Frank Franklin II | Posted: Saturday, October 22, 2011 2:39 pm

Frank Franklin II | Posted: Friday, October 21, 2011 3:38 am

Spurs’ Ginobili doubtful for playoff opener

San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili is doubtful for Game 1 against the Memphis Grizzlies after spraining his right elbow in the regular-season finale.

The all-star had an MRI exam Thursday that confirmed the sprain. Ginobili hyperextended the elbow in the first quarter of Wednesday’s loss at Phoenix.

The Spurs said Ginobili will be listed as doubtful for the playoff opener Sunday. San Antonio locked up the No. 1 seed in the West last week and plays the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round.

Coach Gregg Popovich sat his stars Tuesday at the Los Angeles Lakers, but played them against the Suns with the goal of keeping them in a rhythm for the playoffs. The 33-year-old Ginobili averaged 17.4 points this season.

Source: NBA fines Lakers, Jackson $75,000

A person familiar with the decision has told the Associated Press that the Los Angeles Lakers and Phil Jackson each have been fined $75,000 for comments the coach made about collective bargaining. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity Thursday because the league will not announce the fines.

The two fines come a day after the league fined Lakers star Kobe Bryant $100,000 for using a derogatory gay term in frustration over a referee’s call.

Golden State GM gets new contract

New Golden State Warriors owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber gave general manager Larry Riley a vote of confidence Thursday.

Riley received a new multiyear contract to stay put as GM and executive vice president of basketball operations. Former sports agent Bob Myers was hired as the team’s new assistant GM and vice president of basketball operations to serve as Riley’s right-hand man and contract expert.

Golden State finished the season with a 110-86 home win Wednesday night against the playoff-bound Portland Trail Blazers – and did so without leading scorer Monta Ellis, who sat out his second straight game with a concussion.

- Inquirer wire services

Just a year after the Suns vanquished the San Antonio monster in the playoffs, the Spurs are back to ending the season for the Suns.

The Suns closed the Spurs’ season last year with a second-round sweep that was as sweet as cane sugar for Phoenix, given four arduous playoff exits to the black and silver dating to 2003.

The Suns’ season ends, win or lose, Wednesday night at US Airways Center. Adding to the frustration, the Spurs can complete a season sweep of Phoenix, which has gone from the West’s third seed last season to 10th place this year. San Antonio has improved from a seventh seed last season to the top seed in the West and possibly the league.

“Knowing San Antonio, remembering what we did last year, they’ll probably play everybody,” Suns power forward Channing Frye said. “But we like it that way. We want to continue to play and leave it out there because this is an opportunity for us to play and go out there and have fun. You never know when is the next time we’ll all be together like this.”

The Suns can’t avoid their first losing season in seven years but can be creative with goal setting. A win to finish 40-42 would make them one of four teams with seven consecutive 40-win seasons, along with Dallas, Denver and San Antonio.

Pietrus plans return

Swingman Mickael Pietrus plans on making a return for the Suns. It just won’t be Wednesday night.

Pietrus will end the season by missing a 12th consecutive game with a quadriceps-tendon strain near his right knee. Despite a diminished role before the injury, Pietrus said he wants to return to the Suns next season. He has a $5.3 million player option.

“I like it here,” Pietrus said. “It was just different for me. I had to adjust during a short period of time. I’d never been traded. Training camp will help so the coaches can get to know me as a player, and I can get to know my teammates. It’s not easy to get to know a player when you’re chasing the eighth (playoff) spot. Next season, I’ll have time to be part of the family.”

Pietrus suffered the injury March 23 when he landed awkwardly after attempting to block a shot. The Suns have gone 3-8 since then.

Pietrus stayed in Phoenix for rehabilitation during the recent five-game trip.

“I can barely walk,” he said. “To play a NBA game is too hard. I wish I could be with my teammates. It’s improving but not strong enough to be on the floor. I have a hard time going up stairs.”

With his option, Pietrus would be one of three wing players under contract, along with Jared Dudley and Josh Childress. The Suns also intend to re-sign Grant Hill.

Nash’s title hunt

Guard Steve Nash seems assured of winning his fifth league assists title in seven seasons.

Nash leads with an 11.42 average. Boston’s Rajon Rondo is second at 11.18. If Rondo sits out Wednesday night, Nash would win without recording an assist. If Nash did not play, Rondo would need 28 assists. Nash, 37, already became the oldest player to win an assists title last year.

Nash needs one made free throw without a miss to retake the career free-throw percentage record from Mark Price.

Free throws

- For Fan Appreciation Night, the Suns are giving away a car, $5,000 in Fry’s gift cards, jewelry and a suite to a Josh Groban concert. More than 1,000 fans will receive autographed “Suns Legacy” items, and 20 fans will receive items autographed by current Suns players.

- Hill’s 13 20-point games this season are the most by a player at least 38 years old since Reggie Miller had 16 at age 39 in 2004-05.

- Brandon Johnson, the former University of San Diego guard who was charged with taking a bribe to fix a USD game, played two games for the Suns’ summer-league team in July.

By Tom Ziller – NBA Contributor

Read More: San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Lakers, Apr 12, 2011 10:30 PM EDT

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Apr 12, 2011 - The Los Angeles Lakers have lost five straight games, and are at distinct risk of landing in the No. 3 or even No. 4 spot in the West bracket of the 2011 NBA Playoffs unless they can beat the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday (10:30 p.m. ET, TNT). The Lakers trail the Dallas Mavericks by a half-game in the race for No. 2; if L.A. beat the Spurs and the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, the champs will claim No. 2 and home court advantage until the conference finals.

That’s a distinct if, though, considering the five losses L.A. has suffered in the past week and change. If L.A. loses both remaining games — Wednesday’s tilt in Sacramento could be the final game that city ever sees, and is sold out — and Oklahoma City wins on Wednesday, the Lakers could find themselves opposing the Denver Nuggets in the first round and the Spurs in the second round. Denver is one of the teams that has vanquished the Lakers during this losing streak.

The Spurs lead the season series with L.A. 2-1, as the Lakers won in San Antonio last month. The Spurs could be playing for something of their own; they need at least one win to guarantee at least a chance for home court advantage in the NBA Finals against prospective opponent Chicago, and two wins to definitely guarantee it. Gregg Popovich hasn’t tipped his hand as to whether he’ll fight for that distinction, but it wouldn’t be a surprise either way.

For Spurs coverage, check out Pounding The Rock. For more on the Lakers, visit Silver Screen And Roll and SB Nation Los Angeles.