This is the April 15, 2012 news archive. View today's NBA news and rumors.

National Basketball League News and Rumors

Yankee Stadium crowd boos Tebow and Wade Associated Press, ESPN.com The new backup quarterback for the Jets was booed at Yankee Stadium on Sunday night when he was shown on the giant video board -- even though he was wearing a Yankees cap.
	Afflalo's strong finish helps Nuggets rip Rockets Apr 15, 2012 Associated Press, ESPN.com Arron Afflalo scored 20 of his 22 points in the second half, leading the Denver Nuggets to a 101-86 win over the Houston Rockets on Sunday night in the opener of a crucial home-and-home set between playoff hopefuls.
	Bulls' Rose 'sick and tired' of overly rough fouls Apr 15, 2012 Nick Friedell, ESPN.com Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose is fed up with the way some players in the league are trying to defend him.
	Rose ties game with late 3, lifts Bulls to OT win Apr 15, 2012 Associated Press, ESPN.com Derrick Rose scored 24 points, including a tying 3-pointer in the final seconds of regulation, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Detroit Pistons for the 15th straight time, 100-94 in overtime Sunday night.
	Magic's Davis sprains right knee vs. Cavaliers Apr 15, 2012 ESPN.com news services, ESPN.com Orlando center Glen Davis left the Magic's game against Cleveland in the first quarter with a sprained right knee and is doubtful to return. Related: nba.com
	Gordon, Hornets win again by cruising past Grizz Apr 15, 2012 CNNSI.com NEW ORLEANS (AP) Eric Gordon gave Hornets owner-to-be Tom Benson a firsthand look at what he can do, and why keeping him around might help New Orleans become a playoff contender sooner than later.
	Miami Heat send message to NY Knicks that one superstar, Carmelo Anthony, is not enough to beat them Apr 15, 2012 nydailynews.com The Miami Heat sent a message on Sunday, all right. Actually they sent a few - and not only to the Knicks.They delivered one to all those Knick fans who think their favorite team misses Jeremy Lin more than it misses Amar’e Stoudemire.
	Rondo stars as Celts roll Bobcats without Big 3 Apr 15, 2012 Associated Press, ESPN.com Rajon Rondo had 20 points and 16 assists to help the Boston Celtics beat the Charlotte Bobcats 94-82 Sunday night despite playing without three of their star players. Related: CNNSI.com
	Thornton's jumper in final seconds boosts Kings Apr 15, 2012 Associated Press, ESPN.com Marcus Thornton scored 20 points and made the winning jumper with 3.2 seconds left, lifting the Sacramento Kings to a 104-103 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night. Related: CNNSI.com
	DeRozan fuels injury-riddled Raptors over Hawks Apr 15, 2012 CNNSI.com ATLANTA (AP) DeMar DeRozan scored 23 points and the injury-riddled Toronto Raptors beat the Atlanta Hawks 102-86 on Sunday night for their second straight win over a playoff-bound team.
	Bynum, Lakers sink Mavs in OT; Kobe sits again Apr 15, 2012 CNNSI.com LOS ANGELES (AP) Sure, Pau Gasol and the Los Angeles Lakers are well aware a regular-season sweep means nothing compared to a playoff sweep. Related: nba.com, ESPN.com
	Cuban eyes review for basket interference calls Apr 15, 2012 Jeff Caplan, ESPN.com Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has lobbied the league to immediately begin making basket interference situations in the final two minutes of regulation and overtime reviewable.
	Cavaliers' mascot returns after accidental punch Apr 15, 2012 nba.com At least one member of the Cleveland Cavaliers is off the injury list.
	Wizards' Mason out for season with finger injury Apr 15, 2012 nba.com Washington Wizards guard Roger Mason will have surgery Monday on an injured finger and will miss the rest of the season.
