In the News

Bargnani leads Raptors past Bobcats (Yahoo! Sports)

Andrea Bargnani scored 30 points, DeMar DeRozan had 20 and the Toronto Raptors beat Charlotte 92-87 Tuesday night, snapping a six-game losing streak to the lowly Bobcats. Linas Kleiza scored 18 points and Jose Calderon added 11 assists and Toronto won back-to-back games for the first time since road victories at Phoenix on Jan.

Bargnani has 26 points as Raptors beat Nuggets (Yahoo! Sports)

Andrea Bargnani scored 26 points, Jose Calderon had 10 points and 10 assists and the Toronto Raptors snapped a nine-game losing streak against Denver, beating the Nuggets 105-96 Wednesday night. Toronto's two former Nuggets had big games. Gary Forbes had 11 points and 10 rebounds and Linas Kleiza scored 15 points.

Stuckey, Knight lead Pistons past Raptors, 105-86 (Yahoo! Sports)

Rodney Stuckey had 20 points and eight assists and Brandon Knight scored 19 first-half points as the Detroit Pistons routed the Toronto Raptors 105-86 Saturday night. The Pistons, who are now 11-6 since a 4-20 start, had six players in double figures and shot over 50 percent for the second straight night.

DeRozan scores 23 to lead Raptors over Rockets (Yahoo! Sports)

DeMar DeRozan scored 23 points as the Toronto Raptors used a rare offensive outburst to beat the Houston Rockets 116-98 on Wednesday night. Linas Kleiza added 19 points while Jose Calderon had 17 points and 12 assists for the Raptors, who wrapped up a 2-2 homestand with one of their strongest games of the season.

Lin's last-second 3 lifts surging Knicks (AP)

Linsane! Jeremy Lin made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with less than a second to play to cap his finishing flurry of six straight points, and the New York Knicks rallied to beat the Toronto Raptors 90-87 Tuesday night, extending their winning streak to six games. The NBA's first American-Taiwanese player, Lin had 27 points and a career-high 11 assists in his first game since being named Eastern...

Delfino's 25 help Bucks end 3-game skid (AP)

Carlos Delfino scored a season-high 25 points against his former team, Drew Gooden had 20 points and 14 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks snapped a three-game losing streak, beating the Toronto Raptors 105-99 on Wednesday night. Mike Dunleavy scored 16 of his 18 points in the second quarter and Stephen Jackson had 17 as the Bucks won for the seventh time in eight games against Toronto.

Johnson scores 30 as Hawks rout Raptors (AP)

Joe Johnson needed just three quarters to match his season high with 30 points, Tracy McGrady scored 15 against his former team and the Atlanta Hawks recorded their sixth consecutive victory over the Raptors, beating Toronto 100-77 on Tuesday night. Atlanta's leading scorer, Johnson has averaged 30 points in his past four games against Toronto.

Nuggets win sixth straight, beat Raptors (AP)

Rudy Fernandez provided both the spark and the cushion for the Denver Nuggets on Friday night. Fernandez scored a season-high 23 points in his return from a sore right Achilles as the Nuggets routed the short-handed Toronto Raptors 96-81 for their sixth straight win. He also served as a barrier between Nuggets forward Al Harrington and Raptors swingman Linas Kleiza in their short skirmish in the...

Raptors' Bargnani sidelined again with sore calf
Former Denver swingman Linas Kleiza is getting the start for Toronto against the Nuggets on Friday night with Andrea Bargnani sidelined with another calf injury.

Raptors end 11-game road skid to Jazz (AP)

Jose Calderon hit a 3-pointer to tie it at the end of regulation and the Toronto Raptors rallied from an 18-point first-quarter deficit to beat the Utah Jazz 111-106 in double-overtime Wednesday night. Andrea Bargnani and reserve Linas Kleiza each scored 25 points for the Raptors, who won in Salt Lake City for the first time since 2004.

Rondo injures right arm on flagrant foul (AP)
Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo injured his right wrist when he was leveled on a flagrant foul by Toronto's Linas Kleiza on Wednesday night. Rondo was driving for a layup with 2:12 left in the third quarter when he was hit hard by Kleiza, who came down hard with his left arm and knocked Rondo to the floor.

