NBA en Directo: Notas de la NBA

JAZZ’S LYLES TO REPLACE BULLS’ MIROTIC
 IN 2016 BBVA COMPASS RISING STARS CHALLENGE

 Utah Jazz rookie forward Trey Lyles will replace injured World Team selection Nikola Mirotic of the Chicago Bulls in the 2016 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, Feb. 12 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

The BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge at NBA All-Star features first- and second-year NBA players from the United States against first- and second-year NBA players from around the world.  TNT will televise the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge in the U.S. at 9 p.m. ET as part of Turner Sports’ 31^st year of NBA All-Star coverage.  Sportsnet ONE and TSN will simulcast the game in Canada.

Lyles, the 12^th overall pick of NBA Draft 2015 presented by State Farm, is averaging 4.7 points and 4.0 rebounds in 18.1 minutes in 45 games.  During a six-game stretch from Jan. 13-22, Lyles averaged 13.3 points (on 56.6 percent shooting from the field) and 5.2 rebounds in 28.8 minutes.   

The 6-10 Lyles becomes the third Canadian on the World Roster, joining Dwight Powell of the Dallas Mavericks and Andrew Wiggins of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Mirotic, a second-year forward from Montenegro, is sidelined after having an appendectomy and a hematoma removal.   He is averaging 10.6 points and 5.9 rebounds in 44 games.

BBVA Compass is the Official Bank of the NBA in the United States and maintains its role as title partner for the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge.

Curry Lights Up D.C. For 51 Stephen Curry hits 11 3s as Golden State beats Washington for its eighth straight win. Read More Latest Scores | NBA TV Schedule | Social Spotlight Dynamic Duo Saves Thunder Westbrook's triple-double and Durant's winner lift OKC past Orlando 11... Wiggins, Wolves Surprise Clippers Andrew Wiggins scores 31 as Minnesota beats L.A. for the first time si... Hornets Handle Cavs Jeremy Lin scores 24 filling in for Kemba Walker as Charlotte cools of...

Tonight: 6:30 p.m. ET - NBA GameTime

Play of the Day: Kevin Durant Pistons vs. Celtics Aldridge goes for 36; Spurs edge Pelicans Bulls fend off Kings on Moore's career night Hornets' Walker out vs. Cavs with sore knee Favors powers Jazz to fourth straight win Nets' Johnson may pursue contract buyout

NBA en Directo: El dominicano Karl Anthony-Towns (West) y Kristaps Porzingis (East) los Novatos del Mes de Enero 2016

 NEW YORK’S PORZINGIS AND MINNESOTA’S TOWNS

NAMED KIA NBA ROOKIES OF THE MONTH

The New York Knicks’ Kristaps Porzingis and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in January.  Each player earned the honor for the third consecutive month.

Porzingis ranked fourth among all first-year players in scoring (15.3 ppg) and second in rebounding (7.2 rpg) in January.  He also tied Towns for the rookie lead in blocked shots (1.63 bpg) and paced the East’s first-year players in three-point field goal percentage (37.5).  Porzingis posted four point-rebound double-doubles, including a 28-point, 11-rebound performance in a 100-99 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Jan. 8.  He scored at least 12 points in 13 straight games from Jan. 3-26.  

Towns was the only first-year player to average a double-double in January, with 16.9 points (third among all rookies) and 10.9 rebounds (tops among all rookies), and he shot 53.5 percent from the field and 87.2 percent from the free throw line.  In the final seven games of the month, Towns recorded six double-doubles and averaged 22.7 points and 12.6 rebounds.  On Jan. 20, Towns finished with 27 points, 17 rebounds and six blocks in a 106-94 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, becoming the only NBA player to reach those totals in a game this season.

Here is a recap of the month for Porzingis and Towns:

Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks

Jan. 8 @ San Antonio: Scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 100-99 loss to the Spurs.

Jan. 12 vs. Boston: Finished with 26 points, six rebounds, two blocks and two steals in a 120-114 victory against the Celtics.
Jan. 18 vs. Philadelphia: Contributed 16 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in a 119-113 win over the 76ers in double overtime.

Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

Jan. 20 @ Dallas: Posted 27 points, 17 rebounds, six blocks and three assists in a 106-94 loss to the Mavs.

Jan. 23 vs. Memphis: Shot 6-of-6 from the field en route to 14 points and added nine rebounds and three assists in a 106-101 win over the Grizzlies.

Jan. 29 @ Utah: Scored a career-high 32 points (on 13-of-17 shooting from the field) and recorded 12 rebounds in a 103-90 loss to the Jazz.

Other nominees for the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month were Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Emmanuel Mudiay, Detroit’s Stanley Johnson, Indiana’s Myles Turner, the Los Angeles Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell, Philadelphia’s Jahlil Okafor, Phoenix’s Devin Booker and Utah’s Trey Lyles.

Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month

The Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month are part of a series of oncourt performance awards called “The Kia NBA Performance Awards.” The series, currently in its ninth season, is part of a multiyear marketing partnership between Kia Motors America and the NBA, and includes five of the league’s most prestigious year-end honors: Kia Most Valuable Player Award, Kia Defensive Player of the Year, Kia Sixth Man Award, Kia Most Improved Player Award and Kia Rookie of the Year.  It also includes the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month during the regular season.  Kia serves as the Official Automotive Partner and Official Luxury Vehicle of the NBA.  For more information on the “The Kia NBA Performance Awards,” visit NBA.com/awards.

NBA en Directo: Kevin Durant (West) y Kyle Lowry & DeMar DeRozan (East) los Jugadores del Mes de Enero 2016

TORONTO’S DeROZAN AND LOWRY, OKLAHOMA CITY’S DURANT NAMED
KIA NBA EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE MONTH

The Toronto Raptors’ DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry today were named co-winners of the Kia NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month award for games played in January, and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant earned the Western Conference honor.

DeRozan and Lowry led the Raptors to 12-2 record, the best winning percentage (.857) for a month with 10 or more games in franchise history.  Toronto finished the month on a franchise-record 11-game winning streak.

DeRozan ranked second in the East in scoring (23.9 ppg) for the month and added 4.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists.  He reached the 30-point mark four times, including a season-high 35 points in a 97-88 win over the Washington Wizards on Jan. 8.  Lowry led the conference in minutes (39.0 mpg) and steals (2.36 spg), and ranked seventh in scoring (21.7 ppg) and fourth in assists (6.7 apg).  He shot 45.1 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from three-point range.  Lowry recorded nine games with at least 20 points and four games with 10 or more assists.    

Durant finished second in the NBA in scoring (28.5 ppg) and added 9.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists as the Thunder went 13-3 in January.  He shot 49.7 percent from the field and 88.8 percent from the free throw line.  Durant scored at least 25 points 11 times, including a season-high 44 points in a 128-122 overtime win over the New York Knicks on Jan. 26.  He grabbed at least 10 rebounds in eight games and dished out five or more assists in six contests.

Here is a closer look at December for DeRozan, Lowry and Durant: 

DeMar DeRozan/Kyle Lowry, Toronto

Jan. 8 @ Washington: DeRozan scored 35 points and Lowry added 21 points and 10 rebounds in a 97-88 win over the Wizards.

Jan. 18 vs. Brooklyn: DeRozan scored 30 points and Lowry finished with 31 points and eight assists in a 112-100 victory over the Nets.  

Jan. 28 vs. New York: DeRozan and Lowry each scored 26 points and Lowry added 10 assists in a 103-93 win over the Knicks.

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City

Jan. 6 vs. Memphis: Scored 26 points and grabbed a season-high 17 rebounds in a 112-94 victory over the Grizzlies.

Jan. 26 @ New York: Scored a season-high 44 points to go with 14 rebounds and five assists in a 128-122 overtime win over the Knicks.  

Jan. 29 vs. Houston: Scored 33 points and added 12 rebounds and three assists in 116-108 win over the Rockets.

Other nominees for the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month were Chicago’s Jimmy Butler, Cleveland’s LeBron James, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Houston’s James Harden, the Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul, Miami’s Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, Portland’s Damian Lillard and Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo.   

Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month

The Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month are part of a series of oncourt performance awards called “The Kia NBA Performance Awards.” The series, currently in its ninth season, is part of a multiyear marketing partnership between Kia Motors America and the NBA, and includes five of the league’s most prestigious year-end honors: Kia Most Valuable Player Award, Kia Defensive Player of the Year, Kia Sixth Man Award, Kia Most Improved Player Award and Kia Rookie of the Year.  It also includes the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month during the regular season.  Kia serves as the Official Automotive Partner and Official Luxury Vehicle of the NBA.  For more information on the “The Kia NBA Performance Awards,” visit NBA.com/awards.

Bret Hart a luchar por el campeonato de vencer el Cáncer; le enviamos buenas vibras

Dwane Casey (Raptors) y Doc Rivers (Clippers) los Dirigentes del Mes de Enero (2016)

RAPTORS’ CASEY AND CLIPPERS’ RIVERS NAMED

NBA EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE COACHES OF THE MONTH

 The Toronto Raptors’ Dwane Casey and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Doc Rivers today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in January. 

Casey led Toronto to the best month in the East at 12-2 (.857).  Toronto won 11 straight games to close the month, giving the Raptors their longest winning streak in franchise history.  At 32-15, the Raptors lead the Atlantic Division by six games and sit second in the conference.  Toronto scored at least 100 points in 12 of 14 January games and surrendered 100-plus points only six times.

Rivers led the Clippers to an 11-3 (.786) record in January, which included wins over the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls.  The Clippers shot 47.3 percent from the field, which was third-best in the league.  They ranked sixth in the NBA in scoring (107.9 points) and seventh in points allowed (99.7 points).   The Clippers’ +8.1 point differential was fifth-best in the league.

Other nominees for Coach of the Month were Golden State’s Steve Kerr and Luke Walton, Memphis’ Dave Joerger, Oklahoma City’s Billy Donovan, Portland’s Terry Stotts and San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich.

Kevin Durant (West) y Dwyane Wade (East) los Jugadores de la Semana en la NBA

HEAT’S WADE AND THUNDER’S DURANT NAMED

NBA EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

The Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant were today named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Jan. 25 through Sunday, Jan. 31.

Wade led the Heat to a 4-0 week, which included wins over the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks, behind averages of 24.0 points (tied-third in the Eastern Conference), 7.0 assists (fourth in the conference), 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 steals (tied-eighth in the conference) and 1.75 blocks (tied-fifth in the conference).  On Jan. 26, he tallied 27 points, eight assists, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks during a 102-98 win over the Brooklyn Nets. 

Durant’s league-best 34.7 points on the week helped the Thunder to a 3-0 record.  He ranked fourth in the Western Conference with 11.7 rebounds, contributed 4.3 assists and averaged a conference-high 40.0 minutes.  Durant recorded point-rebound double-doubles twice, including a 44-point, 14-rebound outing on Jan. 26, as the Thunder topped the New York Knicks 128-122 in overtime.

Here is a recap of the week for Wade and Durant:        

Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

Jan. 25 @ Chicago: Scored 28 points and added seven rebounds and five assists during an 89-84 win over the Bulls.   

Jan. 26 @ Brooklyn: Tallied 27 points, eight assists, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks in a 102-98 win over the Nets.   

Jan. 29 @ Milwaukee: Posted 24 points, seven assists, four rebounds, three blocks and three steals in a 107-103 win over the Bucks.  

Jan. 31 vs. Atlanta: Recorded 17 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two steals during a 105-87 win over the Hawks. 

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Jan. 26 @ New York: Poured in 44 points and added 14 rebounds and five assists during a 128-122 overtime win against the Knicks.    

Jan. 27 @ Minnesota: Scored 27 points and added nine rebounds and five assists in a 126-123 win over the Timberwolves.   

Jan. 29 vs. Houston: Tallied 33 points, 12 rebounds and three assists during a  116-108 win over the Rockets.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Golden State’s Klay Thompson, Indiana’s Monta Ellis, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Paul, Memphis’ Jeff Green, New Orleans’ Ryan Anderson and Jrue Holiday, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook and Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry.