Waiters benefiting from lessons learned in past career stops

Dion Waiters is quick to point out that he has learned plenty in a short time from Miami coach Erik Spoelstra and the assistants on the Heat staff. Waiters has been sensational for Miami during its 10-game winning streak, one that has vaulted the Heat right back into the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Rodger’s Quick Take

… nt Phil Jackson for creating an awful climate in a season that started out with so much promise. Rodger Wyland is the sports director for NewsChannel 13. Listen to him weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon on WTMM (104.5 FM, “The Team”).

Celtics win in Pierce’s farewell

Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas drives past Los Angeles Clippers guard Raymond Felton, behind, as Celtics forward Amir Johnson looks on in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Boston. ORG XMIT: MASR113 less Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas drives past Los Angeles Clippers guard Raymond Felton, behind, as Celtics forward Amir Johnson looks on in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 5, … more Isaiah Thomas stole the spotlight from Paul Pierce on Sunday, scoring 28 points to lead Boston to its seventh straight victory, a 107-102 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in the former Celtics captain’s final game in the Garden.

Celtics say goodbye to Pierce, beat Clippers 107-102

Isaiah Thomas bumped into Paul Pierce tooling around Boston on Saturday night and then stole the spotlight from the former Celtics captain on Sunday. With the crowd uncertain whether to cheer loudest for the Celtics or for Pierce – or for the Patriots in the Super Bowl – Thomas scored 28 points to lead Boston to its seventh straight victory, a 107-102 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in Pierce’s final game in the Garden.

Westbrook powers Thunder past Blazers 105-99

Russell Westbrook scored 19 of his 42 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 105-99 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. Westbrook also had eight assists and four rebounds in his eighth 40-point performance of the season.

Jokic Could Be The MVP Of The Rising Stars Challenge

Dec 28, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic shoots the ball over Minnesota Timberwolves forward Gorgui Dieng during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Emmanuel Mudiay will be in the Rising Stars Challenge in this year’s All-Star weekend.

Knicks could try to deal Carmelo, but should they?

New York Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek, left, talks to Carmelo Anthony during the second half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, in New York. New York Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek, left, talks to Carmelo Anthony during the second half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, in New York.

Kings top Warriors in OT, Kerr ejected

Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins, left, dunks over Golden State Warriors center JaVale McGee during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. /Copyright 2017 The Associated Press.

Irving, Rose out for Cavs-Knicks game

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving drives against New Orleans Pelicans forward Terrence Jones during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, in New Orleans. /Copyright 2017 The Associated Press.

Warriors’ Shaun Livingston to return vs. Kings

Golden State Warriors’ Shaun Livingston dribbles next to Miami Heat’s Dion Waiters during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. less Golden State Warriors’ Shaun Livingston dribbles next to Miami Heat’s Dion Waiters during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, in Oakland, Calif.

Booker nets 33, hits winning jumper to lift Suns over Kings

Devin Booker scored 33 points and hit the game-winning jumper at the buzzer, giving the Phoenix Suns a 105-103 victory over the Sacramento Kings Booker nets 33, hits winning jumper to lift Suns over Kings Devin Booker scored 33 points and hit the game-winning jumper at the buzzer, giving the Phoenix Suns a 105-103 victory over the Sacramento Kings Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2l2OMO7 Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker, left, goes to the basket against Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. SACRAMENTO, Calif.

Yogi Ferrell lights up Blazers as Mavericks win fourth straight

Yogi Ferrell lights up Blazers as Mavericks win fourth straight Ferrell, on a 10-day contract, finished with 32 points and nine 3-pointers in a 108-104 victory. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2k6daKK Mavericks guard Yogi Ferrell celebrates after hitting a shot late in the fourth quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center.

Despite rumors of trade talks with Knicks, Kevin Love doesn’t expect Cavaliers to trade him

Despite weeks of rumors that the NBA champions have been in trade talks with the New York Knicks about a deal involving Carmelo Anthony for the All-Star forward, Love said Friday that he expects “to be here for a long time.” Love said he has grown accustomed to having his name in trade speculation and laughed when the rumblings of him landing in New York were mentioned to him following practice.

