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Anthony Davis is currently listed as probable to play on Wednesday night, per the NBA injury report. It goes without saying, but the Mavs will need Davis on the floor in order to get the job done on Wednesday night. AD is the best player on the team and he is looking to lead Dallas to a crucial victory.
Walter Davis: 1954-2023
Walter Davis, a University of North Carolina basketball legend and an Olympic gold medalist for the United States, died of “natural causes” Thursday, the school announced. He was 69. ... The Phoenix Suns selected Davis with the No. 5 pick in the 1977 NBA Draft. He was named the 1977-78 Rookie of the Year and became a six-time All-Star over his 15-year NBA career, which also included stints with the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers. Davis made two All-NBA teams, averaging 18.9 points on 51.1 percent shooting to go along with 3.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game before retiring in 1992. The Pineville, N.C., native is a member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and had his No. 6 retired by the Suns in 1994. He remains Phoenix’s all-time leading scorer.
On the podcast, MacMahon also mentioned that Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter was discussed in the potential trade with Dallas, but the Mavs' front office "liked the player but not at that money." For the price of losing one of Green or Hardy, the trade with Atlanta just made no sense for the Mavericks this early in the offseason, especially with the avenues they decided to pursue. Dallas landed two first-round picks, shedded Davis Bertans' contract and added the ability to use the full midlevel exception at $12.4 million in free agency.
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On the other end of the floor, Memphis swarmed Davis, limiting his clean looks. Davis scored 13 points, making just 4 of 14 shots in 38 minutes. Two of those misses came when 6-foot-5 reserve guard John Konchar swatted Davis at the rim. “Obviously, I can be better,” Davis said. “Can’t have a night like I had tonight and expect us to win.” Davis shot 1 of 9 in the first half. Memphis was physical with him, dislodging him from his post position and then crowding him whenever he tried to attack off the dribble. The Lakers made just 7 of 26 3-point attempts, struggling to exploit the Grizzlies’ pack-the-paint approach. The offense stagnated too often, and they telegraphed entry passes.
With James struggling to score, the Lakers got 24 points from Russell, 22 from Austin Reaves and 21 from Malik Beasley. Anthony Davis scored just 14 but grabbed 21 rebounds. The Lakers have won 10 of their last 12 games, but their postseason fate is far from sealed with the outcomes of the Clippers, Warriors and Pelicans games all mattering in addition to the Lakers’ finale Sunday. “We just have to be ready to do what we need to do,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said after the win. Still, the Lakers are assured to have a winning record after beating the Suns — their 42nd victory of the year coming after the team started the year 2-10. “Can you believe were going to finish this season above .500?” James asked Davis after the win.
Given my lifelong fascination with basketball abroad, this was a development I couldn’t resist highlighting: Puerto Rican teams are increasingly luring former NBA players there to continue their careers. I checked in with the foremost expert on tracking such things — HoopsHype's Alberto de Roa — and promptly learned he has a working list of 20 players with NBA experience who have signed to play in Puerto Rico this season. The most recognizable names among them: Earl Clark, Norris Cole, Ed Davis, Tyreke Evans, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Brandon Knight, Greg Monroe, Eric Paschall, Elfrid Payton and Hassan Whiteside.
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LeBron James was a strong advocate for the trade that brought Westbrook to Hollywood and thus has to wear his considerable slice of culpability for how poorly things are working out. Yet one source did point out at least one counter on James’ behalf, noting that he was also one of the organization's staunchest Alex Caruso fans and badly wanted the Lakers to re-sign the defensive-minded guard. The Lakers, despite all of their considerable revenue streams, refused to offer a contract on par with the four-year, $37 million deal Caruso landed from Chicago because of the luxury-tax implications. The injuries that have limited Davis to 37 games have done the most damage to the Lakers' 17th-ranked defense, but Caruso's departure was another big hit. 1:28
Cavs remain in the mix for Dennis Schroeder
However, league sources tell The Athletic Cleveland remains in the mix for Schröder, as it can still put together a package including two of Kevin Pangos, Ed Davis and Dylan Windler, with draft compensation that would still get the Celtics to $1 million south of the tax line.
Jarrett Allen out against Knicks
Tommy Beer: The Cavs have ruled out Jarrett Allen (illness) tonight vs. the Knicks. The Cavs starting frontcourt tonight will be Dean Wade, Evan Mobley and Ed Davis.
Cavaliers fully guarantee Ed Davis' contract
Michael Scotto: The Cleveland Cavaliers have guaranteed the contract of Ed Davis for this season, @hoopshype has learned.
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