Free agent Crawford decides to sign with Blazers

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Free-agent guard Jamal Crawford has joined the Portland Trail Blazers.

Crawford, who was reportedly considering Sacramento and the Blazers, announced his choice on Twitter, posting "Rip city!!!"

The Blazers made it official a few hours later on Thursday when they announced they had signed Crawford. The terms of the two-year deal were not released.

In order to make a deal with Crawford, the team used the NBA's new amnesty clause to waive All-Star guard Brandon Roy, who announced his retirement last week because of ongoing knee problems.

An 11-year veteran, Crawford played for the Atlanta Hawks the last two seasons. For his career, the 31-year-old has averaged 15.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists. He won the NBA's Sixth Man award in 2010.

"We've thought highly of Jamal for a long time and think he's a great fit for our team," said Chad Buchanan, Portland's acting general manager. "He brings a scorer's touch and veteran leadership that will help us immediately."

Blazers guard Wesley Matthews said he spoke to Crawford on Wednesday night.

"I'm excited about it," Matthews said. "He wants to come and win and that's what we're about."

Crawford, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, will help the Blazers deal with the absence of Roy and former Blazer Rudy Fernandez, who was traded away on draft night in June.

Matthews said he was unconcerned about potential competition for playing time.

"We can coexist at the same time, similar to what they did in Atlanta with Joe Johnson and him," Matthews said.

By using amnesty to waive Roy, the Blazers freed up salary cap space that allowed the team to use a mid-level exception on Crawford. Roy, who was under a max contract, was set to make $15 million this year.

"Brandon's announcement that he is leaving the game ultimately shifted our decision to amnesty," Buchanan said in a statement. "We're given the immediate option to obtain additional salary cap flexibility as we will no longer be in the Luxury Tax - something that is critical to improving our team and helping us recover from the loss of a player of Brandon's caliber."

A three-time All-Star who has played all five of his NBA seasons in Portland, Roy had been dogged by pain for the past two years because he lacks cartilage between the bones in his knees.

He sat for stretches of last season because of soreness and had arthroscopic surgery on both knees last January. He returned to end the season with a career-low average of 12.2 points in 47 games.

Roy, a fan favorite whom many credit with turning around the team's once-tarnished "Jail Blazers" reputation, finished his career with averages of 19 points, 4.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds.

Coach Nate McMillan praised Roy and his proclivity for late-game heroics after practice on Thursday.

"The closer. That's how I look at him," McMillan said. "The closer has closed."

Crawford is close to Roy, a fellow Seattle native.

Buchanan told reporters Thursday afternoon that Roy will always have a place in the organization.

"If there's any role that he wanted to take on moving forward, we would love to have him in any capacity ... there's always going to be a place for Brandon in this organization," Buchanan said. "And at some point he'll probably consider and look into all of his options and what he wants to do now that he's done playing. We just want to make sure that he knows he always has a home with us."

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Oden signs 1-year deal with Trail Blazers

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- The Portland Trail Blazers and Greg Oden agreed to a restructured one-year contract after the oft-injured center had another setback during his rehabilitation from microfracture surgery on his left knee.

The new contract was announced Friday after the Blazers opened training camp. A day earlier, Oden's agent reported the former No. 1 draft pick had agreed to the $8.9 million qualifying offer that Portland offered on June 29.

There had been speculation Oden might be able to play in late January but Blazers acting general manager Chad Buchanan said a medical exam on Thursday led to some concerns.

"We're hopeful that Greg can get back out on the court this year - maybe not quite as optimistic as we were before - but we feel like Greg Oden is worth that risk for one more year,'' Buchanan said.

Oden's condition wasn't the only health-related issue as the Blazers opened camp.

All-Star guard Brandon Roy unexpectedly informed the team Thursday night that he planned to retire because of ongoing issues with both of his knees. Then forward LaMarcus Aldridge underwent a heart procedure on Friday that will keep him out for up to two weeks.

The 7-foot Oden hasn't appeared in a game in two years. He is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent following this season.

The terms of his new deal were not announced, and the nature of the setback was not disclosed by the team. Oden was examined by doctors in Colorado on Thursday and had an MRI.

Portland selected Oden with the first pick in the 2007 draft, but the ex-Ohio State star had microfracture surgery on his right knee and waited until 2008 to make his NBA debut. He also broke his left kneecap and sat out much of the 2009-10 season.

He is averaging 9.4 points and 7.3 rebounds over 82 career games.

"I'm obviously disappointed with the setback, but I'm as determined as ever to return to the court,'' Oden said in a statement released by the team. "I appreciate the support of the Trail Blazers and our fans and that they continue to stand behind me.''

Aldridge was diagnosed in 2007 with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, a condition which causes the ventricles of the heart to contract prematurely. During an annual exam with his cardiologist on Friday, it was determined he needed the procedure to "evaluate the status of the electrical system in his heart,'' the team said.

