Report: Paul to undergo knee surgery

January 31, 2010

New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul(notes) will have arthroscopic knee surgery andcould be sidelined for one to two months, Yahoo! Sports reported Sunday night.

Paul first hurt his left knee in a game at Golden State on Wednesday. Then,near the end of regulation Friday night against the Chicago Bulls, the All-Starwent out of bounds to chase an errant pass and struck a camera on the same spotthat bothered him two nights earlier.

Yahoo! Sports, citing unidentified sources close to Paul, reported that testresults revealed a partially torn meniscus.

General manager and coach Jeff Bower did not respond to a text message fromThe Associated Press late Sunday night seeking comment. Hornets spokesman HaroldKaufman said he could not confirm whether Paul needed surgery until afterspeaking with the team’s medical staff following Monday morning’s shootaround.

Paul, who also missed eight games this season because of a sprained leftankle, is averaging 20.4 points and 11.2 assists this season.

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Rex Ryan sorry for gesture at MMA event

January 31, 2010

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP)—New York Jets coach Rex Ryan apologized Sunday for makingan obscene gesture at a mixed martial arts event.

Ryan was booed Saturday night while doing a TV interview at the MMA event inthe Bank Atlantic Center, the Florida Panthers’ home arena. He was smiling whencaught making the gesture by a cell phone camera.

“It was stupid and inappropriate,” Ryan said. “I wouldn’t accept thattype of behavior from one of the coaches or players and it’s unacceptable fromme. I apologize to the Jets organization, the National Football League and NFLfans everywhere.”

Ryan led the Jets to the AFC championship game after they went 9-7 duringthe season to earn a wild card in his first year as an NFL head coach. He madeheadlines with his confident statements, including saying the Jets should be thefavorite to win the Super Bowl when the playoffs began.

He previously had a verbal feud with Miami linebacker Channing Crowder(notes), anddeep in Dolphins territory, he was a likely target for boos.

Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum added the organization will address thematter internally.

“Rex showed extremely poor judgment and his conduct was inappropriate. Heknows he was wrong, has apologized and we have accepted his apology,”Tannenbaum said in a statement.

Ryan could be subject to a league fine under the NFL’s personal conductpolicy.

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Kobe’s late hoop lifts Lakers by Celtics

January 31, 2010

BOSTON (AP)—Kobe Bryant(notes) sank a go-ahead fallaway jumper with 7.3 seconds leftto give the Los Angeles Lakers a 90-89 victory over Boston on Sunday and sendthe struggling Celtics to their sixth loss in eight games.

The Celtics, who led by 11 points in the fourth quarter, nursed a one-pointlead until Paul Pierce(notes) was called for an offensive foul for pushing off as hejumped to shoot with 28 seconds left.

Bryant, who shot just 8 for 20 in the game, dribbled down the shot clockbefore stepping back from defender Ray Allen(notes) and making a basket to give LosAngeles the lead.

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Bryant finished with 19, and Andrew Bynum(notes) had 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Rajon Rondo(notes) had 21 points and 12 assists for the Celtics.

The Celtics led 81-70 before the Lakers made the next four baskets. RasheedWallace(notes) hit a 3-pointer—his only basket of the game—to stop the run, and itwas still a three-point game with less than two minutes left when Bryant hit apair of free throws to make it 87-86.

It was 89-88 when Pierce was called for pushing off. Bryant, who complainedof a sore ankle after Friday night’s win in Philadelphia, gave the Lakers thelead, then Allen’s 3-point attempt at the final buzzer bounced harmlessly offthe rim.

Pau Gasol(notes) had 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who won their fourthstraight game and beat Boston for the third consecutive time since losing Game 6of the 2008 NBA finals to watch the Celtics clinch their 17th championship.

Pierce scored 15, Kevin Garnett(notes) had 10 with nine rebounds and KendrickPerkins(notes) finished with eight points and 10 boards for the Celtics, who werecoming off losses to Orlando and Atlanta—two of the top four teams in theEastern Conference—that left them at 6-10 since beating the Magic on ChristmasDay.

Garnett missed 10 of those games with a hyperextended right knee, and Bostonwas 4-6 without him. But Garnett’s return hasn’t solved all the Celtics’problems.

