NEW YORK — The Grizzlies fired coach Marc Iavaroni after a lackluster 11-30 start.
Team spokesman Dustin Krugel confirmed Iavaroni’s dismissal Thursday night but would not say who would coach the Grizzlies tonight against the Knicks. Iavaroni led Memphis to a 22-60 record last season in his first year as an NBA head coach.
Howard 3-million vote man
ORLANDO, Fla. — Magic center Dwight Howard — who leads the NBA in rebounds, blocked shots and double-doubles — got a record 3,150,181 votes to lead this season’s all- star team, released Thursday.
The Feb. 15 game in Phoenix will mark the third all-star trip for Howard, who easily topped the previous record of 2,558,278 votes collected by Houston’s Yao Ming four years ago.
“Wow, what a blessing,” Howard said. “That is what I took it as, a blessing from God and then the fans.”
Miami’s Dwyane Wade (2,741,413) and Detroit’s Allen Iverson (1,804,649) will be in the East’s backcourt, alongside reigning all-star MVP LeBron James of Cleveland (2,940,823) and Boston’s Kevin Garnett (2,066,833).
Kobe Bryant of the Lakers (2,805,397) will be joined at guard by New Orleans’ Chris Paul (2,134,798). At center, Yao (2,532,958) will start, along with forwards Tim Duncan of San Antonio (2,578,168) and Amar’e Stoudemire of Phoenix (1,460,429).
Footnotes.
Ron Artest (ankle) and Tracy McGrady (knee) of the Rockets practiced and said they are close to recovering from injuries.
• Warriors guard Monta Ellis will return to action tonight against Cleveland after missing the season while recovering from a sprained left ankle. The Associated Press
