NBA Coast to Coast: Derrick Rose to miss another game

Derrick Rose sat out the Chicago Bulls’ game Saturday night against the Indiana Pacers because of his strained left hamstring, which is improving but leaves the All-Star point guard available on a day-to-day basis.

“It’s a lot better today than it was (Friday),” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “We’ll just see how it goes.”

Rose has now missed half of the 10 games this season for the Bulls, who begin a two-week trip on Monday in Los Angeles.

“As soon as he’s ready,” Thibodeau said of when Rose’s availability. “If he needs time, we’re going to give him time. We just have to be patient. It’s going to work out and be fine.”

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Cleveland’s third quarter was unacceptable to LeBron James. The fourth was much better.

James and Kyrie Irving helped the Cavaliers rally for a 122-121 victory over the Boston Celtics on Friday night, when James had 10 of his season-high 41 points in the fourth quarter and Irving scored 15 of his 27 in the final quarter of Cleveland’s third consecutive win.

Perhaps most importantly for the Cavs, they held Boston to 20 points in the final 12 minutes after giving up 42 in the third.

“We gave up a 40-point quarter and that’s unacceptable if we want to grow,” James said, “but we showed growth in the fourth quarter.”

Kevin Love added 12 points and 15 rebounds for the Cavaliers.

“Kyrie made some shots. LeBron made some shots,” Celtics forward Jared Sullinger said. “That’s what great players do.”

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

No Love for Lakers

Lakers fans always believe they’re going to get the next superstar free agent. Well, Cleveland’s Kevin Love addressed the rumor about him opting out of his contract in the summer to sign with the Lakers, telling the Akron Beacon-Journal, “Going to the Lakers, I don’t know where someone got that.”

Popovich not impressed

One would think San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich would be happy with his team having won on the road at the Clippers and Golden State Warriors on back-to-back nights. But when Popovich was asked if he was impressed by his team’s two victories over two good teams, he replied, “That’s your job. I will find something to get on their [butts] about.”

‘Selfish’ Nets

Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Johnson called his teammates out, saying they were playing “selfish” basketball. “Defensively, we help from time to time,” Johnson said. “Offensively, I think guys kind of exhaust their options and then when there is nothing else for them, then they will pass it when they have to. For the most part, we have been very selfish.”

Hardaway speaks out

Although he apologized later on Twitter for his comments, New York guard Tim Hardaway Jr., spoke about the difference between this year’s Knicks team and last year’s squad. “We’re out there trying,” he said after the Knicks lost to Atlanta. “This year, we’re actually out there trying to give it our all. You can see the frustration on our faces if we make a mistake.”

GAME OF THE WEEK

San Antonio at Cleveland: Wednesday at 4 PST. TV: ESPN

The defending NBA champion Spurs will face a Cavaliers team for the first time this season that many think can win the title this season. Cleveland now has its Big Three of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love while San Antonio still has its sage Big Three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. Since it’s not a back-to-back game for the Spurs, the assumption is that San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich won’t rest any of his three stars.