The Celtics fell behind 22-10 in the first quarter, when Bynum scored 12points, and trailed 40-34 midway through the second before scoring the next 15points. Rondo had nine points and eight assists in the quarter and was in doubledigits in both by halftime.

NOTES: Garnett finished the game with 21,773 career points, 18 behind LarryBird for 24th on the NBA scoring list. … Bryant is 28 points behind Jerry Westfor No. 1 on the Lakers’ all-time list. … Wallace and Gasol picked uptechnical fouls late in the first. It’s Wallace’s 14th for the season; 16 is anautomatic suspension. … The Lakers outscored Boston on points in the paint18-0 in the fourth quarter. … Allen was 2 for 10 from the field.

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Clippers C Kaman out against Cavaliers

January 31, 2010

CLEVELAND (AP)—Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman(notes) missed his secondstraight game Sunday night against Cleveland because of a sprained left ankle.

Kaman, who leads the Clippers with 20.2 points a game and is second on theteam with 9.1 rebounds, participated in pregame warmups, but the decision wasmade that he would sit out. He also missed Friday night’s game at Minnesota. TheClippers are 0-5 without Kaman, who is listed as day-to-day.

Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said Kaman was getting better but wasn’t sureif he could run and cut on the ankle.

Kaman was injured in the third quarter against New Jersey on Jan. 27, butfinished the game.

Second-year center DeAndre Jordan(notes) started in Kaman’s place against theCavaliers.

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AFC beats NFC 41-34 in Pro Bowl

January 31, 2010

MIAMI (AP)—In its new role as a warmup to the Super Bowl, the Pro Bowl becamea series of wind sprints.

Long gains were the rule and hard hitting was the exception as the AFC beatthe NFC 41-34 on Sunday night.

Light showers fell for much of the game, stirring memories of a rainy SuperBowl in Miami three years ago. But uniforms remained mostly spotless, with morepushing and shoving than tackling.

“It’s different. It was like 7 on 7,” NFC linebacker Brian Orakpo(notes) said.“Everybody came out here trying not to get hurt and give the fans a good show”

