Hooped Up

Jason Kidd had 19 points, a season-high 20 assists and a major career milestone — all in three quarters — sending Dallas to a 140-116 victory over Phoenix on Sunday, virtually assuring the Mavericks of no worse than the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Dallas leads Phoenix by four games with five to play. The Mavericks, who won the season series, hold the tiebreaker over the Suns. Any Dallas win or Phoenix loss clinches a ninth straight postseason trip for the Mavericks and ends a streak of four straight playoff trips for the Suns.

Kidd’s 14th assist gave him 10,142 for his career, passing Magic Johnson for No. 3 on the NBA’s list. Among those who gave him a standing ovation was broadcaster Mark Jackson, who is second with 10,334.
Los Angeles Times

Tyler Hansbrough has made a sacrifice by returning for his senior year, at least in terms of money. In last year’s N.B.A. draft, he would have probably been selected between No. 18 and No. 28 in the first round, Chad Ford, a draft analyst for ESPN.com, said. Hansbrough is now projected to be picked between No. 25 and No. 35, which would put him in the late first round or early second round in June’s draft, which is considerably weaker than last years. Ford attributed the decline in Hansbrough’s N.B.A. stock to what he described as “the curse of college seniors.” “The longer you stay, the more your draft position begins to slip, because people draft in part on upside,” Ford said in a telephone interview. ?”Right now, the thing about Tyler is they don’t see any upside to him. He is what he is. He’ll play hard. He’ll be strong and an aggressive player in the league, but the upside isn’t there.”
New York Times

The Cavs have made a “medically necessary” release of veteran guard Eric Snow on Sunday. It indicates the NBA has approved the team’s disability claim for his left knee, wiping him off the books for luxury tax purposes.In insurance and tax savings, the Cavs will reduce their payroll nearly $11 million with the decision, which has been in the works for about a year.

Snow suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee working out in Atlanta before last season. He had surgery and returned but was never the same. He shut it down last February knowing he probably could never play again. Over the summer when he tried to work out, the knee instantly swelled.
Cleveland Plain Dealer

Three games into his comeback from wrist surgery, Washington Wizards center Brendan Haywood is quick to point out he has a long way to go in the conditioning department. “I’m supremely out of shape,” the eight-year veteran said. “My weight is fine, but it’s my wind. I haven’t been this out of shape since high school.” Good shape or not, Haywood quickly reminded the Wizards how sorely they missed him. He was out for the season’s first 74 games while rehabilitating from October surgery that repaired a torn ligament in his shooting wrist. 
Washington Times 

Rockets forward Carl Landry stepped up his rehabilitation routine Sunday after an examination Saturday gave him a green light to “push it” in his rehab from his March 17 gunshot wound. “He’s doing great,” athletic trainer Keith Jones said. “He went to see the doctor (Saturday). The doctor said ‘push it.’ We’re going to push the running and practice (today) and see how he feels. I think he is a little more confident.” Jones said he hopes Landry could be ready to play in Oakland on Friday. 
Houston Chronicle