FUTURE IN DOUBT
Former OU and Oklahoma Christian School star Blake Griffin will sit until the Detroit Pistons figure out what to do with him
Former six-time All-Star and former Oklahoma standout Blake Griffin' s time with the Detroit Pistons is coming to an end, after the team and player agreed he will be out of the lineup until a resolution on his future is reached, Pistons general manager Troy Weaver said in a statement Monday.
"I am grateful to the Pistons for understanding what I want to accomplish in my career and for working together on the best path forward," Griffin said in his statement.
Griffin' s mammoth contract makes a trade difficult. His cap hit is $36.8 million this season, and he holds a player option for $38.9 million in 2021-22.
A buyout would allow him to seek a new team this season, while the Pistons would get out f rom his contract next season, opening up cap savings.
Griffin, who turns 32 on March 16, is a diminished player from his 2019 AllStar form, averaging 12.3 points this season with 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists, shooting a dreadful 36.5% overall and 31.5% from 3-point range (6.2 attempts per game) in 20 games for the Pistons (8-19). His 3.1 free-throw attempts per game are by far the lowest of his career. CAVALIERS: Two-time AllStar Andre Dummond will be inactive for upcoming games as the Cavs, who are struggling badly after a solid start, pursue a trade for him. Drummond sat out Sunday night's game — the team called it “rest” — against the Los Angeles Clippers and will continue to stay on the sideline.The Cavs moved center Jarrett Allen into Drummond's starting spot on Sunday, and the team intends to build around the 22-year-old Allen, who was acquired along with forward Taurean Prince from Brooklyn in a trade last month.
Late Sunday
CLIPPERS 128, CAVALIERS
111: Lou Williams scored a season-high 30 points in his first start of the season, and Los Angeles defeated Cleveland on Sunday night, sending the Cavaliers to their seventh straight loss. The threetime Sixth Man of the Year added a season-high 10 assists and made all eight of his free throws on a night when the Clippers were without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. SUNS 109, MAGIC 90: Devin Booker scored 27 points, Mikal Bridges added 21 and Phoenix cruised to their sixth straight victory, beating short-handed Orlando in a game that was never particularly close. Terrence Ross led the Magic with 23 points. Dwayne Bacon added 19 points, and Nikola Vucevic had 14 points and 10 rebounds. BLAZERS 121, MAVERICKS 118: Damian Lillard hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer in the final minute after a big Dallas rally, and the Trail
Blazers held off Doncic and the Mavericks for a victory Sunday night. He finished with 34 points and 11 assists. Luka Doncic scored 44 points. SPURS 122, HORNETS 110:
Dejounte Murray had 26 points and 12 rebounds, leading San Antonio to a victory over the shorthanded Hornets. Derrick White scored 12 of his season-high 25 points in the fourth quarter, helping San Antonio to its fifth win in six games. TIMBERWOLVES 116, RAPTORS 112: KarlAnthony Towns scored seven of his 20 points late in the fourth quarter before fouling out with 38 seconds left, and Minnesota beat Toronto Sunday night. Malik Beasley also scored 20 points, hitting six of 10 3-point shots. PISTONS 123, PELICANS 112: Mason Plumlee finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, and Detroit spoiled Stan Van Gundy's return to Motown, beating New Orleans on Sunday night. Plumlee's final rebound came with about 2:30 remaining, sealing his milestone, and the Pistons have now won back-toback games for the first time this season.