Monday News and Notes

Monday, May 01, 2006   

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Pistons-Bucks

MLive.com

There’s no such thing as a good playoff loss, but the Detroit Pistons believe something positive can come from their being whipped, 124-104, by Milwaukee on Saturday. Several Pistons talked about how the loss should help them regain their focus on the little things they normally do to win games but that they didn’t do in Game 3 on Saturday.

Richard Hamilton, who has been playing with a left ankle injury sprained in Game 1, was able to fully participate in Sunday’s practice. The injury has limited him in practice, which has impacted his shooting. After shooting 49.1 percent from the field and averaging 20.1 points this season—both career highs—Hamilton has struggled with his shot in this series. In the three games, Hamilton has averaged 16.3 points while shooting 36.3 percent from the field.

Mavericks-Grizzlies

Star Telegram

After running their all-time playoff record to 0-11 with Saturday’s 94-89 overtime loss, tying the NBA record for a playoff skid, the Grizzlies are hanging onto any ray of hope. Coach Mike Fratello must be wondering what it takes to win a playoff series. Fratello-coached teams are just 1-13 in their past 14 playoff games. Counting this series against the Mavs, Fratello is 2-19 in his last six playoff series dating to his first season with Cleveland, 1993-1994. Shooting guard Eddie Jones plans to play tonight despite nursing a swollen right hand. X-rays taken on Jones’ hand Saturday were negative, but Jones believes a bone is broken.

Nuggets-Clippers

Cleveland Plain Dealer

The Denver Nuggets said Sunday that forward Kenyon Martin’s suspension would last through the remainder of the team’s first-round series with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Clippers lead the best-of-seven series, 3-1, with Game 5 tonight at the Staples Center.

MLB

Phillies-Marlins

Sun Sentinel

Willis is coming off his first-ever April loss (15 starts) after allowing three runs on five hits in seven innings against the Cubs. He is 8-6 with a 3.54 ERA in 15 career May starts. Left-handed hitters are 4 for 22 (.182) with no extra-base hits off Willis. He has won five of eight lifetime decisions against the Phillies with a 2.96 ERA (12 starts). In 17 career appearances (no starts), Madson is 0-2 with a 2.25 ERA, four walks and 25 strikeouts in 24 innings against them. He has given up a run on four hits and struck out 11 in 102/3 Dolphin Stadium innings. Opponents are batting .375, including a .415 mark by lefties, against Madson. Left-handers have accounted for the three homers Madson has served up in 19 innings. Sunday marked the first of five straight games vs. right-handed starters. The Marlins are 4-12 against them so far.  In splitting two games at Phila-delphia April 21-23, the Marlins went 13 for 66 (.197) with six runs and five extra-base hits.  They are 57-41 all-time vs. Phillies at Dolphin Stadium. Entering Sunday’s series finale at Pittsburgh, the Phillies were tied with the Padres for the league’s fourth-lowest average off lefties (.226).  Their .271 road average through Saturday was seven points better than the league median.

Rockies-Braves

Savannah Now

After tangling with the NL East leaders, the Braves now get the improbable leaders of the West, the Colorado Rockies, for two games.But the Rockies (15-10) will be forced to face Atlanta’s top two starters in the brief series at Turner Field. For tonight’s 7:05 p.m. start, right-hander Tim Hudson (1-2, 5.87) will face Rockies right-hander Jason Jennings (1-1, 6.60).