Aldridge later posted to Twitter account: "Thanks for the support everybody. I'm feeling better and will be ready to go in a few days.''

Aldridge missed the final nine games of the 2006-07 season following a similar procedure.

The 6-foot-11 forward from Texas averaged 21.8 points and 8.8 rebounds last season, the best of his five-year NBA career. He had 36 double-doubles.

The Blazers open the season at home against Philadelphia on Dec. 26.

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Portland Trailblazers Brandon Roy to seek medical retirement an unexpected farewell

All-Star guard Brandon Roy has told the Portland Trail Blazers he plans to retire because of ongoing trouble with his knees.

A five-year veteran who helped the team shed its "Jail Blazers'' reputation, Roy has been dogged by pain for the past two seasons. He has said in the past that he lacks cartilage between the bones in both knees.

Acting general manager Chad Buchanan said the Trail Blazers were still looking at their options concerning Roy, including the amnesty clause in the NBA's new labor agreement.

Players were informed of Roy's surprising decision on Friday morning before the team's first practice of training camp.

"I couldn't believe it,'' Blazers forward Nicolas Batum said. "I still can't believe it.''

Roy did not report to the Blazers' practice facility Friday and his agent did not respond to requests for comment on his retirement plans, first reported by ESPN.com.

NBA spokesman Tim Frank said Roy had not yet filed the appropriate paperwork with the league.

Coach Nate McMillan spoke to Roy on Thursday night and described him as disappointed.

"Of course, we know what he means to this franchise. He was part of bringing it back, bringing back winning basketball,'' McMillan said. "Unbelievable talent. You're sad to see a situation like this happen.''

It sounded as if Roy was ready to go when Blazers President Larry Miller, McMillan and Buchanan held a news conference on Monday. Roy had met with team officials earlier that day and said he felt good and was ready to help the team in any way he could.

But it became apparent during a medical evaluation on Thursday that Roy's knees were not going to be able to handle another season.

"It's a tough situation,'' Blazers center Marcus Camby said. "People will say `Hey, he'll get his money.' But Brandon's a competitor.''

Buchanan said late Friday that the team was exploring its options concerning both a formal medical retirement and amnesty for Roy, who signed a five-year maximum contract with the team in 2009. The clause would allow the team to waive Roy without having his salary count against the cap and luxury tax.

"We're somewhat in the infant stages of going through that process and getting that started,'' Buchanan said. "But (we're) very supportive of Brandon in all of this. It's a very difficult decision as you can imagine.''

If the 27-year-old Roy files for medical retirement, insurance likely would take care of his salary in coming years. His salary would not count against the cap after one year.

Roy sat for stretches of last season because of soreness. He had arthroscopic surgery on both knees last January and finished the season with a career-low average of 12.2 points in 47 games.

Roy averaged 19 points, 4.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds for his career.

The sixth overall pick in the 2006 draft out of Washington, Roy was acquired by the Blazers in a draft-day trade. The 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year made the All-Star team from 2008-2010.

Nicknamed "The Natural'' by the team's broadcasters, Roy has been the affable face of the franchise and remains popular among Portland fans.

In last season's first-round playoff series against the eventual NBA champion Dallas Mavericks, Roy shook off the pain and led Portland to a stunning 84-82 comeback victory in Game 4. He scored 18 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter as the Blazers erased a 23-point deficit.

But when the season was over, Roy sounded defeated.

"This has just been a tough year, my most difficult as a Blazer,'' he said. "I tried to make the most of things. I can definitely say I honestly tried. I've given this team my best.''

On Friday, Camby pointed up to the retired jerseys lining the rafters of the Blazers' practice facility.

"His number belongs up there,'' Camby said. "That's all I can say.''

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Portland rally stuns Dallas, others leave it too late

(Reuters) - The Portland Trail Blazers, led by Brandon Roy, overcame a 23-point deficit to stun the Dallas Mavericks 84-82, while late rallies by the San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls and Denver Nuggets fell short.

Roy scored 18 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter including the game-winning basket with 39.2 seconds left, thrilling the fans at the Rose Garden, and leveling the best of seven series at two home wins each.

The Trail Blazers survived two missed three point attempts by the Mavericks in the closing seconds.

"It still doesn't feel real yet. Just an unbelievable game, the comeback," said Roy who underwent arthroscopic surgery on both knees in mid-January.

"With everything I've been through this season, it all came into that moment there on the court, when guys were grabbing me and cheering me on. It was real special."

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 18 points for Portland and Gerald Wallace recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 20 points.

In Memphis, the eighth seeded Grizzlies hung on for a 91-88 win over the San Antonio Spurs to grab a 2-1 lead over the Western Conference's top seed.

