Mavs’ Rondo, Rockets’ Howard recruiting Smith

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Rajon Rondo and Josh Smith could be teammates again. (USATSI) The Dallas Mavericks are one of Josh Smith’s options as a free agent, and the presence of point guard Rajon Rondo is one of the reasons why the Mavs seem appealing. The forward, who was recently (and surprisingly) released by the Detroit Pistons, was teammates and roommates with Rondo at Oak Hill Academy. The two of them have talked
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Report: Nets unwilling to send Plumlee to Kings

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Mason Plumlee and Deron Williams will reportedly remain Nets for now. (USATSI) The Sacramento Kings and Brooklyn Nets reportedly discussed a trade recently involving point guard Deron Williams and big man Mason Plumlee. In the theoretical deal, Sacramento would have sent point guard Darren Collison and forwards Derrick Williams and Jason Thompson to Brooklyn. Now, according to ESPN’s Chris
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Scott hasn’t decided whether Kobe will play Tue.

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Lakers coach Byron Scott told the media he is unsure if guard Kobe Bryant will play Tuesday against the Warriors.”[I] haven’t made my mind up yet,” Scott said.Bryant has not missed a game this season, but after Sunday’s loss to the Kings, Bryant said his body is feeling fatigued and resting may be his only option.The Lakers are 8 1/2–point underdogs to the Warriors.
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Report: Durant (ankle) out Tuesday vs. Blazers

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The Thunder ruled forward Kevin Durant out of Tuesday’s game against the Trail Blazers, reports The Oklahoman.It will be the third straight game Durant has missed since suffering a sprained ankle Dec. 18 against the Warriors. Forward Perry Jones is expected to replace Durant in the starting lineup for the third straight game. Perry has averaged 6.0 points in his last two
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Stan Van Gundy: Cutting Smith fair thing to do

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Stan Van Gundy wanted to be fair to Josh Smith. (USATSI)The Detroit Pistons made big news on Monday when they used their stretch provision to waive Josh Smith from the team and essentially eat the $26 million owed to him over the next two season. While the payout will come over a five-year period, the team thought it was best to not have him on the team at all in the present and not have to
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Report: 76ers want Kirilenko to report, play

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Andrei Kirilenko isn’t just going to be released. (USATSI)The Philadelphia 76ers traded for Andrei Kirilenko almost two weeks ago when the Brooklyn Nets were dumping salary from an underperforming team. The Nets sent Jorgie Gutierrez and a second-round pick along with Kirilenko to the Sixers for Brandon Davies. Kirilenko has yet to report to the 76ers, mostly due to a medical family issue that
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Hayward, Jazz hand Grizzlies 3rd straight loss

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) The Memphis Grizzlies limped into the Christmas break on a three-game losing streak and tired legs.After losing to Eastern Conference foes Chicago and Cleveland over the weekend, Memphis showed signs of fatigue in not being able to counter Utah’s youth, allowing the Jazz to beat the Grizzlies 97-91 on Monday night.”We just didn’t have the effort we were supposed to have to
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Harden’s 44 lead Rockets over Blazers, 110-95

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HOUSTON (AP) James Harden wouldn’t admit he was thinking about last season in Houston’s first game against Portland since the Trail Blazers eliminated the Rockets from the playoffs in the first round.Dwight Howard was certain he was.”I know it’s kind of like a weight off his back because of what happened in the playoffs against Portland,” Howard said. ”And (Monday) he just destroyed them.”
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Thompson, Curry help Warriors whip Kings, 128-108

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OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) The Golden State Warriors too often let lesser competition keep games close – and allowed a few of them to slip away – on their home court last season.That doesn’t appear to be a problem anymore.The Warriors eased past the struggling Sacramento Kings 128-108 on Monday night, the kind of all-around performance that has defined their strong start under new coach Steve Kerr.All
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Parker returns, leads Spurs past Clippers, 125-118

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SAN ANTONIO (AP) San Antonio point guard Tony Parker watched helplessly as the Spurs were drained emotionally and physically by four straight defeats, including a pair of crushing losses at home in triple overtime.He saw the frustration and despair weigh on his teammates, especially longtime running mate Manu Ginobili, who was forced to play extended minutes as the team’s lone playmaker.Parker
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