	Bynum (23 and 16) lifts Lakers past Mavericks Apr 15, 2012 Associated Press, ESPN.com Andrew Bynum had 23 points and 16 rebounds, Pau Gasol made back-to-back 3-pointers in overtime, and the Los Angeles Lakers won their fourth straight game without Kobe Bryant, 112-108 over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. Related: CNNSI.com
	Magic prepare to end season without Howard Apr 15, 2012 Associated Press, ESPN.com Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy says he's preparing to play the rest of the regular season and playoffs without injured star Dwight Howard. Related: nba.com
	LeBron, Heat stifle Knicks, claim Southeast title Apr 15, 2012 Associated Press, ESPN.com LeBron James had 29 points and 10 rebounds, Dwyane Wade added 28 points and nine boards, and the Miami Heat beat the New York Knicks 93-85 on Sunday to clinch the Southeast Division title. Related: CNNSI.com
	James Jones Flopped, And It Sent Jeff Van Gundy On An Apoplectic Rant Apr 15, 2012 Timothy Burke, deadspin.com ESPN basketball analyst Jeff Van Gundy has gone on rants about flopping before, but today's (sparked by a third-quarter dive by James Jones in the Heat-Knicks matchup) is one for the ages. Play-by-play man Mike Breen tries his hardest to get Van Gundy o…
	Hibbert's double-double helps Pacers top Bucks Apr 15, 2012 CNNSI.com MILWAUKEE (AP) The Indiana Pacers couldn't make a basket in the final 4 minutes against the Milwaukee Bucks . However, they did plenty of other things well enough to win their fourth consecutive game. Related: ESPN.com
	Spurs dampen Suns' postseason hopes with rout Apr 15, 2012 CNNSI.com SAN ANTONIO (AP) The San Antonio Spurs insist that being the No. 1 seed in the West isn't important to them. They still might wind up with it.
	Official: Kings talks like dealing with N. Korea Apr 15, 2012 ESPN.com news services, ESPN.com Six weeks after the Kings' owners and California's capital city reached a deal on financing a new arena, the team's future appears shakier than ever, as elected leaders and the team's owners have publicly declared they no longer trust each other.
	Ian Eagle Had A Whiny Meltdown Last Night, Accused Partner Mike Fratello Of Being "Patronizing" Apr 15, 2012 Timothy Burke, deadspin.com The final minutes of last night's YES Network broadcast of the Celtics-Nets game were awkward after veteran play-by-play rock Ian Eagle inexplicably voiced his complaints to analyst Mike Fratello on-air.
	The NHL Had A Good Day Yesterday Apr 15, 2012 Sean Newell, deadspin.com The Stanley Cup Playoffs, like the NBA playoffs, drag on for what feels like an eternity-spanning April, May and June. If every day shakes out the way yesterday did, however, then it might be worth it. Four games were played and three went to overtime. …
	Mike Woodson is exactly what the NY Knicks need in their head coach to follow Mike D'Antoni, as Jeff Van Gundy once followed Don Apr 15, 2012 nydailynews.com Jeremy Lin did plenty for the Knicks in a few weeks in February, touched off Linsanity, became a marketing and media sensation, nearly was discussed as a candidate to succeed Mike Bloomberg.
	Spurs clinch Southwest with win against Suns Apr 15, 2012 Associated Press, ESPN.com The Spurs coasted past the Suns 105-91 on Saturday night.
	Stoudemire Is Hitting His Stride in Practice Apr 15, 2012 Jake Appleman, nytimes.com Amar'e Stoudemire, recovering from a back ailment, could rejoin the Knicks on Wednesday against the Nets. Stoudemire will still be a starter, his coach says.
	NY Knicks' rivalry with Miami Heat will be on display at Madison Square Garden Sunday as LeBron James sees Carmelo Anthony & Co. Apr 15, 2012 nydailynews.com It might be a preview of No. 2 versus No. 7 in the East Sunday at the Garden, but this time, LeBron James isn’t thinking that the Heat’s potential first-round opponent, the Knicks, is merely breakfast.