Nuggets’ Anthony, fiancee have baby boy (AP)Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony became a father Wednesday afternoon when his fiancee, actress La La Vazquez, gave birth to a son, Kiyan. Kiyan (pronounced kai-ann) weighed 5 pounds, 9 ounces and was 18 1/2 inches long. Anthony stayed in Denver and will not play against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.
LeBron’s 41 lift Cavs by Pistons in OT (AP)LeBron James was unstoppable. Then, he said the Cleveland Cavaliers can be, too. James scored a season-high 41 points, leading the Cavaliers to a 101-97 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night. “If we play well, nobody can beat us,” James said. “We believe that.” James almost won the game in regulation with a 27-footer, but a video review negated the dramatic shot.
O’Neal’s on-switchIt’s March, which means Shaquille O’Neal is turning up his game a notch and preparing for another playoff run.
Defense pushing Heat up East standings (AP)Alonzo Mourning rose and swatted Tyrus Thomas’ dunk attempt away, then shouted at his Miami Heat teammates to stand and cheer. He was so menacing that a referee, thinking Mourning yelled at him, seemed poised to call a technical foul. Alas, there was no need — Mourning was merely illustrating how seriously he and Miami take defense these days.
Hunter banned 10 games for positive test (AP)Detroit Pistons guard Lindsey Hunter was suspended 10 games without pay by the NBA on Wednesday after testing positive for phentermine, a banned substance primarily used for weight loss. “I’m as shocked as anyone,” Hunter said after arriving at the Palace on Wednesday. “It was a diet pill — we’ve all taken stuff and nothing ever happens.” Hunter said the pill was prescribed for his wife Ivy.
Szczerbiak has surgery, done for season (AP)Boston Celtics forward Wally Szczerbiak underwent season-ending surgery on his left ankle Thursday. The operation was performed by Dr. Brian McKeon, the team’s physician, the team said Thursday. Szczerbiak missed significant time during four of the last five seasons because of injuries. The eighth-year pro missed 24 games this season because of injury — all but one because of ankle sprains.
Man sues Pacers’ mascot for tackling him (AP)A man is suing the Indiana Pacers and the performer who portrays its feline mascot, alleging the 6-foot-tall performer permanently injured him when he was tackled during a free-throw shooting contest. Nathaniel Jackson, who lives in northern Indiana’s Adams County, alleges in his lawsuit that as he entered Conseco Fieldhouse for a March 11, 2005 game against Golden State he was asked to take part…
Warriors beat Nuggets team missing ‘Melo (AP)Now that they are finally healthy, the Golden State Warriors think they can make a run at a playoff spot. Baron Davis scored 22 points, and the Warriors took advantage of Carmelo Anthony’s absence to beat the Denver Nuggets 110-96 on Wednesday night. All five starters scored in double figures for the Warriors (28-35), who overcame a 12-point second-quarter deficit and took control of the game with…
