>>Blazers Blast Suns With 42-Point Fourth Quarter
(Portland, OR) -- The Trail Blazers outscored the Suns 42-22 in the fourth quarter en route to a 108-87 win at the Moda Center. LaMarcus Aldridge racked up 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Robin Lopez had 11 points, 12 boards and four blocks against his former team. Nicolas Batum netted a game-high 20 points and Wesley Matthews added 14 to go with eight rebounds for the Blazers, who have won two in-a-row since a three-game skid. Markieff Morris scored 18 points and Eric Bledsoe donated 17 for Phoenix, which has lost three straight and five of its last seven. Alex Len left in the third quarter with a right ankle sprain.
NBA
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Charlotte Hornets 94, Washington Wizards 87
Cleveland Cavaliers 105, Los Angeles Clippers 94
Dallas Mavericks 101, Sacramento Kings 78
>>Pacers' George Eying Comeback From Broken Leg
(Indianapolis, IN) -- Indiana Pacers forward Paul George is doing his best to make it back on the court. After suffering a gruesome broken right leg during a team scrimmage with USA Basketball in July, the two-time All-Star says his goal is to make it back to help the Pacers this year. The Pacers are just 18-and-32 this season without George, who is doing everything in practice except contact. Thursday marked the first time George had spoken with the media since November. Doctors estimated he would need seven months to recover, which could leave the door open for a March return.
>>Report: Stoudemire Could Ask For Buyout
(New York, NY) -- Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire's time in New York could be coming to an end. Stoudemire told Yahoo Sports he is going to decide during the All-Star break if he wants to ask the Knicks for a buyout. He is in the final season of his five-year, 100-million-dollar contract. The 32-year-old is averaging 12.2 points and seven rebounds in 24.5 minutes per game this season. Stoudemire has missed the Knicks last four games with an ankle injury.
>>Magic Fire Coach
The Orlando Magic fired headcoach Jacque Vaughn on Thursday.
Orlando is just 15-37 this season and mired in a 10-game losing streak. The move comes after a 110-103 loss Wednesday at San Antonio.
Assistant James Borrego has been named the interim head coach.
Vaughn posted a record of 58-158 since taking over the position for the 2012-13 season. The Magic finished 20-62 in Vaughn's first year and 23-59 last season.
