Denver took a 61-60 in the fourth quarter, when the pace taken lightly.

Pierce led Boston with 17 points, hit a 3-points with 6:05 left that gave a lead of 75-73 in Boston, but the Celtics would not score again.

Chandler 3-pointer put Denver in front of a good, and three-point play by Martin with 3:03 left gave Denver the largest lead to a point at 79-75.

Celtics Eastern Conference leading also dealt reserve Nate Robinson Thunder and scored Nenad Krstic, a future first round draft picks and cash in accordance Perkins.

Earlier in the day, the Celtics draft picks acquired by sending forward Luke Harangody and rookie center Semih Erden in Cleveland and forward Marquis Daniels injured in Sacramento.

With such a short bench for coach Doc Rivers to work with, called the Celtics center Chris Johnson of the D-League, made him sign a contract for 10 days and put right to work. He scored six points.

Once loaded inner dimension, the Celtics now have the hope of Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal to get healthy in time for the playoffs.

"We have healthy Shaq. Shaq will be healthy. But if Shaq plays a lot, this operation was obviously very, very good for us," said Rio.

Participation Krstic center from Thunder, when they returned to the NBA from Russia in December 2008 should help to mitigate the loss of Perkins Boston.

It was not just the Perkins' departure, the Celtics were so sad.

"We lost Semhar, Luca, Quis" Garnett said, stopping. "Just a tough day. A difficult day."Nuggets hope to stay in playoff race in the West after the megadeal that led Gallinari, Felton, Chandler, and Timofey Mazgov Kosta Koufus New York and Minnesota.

"The last two games have probably been more fun for me to coach and win because you play a strong and united," said Karl. "We have too many talented children. It can not be the same story every night, but we'll see how you can score points and we'll find a way to win if we play hard and defend. "

The Celtics are concerned about its chemical composition without Perkins.

"I'm sorry to lose a teammate like Perkins," Pierce said. "He meant so much. People do not understand the chemistry of the bus engine is derived from the dressing room, so it's definitely a shock. It depends on how the other guys to adjust.

Pierce also said that this is an example of the ruthlessness of the NBA for both.

"The nature of business," he said. "People think LeBron James was ice cold in Cleveland the way it is. This is an example of how to do it consistently until the end. It can not be angry with the players, because it can happen to them suddenly, as if the player can be anywhere he wants. It 's just a real character. "

Melo has 27, Knicks Trash Bucks in his NY Debut

NEW YORK - Carmelo Anthony on the big stage debut was a huge success.

Anthony had 27 points and 10 rebounds, hit a pair of clutch buckets down the stretch in front of an audience that cheered his every move than New York beat Milwaukee Bucks 114-108 on Wednesday night in its infancy Knicks.

Anthony made only 10 of 25 shots but had his best closing minutes to help New York to resist because a friend of superstar Amare Stoudemire out of the dirty. He answered the questions of the third most in a game the Knicks debut in 1964, just two points' so Keith Van Horn 29, October 29, 2003.

"I'm just glad I got this game out of my system," Anthony said, adding that the last two days have been both "frantic" and a "roller coaster".

Chauncey Billups, who came to Anthony in Denver on Tuesday to trade blockbuster finished with 21 points and eight assists as the Knicks won for the third consecutive time. Toney Douglas scored 23 points and Stoudemire had 19

John Salmons scored 27 points for the Bucks.

With the fans sing, and Anthony and Billups at the last minute, New York, which corresponds to its total victory of the twenty-ninth of his victory of last season - the plans, but now the Knicks have a lot bigger.

Knicks never had a winning season since Anthony in the NBA and is mired in a stretch of the franchise more than nine consecutive losing seasons. Their revival began when Stoudemire was signed last summer and reached a new level Wednesday, when Anthony is out of the tunnel on the ground where he has averaged 30.4 points, just off Kobe Bryant 30.5 vertices among active players.

He said before the Knicks game could score 120 points per game, and they were not far off, even without any real practice time in their first match together.

Milwaukee has dropped to four, when Antonio was driving on the basis of incorporation with 1:18 left, and his band blow bucket with a clock that goes down to 26 seconds to go made 108-102.

He added two free throws with 11.4 seconds left fans chanting "Melo! Melo!" as he sank a six-point edge. Billups has been rocked by a "Chauncey Billups" song, he then went to the line.

The Knicks gave a lot of the country to be delivered to them first, Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Timofey Mozgov backup plan and Wilson Chandler. But say the price is worth it for the opportunity to pair with Anthony Stoudemire, and locked up in the long run, as Anthony has signed a contract extension on his way out of Denver.

With the building is fully completed before TIPOFF, fans roared as quotes Anthony appeared on the video board before introducing air, since he was born in Brooklyn and wanted to be a former Knicks star Bernard King.

Anthony had a rough, then use their popularity, and soon won his first points of the Knick offensive rebound with 9:37 left in the first quarter.