The Grizzlies seized control of the game early with a 14-4 surge spanning the first and second quarter, but needed a rare three-point basket from Zach Randolph with 41.9 seconds secure the victory.

Randolph led the Grizzlies with 25 points while the Spurs were led by Manu Ginobili's 23 points.

In Indianapolis, the Chicago Bulls blitzed the Pacers in the final four minutes but were unable to complete the comeback falling 89-84.

Chicago outscored the Pacers 18-3 over a 3:30 span to move to within one point at 85-84 with 15.3 seconds but Danny Granger, who led the Pacers with 24 points, hit two critical free throws extending the Pacers lead back to three points.

Chicago's Carlos Boozer missed on a clear three point attempt on a broken play with three seconds remaining and Granger hit two more free throws to finish the game.

Joakim Noah led Chicago with 21 points and 14 rebounds and Rose scored 15 points and had 10 assists.

In the late game, the Oklahoma City Thunder rebounded from a dismal third quarter for a 97-94 win over the Denver Nuggets to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.

The Nuggets outscored Oklahoma City 24-15 in the third quarter to take a 73-71 lead into the fourth quarter. Russell Westbrook led the Thunder to victory in the fourth quarter with 13 of his 23 points.

Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 26 points and Kenyon Martin, Nene, and J.R. Smith scored 15 points each for Denver.

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Celtics beat Knicks; Mavs and Magic also win

(Reuters) - The Boston Celtics overcame an inspired performance from Carmelo Anthony to beat the New York Knicks and take a 2-0 lead in their NBA playoff series on Tuesday, while Orlando and Dallas also grabbed victories.

Orlando's Dwight Howard, who scored 46 points in a Game One loss to the Hawks, poured in 33 points and grabbed 19 rebounds as the Magic beat Atlanta 88-82 to even their series at 1-1.

In Dallas, the Mavericks got 21 points off the bench from Peja Stojakovic to compliment 33 from Dirk Nowitzki as the home team held off the Portland Trail Blazers 101-89 to take a 2-0 series lead with Game Three set for Thursday in Portland.

With New York's Chauncey Billups out due to a sore knee and Amare Stoudemire sitting out the second half because of back spasms, Anthony stepped up and matched a career playoff high with 42 points and pulled down 17 rebounds.

However, Anthony's outstanding individual effort was not enough as the Celtics hung on for a 96-93 win.

After back-to-back heart-breaking losses, the Knicks head home to the 'Big Apple' for Games Three and Four on Friday and Sunday, needing at least one win to avoid being swept from the first round.

The Knicks clawed their way back to a 93-92 lead with 19 seconds to play before Kevin Garnett dropped the go-ahead basket with 13 seconds left on the clock. He followed that up with a big defensive play at the other end of the court, diving on a loose ball with just four seconds left.

Rajon Rondo paced the Celtics with 30 points.

"We have so many weapons," Rondo told reporters. "Kevin wanted the ball and I told him to be ready and he came through for us on both ends of the floor."

Orlando avoided falling behind 2-0 in their series with the help of a 10-1 run to close the third quarter that gave the Magic a 65-54 cushion.

Jameer Nelson had 13 points for the Magic while Hedo Turkoglu had 10.

Jamal Crawford had 25 points coming off the bench to lead the Hawks and Josh Smith had 17.

Portland were looking to return home with the series tied 1-1, but Nowitzki led the Mavs to a 28-17 fourth-quarter advantage to fend off the visitors.

Stojakovic, who was released by the Toronto Raptors before the Mavericks signed him in January, drained five three-pointers and was a point short of his season-high.

LaMarcus Aldridge paced the Blazers with 24 points and 10 rebounds.

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Lakers rally past Blazers late for 12th win in 13

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Kobe Bryant scored 10 of his 22 points in a dynamic fourth quarter, and the Los Angeles Lakers rallied from behind in the final three minutes for their 12th win in 13 games, 84-80 over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night.

Derek Fisher made back-to-back steals to put the Lakers ahead with 1:56 to play before hitting a clinching jumper with 10 seconds left. Bryant did the rest despite his sprained ankle and sore jaw, highlighted by a picture-perfect fallaway jumper with 32 seconds to play.

The Lakers managed a late surge despite playing without starting center Andrew Bynum, who was suspended two games by the NBA on Sunday for his flagrant foul on Minnesota's Michael Beasley two days earlier.

Nicolas Batum scored 22 of his 25 points in the first three quarters for the Blazers, whose three-game winning streak ended with a fourth-quarter flop, scoring just 14 points on 5-for-18 shooting.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 18 points in Bynum's absence down low, while Marcus Camby had 10 rebounds before hobbling off the court with an undisclosed injury in the final minutes. With three straight losses to the Lakers, Portland lost the season series with Los Angeles for the first time since 2004-05.

