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″/>

8 is enough: Iverson, Pistons stop Cavs’ streak
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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.

Raptors fall 106-96

Andre Miller gets around Anthony Parker during second half action between the Toronto Raptors and the Philadelphia 76ers at the Air Canada Centre on Nov.

Game to pay attention to: Raptors vs. Magic (Yahoo! Sports)
(The best thing about searching for random Magic and Raptor images is that you’re bound to find pictures like…

Raptors Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Jermaine O’Neal was obtained by the Raptors in the most

significant trade of the Bryan Colangelo era for one reason—to

shore up Toronto’s wretched interior defense.

O’Neal may not yet be in tip-top condition—he figures every 10

games will be a watershed mark in his recovery from missing almost two

full seasons with a knee injury—but he’s not backing down from

trying to do his job.

He worked almost exclusively one-on-one against Dwight Howard in

Orlando on Tuesday and has given Toronto an inside presence it’s

lacked for years.

All because it’s a matter of pride.

“In Indiana, we never doubled. We played one-on-one defense,” he

said.

NBA Power Poll: Ranking teams, sizing up rookies (SportingNews.com)
After Anthony Morrow put up 37 points in his first start for the Warriors, it only seemed right to take a closer look at the rookies in this week’s Power Poll.

Nelson dangerous, Howard kills

At the moment in question, the game plan called for the Toronto defender to stand between Dwight Howard, the muscle-bound Magic centre, and the Orlando player holding the basketball.

Nelson leads Magic over Raptors, 103-90 (AP)

Stan Van Gundy predicted at the morning shootaround that Toronto forward Chris Bosh would score 40 points against his Orlando Magic. The Magic coach turned out to be right — and he still got to smile about it. Jameer Nelson, Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis had 22 points apiece as the Magic overcame Bosh’s 40-point, 18-rebound night in a 103-90 win in a rematch of first-round NBA playoff foes.

NBA roundup Nov. 17

Dirk Nowitzki scored seven of his season-high 39 points in overtime and grabbed 15 rebounds, and the Dallas Mavericks snapped a five-game losing streak with a victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday.

Magic still too tough for Raptors

The Toronto Raptors underwent a miniature makeover after losing in the first round of the playoffs last season.

BDL NBA Power Rankings: Shattered dreams, broken promises (Yahoo! Sports)
The BDL NBA Power Rankings combine two parts Chivas Regal with one part flippant observation to create the most…

Heat’s Dwyane Wade might miss Tuesday’s game

Heat guard Dwyane Wade sat out Monday’s practice with a sprained right ankle and is questionable for Tuesday’s game against the Wizards.

NBA Power Poll: Ranking teams, sizing up rookies (SportingNews.com)
After Anthony Morrow put up 37 points in his first start for the Warriors, it only seemed right to take a closer look at the rookies in this week’s Power Poll.

Outspoken Cuban 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.NBA/~4/456207471″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Prior sins
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Warriors extend Jackson through 2012-13
Stephen Jackson is one person the Golden State Warriors consider part of their long-term plans. Golden State has signed its leading scorer to a three-year contract extension announced Monday, a deal that takes the explosive guard-forward through the 2012-13 season. Since Jackson arrived in the Bay Area in a trade with the Indiana Pacers in January 2007, he has been a key piece for coach Don Nelson and a major spark for the Warriors.NBA/~4/456576797″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Wade misses practice with sprained ankle
Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade sat out practice Monday to get treatment on a sprained right ankle. Wade, the NBA’s second-leading scorer at 27.9 points per game, is listed as a game-time decision in Miami’s matchup in Washington on Tuesday. He has played through similar slight sprains in the past. Wade got hurt during the third quarter of Sunday’s 107-96 loss to the Toronto Raptors, but was able to complete the game.NBA/~4/456541760″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Shaq thrown out for flagrant foul
Shaquille O’Neal was ejected from Sunday night’s game between the Phoenix Suns and Detroit Pistons for a flagrant foul. The call came with 5:19 left in the second quarter when Rodney Stuckey went up for a layup and O’Neal sent the Pistons‘ player chest-first onto the court. The flagrant foul two, which is an automatic ejection, was upheld after a review by the officials. O’Neal stayed on the court to argue vehemently before finally leaving.NBA/~4/455533689″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Raptors Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

There are going to be games where Jermaine O’Neal’s offense gets untracked and he scores in bunches to lead the Raptors.

But even if there aren’t, he knows he has to keep making contributions otherwise.

O’Neal may not have had the greatest offensive night—he missed 10 of his 14 shots Sunday against Miami—but he had a season-high 18 rebounds. He was active on both ends, five of his boards came on the offensive glass, and he had two big blocked shots in the decisive fourth quarter.