Miami Miami Dolphins safety Yeremiah… AP – Jan 31, 11:14 pm EST Houston Texans quarterback Mat… AP – Jan 31, 11:12 pm EST Houston Texans quarterback Mat… AP – Jan 31, 11:06 pm EST Philadelphia Eagles' Jon D… AP – Jan 31, 11:06 pm EST Houston Texans quarterback Mat… AP – Jan 31, 11:06 pm EST Houston Texans quarterback Mat… AP – Jan 31, 11:06 pm EST Houston Texans quarterback Mat… AP – Jan 31, 10:48 pm EST Tennessee Titans running back … AP – Jan 31, 10:38 pm EST Cincinnati Bengals wide receiv… AP – Jan 31, 10:00 pm EST Dallas Cowboys wide receiver M… AP – Jan 31, 10:00 pm EST Jacksonville Jaguars running b… AP – Jan 31, 9:57 pm EST San Diego Chargers wide receiv… AP – Jan 31, 9:36 pm EST Philadelphia Eagles quarterbac… AP – Jan 31, 9:36 pm EST San Diego Chargers wide receiv… AP – Jan 31, 9:36 pm EST New Orleans Saints' Darren… AP – Jan 31, 9:34 pm EST New Orleans Saints' Drew B… AP – Jan 31, 9:33 pm EST Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker… AP – Jan 31, 9:33 pm EST AFC team coach Norv Turner is … AP – Jan 31, 9:33 pm EST Philadelphia Eagles quarterbac… AP – Jan 31, 9:17 pm EST Philadelphia Eagles wide recei… AP – Jan 31, 9:16 pm EST Arizona Cardinals defensive en… AP – Jan 31, 9:16 pm EST Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker… AP – Jan 31, 8:50 pm EST Tennessee Titans quarterback V… AP – Jan 31, 8:50 pm EST Dallas Cowboys quarterback Ton… AP – Jan 31, 8:46 pm EST Green Bay Packers quarterback … AP – Jan 31, 8:45 pm EST Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker… AP – Jan 31, 8:37 pm EST Cleveland Browns' Joshua C… AP – Jan 31, 8:35 pm EST New York Giants wide receiver … AP – Jan 31, 8:30 pm EST Dallas Cowboys cornerback Mike… AP – Jan 31, 8:29 pm EST Denver Broncos wide receiver B… AP – Jan 31, 8:29 pm EST New York Giants wide receiver … AP – Jan 31, 8:29 pm EST Tennessee Titans running back … AP – Jan 31, 8:28 pm EST Oakland Raiders kicker Shane L… AP – Jan 31, 8:21 pm EST Houston Texans quarterback Mat… AP – Jan 31, 8:05 pm EST Fans watch as players are intr… AP – Jan 31, 8:04 pm EST New Orleans Saints quarterback… AP – Jan 31, 8:04 pm EST Indianapolis Colts quarterback… AP – Jan 31, 8:03 pm EST Green Bay Packers safety Nick … AP – Jan 31, 8:03 pm EST Indianapolis Colts quarterback… AP – Jan 31, 8:03 pm EST New Orleans Saints quarterback… AP – Jan 31, 8:03 pm EST Indianapolis Colts quarterback… AP – Jan 31, 8:03 pm EST Green Bay Packers quarterback … AP – Jan 31, 8:02 pm EST Indianapolis Colts quarterback… AP – Jan 31, 8:02 pm EST Indianapolis Colts quarterback… AP – Jan 31, 8:02 pm EST Oakland Raiders kicker Shane L… AP – Jan 31, 8:01 pm EST New Orleans Saints Drew Brees(… AP – Jan 31, 8:01 pm EST New Orleans Saints quarterback… AP – Jan 31, 8:01 pm EST Cleveland Browns' Joshua C… AP – Jan 31, 8:00 pm EST New Orleans Saints quarterback… AP – Jan 31, 8:00 pm EST Cleveland Browns' Joshua C… AP – Jan 31, 8:00 pm EST A fan takes some pictures befo… AP – Jan 31, 8:00 pm EST Former Miami Dolphins player N… AP – Jan 31, 6:11 pm EST Former Miami Dolphins quarterb… AP – Jan 31, 5:57 pm EST Former Miami Dolphins head coa… AP – Jan 31, 5:56 pm EST Former Miami Dophins head coac… AP – Jan 31, 5:53 pm EST Former Miami Dolphins head coa… AP – Jan 31, 5:53 pm EST Fans arrive at Sun Life Stadiu… AP – Jan 31, 5:18 pm EST A vendor holds up a program ou… AP – Jan 31, 5:04 pm EST Olivia Fay, 9, of Miami spins … AP – Jan 31, 5:02 pm EST FILE – This Sept. 20, 2009, fi… AP – Jan 31, 4:30 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 59; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = 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Matt Schaub(notes) of the Houston Texans threw for 189 yards and two AFC scores,and was chosen the most valuable player.

“It’s a game you watch growing up as a kid and wonder if you could ever bein,” Schaub said. “To actually be a part of it is incredible.”

Aaron Rodgers(notes) also threw two touchdown passes, and NFC teammate DeSeanJackson(notes) had two scoring catches.

From the standpoint of ticket sales, this year’s new venue and slot on theleague calendar was a success. The crowd of 70,697 was the largest for a ProBowl since 1959 in Los Angeles.

Spectators included Peyton Manning(notes), Drew Brees(notes) and other Pro Bowl playersfrom the Super Bowl teams. Manning and the Indianapolis Colts will face Breesand the New Orleans Saints on the same field next Sunday in the biggest game ofthe season.

The NFL sought to transform the Pro Bowl into a bigger game by playing itbefore the Super Bowl for the first time. In a one-year experiment, the leaguealso moved the game from Honolulu, its home since 1980.

The stadium was half empty by the third quarter, perhaps partly because ofthe rain and temperatures in the 60s. It was sunny and 82 in Honolulu at gametime.

Did the weather dampen the players’ enthusiasm for Miami?

“It’s beautiful. It’s paradise,” NFC receiver Steve Smith said. “Too badit’s not Hawaii.”

