March 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Hawks have enjoyed good fortune with injuries this season but will have to do without their best player for at least a game and probably two. Guard Joe Johnson (sore Achilles) didn't accompany the team to New Jersey on Monday and has been ruled out for the game on Tuesday night. He's also likely to miss the game at Toronto on Wednesday. Guard Mike Bibby (back) made the flight but is questionable for Tuesday. Johnson will miss his first game of the season and just his fourth since 2007-08. He wasn't available for comment after practice Monday because he was getting treatment. Hawks players have missed just 16 games due to injury or personal reasons this season, the lowest total by far ..."
March 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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It looks like the Hawks' good fortune with injuries finally has ended. Joe Johnson (sore Achilles') is not on the Hawks' team flight. He's been ruled out for New Jersey tomorrow and probably is out for Thursday Wednesday at Toronto, too. Mike Bibby (back) made the flight but is questionable for New Jersey. J.J. will miss his first game of the season and just his fourth since 2007-08. He wasn't available for comment because he was getting treatment (and napping, as is his custom). "I've always said when somebody goes down it gives somebody else a chance to step up and play," Woody said before J.J. was officially ruled out. "That's why I tell guys they've always got to be ready.""
March 15
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley missed his second consecutive game Sunday due to a bruised left thigh. Beasley arrived at AmericanAirlines Arena more than four hours before his team faced the Philadelphia 76ers, but was unable to push through a pregame workout. "I just can't push off on it the way I need to yet," he said, having sustained the injury in the third quarter of Wednesday's victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. "But it feels a whole lot better than when I did it and a lot better than the past two days.""
March 10
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Realistically, the return of New Orleans Hornets All-Star guard Chris Paul is two weeks away at a minimum. As the Hornets prepare to play their 19th consecutive game without him - and the 27th overall this season - Paul remains sidelined as a result of Feb. 4 arthroscopic surgery to remove the torn portion of the meniscus cartilage in his left knee, a convalescence originally termed to last four to six weeks. Five weeks after the surgery, Paul still has not been cleared to begin running, and the Hornets, who travel to Oklahoma City to face likely playoff participant Oklahoma City tonight at the Ford Center, are hopeful their postseason aspirations aren't vanishing while their leader ..."
March 10
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Ronnie Brewer, injured in his first game after being acquired by the Grizzlies in a trade, could return to the team early next week. Ronnie Brewer is experiencing very little pain these days, unless you count the agony of sitting out while the Grizzlies try to earn a playoff spot. The 6-7 swingman, acquired Feb. 18 in a trade with Utah, is recovering nicely from a partially torn right hamstring and could return to action early next week. Brewer's rehabilitation took a giant step Tuesday afternoon when he participated in his first noncontact practice since suffering the injury Feb. 19. Brewer won't be available tonight when the Grizzlies play at Boston against the Celtics. But his return ..."
March 7
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The Grizzlies are still working toward a contract extension for coach Lionel Hollins, two months after team owner Michael Heisley initiated negotiations. "It's in my hands," Heisley said when asked about the status of contract talks. Hollins is working on a 17-month deal he signed Jan. 25, 2009 to replace Marc Iavaroni. Neither side would disclose the nature of the discussions nor why talks are still ongoing. Hollins, though, didn't sound concerned when asked about the situation Saturday night before the Griz hosted the San Antonio Spurs. "I talked to Mike when I was in Chicago. I think it'll get done," Hollins said while taping The Lionel Hollins Show, which posts today on ..."
March 7
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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Because it's all about July 1, 2010, another no-pretense look into what everyone is wondering about, anyway. -- An impending free agent if he opts out, Phoenix Suns forward Amare Stoudemire acknowledged last week that his best avenue this summer could be a sign-and-trade to one of his prime suitors from last month's trading deadline. Of course, acquiring Stoudemire in a trade, as opposed to free agency, would be huge for the Miami Heat, because it then could retain its Bird Rights with players such as Udonis Haslem, Dorell Wright, Jermaine O'Neal and Quentin Richardson (or at least those left after a trade), and therefore be able to exceed the salary cap to retain its incumbent free ..."
March 7
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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Rafter Alston's comeback with the Miami Heat apparently has come to an end. The veteran point guard was suspended indefinitely without pay Saturday after failing to make himself available to the team. Alston failed to report for practice Friday, which the team did not initially disclose, and then did not appear at Saturday's victory over the Atlanta Hawks. According to the team, as of early Sunday morning Alston had not made himself available other than by text message. His abrupt departure from the team came a day after he was demoted from his starting role in Thursday's overtime victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Alston, who was signed Jan. 7 to add punch to a shaky rotation at point ..."