Just a matter of timeJames Dolan did on Monday what he ultimately desired to do in the first place – find a reason to justify retaining Isiah Thomas.
Minus Wallace, Pistons defeat Clippers (AP)Rasheed Wallace’s latest suspension came at a perfect time for the Los Angeles Clippers. They just weren’t able to take advantage because the rest of the Detroit Pistons were too much to handle. Richard Hamilton scored 15 of his 23 points in the first quarter, sparking the Pistons to a 98-80 victory Sunday.
Ford helps Raptors down Bucks (AP)Chris Bosh scored 25 points and T.J. Ford had 19 points and nine assists to lead the Toronto Raptors to a 108-93 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night. Ford, in his second game in Milwaukee since being traded in the offseason for Charlie Villanueva, dominated the game in the first half as the Raptors sprinted out to a 20-point lead and then held off several second-half runs by the Bucks.
Knicks give Thomas multiyear extension (AP)Isiah Thomas delivered “evident progress” sooner than needed. Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan planned to wait all season before deciding on Thomas’ future with the Knicks. But when New York fought through a few recent injuries to move into playoff position, Dolan concluded he no longer needed to wait.
Haslem’s basket lifts Heat over Wizards (AP)Udonis Haslem doesn’t get many plays called for him, and certainly not in game-deciding situations. So when his chance arose Sunday night, Miami’s power forward took advantage. His 10-footer in the lane with 0.3 seconds left capped a wild back-and-forth game and gave the Heat a 106-104 victory over Washington — moving the NBA champions one game behind the Wizards in the Southeast Division race.
James soaring along with Cavaliers (AP)LeBron James has shifted into a higher gear — warp speed. Entering the stretch run of his fourth season as a pro (is that possible?), James has taken his splendid, all-around game to another level, and brought the Cleveland Cavaliers along with him. Criticized earlier this season for being lackadaisical, missing too many free throws, not coming through in the clutch and not owning an NBA…
