AROUND THE LEAGUE

Doug Collins, fired as coach of the Detroit Pistons on Feb. 2, was hired as an NBA commentator by NBC. He’ll join the network’s No. 1 team of Bob Costas and Isiah Thomas on March 29, when San Antonio plays at Indiana, and work with them through the NBA finals.

Bill Walton, who has joined the No. 1 team for the NBA finals in recent years, will instead work on the “NBA Showtime” pregame and halftime shows.

Collins was an announcer for Turner Broadcasting for six years before taking the Piston job in 1995. Before getting into broadcasting, he coached the Chicago Bulls from 1986-89.