Raptors' Kleiza to miss rest of season
Linas Kleiza could miss up to a year after the Toronto Raptors forward had surgery to repair cartilage damage in his right knee.

Linas Kleiza of Toronto Raptors has microfracture surgery, could miss year
Linas Kleiza could miss up to a year after the Raptors forward had surgery to repair cartilage damage in his right knee.

Linas Kleiza of Toronto Raptors out; New Orleans Hornets' Marco Belinelli returns
Toronto's Linas Kleiza has been scratched from the starting lineup with a sore right knee for Monday's game against the New Orleans Hornets.

Crawford's 36 points lift surging Hawks (AP)

Mike Bibby made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 8.2 seconds left, Jamal Crawford scored a season-high 36 points, and the Atlanta Hawks beat the Toronto Raptors 104-101 on Wednesday night for their fifth straight victory. Joe Johnson scored 26 points and Al Horford had 10 points and 13 rebounds for the Hawks, who have won nine of their past 11 meetings with the Raptors.

Davis' career-high 17 helps Raptors upset Mavs
Rookie Ed Davis scored a career-high 17 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, Linas Kleiza and DeMar DeRozan added 16 points apiece, and the short-handed Toronto Raptors pulled off an 84-76 upset of the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night.

Injury-ravaged Raptors stun Mavericks (AP)

Rookie Ed Davis scored a career-high 17 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, Linas Kleiza and DeMar DeRozan added 16 points apiece, and the short-handed Toronto Raptors pulled off an 84-76 upset of the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night. The Raptors were missing several key players, but took advantage of the injury absence of Dallas' top scorer, Dirk Nowitzki.

Raptors top Nets for sixth straight time (AP)

Andrea Bargnani had 32 points and nine rebounds and Toronto beat New Jersey for the sixth straight time, 98-92 Friday night. Linas Kleiza had 18 points and matched his career-high with 12 rebounds, Jose Calderon returned from a four-game absence to put up 15 points and 14 assists for Toronto. The Raptors had lost two straight and six of their previous seven.

Rush's 26 help Pacers beat Raptors (AP)

Brandon Rush scored a season-high 26 points, Danny Granger had 21 and the Indiana Pacers put seven players in double figures in a 124-100 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Monday night. Rush, a reserve, was 10 for 18 from the field, including 6 for 8 from 3-point range. Indiana shot 55 percent overall, led by a 13-for-26 effort from behind the arc.

Raptors get first back-to-back wins (AP)

Andrea Bargnani scored 26 points, Linas Kleiza had 17 and the Toronto Raptors beat the Houston Rockets 106-96 Friday night to win consecutive games for the first time this season. DeMar DeRozan added 15 points, Sonny Weems had 13 and Amir Johnson had 10 points and eight rebounds for the Raptors. Jose Calderon had 10 points and seven assists, Jarrett Jack had eight assists and Reggie Evans had nine...

Bargnani, Kleiza lead Raptors to rout Cavaliers
Andrea Bargnani scored 20 points and Linas Kleiza added 19 to lead the Toronto Raptors to a 101-81 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night in a matchup of teams spurned by stars over the summer.

Raptors roll past undermanned Cavaliers (AP)

Andrea Bargnani scored 20 points and Linas Kleiza added 19 to lead the Toronto Raptors to a 101-81 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night in a matchup of teams spurned by stars over the summer. Antawn Jamison scored 13 points for the Cavaliers, who were without Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao.

Raptors beat Knicks 108-103 in Montreal (AP)

Andreas Bargnani scored 15 points, one of seven Toronto Raptors to reach double digits in a 108-103 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night in the final preseason game for both teams. Reggie Evans, Linas Kleiza and Leandro Barbosa each had 12 points for Toronto (4-4). DeMar DeRozan, Jose Calderon and Sonny Weems scored 11 each.

Kleiza, Jack lead Raptors to win against Suns
Linas Kleiza scored 23 points, Jarrett Jack and Amir Johnson had 17 apiece and the Toronto Raptors beat the Suns 121-100 in a preseason game Sunday.

Raptors drop Suns to 1-5 in preseason (AP)

This preseason has been an exercise in getting to know each other for the retooled Phoenix Suns. And with just over a week left in the exhibition schedule, they're still getting comfortable with each other. Linas Kleiza scored 23 points, Jarrett Jack and Amir Johnson had 17 apiece and the Toronto Raptors beat the Suns 121-100 in a preseason game Sunday.