"I've never experienced anything like this before," said Anthony. "It was a hell of a time for fans to react as they did."

But appeared rusty after playing just last week, and maybe a little 'worn out after the tornado in the All-Star weekend, and his jumper was off all night.

He arrived in New York on Tuesday night and was introduced with Billups on a crowded news conference before the game, "said the crowd was" ready to go to work now. "

Just a quick workout, because players must pass physicals Wednesday, the Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said he put in four or five plays and it would be almost like an All-Star game. The Knicks were sharp early, shooting 59 percent in the first quarter and opening a lead of 11 points early in the second Anthony Dunk.

Milwaukee cut to 59-57 at halftime and grabbed the advantage before the third quarter. The Knicks quickly came forward and were up 86-79 after Douglas was the last of five points of the season, including a 3-pointer 2.6 seconds left.

Knicks Finally Lands Anthony

NEW YORK - The Knicks have agreed to a trade with Denver Nuggets Carmelo Anthony, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Monday night.

The agreement would end the saga of trade throughout the season involving Denver All-Star forward may not be completed until Tuesday during a conference call with the office of the NBA. Assuming it passes through, it puts Anthony Amare Stoudemire together in a potentially explosive frontcourt - a high cost for the Knicks.

The person did not provide other details, which was very, first reported on Monday, Denver Post. Person spoken to AP on condition of anonymity because he was unable to comment listed.

The Post, citing a league source said the Knicks would send Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Mozgova Timofey and 2014 draft pick of the first round of the Nuggets, who have additional and cash equivalents.

With Anthony, Chauncey Billups would acquire New York, Shelden Williams, Renaldo Balkman Anthony Carter and, according to the Post.

Nuggets Anthony has been studied in the store, because he refused to sign a three-year contract extension worth nearly $ 65 million, they offered him last summer. He seemed about to send him to New Jersey Nets on several occasions, but the Knicks increased to provide enough land Anthony, who was believed to prefer New York all the time.

The Knicks hope he could be a uniform on Wednesday when they host the Milwaukee Bucks.

Cav’s Take Vengeance 55-point Defeat Against Lakers

Cleveland - The Lakers hit the All-Star break broken.

Looking nothing like the NBA champions on two occasions, which have dropped their third straight game, the loss of a magnificent 104-99 Wednesday night to the Cleveland Cavaliers - the worst team in the league, who avenged an embarrassing 55 points against Los Angeles last month.

Ramon Sessions came off the bench and scored 32 points for the Cavaliers, who were beaten by the Lakers 112-57 on Jan. 11. This loss was No. 11 in a series record in the league that eventually reached 26 before Cleveland ended last week with an overtime win against the package unless announced in Los Angeles, the Clippers.

Pau Gasol had 30 points and 20 rebounds for the Lakers.

Play the end of a tour of seven games, the Lakers spent much of the night seemed as if they were on vacation. Launched errant passes, forced shots and were unable to reach the Cavs down the stretch, despite a frantic return.

"It's back to the drawing board," said Lamar Odom, who asked what is the best team to do list. "Defense. Cohesion. Our chemistry on offense. I'm not worried. I think that's what we can fix it."
Kobe Bryant finished with 17 points on 8 of 25 shooting. Derek Fisher scored 19 for the Lakers, who committed 19 turnovers and furious Phil Jackson, coach of the normally quiet, he shouted at them during the idle time after inexcusable defensive deficiencies.

Eliminated in Orlando on Sunday is hardly cause for great concern. But a decline of 20 points at Charlotte on Monday, left both Jackson and Bryant silent. They expect more from the Lakers, and they do not see it.

But too bad they played, the Lakers had cut a 10-point lead to two in the last minute. But Anthony Parker and sessions in two free throws each in the last 17.9 seconds.

After the final horn Lakers slowly toward their locker room and returned home not knowing what might happen. With the trade deadline just a week, rumors involving Denver star Carmelo Anthony might heat up.

One thing is clear: Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has to do something to wake your computer.

The Cavs, however, less than half of the official season on a high note.

This was their best season. They played with energy coach Byron Scott wants every night, and have given fans a taste of what might be ahead.

Bryant 3-pointer helped the Lakers cut a 12-point deficit late in the third three, but the Cavs rookie forward Christian Eyenga followed embed Cleveland fans who had just texting "OMG" to friends and one of the best in the league this season.

Eyenga Bryant blew past the basics, reared back his right hand and smashed the ball through the block Gasol made a lazy society. Cleveland's bench erupted scene not to be included here because LeBron James has given them an almost every night.

Jackson seems to have lost patience with his team full of stars, which seemed tired of the way to win.

In the second half, called the Zen Master on Gasol in two separate dead and the coach's 11-time champion has been busy and also show the Lakers what they have erred on its erasable notepad.
Parker's jumper to end the first half capped by the jet 8-0 Cavs.

As his players back on the floor, Jackson sat in his high chair, orthopedic stunned by the shocking ineptitude of his team.

