NBA

Hawks add center Thomas to bolster frontcourt

CBSSp The Atlanta Hawks have signed free-agent center Etan Thomas to add bulk in the frontcourt.

The 6-foot-10 Thomas spent most of his career with the Washington Wizards but finished last season with Oklahoma City. Hes averaged 5.8 point and 4.8 rebounds per game over his eight-year career, which includes 74 starts.

Hawks coach Larry Drew says Thomas will add veteran leadership and physical toughness.

Terms of the contract were not released.

Team USA sluggish early, pulls away vs. Tunisia

CBSSpo With nothing to play for, the United States looked as if it didnt want to play.

Outworked and outhustled, the Americans led winless Tunisia by only four points early in the third quarter before turning the game into a rout over the final 15 minutes of a 92-57 victory Thursday.

Eric Gordon scored 21 points for the U.S., which had already clinched first place in its group and was mo than earning any style points.

"It happens," center Lamar Odom said. "These teams are pumped u...
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USA eases past Iran at Worlds, earns top seed

CBSSpo In the political arena, Iran vs. the United States is a matchup that gets attention.

In a basketball arena, not so much.

"For me, its a normal game," Iran captain Mahdi Kamrany said.

Kevin Durant chips in 12 points for the U.S., which improves to 4-0 in the tourney. (AP) The United States won it easily, earning a top seed in the knockout round of the world championship with an 88-51 victory Wednesday in the first meeting between the countries with a history of contentious relations.

The U.S. team, which downplayed the political aspect of the game, methodically pulled away in the first half, wearing d...
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Tickets go on sale for Raptors-Nets game in London

CBSS Tickets have gone on sale for the first regular-season NBA games in Europe.

The New Jersey Nets and Toronto Raptors will play a pair of games at the O2 Arena in London on March 4-5, and the NBA is planning a week of activities across Britain for the occasion, including basketball clinics and 3-on-3 competitions.

Nets guard Devin Harris says "everyone involved in bringing the games to London is excited about playing in one of the worlds great cities."

The NBA has been playing preseason games in London for several years, and the Los Angeles Lakers will face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 4 for this years inst...
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Heat sign ex-WVU star Butler, pushing roster to 18

CBSS Former West Virginia star DaSean Butler has signed with the Miami Heat, becoming the teams 18th player under contract going into training camp.

Butler was the 42nd pick in this years draft. He was projected as a potential lottery choice before he tore a ligament in his left knee during the Mountaineers Final Four loss to eventual NCAA champion Duke.

The Heat ranked Butler as the 21st-best player in the draft, after he averaged 17.2 points for West Virginia as a senior.

Doctors believe the torn ACL in Butlers left knee should be fully healed in time for the NBA season, and the team expects him to be ready to par...
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