Hollins denies rumor of Grizzlies turmoil

Associated Press Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins says he’s on board with Memphis’ new management, even though he would have liked to see the team’s core stay together. Hollins spent more than 20 minutes before Friday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors discussing the turmoil around the club. The Grizzlies have played poorly after two recent trades. One was a money move that sent Marreese Speights, Wayne Ellington and Josh Selby to Cleveland. Then a three-team deal sent Memphis leading scorer Rudy Gay to Toronto. The Grizzlies are on a two-game slide. That led to speculation that the team’s chemistry was damaged, and that Hollins was not on the same page with the Grizzlies’ new front office staff under owner Robert Pera. “There’s been a lot of negativity around our team, and me and my feelings about the trade and my feelings about management,” Hollins said. “Most of it is as far from the truth as it can be.” Memphis defeated the Washington Wizards on Feb. 1, the first game newcomers Tayshaun Prince, Ed Davis and Austin Daye were available. Since then, they’ve lost twice — at home to Phoenix on Tuesday and the following night in Atlanta. In both losses, the team struggled defensively. The Suns scored 96 points and the Hawks 103 against a team that allows a league-best 90 points a game.

Hollins denies rumor of Grizzlies turmoil February 09,2013 04:45 AM GMT Associated Press Copyright � 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,broadcast, rewritten or redistributed..

Sixers’ Richardson out

Philadelphia 76ers guard Jason Richardson will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Richardson will soon undergo surgery on his left knee. It will be performed by Dr. Jonathan Glashow of Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York.

Richardson started 33 games for the Sixers this season, averaging 10.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.21 steals across 28.4 minutes per game. He had 40 steals, but missed the past eight games with the injury before the team ultimately decided on the surgery.

Knicks stuck in Minnesota

The New York Knicks are stranded in Minnesota thanks to the massive snowstorm that is pelting the New York-to-Boston corridor.

The Knicks were in Minnesota to play the Timberwolves on Friday night. They initially planned to fly home after the game, but coach Mike Woodson says that flight has been postponed. The team will stay in Minnesota overnight and try to get home today.

The Knicks are scheduled to play the Los Angeles Clippers at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

Drummond out for month

Detroit Pistons rookie Andre Drummond is expected to miss four to six weeks because of a stress fracture in his back.

The 6-foot-11 Drummond is averaging 7.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

The Pistons discovered the fracture of the fifth lumbar vertebra after Drummond was examined Thursday.

Drummond does not need surgery, and team doctors anticipate a full recovery.