Associated Press
MILWAUKEE ó It might be the next big thing in online social networking, but Milwaukee Bucks coach Scott Skiles isn’t a big fan of Twitter.
Bucks forward Charlie Villanueva got a talking-to from Skiles after the coach learned Villanueva posted a message to his Twitter feed ó a “tweet” ó from his mobile phone during halftime of Sunday’s home win over Boston.
“Don’t want to blow it out of proportion, but anything that gives the impression that we’re not serious and focused at all times is not the correct way we want to go about our business,” Skiles said.
Using the screen name “CV31” ó Villanueva’s initials and jersey number ó Villanueva posted the following message during halftime Sunday:
“In da locker room, snuck to post my twitt. We’re playing the Celtics, tie ball game at da half. Coach wants more toughness. I gotta step up.”
And he did. Villanueva finished with a team-high 19 points as the Bucks won 86-77.
“I was very into the game ó as you can tell, the way I played,” Villanueva said. “But you can interpret it two different ways. You can look at it like, ‘OK, he’s definitely going to step up’ versus, ‘Oh, he’s really not into the game, he’s not paying attention.’ But that wasn’t the case at all. That wasn’t my intention at all.”
Twitter allows its users to send short, text-message style notes to a mass audience.
ROCKETS
HOUSTON ó Hours after arriving home from an important victory in New Orleans, the Houston Rockets awakened to news that forward Carl Landry had been shot overnight near his home.
Landry, 25, sustained a minor wound to his left calf and is expected to miss only one to three weeks. The team said Landry was treated at a hospital and released.
Houston police said Landry was driving his sport utility vehicle southbound on a city street when a northbound car swerved into his path and collided with his vehicle. Landry and the driver of the other vehicle made U-turns, and the vehicles collided again. Landry’s SUV hit a utility pole.
Police spokesman Kese Smith said Landry got out of his SUV to check the damage and was shot by one of the two occupants of the car. The suspects fled the scene while Landry ran to get help, police said.
MAVERICKS
DALLAS ó Mavericks swingman Josh Howard will be out at least another week because of an injured left ankle that may need surgery.
TUESDAY’S SCORES
Cavs 97, Magic 93
CLEVELAND ó LeBron James hit a long 3-pointer with 47.4 seconds left and added two free throws with 8.7 seconds to go as the Cavs improved to 30-1 at home.
James was wearing green and white Nikes to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Hawks 119, Kings 97
ATLANTA ó Al Horford had 23 points and 12 rebounds, and Josh Smith finished with 21 points and 10 boards. The Hawks (40-28) have their highest win total since 1997-98. Mavericks 103, Pistons 101
DALLAS ó Dirk Nowitzki scored 30 points, Jason Terry had 18 and Erick Dampier tied his season high with 16 points. He also had 13 rebounds.Dallas was up by 10 with 2:10 left, but the Pistons got within 98-95, 100-97 and 101-99. They scored as time expired.
Richard Hamilton (groin), Rasheed Wallace (calf) and Allen Iverson (back) were out.
Spurs 93, Timberwolves 86
SAN ANTONIO ó Tony Parker scored 24 points, and Tim Duncan sat out in a move aimed at keeping him fresh for the playoffs.
Bulls 127, Celtics 121
CHICAGO ó John Salmons tied a career high with 38 points for the Bulls, and Paul Pierce led Boston with 37. The Celtics were trying to clinch a share of a division title.
Jazz 103, Wizards 88
SALT LAKE CITY ó Carlos Boozer had 13 points and 15 rebounds for Utah.