DILBECK: Shaq should stay away from L.A.

Memo to Shaquille O’Neal: Don’t even think about it. Stay away. Go on to rip some other organization.

Heat forward Jones hopes to return in four weeks (Yahoo! Sports)
Miami Heat forward James Jones is shooting for a return in about four weeks from surgery on his right wrist…

Lack of attention, respect is motivation for Miami Heat’s Haslem

Udonis Haslem sees it a bit differently. To him, being left unaccounted for is dismissive.

Heat Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

James Jones’ return to the Heat remains a couple of months away,

but he’s moving in the right direction. The sweet-shooting small

forward had the cast removed from his surgically-repaired right wrist

Tuesday.

“It’s a weight off my shoulders,” he said.

The Heat, which ranks third in three-pointers attempted and 15th

in three-point percentage, could use Jones’ long-range shooting. But

it will have to wait until mid-January or possibly even February.

Jones, who was third in three-point percentage last season with

Portland, sustained a ruptured tendon in his right (shooting) wrist

during training camp and hasn’t played yet.

“It takes four weeks for the tendon to heal and then after that

it’s all about flexibility…

Rondo outplays Iverson as Celtics whip Pistons
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Arenas: Last could be ‘for the better’ for Wizards
Gilbert Arenas is already thinking about the possibility of a last-place finish for his Washington Wizards - and finding the silver lining. With Arenas still working his way back from a third knee operation in 1 1/2 years, the Wizards are off to a 1-8 start heading into their game Friday against the Houston Rockets.NBA/~4/460079494″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Court Awareness: Wednesday review
Blazers fans finally got an up-close look at Greg Oden. And he didn’t disappoint. Andrew Ungvari reviews Wednesday’s games.NBA/~4/459933423″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

D’Antoni making a big difference for Knicks
Mike D’Antoni’s move to Manhattan has the Knicks playing faster and the Suns slower. Both might be better off, Randy Hill says.NBA/~4/459805643″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

James Jones’ return to the Heat remains a couple of months away,

but he’s moving in the right direction. The sweet-shooting small

forward had the cast removed from his surgically-repaired right wrist

Tuesday.

“It’s a weight off my shoulders,” he said.

The Heat, which ranks third in three-pointers attempted and 15th

in three-point percentage, could use Jones’ long-range shooting. But

it will have to wait until mid-January or possibly even February.

Jones, who was third in three-point percentage last season with

Portland, sustained a ruptured tendon in his right (shooting) wrist

during training camp and hasn’t played yet.

“It takes four weeks for the tendon to heal and then after that

it’s all about flexibility…

Court Awareness: Tuesday review
Wizards fans want Gilbert Arenas back, but John Lorge isn’t sure he can save them. Get the full review of last night.NBA/~4/458635681″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Wade’s 40-11-5 night wasted as Raptors win
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Nets no match in LeBron derby, either
Nets fans who watched LeBron James torch their team Tuesday shouldn’t count on landing him in 2010, Jay Greenberg says.NBA/~4/458944353″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

8 is enough: Iverson, Pistons stop Cavs’ streak
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‘Huge step’ for Miami Heat’s Jones

Heat forward James Jones is shooting for a return in about four weeks from surgery on his right wrist after his cast was removed Tuesday.

Raptors scramble to hold off Wade, Heat (AP)

Dwyane Wade did something the NBA hadn’t seen in more than 31 years. It still wasn’t enough to take down the sharpshooting Toronto Raptors. Andrea Bargnani scored a season-high 25 points, Jermaine O’Neal added 16 points and 17 rebounds, and the Raptors were 8-for-8 on 3-pointers in the second half to overcome Wade’s huge effort and beat the Miami Heat 101-95 on Wednesday night.

Pistons are less physical, but more slick
The Bad Boys are long gone. These Pistons have their own personality with Allen Iverson — and it ain’t bad, Charley Rosen says.NBA/~4/459184172″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Has East turned the tables on West?
Last year the West feasted on the East. So far this season it’s been the opposite. Randy Hill examines this conference power shift.NBA/~4/458593894″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Without Yao, Rockets fall meekly to Terry, Mavs
NBA/~4/459140544″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

No Miami Heat for Paris & Stavros; So Where’s Benji?

Is there trouble in paradise for Paris Hilton and Benji Madden ? Since Paris and her ex-boyfriend Stavros Niarchos were spotted hanging out at Mokai in Miami, blogs have been buzzing about a possible hookup .

Mavs owner charged with insider trading

Federal regulators on Monday charged Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban with insider trading for allegedly using confidential information on a stock sale to avoid more than $750,000 in losses.

Heat G Wade plays vs. Wizards (PA SportsTicker)
Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade collected 19 points and 10 assists in Tuesday’s 94-87 win over the Washington Wizards.

