Mario Chalmers continues improvement at the point; Sasha Kaun goes for 18

By Staff     Jan 22, 2012

– **Mario Chalmers** (Miami Heat) pieced together another solid game as the Heat stretched a seven-point halftime lead to a 113-92 win against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night. Chalmers scored 11 points, making 4 of 6 shots, 1 of 3 three-pointers and 2 of 4 free throws. He had an impressive eight assists to zero turnovers and added three rebounds, a steal and a block ([full stats here][1]). It was his first game of the season without a turnover, and the eight assists matched a season-high.

And as efficient as Chalmers was on the offensive end, Sun Sentinel beat writer Ira Winderman noted that he was also playing a [“scrappy game of defense.”][2]

Maybe it was Chalmers’ new duds. The Heat paid tribute to the 1971-1972 ABA Miami Floridians on Saturday, wearing neon retro jerseys. [Here’s a great shot of 70s Chalmers, sporting the new/old uniform and a great afro/sideburns combo][3].

– **Nick Collison** (Oklahoma City Thunder) scored four points with three rebounds in 18 minutes on Saturday as the Thunder took down the New Jersey Nets, 84-74 ([full stats here][4]).

– **Josh Selby** (Memphis Grizzlies) played 10 minutes in the second and fourth quarters on Saturday as the Grizzlies ran the Sacramento Kings out the the building, 128-95. Selby missed all three of his shot attempts but had a rebound, two assists and no turnovers in his time on the court ([full stats here][5]).

– **Cole Aldrich** (Oklahoma City Thunder) did not play (coach’s decision) on Saturday against the New Jersey Nets.

‘Hawks overseas
———-

– **Sasha Kaun** (Russia PBL – CSKA Moscow) lit up the scoreboard to the tune of 18 points and five rebounds on Saturday as his team blew out its competition, 110-60. Kaun played just 20 minutes and missed just one of his eight shots. He was also nearly perfect from the free-throw line, hitting 4 of 5 ([full stats here][6]). Kaun and CSKA Moscow will play next in the Euroleague Top 16 tournament on Wednesday.

– **Darnell Jackson** (Ukraine-Superleague – BC Donetsk – Ukraine) scored 10 points in a 73-66 regular season loss on Saturday. Jackson had four rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block in 18 minutes. Six of his 10 points came from the foul line, but he missed four other free throws down the stretch ([full stats here][7]). Jackson and BC Donetsk will play their second Eurocup Last 16 tournament game on Tuesday.

– **Mario Little** (Ukraine-Superleague – SK Dnipro Azot Dniprodzerzhynsk) hit 3 of 5 three-pointers on Saturday and finished with 13 points in a two-point loss. Little added five rebounds and a steal in 27 minutes ([full stats here][8]). Little will play next on Jan. 28.

Other notes
——-

– **Brady Morningstar** (NBA D-League – Tulsa 66ers) scored 23 points on Saturday in yet another ultra-efficient game for the 66ers. Morningstar made 8 of 13 shots (3 of 5 threes, 4 of 6 free throws) and had six rebounds, two steals, five assists and just one turnover in 42 minutes ([full stats here][9]). It was his fourth straight game with at least 16 points. [In that same stretch][10], Morningstar has shot 60 percent from the field (28 of 46) and an absolutely gaudy 81 percent (13 of 16) from three-point range.

– **Kirk Hinrich** (Atlanta Hawks) [told the Associated Press][11] that he hopes to return to the court very soon — possibly as early as this week, when the Hawks will play the first three games of a five-game road trip. Hinrich has been recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

Jayhawks in upcoming NBA games
——————–

**[Sunday, Jan. 22][12]**

– noon, NBA TV, **Paul Pierce** and the Boston Celtics vs. the Washington Wizards

– 5 p.m., **Drew Gooden** and the Milwaukee Bucks vs. **Mario Chalmers** and the Miami Heat

[1]: http://www.nba.com/games/20120121/PHIMIA/gameinfo.html?ls=gt2hp0021100229#nbaGIboxscore
[2]: http://twitter.com/#!/IraHeatBeat/status/160905823982321664
[3]: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2012-01/180813500-20085250.jpg
[4]: http://www.nba.com/games/20120121/OKCNJN/gameinfo.html?ls=gt2hp0021100231#nbaGIboxscore
[5]: http://www.nba.com/games/20120121/SACMEM/gameinfo.html?ls=gt2hp0021100233#nbaGIboxscore
[6]: http://www.eurobasket.com/boxScores/VTB%20United%20League/2012/0121_89_4819.asp
[7]: http://www.eurobasket.com/boxScores/Ukraine/2012/0121_411_4709.asp
[8]: http://www.eurobasket.com/boxScores/Ukraine/2012/0121_6795_2395.asp
[9]: http://www.nba.com/dleague/games/20120121/TULIWA/gameinfo.html?ls=gt2hp2021100160
[10]: http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/brady_morningstar/game_by_game_stats.html
[11]: http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7487834/atlanta-hawks-kirk-hinrich-close-returning-shoulder-surgery
[12]: http://www.nba.com/gameline/20120122/

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