“You’re not going to shoot well every single night (but) you can’t shoot badly and not play defense,” said O’Neal. “That’s the worst combination you can have in pro basketball.”

O’Neal is fighting back from knee injuries that robbed him of most of the past two seasons.

Grizzlies ragged now but they have a future
O.J. Mayo and the Grizzlies are frustrating to watch at times, but more experience will solve many problems, Charley Rosen says.NBA/~4/454023694″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

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″/>

MyFox NBA Roundup: Mavs End 5-Game Skid With Defeat Of Knicks

Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks dug out of a big hole to snap a five-game losing streak — and leave the New York Knicks wondering what the heck happened.

Wade outguns Bosh but Raptors get last laugh
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Suns hammer Pistons without Shaq
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Dirk goes wild as Mavs end 5-game skid in OT
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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.

Toronto’s Calderon out with sore hamstring (AP)
Toronto guard Jose Calderon missed Sunday’s game against Miami because of a strained right hamstring and was replaced by Will Solomon. Calderon, averaging 13.5 points and an NBA second-best 9.0 assists, sustained the injury in Wednesday’s loss to Philadelphia. Calderon had an MRI Thursday and did not practice Friday and Saturday.

Grizzlies ragged now but they have a future
O.J. Mayo and the Grizzlies are frustrating to watch at times, but more experience will solve many problems, Charley Rosen says.NBA/~4/454023694″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Raptors Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Eight games into the regular season and the Raptors are still searching for an identity, but not the kind you normally hear teams aspire to.

While they pay lip service regarding wanting to be a better team defensively and to be better at rebounding—find one in the NBA today that doesn’t—coach Sam Mitchell knows his team is struggling to figure out what to do at the other end of the court.

Trying to integrate Jermaine O’Neal into an offense that has revolved around Chris Bosh for five seasons is proving to more difficult than they expected.

“I think our thing right now is finding our niche offensively. We’re turning down shots and having two guys like Chris and Jermaine—it’s carving out the niche and making sure those guys get their touches and…

Miami Heat (5-4) at Toronto Raptors (4-4),

The Toronto Raptors have hit a snag and will try to regroup this afternoon versus the Miami Heat at Air Canada Centre.

Warriors top Baron, Clips behind rookie Morrow
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Marbury: Being in limbo is ‘humbling’
Stephon Marbury confirmed Friday’s New York Post report that he and Knicks president Donnie Walsh met on Thursday, but that doesn’t mean anything has been rectified.NBA/~4/453993779″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Parker has off shooting night

Parker has off shooting night : Toronto SG Anthony Parker scored nine points on a poor shooting night against the 76ers Wednesday.

Sloan has high hopes for talented Jazz team

Jerry Sloan has won more than 1,000 games in over 20 seasons in Utah, so he’s had plenty of good teams.

Kobe, Lakers suffer first loss
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Marbury: Being in limbo is ‘humbling’
Stephon Marbury confirmed Friday’s New York Post report that he and Knicks president Donnie Walsh met on Thursday, but that doesn’t mean anything has been rectified.NBA/~4/453993779″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Parker has off shooting night

Parker has off shooting night : Toronto SG Anthony Parker scored nine points on a poor shooting night against the 76ers Wednesday.

Power Poll: Point guard play makes big difference (SportingNews.com)
Mo Williams has upgraded the Cavaliers‘ offense and moved the team into the top 5 of this week’s poll.

Quietly dominant, Howard will make noise
Dwight Howard might be mild-mannered, but the young Magic center is poised to break into superstardom, Mike Kahn says.NBA/~4/453175231″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Morrow scores 37; Warriors beat Baron, Clips
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Nash, Alston, Barnes suspended for fight
The NBA has suspended Steve Nash and Matt Barnes of Phoenix and Rafer Alston of Houston for their roles in a fight. Alston and Barnes were suspended for two games without pay and Nash for one. The league also fined Shaquille O’Neal $35,000 and Tracy McGrady $25,000 on Friday for their actions during the Rockets‘ 94-82 win in Phoenix on Wednesday. Barnes knocked back Alston with his shoulder late in the third quarter, and Alston charged him.NBA/~4/453304394″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Raps looking for answers

A less hamstrung Jose Calderon would be welcome news for the suddenly struggling Raptors that has lost four of its past five.

Sloan has high hopes for talented Jazz team

Jerry Sloan has won more than 1,000 games in over 20 seasons in Utah, so he’s had plenty of good teams.

Raptors Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Eight games into the regular season and the Raptors are still searching for an identity, but not the kind you normally hear teams aspire to.

While they pay lip service regarding wanting to be a better team defensively and to be better at rebounding—find one in the NBA today that doesn’t—coach Sam Mitchell knows his team is struggling to figure out what to do at the other end of the court.