Although their last two wins haven't exactly been works of art, the Lakers formally clinched a playoff berth earlier Sunday when the Utah Jazz lost to Houston, and this victory wrapped up their fourth consecutive Pacific Division title and 50-victory season.

In Bynum's absence, Portland outrebounded the Lakers 45-35 and nursed a steady lead throughout the second half after making a 15-0 run spanning halftime, holding the Lakers without a field goal for 6 1/2 minutes.

But Bryant's acrobatic layup pulled Los Angeles to 74-72, and Bryant dunked after a steal by Fisher to even it at 76 with 2:20 to play.

Fisher made another steal on the next possession and drove for a layup to put the Lakers ahead. After Bryant's jumper with 1:11 left put the Lakers up by four points, Ron Artest got a technical foul from referee Dan Crawford after exchanging shoves down low with Gerald Wallace.

Lamar Odom had 16 points and 11 rebounds while starting in Bynum's place, and Pau Gasol added 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson was disappointed by the league's decision on a two-game suspension for Bynum, who was ejected after turning his shoulder and sending Beasley crashing to the court during the Lakers' win last Friday. Jackson said he doesn't understand the NBA's logic in its decisions.

Bryant showed no ill effects early from his sprained ankle and a sore jaw resulting from a head-to-head collision with Minnesota's Martell Webster. The All-Star game MVP scored 10 points in the first half, but the Lakers missed Bynum's defensive presence and even his scoring in the first half, getting just eight points apiece from Gasol and Odom.

Portland took its first lead on Aldridge's layup 53 seconds before halftime. Batum went 8 for 10 for 19 points in the first half, hitting a 3-pointer in the final minute to stake the Blazers to a 48-44 lead.

Matt Barnes banked in a 3-pointer from a step inside the half-court line at the third-quarter buzzer, trimming the Blazers' lead to 66-62.

NOTES: Odom has started 33 games for the Lakers this season, while Bynum has started 37. Bynum missed the first 28 games while recovering from offseason knee surgery. ... The Lakers have reached the playoffs in 33 of the last 35 seasons, missing the postseason only in 1993-94 and 2004-05. ... Fans near courtside included Bruce Willis, Will Ferrell, David Arquette and Andy Garcia

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Charlotte sends Gerald Wallace to Trail Blazers for Joel Przybilla, forwards Dante Cunningham and Sean Marks

(NBA) Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins announced today that the team has acquired center Joel Przybilla, forwards Dante Cunningham and Sean Marks, two first-round draft picks and cash considerations from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Gerald Wallace.

"This was an incredibly difficult decision, but one that we thought was in the best interest of our franchise for the long term," Higgins said. "We are receiving two first-round draft picks that will help us build for our future, while also opening up opportunities for our young players and receiving pieces that will help us remain competitive in our push to make the playoffs this season. In addition, the contracts we acquired will provide us with additional financial flexibility moving forward."

A 7-1 center, Przybilla was selected by Houston with the ninth overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft before having his rights traded to Milwaukee. In 548 NBA games with Milwaukee, Atlanta and Portland, he holds career averages of 4.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks, while connecting on .556 from the field. Przybilla has also appeared in 10 career postseason games with the Bucks and Trail Blazers. This season, he has appeared in 31 games (nine starts) with averages of 1.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in 14.4 minutes.

Cunningham, a 6-8 forward, was selected by Portland with the 33rd overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft. He completed his rookie season with averages of 3.9 points and 2.5 rebounds in 11.2 minutes in 63 games. In 56 games this season (nine starts) he has posted averages of 5.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in 19.8 minutes.

The 6-10 Marks was chosen by New York with the 44th overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft. The first native New Zealander to play in the NBA, Marks has appeared in 230 career games with Toronto, Miami, San Antonio, Phoenix, New Orleans and Portland with averages of 2.8 points and 2.2 rebounds in 9.9 minutes. During the 2004-05 season, he captured his first NBA Championship as a member of the Spurs.

Wallace was chosen by the Bobcats in the Charlotte Expansion Selection on June 22, 2004. He appeared in 454 games for Charlotte, with averages of 16.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.2 blocks in 36.8 minutes. He became the first Bobcats player to be named to the Eastern Conference All-Star Team in 2010 and All-Defensive First Team following the 2009-10 season. He finishes his Bobcats career as the franchise’s all-time leader in games and minutes played, points, steals, defensive rebounds, field goals, field goals attempted, free throws and free throws attempted.

"We’d like to thank Gerald Wallace for all of his contributions to this organization both on and off the floor," Higgins said. "He has been the face of this franchise for seven seasons and helped lead us to our first-ever playoff berth. His heart, passion and love for the game will be missed and we wish him continued success."

In addition, the Bobcats have waived guard Sherron Collins and forward Dominic McGuire in order to create the requisite number of roster spots.

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