NBA Update: Week 23
April 11, 2006 NBA Update: Week 23 With just over a week left to play in the NBA regular season, six former Tar Heels have their eyes set on the playoffs. In the Eastern Conference, Vince Carter and Jeff McInnis have helped the New Jersey Nets clinch a division title and a playoff spot. Rasheed Wallace and the Detroit Pistons will also find themselves in the playoffs with the league's best record of 62-15. In addition, former Heels Brendan Haywood and Antawn Jamison, both of the Washington Wizards, will try and hold on to their fifth-place ranking in the East to make the playoffs. Jerry Stackhouse of the Dallas Mavericks represents the only former Tar Heel in the NBA's Western Conference with hopes of success in the postseason. The last games of the NBA regular season will be played on Wednesday, April 19. In the last week, fans can catch several former Tar Heels in the following nationally televised games:
Washington Wizards vs. Chicago Bulls - Friday, April 14 on ESPN at 8:00 p.m. (EST) Week 23 Update on Former Tar Heels in the NBA: Vince Carter, New Jersey Nets - Started at guard in all four games. He recorded a double-double in the Nets' 95-83 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Carter led his team in scoring in three of the four games played. He knocked down 33 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Nets return to action tonight against the Chicago Bulls. Raymond Felton, Charlotte Bobcats - Started at guard in all three games. He led the team in scoring with 20 points against the New Jersey Nets. Felton recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 assists in the Bobcats' 94-88 victory over the Toronto Raptors. The Bobcats return to action Wednesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies. Brendan Haywood, Washington Wizards - Started at center in two of fives games. He played in all five games. He is recovering from lower back problems that sidelined him during week 22. Haywood recorded a double-double against the Atlanta Hawks with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The Wizards return to action Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks. Antawn Jamison, Washington Wizards - Started at forward in all five games. He led the game in scoring with a season-high 37 points against the Philadelphia 76ers. Jamison also led his team in scoring with 18 points against the Atlanta Hawks. The Wizards return to action Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks. Sean May, Charlotte Bobcats - Missed week 23 due to knee injury. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on January 19. The Bobcats return to action Wednesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies. Rashad McCants, Minnesota Timberwolves - Started at guard in all four games. He scored a season-high 28 points and handed out a career-best five assists in a victory over former Tar Heel teammate Marvin Williams and the Atlanta Hawks. McCants also scored 17 points, going seven for seven from the free-throw line, against the Utah Jazz. The Timberwolves return to action tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies. Jeff McInnis, New Jersey Nets - Missed week 23 due to knee injury. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on January 19 to remove torn cartilage. McInnis suffered the injury in the Nets' game against the Dallas Mavericks on January 14. Jerry Stackhouse, Dallas Mavericks - Started at guard in all four games. He scored 12 points in a 92-86 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Stackhouse also handed out eight assists in a 101-77 victory over the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. In week 23 he went nine for nine from the line. The Dallas Mavericks return to action Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors. Rasheed Wallace, Detroit Pistons - Started at forward in three of four games. He missed the Pistons' April 4 game against the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets while serving a one-game suspension for receiving his 16th technical foul of the season in the teams' previous game against the Phoenix Suns. The Pistons return to action Wednesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Marvin Williams, Atlanta Hawks - Started at forward in one game and played in all four. He scored 11 points and had seven rebounds against the Orlando Magic. The Hawks return to action Wednesday night against the Chicago Bulls.
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