Trail Blazers Fire Cheeks

For all his popularity among the players and fans, Portland Trail Blazer coach Maurice Cheeks ultimately didn’t have the wins.

Cheeks was fired Wednesday morning, after the Trail Blazers had lost seven of their last nine and tumbled to 22-33.

“It’s a sad day for me because I’ve got guys on my team that I really ... ,” said Cheeks, 48, his voice trailing off in disappointment during an emotional news conference.

“I didn’t do as well a job as I could have, as I did in previous years.”

With Portland’s playoff chances dwindling, the Trail Blazers appointed Kevin Pritchard, the team’s director of player personnel, as interim coach.

Portland is 12th in the Western Conference, 5 1/2 games behind the Lakers for the eighth and final playoff spot after missing the postseason for the first time in 22 years last season.

Cheeks, 162-139 as Portland coach, was in the final year of a four-year, $12-million contract.

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Chicago Bull forward Tyson Chandler was fined $10,000 by the NBA after making an obscene gesture toward referee Sean Corbin following a foul call Tuesday during the Bulls’ loss to the Houston Rockets.

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Atlanta Hawk guard Tyronn Lue was suspended by the NBA for one game after punching Denver Nugget forward Eduardo Najera during Tuesday’s loss.

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Washington Wizard point guard Gilbert Arenas was fined $7,500 by the NBA for criticizing the referees following Sunday’s loss to the Sacramento Kings.

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Point guard Steve Nash is expected to play for the Phoenix Suns tonight against the Detroit Pistons after missing three games because of a sore hamstring. ... The New Jersey Nets waived center Elden Campbell, 36. He was claimed off waivers in late January after being waived by Utah following a Jan. 21 trade from Detroit. ... The Utah Jazz placed forward Carlos Boozer on the injured list because of a foot injury that hasn’t healed after more than two weeks of rest.