Wade has 19 pts; Heat beat Wizards 94-87 (AP)

Before the game, coach Eddie Jordan said of his Washington Wizards: “We don’t have rhythm, we don’t have harmony, we’re trying to incorporate chemistry.” The Miami Heat seem to have the makings of all three, even though they’re starting two rookies on a team that last year went 15-67. The Heat beat the Wizards on Tuesday night for the second time in five days.

Ahearn Signs with Spurs

Former Missouri State basketball star Blake Ahearn is back in the NBA. The St. Louis native agreed to a deal with the San Antonio Spurs, joining Kickapoo graduate Anthony Tolliver.

Heat Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Look for lots of three-pointers in Wednesday’s game against

Toronto. The Heat ranks third in three-pointers attempted behind New

York and Orlando, and Toronto ranks third in three-point percentage

behind Atlanta and Portland.

Coach Erik Spoelstra doesn’t mind his team taking so many threes.

“Where we need to probably move the ball more is to get to

secondary situations,” he said. “Or, when we drive, draw defense, now

shot-blockers are coming, to find the extra guy there.”

Spoelstra likes to see Miami get 20 assists per game. The Heat

averages 19.6 assists per game.

The Heat doesn’t have an inside presence such as in past years

with Shaquille O’Neal or Alonzo Mourning, so it has little choice but

to shoot…

NBA roundup: Tuesdaya s action on the boards

Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis scores a basket over Toronto Raptors forward Jermaine O’Neal during the first half.

Although players such as forward/center Antonio McDyess and guards Stephon Marbury and Jamaal Tinsley are available or might be available soon, Heat president Pat Riley appears to be taking the wait-and-see approach with his young team.

The Heat is about $400,000 into luxury tax territory, and Riley said “any transaction that we make has to be via trade or to slot somebody into an exception.”

That probably won’t happen with McDyess, Marbury or Tinsley. Riley acknowledged he’s talked with Andy Miller, McDyess’ agent. But Riley also stressed his team wants flexibility for the 2009 and 2010 off-seasons, which seems to eliminate Tinsley.

“We really don’t want to go into the third year (2010),” he said, “and one of the contracts (Tinsley) goes into that year.”

…

Shaq says feud with Kobe was instigated by Jackson (Yahoo! Sports)
Shaquille O’Neal said he hasn’t ruled out a return to the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent in 2010 according…

Heat Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Heat has been a one-step-forward, one-step-back team thus far this season, but on the road it just keeps going in reverse.

Sunday’s loss at Toronto dropped the Heat to 1-4 away from home, the only victory coming over a banged-up San Antonio team. It’s not as if the Heat has had a tough road schedule—the New York Knicks, despite their early success, and Charlotte Bobcats certainly don’t qualify as leading contenders for the NBA title.

Coach Erik Spoelstra was mystified after Sunday’s game why his team is 4-1 at home but so putrid elsewhere. Of equal mystery was the Heat’s 40.2 percent shooting Sunday—its worst performance from the field this season—and its inability to compete for rebounds (Toronto had a 52-35 advantage).

“We weren’t…

Wade’s 24 points help Heat pile on Wizards’ woes

Did you attend this game? If so, start chronicling your sports memories today with ESPN’s Sports Passport.

Lopez looking like a keeper so far
Brook Lopez’s first start caught Peter Vecsey’s eye. And the GMs who passed up on the Stanford star probably noticed too.NBA/~4/455032780″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Michael Beasley hasn’t been defending many fellow power forwards because his defense can’t be trusted. He didn’t defend Philadelphia’s Elton Brand, San Antonio’s Tim Duncan, New Orleans’ David West, Portland’s LaMarcus Aldrige or Washington’s Antawn Jamison. Instead, Miami puts Udonis Haslem on the opposing power forwards and Beasley defends the center.

But the Heat faces a big issue when it visits Toronto on Sunday. The Raptors start Jermaine O’Neal and Chris Bosh. Beasley, who has been just a scorer on every other team, admits he struggles with defensive rotations. Things were so bad against Portland he had to be removed from the game.

“There were a lot of situations being thrown at him and his head was spinning,” coach Erik Spoelstra said.

Beasley, 19, has been…

Ethan J. Skolnick: Alonzo Mourning’s return would be great for the Miami Heat

They thanked him profusely for the perspiration and the inspiration, while politely requesting special dedications to lost ones and loved ones.

Heat’s Beasley starting to show his tougher side

For all the statistics he collects, Erik Spoelstra doesn’t award style points for dunks.

