Report: Josh Smith plans to sign with Rockets

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Forward Josh Smith, stunningly waived by the Pistons on Monday, has committed to sign with the Rockets when he clears waivers at 5 p.m ET, reports Yahoo Sports. An earlier report indicated Houston promised Smith he’d be a starter.Smith averaged 13.1 points and 7.2 rebounds for Detroit while shooting a career-low 39.1 percent in 28 games. The Rockets were among several
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Rockets sign McHale to three-year extension

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The Rockets signed coach Kevin McHale to a three-year extension worth more than $12 million, reports ESPN. McHale was in the final year of his contract.He’s 153-104 in three-plus seasons with the Rockets. “He is the winningest coach in Rockets’ history and knows what it takes to win championships,” general manager Daryl Morey said on Twitter.
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Lakers plan to cut Kobe’s minutes in games

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Lakers coach Byron Scott plans to reduce Kobe Bryant’s minutes to 32 per game, including sitting him at the end of the first and third quarters, reports the Los Angeles Daily News. Bryant is shooting a career-low 37.2 percent while averaging 35.4 minutes.Scott also indicated he’ll run fewer plays for Bryant and that he’s asked his 36-year-old star to defer more to his
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Report: Cavs’ Varejao (Achilles) out for season

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Cavaliers starting center Anderson Varejao will miss the rest of the season after landing awkwardly and tearing his Achilles tendon in Tuesday’s win over the Timberwolves, reports Yahoo Sports. Varejao was averaging 9.8 points and 6.5 rebounds in 24.5 minutes per game.Tristan Thompson is expected to move into the starting lineup. He’s averaged 8.8 points and 7.1 rebounds
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Hollins: Williams will be a sub when he returns

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Nets coach Lionel Hollins said point guard Deron Williams will come off the bench when he returns from his strained calf, reports ESPN.com. Williams declined to talk to reporters.Williams practiced Wednesday, a sign he might be available Friday when the Nets visit the Celtics. He’s missed two straight games since suffering the injury last Friday against Cleveland.In
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Kawhi Leonard thinks he can play Christmas

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Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard, who’s missed four straight games with a torn ligament in his right hand, “has told some of his closest associates he thinks he will be ready to suit up for the Spurs’ Christmas Day game against the Oklahoma City Thunder,” reports the San Antonio Express-News.Coach Gregg Popovich has the final say, however. On Monday he “made a Christmas Day
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Report: Rockets assure Josh Smith he’d start

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The Rockets are assuring former Pistons forward Josh Smith he’d be a starter if he signs with Houston, reports ESPN’s Marc Stein. Detroit waived Smith on Monday and he’s expected to clear waivers at 5 p.m. ET Wednesday, freeing him to sign with any team.Houston, Miami, Dallas, Sacramento and the Clippers all are reportedly interested in landing Smith, who was shooting a
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Kobe-less Lakers stun league-leading Warriors

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LOS ANGELES (AP) Carlos Boozer scored 18 points in his new role off the bench, and the Los Angeles Lakers shocked the league-leading Golden State Warriors 115-105 on Tuesday night without Kobe Bryant.The NBA’s No. 3 career scorer sat out for the first time this season to rest his tired legs, a decision made by coach Byron Scott.The 36-year-old shooting guard, averaging 35.5 minutes through the
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Bledsoe gets triple-double, Suns beat Mavericks 124-115

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PHOENIX (AP) Eric Bledsoe wasn’t going to let anyone get in the way of his 10th rebound, not even teammate Goran Dragic.Bledsoe grabbed the rebound, sending Dragic tumbling to the court, with 31 seconds to go to complete his second career triple-double and the Phoenix Suns beat the Dallas Mavericks 124-115 on Tuesday night.The Suns won their fourth straight in their highest-scoring game of the
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Lillard’s 3 forces OT, has 40 in win over Thunder

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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Damian Lillard scored 40 points, making a tying 3-pointer with three seconds left in regulation, and the Portland Trail Blazers rallied from a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 115-111 on Tuesday night.Lillard’s 40-point outing was his second in Portland’s last four games, following a 43-point outburst against San Antonio on Friday. He also had
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