NBA News: Pro Sports Daily

Pistons' Rodney Stuckey, Ben Wallace expected to return, come off the bench Friday

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March 19

Detroit Free Press

"It looks like the Pistons will be at full strength Friday at Indianapolis. Rodney Stuckey and Ben Wallace were full participants in Thursday's workout at the practice facility, and coach John Kuester is cautiously optimistic that both would be available for the game. Kuester said both players looked good, but because they have missed so much time, they will come off the bench whenever they return. "With both of those guys, they'll come off the bench," Kuester said after Thursday's practice. "They've been out the past two weeks, or close to two weeks for Stuckey, and that's what we're going to do right now." Stuckey has missed six games since he collapsed and was carried from Quicken Loans ..."

Boozer's agent, Jazz officials have 'very, very positive' huddle

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March 19

Salt Lake Tribune

"For the first time since the controversy of last summer, Jazz chief executive Greg Miller met in person Wednesday with Rob Pelinka, the agent for Carlos Boozer. Also present were Jazz president Randy Rigby and general manager Kevin O'Connor, though Miller was believed to have done most of the talking. The meeting in Utah was said to have been "very, very positive" between the sides. It was unknown if the Jazz committed to trying to re-sign Boozer this summer as a free agent, but the team did praise Boozer for contributing to the Jazz's success on the court as well as to the chemistry in the locker room this season. Boozer was honored as Western Conference Player of the Month for February ..."

Jordan: Owning team is 'dream come true'

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March 19

Charlotte Observer

"Michael Jordan wasted no time Thursday making sure everyone knew he was quite literally taking ownership of the Charlotte Bobcats. He said he is open to changing the team's nickname. He said he now owns 80 percent of the team and is going to do things his way. He said he will have a home in Charlotte - although he still won't live here full-time - and that he plans to partner closely with city leaders to increase the franchise's buzz factor, community-service efforts and bottom line. Over and over, Jordan stressed that you would see and hear from him more. He sounded ready to dive in rather than dabble. He called the chance to become the first former NBA player to own a team - especially ..."

Nuggets hope to get Lawson back next week

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March 19

Denver Post

"It could be another week before Nuggets guard Ty Lawson gets back into games for Denver. The stellar rookie guard sat glumly on the bench Thursday, missing his 10th straight game due to his bruised shoulder. The Nuggets have remained optimistic that Lawson's injury won't be long term, but Lawson's progress has been slower than expected. "He's shooting around but not making any (physical) contact," acting Nuggets coach Adrian Dantley said. Lawson is optimistic he can return next week, and Denver could use his services, because the team will likely be fatigued during a grueling five-game road trip, beginning Tuesday at New York."

Wizard's Blatche is "50-50" for Portland, Gee signs second 10-day contract

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March 19

Washington Post

"Andray Blatche was unable to practice on Thursday, two days after he sprained his left ankle late in the fourth-quarter of the Wizards' 97-87 loss to the Denver Nuggets. Blatche received treatment, iced his ankle, and was limited to shooting stand-still jumpers with assistant Gene Banks. But he said he expects to play on Friday night in Portland. "It's a little tender. I'm going to try to play - no, I'm not going to try, I'm going to play," Blatche said. "I'm just going to work through it." Coach Flip Saunders wasn't as optimistic about Blatche's availability, which might be a game-time decision. "It's 50-50," he said. "He was still pretty sore, pretty ginger." Blatche hurt himself ..."

Hansbrough: Still no diagnosis

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March 19

Indianapolis Star

"Indiana Pacers rookie forward Tyler Hansbrough is miserable. He never thought his first NBA season would be spent in street clothes, shuffling in and out of doctors' offices trying to figure out what's wrong. But that's what Hansbrough has dealt with this season. His latest problem -- an inner ear infection and/or possible concussion -- has kept him sidelined for most of the past two-plus months. The Pacers aren't expecting him to return this season. "It really is miserable for me to be dealing with this injury," Hansbrough said recently. "I've never had an injury like this where it's kept me out a long time. It's something I'm trying to get over and get healthy." Hansbrough's current ..."

Wizard's Oberto's heart gets a checkup

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March 19

Washington Post

"Fabricio Oberto said he felt a little freer, a little lighter during Thursday's practice, the first time in nearly a week that the Washington Wizards reserve forward was allowed do his regular routine without being linked to a heart monitor. Oberto played in four of the past five games with three wires and patches attached to his chest and an electrocardiography monitor connected to his shorts. The device and wires were attached to him continuously for seven days -- when he slept and showered -- and was a part of his continued care following a procedure Oberto had last June to correct an irregular heartbeat. "I don't worry about it. It's just when you move, you feel all the sticks and ..."

Orlando Magic forward Mickael Pietrus will miss time

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March 19

Orlando Sentinel

"Magic SF Mickael Pietrus said he hopes to miss just a week after spraining his right ankle on Wednesday night in the club's victory against the San Antonio Spurs. "I'm praying," he said, watching his team warm up while wearing a protective boot. Pietrus missed his fifth game of the season on Thursday night as the Magic faced the Miami Heat. Pietrus said he underwent an MRI, which proved negative. He sprained his right ankle in February, but missed just one game. He said he knew immediately this sprain was worse. "On that one, the next day, I was like, 'OK, I'm good,' but now, this one is much worse," he said. Pietrus grotesquely turned the ankle without making contact with another player ..."

Rockets Lowry deals with pain of sprained ankle

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March 19

Houston Chronicle

"Rockets guard Kyle Lowry sat out Thursday's practice a day after leaving the court with a sprained left ankle but said he would play tonight against the Boston Celtics. "He's really sore," coach Rick Adelman said. "He says he's going to play. I just think it's probably something he's going to have to live with and we're going to have to live with the rest of the year. He's probably not going to practice that much and (just) play the games. "Of course, you look at our schedule, we probably don't have many practices left." With guard Kevin Martin also out on Thursday — he was sent home with a cold — the Rockets went through just a short, light practice. They are not expected to have a full ..."