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- Nets coach P.J. Carlesimo said point guard Deron Williams is playing through a variety of injuries. “The guys who are playing big minutes, they’re sore,” he said. “In his case, his ankles and his wrist, he’s had trouble with that all year. The one good thing about him not going to Houston (for the All-Star Game), as we speak, is he’ll get a chance to rest up a little bit.”
- Pistons point guard Jose Calderon will make his home debut tonight. Brandon Knight has shifted to shooting guard with the addition of Calderon, who was acquired from Toronto last week. “It gets Knight off the ball some of the time and makes your matchups very, very tough,” Carlesimo said. “Players like playing with Jose because he’s a very good distributor. A month from now, when he settles in and learns his teammates, it’s going to pay off even more.”
- Rookie Kyle Singler has shifted to small forward since Tayshaun Prince was traded. Singler will make his 42nd start this season. “When you’re the same guy every day, that’s a talent,” Pistons coach Lawrence Frank said. “We’re very comfortable with him on the floor. From the beginning, he’s had no agenda. He just plays hard and tries to do everything we ask of him.”
- A question about potential HGH testing in the NBA led Frank to quip, “If they’re testing the coaches, I’m worried.” Assured it would be for players, he said, “Then, I think it’s great.”
– Dana Gauruder