Bryant did not take a loss to Charlotte well, and he was still in a sour mood after the morning shootaround Lakers'. Perhaps it helps that he had to spend two days in the cold in Cleveland, but Bryant was not clearly beyond the performance of Los Angeles on Wednesday.

"Next game," he said dryly.

Bryant, who has been bothered by flu-like symptoms earlier this week refused to discuss what happened against the Bobcats, or if he and his teammates have worked on something in particular.

Things did not start well for the champions. Bryant made his second mistake with 5:37 left in the first quarter en route to the bank, he said something to the referee Kane Fitzgerald and was beaten by a technique. With Bryant, the Cavs have participated in the filming 11-2 and opened a lead of 10 points.

The Lakers were out of sync, and bungled their game was perhaps better in a possession of the second quarter when Gasol has turned and fired a passage where he waited for a teammate to be. There was nobody and the ball jumped into the feet of the coaches in Los Angeles.

LeBron Gets 41 – Heat Tops Pacers 117-112

MIAMI - With LeBron James on the bench, the Pacers took control quickly.

Unfortunately for them, he returned.

Reigning league MVP, twice had 41 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, Chris Bosh added 19 points and the Miami Heat rallied to 14-point deficit to beat Indiana Pacers 117-112 Tuesday night for their seventh straight victory.

Miami held Indiana to 28 percent shooting quarter, giving up just 15 points, while in 1997 the first three periods, and so Mario Chalmers effect Dahntay Jones will be a key for 5 seconds violated 8.9 seconds remaining.

James took care of everything else, and moved to Miami a half game of idle best record in the Eastern Conference in Boston.

"We realized in the fourth quarter," James said. "Held them to 15 points, and we executed."
In his last 20 games, averaging 29.6 points by James, 8.6 rebounds and 7.5 assists. It is no coincidence that the Heat are 17 to 3 in the contest.

"I'll tell you who plays basketball and MVP both ends of the court," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. "I had an engine that no fatigue at night. It was incredible."

James scored 26 points in the first half, sending a dunk through the net and accidentally head Dwyane Wade - "My bad," James said later - and then spend a tear in the last 2 minutes where he transformed what was a 66-52 deficit into a 66-63 game at halftime.

James goes on the attack - behind Danny Granger for a dunk in transition, gushing from the top post and take a pass from Chalmers for a second, so converting a layup as he was moving polluted .

"We would have been up 40 if it were not for him," said Granger. "He was unconscious."
In the end, Miami needed all his heroism.

"The best player in the world was at his best in their building," said Pacers interim coach Frank Vogel, who fell to 4-1 since taking over the sideline Indiana. "It 's hard to beat."

Wade scored 17 and Chalmers added 16 for Miami, who moved five games before the second place in Atlanta, the Southeast Division.

"You do not have to be great every night," Wade said. "We must find a way to help your club win, and we were able to do so."

Roy Hibbert scored 20 points and added 10 rebounds for Indiana. Granger scored 19 and Tyler Hansbrough added 18 for the Pacers.

Indiana's best chance 60 percent less than a point in the second half, and was at 57 percent entering the final quarter. But the Pacers shot 5 for 18 in the fourth, including a section brought to life the terrible heat.

Indiana lost nine straight shots to span nearly 6 1 / 2 minutes, but the position of Granger is 51.9 seconds remaining - the end of a drought - the Pacers got within 111-110.
They needed a stop and could not offer.

Mike Miller missed a 3-pointer, but Bosh grabbed an offensive rebound to extend detention and James at the end of winding connection of 17 feet with 14.1 seconds to play a lead of 113-110 heat.

"A shootout for three quarters, both teams scored the ball, playing in obvious ... and scoring with relative ease," said Spoelstra. "Finally, we made a stand in the fourth quarter."

Darren Collison scored 15 points, Josh McRoberts added 12 and Jones scored 11 of Indiana, who tried to get to Boston and Dallas team that has beaten twice this season in Miami.

Heat has spoken to both Monday and Tuesday pre-game seeking to avenge the 93-77 loss at home to the Pacers on Nov. 22. It was easily his worst defeat of the season - look at the margin of 16 points in this game have exceeded the margin of 13 points from their four other total loss to Miami.

The words do not translate in games. At least for much of the night does not mean they do not.
With James on the ground in the first two quarters, Miami dominated Indiana with 11 Without him, the heat has outperformed by 14 - and it happened quickly.

James just had a break in the first half, 3 minutes, 35 seconds rest early in the second quarter. New York and Miami dominated 18-4 in that stretch to turn a 33-29 deficit into a 45-37 lead when James came back in the game.

It was not until 4:34 remained in the room of Miami to return to the top, comes when Erick Dampier hit the back of Miss Wade by a border of 106 to 105 - the first conductor of heat from opening two minutes of the second quarter.

Pacers did not lead again.

"If we want the size, fit together," said Spoelstra. "And we're not there yet."