NBA-National Basketball Association roundup
March 3 (The Sports Xchange) - The Sacramento Kings named Vlade Divac as vice president of basketball and franchise operations, the team announced Tuesday. In his new role, Divac, a former Kings player, will serve as an adviser to the front office and coaching staff, assist in talent evaluation and work to build relationships with European players, shepherd global branding efforts and fan outreach initiatives, and oversee player development programs. - - Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook expects to play Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers. Westbrook told Yahoo Sports that he would be back from a facial fracture that required surgery but intends to wear a protective mask. - - The Miami Heat signed forward Henry Walker to a second 10-day contract. Walker has appeared in five games since signing on Feb. 21, averaging 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 24.7 minutes. - - Forward Quincy Miller signed a second 10-day contract with the Detroit Pistons. Miller has yet to appear in a game with the Pistons. He signed his first 10-day deal on Feb. 21. - - The Dallas Mavericks signed center Bernard James, who originally joined the team last month when Tyson Chandler was injured, for the remainder of the season. The 6-foot-10 James was playing in China with the Shanghai Sharks when he signed the first of two 10-day contracts on Feb. 11 after Chandler went down. In five games for the Mavericks, James has started twice and is averaging 4.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots per game. - - Center Earl Barron signed a second 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. Since signing his first 10-day contract on Feb. 21, Barron has averaged 1.6 points and 0.8 rebounds in limited action during five games. - - Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison had surgery to repair a core muscle injury on Tuesday in Philadelphia. The 27-year-old Collison will start rehab with the goal that he can return in six weeks. - - The NBA on Tuesday fined Phoenix center Alex Len and Miami center Hassan Whiteside for their roles in an altercation during Monday's game between the Suns and Heat. Len was fined $20,000 for initiating the altercation and trying to take Whiteside to the floor. Whiteside was fined $15,000 for escalating the incident by wrestling Len to the floor. - - If oddsmakers are correct, Cleveland's title drought will be coming to an end this year, according to CBSSports.com Bovada.lv has released odds and the Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors are favored to play for the title with LeBron James having the best chance to take home the hardware and win the city's first championship since 1964. (Editing by Frank Pingue)