Magic Johnson’s return means many things for the Los Angeles Lakers

Magic Johnson’s sudden and surprising return to the Los Angeles Lakers as an adviser to owner Jeanie Buss has many far-ranging consequences for the franchise. If there was any doubt that big changes were coming to the Los Angeles Lakers, they went away Thursday morning, when the team stunned the basketball world with the announcement of the return of franchise icon Magic Johnson as an adviser “in all areas of basketball and business” to team owner Jeanie Buss.

Friday Bolts – 2.3.17

A throwback big, Adams defends very well in space and in the post; offensively, he’s a constant presence on the boards and has developed a rudimentary post game to keep defenses honest. Perhaps his best trait is the most unheralded of all basketball actions: Adams might be one of the best screeners in the NBA.

Kuchar starts hot in Arizona

Matt Kuchar eagled the par-5 13th and added two late birdies and a big par save on the rowdy par-3 16th hole to take the first-round lead in the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Kuchar shot a 7-under 64 in perfect afternoon conditions at TPC Scottsdale for a one-stroke lead over defending champion Hideki Matsuyama and Brendan Steele.

Trade proposals from a Nuggets fan

I’ve been thinking over some scenarios that could benefit both of the Magic and Nuggets. I’ve been following the Magic for quite some time, even considered them my second favorite team in the league for a while.

Warriors beat Clippers 133-120 for 9th straight win over LA

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers guard Raymond Felton defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, in Los Angeles. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers guard Raymond Felton defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, in Los Angeles.

It’s Official. The Warriors Have the Clippers Number

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant, left, looks to pass as Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, in Los Angeles. The Splash Brothers dropped 50 points and the Warriors blew out Los Angeles, 133-120, for their ninth consecutive victory over the Clippers.

Re: Pint-Sized Super-Human Isaiah Thomas Carries Celtics Over Raptors

It can be really tempting to make excuses for this one. The refs had a very interesting interpretation of the rules, DeMar DeRozan was out with injury, Patrick Patterson was on a minutes restrictions, they missed a fair amount of makeable shots and so on, but any game in which you build an 18 point 3rd quarter lead is a game that you should win.

Magic Johnson to advise Lakers ownership

The Los Angeles Lakers today announced Thursday that Earvin “Magic” Johnson will return to the franchise to assist Jeanie Buss in all areas of basketball and business as an advisor. “We are thrilled and honored to add Magic’s expertise and abilities, and I look forward to working alongside him.”

More

The Timberwolves won 111-105 in overtime. . Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson, right, shakes hands with teammate Draymond Green after Thompson scored during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, … .

Court Hearing For Man Accused Of Shooting Security Guard Canceled

Court Hearing For Man Accused Of Shooting Security Guard Canceled A court hearing for a man accused in the point blank shooting death of a transit guard in downtown Denver has been canceled. Deputies Back On The Job After Rescuing Mother In Burning Home Two Arapahoe County Sheriff’s deputies who rescued an unconscious woman from a fire in her apartment say they were determined to try to rescue everyone they could.

Cody Rhodes Still Doesn’t Regret Leaving WWE

Court Hearing For Man Accused Of Shooting Security Guard Canceled A court hearing for a man accused in the point blank shooting death of a transit guard in downtown Denver has been canceled. Deputies Back On The Job After Rescuing Mother In Burning Home Two Arapahoe County Sheriff’s deputies who rescued an unconscious woman from a fire in her apartment say they were determined to try to rescue everyone they could.

How the Plumlee trade affects Milwaukee’s Cap

When Milwaukee signed Miles Plumlee to a 4-year/$50 million dollar contract this summer, many raised their eyebrows not at a re-signing, but at the pricey figure they had to pay. As Plumlee’s remained either chained to the bench or as noticeable as a gnat while on court, the combination of years and heavy cap hit was putting a strain on Milwaukee’s salary cap going forward.