Read more

Terry Rozier furnished 22 points (7-19 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 5-5 FT), five rebounds, four assists and a steal across 43 minutes in the Hornets’ 122-120 OT win over the Pacers on Tuesday.

The $58 million point guard Terry Rozier will make over the next three years is now the largest financial obligation on the Charlotte Hornets’ books.

What persuaded general manager Mitch Kupchak to invest so much in Rozier, who has started only 30 games in his previous four NBA seasons?

“One thing I know: Nobody is going to outwork him. Nobody is going to play harder than him.” Kupchak said during a conference call with Charlotte media Saturday night. “He loves to play defense, He’s a great worker. I believe he can score in this league. He’s got the physical tools.”

Kupchak and coach James Borrego flew to Ohio on Wednesday to meet with Rozier. That was after Rozier agreed to terms but before he could sign the deal on Saturday.

A shred of light was cast upon the dreadful Knicks on Wednesday when rookie Kevin Knox was named an injury replacement for the Rising Stars Challenge.

In replacing injured Lonzo Ball, Knox will join newly acquired Dennis Smith Jr., who is in the Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star weekend. Knox originally was snubbed as just three rookies were selected for the U.S. team for the Rising Stars Challenge on Feb. 15. The game features the NBA’s best rookies and sophomores.
Read more

Sampson played 12 minutes Wednesday in the Bulls’ 105-89 win over the Heat, finishing with five points (2-2 FG, 1-1 3Pt) and two rebounds.
Read more

BOSTON — After the display, he put on down the stretch last season, it’s not the most well-kept secret that Terry Rozier can more than aptly serve as a starter.

With Kyrie Irving still sidelined due to a left hip strain, Rozier started for the second straight game. The result was the 24-year-old posting his first double-double of the season and third of his career in a 126-94 throttling of the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday at TD Garden.

Rozier dropped 17 points with a team-high 10 assists, adding five rebounds and three steals.
Some teams struggle to find one suitable guard to run their offense, but the Celtics are in the enviable position of having one of the best in the game in Irving, plus a reserve in Rozier who would start on many other NBA teams.
Read more

Macura totaled 30 points (13-21 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 1-4 FT), six rebounds, three assists and six steals in 41 minutes Saturday against Delaware.

Macura shot an impressive 61.9 percent from the field and contributed across the board in a 111-105 comeback victory. The former Musketeer continues to impress in the G League this season, as he’s averaging 15.1 points along with 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals through 22 contests (21 starts).
Read more

As Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. prepares for at least a six-week absence due to two bone bruises in his right knee, he can look no further than veteran 37-year-old teammate Dwyane Wade on how to deal with the injury.

Wade, in his 16th and final season, has had a history with bone bruises, battling through it during Miami’s 2013 run to the Heat’s third title.

“Just take his time to get back,” Wade said at Heat practice on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday night’s home game against the Chicago Bulls. “That’s something you don’t want to come back too soon, and you have to deal with it because it takes bone bruises a while to heal. For you to be healthy and do the things you want to do on the court, you want to make sure that you’re fully healthy.”
Read more

Dallas Mavericks rookie center Ray Spalding may earn some minutes early on after hearing Coach Rick Carlisle talk up the rookie.

The Dallas Mavericks drafted Ray Spalding late in the second round. At pick 56, most figured he was ticketed for G-League this season. He would play it out on a two-way contract in hopes of impressing the organization for a long-term deal in the future.

The 21-year-old Spalding showed something special, though. He earned a four-year deal with the Mavs. Only this season is guaranteed according to Spotrac. That means Ray Spalding has to continue to prove himself every single day.

Mavericks Head Coach Rick Carlisle likes a lot of things about Spalding’s game. Coach Carlisle was asked about what earned him that four-year deal after the team’s first practice on Sept. 22, and he heaped a ton of praise on Ray Spalding.
Read more