Sonics wins 99-95 against the Dallas Mavericks, but leaves Seattle for good.

What a way to end a 41-year NBA history. With the Sonics moving to Oklahoma City next season, most fans were shouting, “Save our Sonics,” with the hope that the owner, Clay Bennett will change his mind. However, according to some insiders, Bennett tried his best to have the Sonics stay but due to financial matters, had to be moved to a smaller arena or market like Oklahoma.

There might still be a chance if the league’s owners decide not to agree to the move. As per Marc Cuban, Dallas Mavericks owner, “It’s not over till it’s over. I’ll vote against it.”

Source

Kidd got the last triple double when he got his 10th assist on Howard’s, three-point. The official announcement came a bit later, and the fans applauded the feat.

Dallas needed the win to clinch the 7th seed in the Playoffs. A loss to them and a win by the Denver Nuggets would’ve meant a first-round series between the Hornets and Nuggets, while the Mavericks will be suiting up against the LA Lakers.

The Miami Heat might as well be called the Miami Hospital because of the number of players down: Alonzo Mourning, Dwayne Wade, and Dorell Wright all have knee problems. Maybe it’s time to change the trainer of these players as they are obviously getting hurt frequently.

The present? The Miami Heat has the NBA’s worst record, 13-62. The future? Marion can go free agent next season. Is he, like Shaq, leaving as well?

Source

Benny the Bull is needs to know his manners. According to Ganrnet:. “Bulls can talk”� said Garnett, who initially was upset after he and Posey were hit in the back by clothing fired from a T-shirt launcher during a timeout in the closing minutes of the C’s 106-92 victory. “Walking off the floor we got hit by some shirts.”� Garnett was restrained.

Benny should be grateful he still has his fake head on.

Source

The Golden State Warriors were leading all the way until Kobe made a game out of it. The Los Angeles Lakers were down 26 points but managed to close it down to one with Kobe’s brilliant shots from the three. Jackson of the GS Warriors admitted that, ”I think we got a little too complacent with that lead. We should have known Kobe was going to come back and take over and bring his team back.” And bring back he did, however, Stephen Jackson had the last say.

Other Golden State notables were Monta Ellis making 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Baron Davis made 18, and Al Harrington added 13. This made their team 1.5 games above the surging Denver Nuggets for the race for the final eight spot in the playoffs.

Source

Regardless of Arenas not being cleared, the Washington Wizards do their thing on the court against the Playoff-bound Detroit Pistons 95-83. Just another night for the Wiz.

The Wiz has been killing giants like David did Goliath. Although their just a bit above the .500 mark, they have beaten some of the best teams in all NBA kingdom: two wins over the Boston Celtics, New Orleans Hornets, and Cleveland Cavaliers, they are now 1-1 with Detroit.

People step up when a good player goes down. Awnton Jameson has been picking up the slack left by Arenas, he had a good double-double night with 24 points and 12 rebounds. On the other hand, Antonio Daniels have started 51 straight games for Arenas and has shown that he’s capable of supporting his teammates well.

Let’s see what they do a week from now, when Arenas gets back—they should be even better.

Source

On the other side of the Losing column, the Toronto Raptors have lost seven out of eight games. Both coach Sam Mitchell and Bosh has lamented that his team seems to be hesitant near the endgame.

Source

For the Dallas Mavericks we’re hoping that it’s just a sprain and that he’ll be out for a couple of weeks. Their team is on a neck-to-neck race with the Golden State Warriors for the final playoff slot. Another team waiting in the wings is the Denver Nuggets as they are currently on the eight spot for the playoffs.

Let’s see what the reports will tell on Monday.

Source

NBA Owners have decided to thrown in the towel in the fight to keep the Sonics in
Seattle. They voted 28-2 to approve the franchise’s move from Seattle to Oklahoma. Yes, one of them, as he promised, Marc Cuban of the Dallas Mavericks.

Even with this vote, hope remains in the heart of Sonics fans and management. The team chairman, Clay Bennett said he’s done all he can and remains hopeful of a renegotiated lease buyout. The city itself can delay the team’s departure for two more years by winning the pending federal court battle over the lease’s enforcement.

On the other side of the pond, Oklahoma has voted for a one-percent sales tax increase for 15 months to fund the upgrade of the Ford Center, and the Governor allowed an estimated $60 million in tax rebates for the Sonics’ ownership group over the next 15 years.

Will this story ever have a happy ending?

Source