Game 8 Preview: Blazers vs. Heat

One should never oversell wins early in the season, nor count chickens before they hatch, but a victory tonight would put Portland in position for a respectable 3-2 finish to this road trip with a chance at an …

Calderon may not miss a beat

As country twanger Alan Jackson warmed up on the Air Canada Centre floor, Jose Calderon was upstairs hoping his own hurtin’ tune would end in time to play tomorrow.

Court Awareness: Thursday review
After watching another LeBron vs. Carmelo showdown, Matthew Petersen says it’s time to quit comparing the two.NBA/~4/453222369″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Heat Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Michael Beasley hasn’t been defending many fellow power forwards because his defense can’t be trusted. He didn’t defend Philadelphia’s Elton Brand, San Antonio’s Tim Duncan, New Orleans’ David West, Portland’s LaMarcus Aldrige or Washington’s Antawn Jamison. Instead, Miami puts Udonis Haslem on the opposing power forwards and Beasley defends the center.

But the Heat faces a big issue when it visits Toronto on Sunday. The Raptors start Jermaine O’Neal and Chris Bosh. Beasley, who has been just a scorer on every other team, admits he struggles with defensive rotations. Things were so bad against Portland he had to be removed from the game.

“There were a lot of situations being thrown at him and his head was spinning,” coach Erik Spoelstra said.

Beasley, 19, has been…

Wade leads Heat past Wizards

Dwyane Wade scored 24 points before taking the fourth quarter off, and the Miami Heat held Washington without a field goal for 9 minutes in the second half on the way to an easy 97-77 victory over the Wizards …

The Best Weekend Parties in NYC, LA, Vegas and Miami

Click here for more info #2 BEST WEEKEND PARTY: BE MY GUEST SATURDAYS Guest House Saturday, November 14th Get in early and reduced on the Clubplanet guestlist for this eccentric and unpredictable weekend party.

Heat Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Injuries are becoming a bit of a concern heading into Friday’s game against Washington, and more specifically, injuries to small forwards. Shawn Marion missed his second consecutive game due to a strained right groin. James Jones isn’t expected to return until mid-January after having surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right (shooting) wrist. Dorell Wright still hasn’t recovered from left knee surgery in the spring.

“We’re going to have a great contingent of (small forwards) in suits on the bench,” coach Erik Spoelstra said before the game.

The injuries have meant Miami has had to use three-guard lineups frequently. It did so against New Jersey on Monday and against Portland on Wednesday, and most likely it will happen Friday against the Wizards.

The…

NBA fines Theus $25K for ‘ridiculous’ comment
The NBA has fined Sacramento Kings coach Reggie Theus $25,000 for comments he made about the officiating following a loss to Detroit. The league also penalized the Kings $25,000 Thursday for Theus’ actions. Theus said it was “ridiculous” that the Pistons took 36 fouls shots to just 17 for the Kings in Detroit’s 100-92 victory in Sacramento on Tuesday.NBA/~4/452181681″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Cavs clamp down on defense, win 6th straight
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Outlook good for Oden to return against Miami

Trail Blazer rookie center Greg Oden, sidelined with injuries last season and the first part of this one, could return to action Wednesday night against the Miami Heat.

Blazers get Oden back, beat Heat (AP)

All the buzz was about Greg Oden’s return, yet it was another rookie who stole the show for the Portland Trail Blazers. Rudy Fernandez scored 25 points, including a clutch spinning jumper as the shot clock expired with 44.9 seconds left, and the Blazers celebrated Oden’s comeback from a sprained right foot with a 104-96 victory over the Miami Heat on Wednesday night.

Miami Heat’s Shawn Marion could play Wednesday vs. Blazers

Heat forward Shawn Marion said he expects to be a game-day decision for Wednesday’s nationally televised game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Heat Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Injuries are becoming a bit of a concern heading into Friday’s game against Washington, and more specifically, injuries to small forwards. Shawn Marion missed his second consecutive game due to a strained right groin. James Jones isn’t expected to return until mid-January after having surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right (shooting) wrist. Dorell Wright still hasn’t recovered from left knee surgery in the spring.

“We’re going to have a great contingent of (small forwards) in suits on the bench,” coach Erik Spoelstra said before the game.

The injuries have meant Miami has had to use three-guard lineups frequently. It did so against New Jersey on Monday and against Portland on Wednesday, and most likely it will happen Friday against the Wizards.

The…

Yi to shoot his way out of trouble

Yi to shoot his way out of trouble : The Sports Xchange notes that Yi Jianlian has been much like the Nets team so far this season: inconsistent.

New Jersey Nets to be without Devin Harris against Miami Heat

A game after having few answers for New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul, the Miami Heat will escape a meeting tonight against one of the Eastern Conference’s fleetest point guards.

New Jersey guard Devin Harris and Miami forward Shawn Marion both were held out of Monday’s Nets-Heat game with injuries.