Trying to integrate Jermaine O’Neal into an offense that has revolved around Chris Bosh for five seasons is proving to more difficult than they expected.

“I think our thing right now is finding our niche offensively. We’re turning down shots and having two guys like Chris and Jermaine—it’s carving out the niche and making sure those guys get their touches and…

NBA’s most dominant force? Injuries
The list of the NBA’s walking wounded grows by the day. Randy Hill looks at who’s been hit worst by an abundance of early injuries.NBA/~4/452007863″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Barbosa leaves Suns after mother dies
Phoenix Suns guard Leandro Barbosa returned to Brazil after his mother died. He flew to his hometown of Sao Paulo late Thursday after learning of the death of his mother, Ivete Barbosa. Team officials are not sure when Barbosa will return. His mother had been ill, and he missed two weeks of training camp because she was hospitalized. The Suns play the Kings on Friday night in Sacramento.NBA/~4/453304395″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

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″/>

NBA Power Rankings
John Galinsky’s Power Rankings are no laughing matter in Detroit, not with the Pistons sliding since adding Allen Iverson.NBA/~4/449845717″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Behind the box score, where the Raptors aren’t there yet (Yahoo! Sports)
Boston 94, Toronto 87 Sweet Eddie Harris in heaven, what a game. The easy misconception is that the Toronto…

Don’t be fooled, Jazz still hitting high notes
Don’t be fooled. Under bandleader Jerry Sloan, the Jazz are still hitting all the high notes — just like they always do, Mike Kahn says.NBA/~4/450898184″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Bobcats want Dudley to shoot more

Bobcats want Dudley to shoot more : The Charlotte Observer reports that Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown wants Jared Dudley to shoot more.

Court Awareness: Recapping Tuesday’s action
After watching LeBron James go for 41 again, John Lorge thinks we might be able to end the MVP debate early.NBA/~4/450977849″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Richardson to miss a week after surgery
Bobcats scoring leader Jason Richardson will be out about a week following arthroscopic surgery Wednesday on his right knee. The 6-foot-6 guard will miss Friday’s game against Utah and is doubtful for Sunday against Orlando, the team said. Richardson is averaging 17.6 points. He led Charlotte with 23 points in an 88-80 loss to Denver on Tuesday that dropped the Bobcats to 2-5 under coach Larry Brown.NBA/~4/450977852″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Philadelphia 76ers (2-5) at Toronto Raptors (4-3),

The struggling Philadelphia 76ers will try to solve their problems on the road tonight, when they open a short two-game trek against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre.

Oden to return to Blazers’ lineup Wednesday
Greg Oden says he’s ready to play. The Portland Trail Blazers center says he’ll play Wednesday night against the Miami Heat, even though the team is listing him officially as a game-time decision. Oden has missed the Blazers’ last six games because of a sprained right foot suffered in Portland’s season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. “Feels good. I’m ready. I’m excited,” Oden said after Wednesday’s shootaround. “I’ll hopefully play the full game tonight.” Oden was the No.NBA/~4/450945826″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Raptors Talk Trade with Warriors and Bobcats

Last week, we saw a blockbuster trade in which Allen Iverson was shipped from the Denver Nuggets to the Detroit Pistons.

Nets offer free tickets, job fair to unemployed fans
Plenty of sports teams have given away bobblehead dolls, caps and seat cushions. But the New Jersey Nets are trying to do more for their fans in these hard economic times: Get them jobs. The Nets announced Wednesday they are providing 1,500 free tickets over the next two months to unemployed fans who submit resumes to the team. The NBA team plans to send the resumes to its 120 corporate sponsors and a couple hundred firms that own season tickets.NBA/~4/451156096″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

NBA Capsules (AP)
Paul Pierce scored 22 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Boston Celtics to a 94-87 comeback win over the Toronto Raptors on Monday night. Kevin Garnett added 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Ray Allen had 19 points for the Celtics (7-1). Boston scored 58 points in the second half after getting just 36 in the opening 24 minutes.

Hill: Mayo among standout NBA rookies
Nobody doubted O.J. Mayo’s ability to score. But Randy Hill says there’s much more to the Memphis rookie than meets the eye.NBA/~4/449696786″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Suicide lines: Delonte’s ‘fro, hot Knicks, Pistons’ transition … (Yahoo! Sports)
Each weekday morning, BDL serves up a handful of NBA-related stories to digest with your scrumpets.

Nuggets waive McDyess week after Billups trade
The Nuggets have waived Antonio McDyess, one week after they obtained him from Detroit along with Chauncey Billups and Cheikh Samb in a swap for Allen Iverson. McDyess hasn’t played any games for the Nuggets since the trade.NBA/~4/448782988″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>