Eager to host more big events, the Dolphins have proposed adding a roof thatwould cover fans as part of stadium improvements that could cost $250 million ormore. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says the upgrades are needed if SouthFlorida is to remain competitive in bidding for future Super Bowls.

Nearly 40 percent of the players originally selected for the game didn’tplay. One of the AFC replacements, David Garrard(notes), threw for 183 yards, includinga 48-yard touchdown to Vincent Jackson(notes).

“It’s so awesome,” Garrard said. “One of my goals coming into the gamewas to just be relevant and show all the people who said, `What is he doing inthere? The Pro Bowl has dropped off a few pegs,’ that I do belong.”

Vincent Jackson made seven catches for 122 yards. Chad Ochocinco(notes) had a40-yard reception but didn’t do any kicking after practicing placements andpunts for the AFC during the week.

“That’s OK. It was fun anyway,” Ochocinco said.

DeSean Jackson scored on a 7-yard pass from Rodgers and a 58-yard pass fromDonovan McNabb(notes), his regular quarterback with the Eagles.

“I’m just out here having a great time,” Jackson said. “And at the sametime I’m trying to put out a little effort.”

There were plenty of other big plays. Joshua Cribbs(notes) caught a punt at thegoal line and returned it 65 yards. A penalty negated LaMarr Woodley’s(notes)64-interception return for a touchdown.

“I slowed up to get a little camera time,” Woodley said.

The AFC totaled 517 yards and the NFC 470. Both teams threw for more than400 yards.

Redskins linebacker London Fletcher(notes), a 12-year veteran playing in his firstPro Bowl, found the AFC’s offensive approach exhausting.

“They came out with a bunch of screens and had us running around,”Fletcher said.

But there were no complaints from Fletcher’s teammate on defense, first-timePro Bowler Justin Smith(notes) of the 49ers.

“The pace is nice,” Smith said. “You don’t have to worry about workingtoo hard.”

The game will return to Honolulu in 2011 and 2012, but the league hasn’tdecided whether to hold those games before or after the Super Bowl. The Pro Bowlsite for 2013 and beyond hasn’t been determined.

Written by chris · Filed Under Football | Leave a Comment

Amare, Nash help Suns snap road skid

January 31, 2010

HOUSTON (AP)—The Phoenix Suns finally figured out how to win the kind of roadgame they’ve been losing lately.

Amare Stoudemire scored a season-high 36 points, Steve Nash(notes) handed out 16assists and the Suns snapped a five-game road losing streak with a 115-111overtime victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday night.

Nash scored 11 points and grabbed a season-high eight rebounds, and GrantHill(notes) added 19 points for the Suns, who got their first road win since a 113-109victory in Sacramento on Jan. 5. Their last road win before that came on Nov. 29in Toronto.

Phoenix Phoenix Suns center Robin Lope… AP – Jan 31, 10:40 pm EST Houston Rockets guard Trevor A… AP – Jan 31, 10:31 pm EST Houston Rockets coach Rick Ade… AP – Jan 31, 10:29 pm EST Phoenix Suns center Robin Lope… AP – Jan 31, 10:25 pm EST Phoenix Suns center Robin Lope… AP – Jan 31, 8:50 pm EST Houston Rockets' Luis Scol… AP – Jan 31, 8:36 pm EST Houston Rockets' Luis Scol… AP – Jan 31, 8:36 pm EST Phoenix Suns forward Amare Sto… AP – Jan 31, 8:35 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 7; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.75c07d004d514d73b5704a0d8280f790.suns_rockets_txsc107.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=252&hc=280&q=70&sig=jzdZ.d4HmZy0T8FJ8Wylug--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.36f3b528779c48a7a3ff0583cb5d4d3e.suns_rockets_basketball_txsc106.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=60&yc=1&wc=291&hc=323&q=70&sig=m44kls6Rj3yp77D2B9_bsA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.fcb5c479f49e42c68ecc55d174c1980f.suns_rockets_basketball_txsc105.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=245&hc=272&q=70&sig=orTwwdZrdelzKNcH8LMBVw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.411cc05867ec40afb552c765787aea8f.suns_rockets_basketball_txsc104.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=251&hc=279&q=70&sig=SpIMBpvfTt4dNH8.GePDWw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.ca5a575a72cc45e8b555a54f10426dfb.suns_rockets_basketball_txsc102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=45&yc=1&wc=321&hc=357&q=70&sig=UsOxYJkQm0blHcccHyVwLA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.de768a15b454412da5190eb17d184efc.suns_rockets_basketball_txsc101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=45&yc=1&wc=321&hc=357&q=70&sig=RnDLJxbwAQN4yqiLwSpASg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.98cc717ad155436996a7f98c8c979118.suns_rockets_basketball_txsc101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=297&hc=330&q=70&sig=S4LadF9o02D6xyQlBF3zyQ--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 8 Pho-Hou Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

“A lot of things didn’t go our way, and we found a way to hang around andget it done,” Nash said. “On the road, the way we’ve lost a lot of games likethat this year, to have the toughness to continue and find different ways to winthe game was exciting.”

Aaron Brooks(notes) scored 24 points after shooting poorly in the first half andTrevor Ariza(notes) had 21 for the Rockets, who’ve lost five of their last eight games.

The Rockets shot 38 percent (40 of 106), but overcame poor shooting withstingy defense in the second half to make it close at the end.

Brooks hit a pull-up jumper with 1:18 left in regulation to cut the Suns’lead to 97-96. Nash was called for a technical foul, claiming Brooks pushed offbefore the shot. Brooks sank the resulting free throw to tie it, but Nash sank a3-pointer with 1:08 to go for a 100-97 Suns’ lead.

Ariza tied it with a 3-pointer from the corner with 11.3 seconds remaining.Nash fell as he threw up a last-second shot that came up short at the buzzer.

The Suns led by 18 early, and had blown leads of 15 points or more fivetimes this season. But Nash remained confident in this one, even after the gamewent to an extra period.

“I still felt like we could find a way to win,” Nash said. “We had a goodenergy about us and we were tough enough tonight to dig through it.”

Stoudemire fouled out with 3:08 left in the overtime and the scored tied at104. Jason Richardson(notes) finished a fast break with a layup, then scored again offa set play as the Suns took a 111-107 lead.

Brooks hit a free throw and Luis Scola(notes) scored in the lane to pull Houstonwithin one. Jared Dudley(notes) sank two free throws with 5.3 seconds left, and theSuns fouled Brooks before he could shoot a tying 3.

Brooks made the first free throw, then was called for a lane violation whenhe threw the ball off the rim and tried to get his own rebound. Nash hit twofree throws with 3.6 seconds left to clinch the victory.

“Everybody, from the second unit on down, showed great tenacity,”Stoudemire said. “We had to scrap for it, but we had enough professionalism topull it out in the end.”

The Rockets missed 14 of their first 16 shots and quickly trailed by 13.Chase Budinger’s(notes) driving layup with 4:24 left in the first quarter snappedHouston’s 6-minute scoring drought, but Richardson immediately dunked analley-oop pass from Hill for a 21-8 lead.

Phoenix stretched the lead to 56-38 in the second quarter, as Houston’sstarters continued to misfire. Brooks, coming off a 33-point game againstPortland on Friday, went 1 for 7 from the field in the first half. Scola andShane Battier(notes) both went 2 for 7.

“We shot the ball terrible in the first half,” Brooks said. “We shot theball terrible pretty much the whole game, but our defense is what allowed us tostay in the game.”

Phoenix led 60-48 at the break, and Stoudemire swished three jumpers fromthe top of the key early in the third quarter. From there, the Rockets tightenedtheir defense and mounted a 16-2 run. Brooks sank back-to-back 3-pointers to cutthe deficit to 68-67, and Scola tipped in Ariza’s miss to put the Rockets up byone.

Nash delivered five assists in the final three minutes of the third quarter,and Phoenix took a 79-73 lead to the fourth.

NOTES: Stoudemire has 16 double-doubles this season. … G Will Conroy(notes),recalled from the Rockets’ developmental league affiliate on Thursday, made hisHouston debut in the first quarter. Conroy replaced regular backup point guardKyle Lowry(notes), who’s out at least a week with a sprained left knee. … The Rocketswent 11 for 34 from 3-point range, a season high for attempts.

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Amare, Nash carry Suns by Rockets in OT