Pelicans acquire Mirotic to help fill void left by Cousins
Pistons beat Grizz in Griffin’s debut
NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Pelicans acquired forward Nikola Mirotic and a second-round draft pick from the Chicago Bulls for center Omer Asik, guards Jameer Nelson and Tony Allen, and a first-round pick.
The trade, announced by both teams late Thursday afternoon, comes less than a week after New Orleans lost All-Star DeMarcus Cousins for the season because of a left Achilles tear — and with the Pelicans still in the playoff picture.
Mirotic has averaged 16.8 points and 6.4 rebounds since missing the first 23 games this season because of two broken bones in his face stemming from a fight in practice with Bobby Portis. The altercation soured Mirotic on playing for Chicago, and the Bulls were looking to accommodate his request to be traded.
“Niko’s representatives were consistent over the last several months that they wanted him moved,” said John Paxson, the Bulls’ executive vice president of basketball operations. “They never backed off of that stance one bit.” SUNS: Phoenix waived center Greg Monroe in a buyout agreement.
Monroe was acquired from Milwaukee on Nov. 7 in the trade that sent Eric Bledsoe to the Bucks. He becomes an unrestricted free agent if he clears waivers.
Thursday night
PISTONS 104, GRIZZLIES 102: In Detroit, Blake Griffin had 24 points and 10 rebounds in his debut for Detroit as the Pistons edged Memphis.
Griffin was impressive throughout his first game for the Pistons since they traded for him earlier this week. His teammates looked uncertain at times, but Detroit was able to outlast Memphis team that is without Tyreke Evans and Mike Conley.
ROCKETS 102, SPURS 91: In San Antonio, Texas, James Harden had 28 points and 11 assists as Houston dominated San Antonio the second time this season.
Clint Capela added 14 points and 13 rebounds in Houston’s third straight win. The Rockets led by as many as 19 points in the first matchup between the Texas rivals since the Spurs’ 124-109 blowout loss on Dec. 15 in Houston.
TIMBERWOLVES 108, BUCKS 89: In Minneapolis, Jimmy Butler scored 28 points for Minnesota, and Karl-Anthony Towns had 24 points and 11 rebounds for his NBA-best 46th double-double.
The Timberwolves were coming off consecutive losses at Atlanta and Toronto. WIZARDS 122, RAPTORS 119:
In Washington, Bradley Beal scored 25 of his 27 points in the second half, leading Washington past Toronto.
The Wizards had eight players score in double figures in their third straight win without All-Star John Wall, who had surgery on his left knee Wednesday. NUGGETS 127, THUNDER 124: In Denver, Gary Harris hit a 3-point shot as time expired to give Denver a victory over Oklahoma City.
With 2 seconds left, Oklahoma City’s Paul George, who totaled 43 points, hit a 3-pointer to tie the game..