Raptors roll by Suns 129-78 in Vancouver (AP)
Forward Linas Kleiza led all scorers with 20 points and the Toronto Raptors handled the Phoenix Suns 129-78 in an exhibition game on Wednesday night. Kleiza added five rebounds and two steals. DeMar DeRozan scored 16 points, while Joey Dorsey added 13 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. It was the first game of the exhibition for the Raptors, who wrapped up their six-day training camp in Vancouver...

Kleiza leads Lithuania to 3rd in worlds (AP)
Linas Kleiza scored 33 points to help Lithuania win its first world basketball championship medal with a 99-88 victory over Serbia on Sunday in the third-place game. Kleiza, who plays for the Toronto Raptors, scored 12 points during a 22-12 run -- including 15 consecutive points -- that put Lithuania 48-38 ahead heading to halftime.

2010 FIBA World Championship roundup: Lithuania beats China to reach quarterfinals
Linas Kleiza scored 30 points Tuesday to help send Lithuania into the quarterfinals of the basketball world championship with a 78-67 win over China.

Kleiza's 30 lift Lithuania into quarters (AP)
Linas Kleiza scored 30 points Tuesday to help send Lithuania into the quarterfinals of the basketball world championship with a 78-67 win over China. China jumped out to a 16-5 lead, but Lithuania used a 16-2 run in the second quarter to go ahead 36-31 with 3:20 left. A 16-3 run then put Lithuania up 64-51 entering the fourth quarter.

Kleiza lifts Lithuania to top group spot (AP)
Jonas Maciulis had 19 points and Linas Kleiza added 15 points as Lithuania beat France 69-55 Wednesday to clinch top spot in Group D at the basketball world championship. "It's a big step," Lithuanian coach Kestutis Kemzura said. "But all the interesting things are just starting." Lithuania (4-0) handed France (3-1) its first defeat and, after playing Lebanon (1-3) on...

Lithuania rallies to beat Spain 76-73 (AP)
Lithuania rallied from an 18-point second-half deficit to beat Spain 76-73 Tuesday in a game between the two Group D favorites at the basketball world championship. Lithuania used a 23-5 run to tie the score at 66 with 5:25 left in the game. Linas Kleiza scored four points in the last 35 seconds to clinch the win.

Kleiza's 27 get Lithuania by New Zealand (AP)
Linas Kleiza scored 27 points and Paulius Jankunas added 15 as Lithuania beat New Zealand 92-79 in the opening round of the world championships on Saturday. Lithuania (1-0) used a 10-0 run in the second quarter to take a 33-24 lead. New Zealand (0-1) scored just two points in the first 7 minutes of the second quarter, while Kleiza had nine straight points, most in the paint, the last two coming on...

Raptors officially sign Kleiza
Toronto has signed free agent Linas Kleiza to a multiyear contract.

Toronto Raptors announce signing of forward Linas Kleiza
Toronto has signed free agent Linas Kleiza to a multiyear contract.

Raptors sign F Kleiza to multiyear deal (AP)
Toronto has signed free agent Linas Kleiza to a multiyear contract. The Raptors acquired the rights to Kleiza nine days ago when the Denver Nuggets opted not to match Toronto's offer sheet. Kleiza played with Greek club Olympiakos last year after four seasons in Denver. The 6-foot-8 forward from Lithuania -- who attended high school in Maryland -- averaged 8.3 points with the Nuggets.

Agent Bill Duffy: Toronto Raptors sign Linas Kleiza to 4-year offer sheet
Denver Nuggets restricted free agent Linas Kleiza signed a four-year, $18.8 million offer sheet with the Toronto Raptors on Thursday, his agent, Bill Duffy, told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher.

Nuggets make offer to forward Kleiza
The Denver Nuggets have made a qualifying offer to restricted free agent Linas Kleiza, who spent the past season in Greece.

Nuggets make qualifying offer to Kleiza (AP)
The Denver Nuggets have made a qualifying offer to restricted free agent Linas Kleiza, who spent the past season in Greece. Nuggets officials didn't release the terms of the offer Monday. The 6-foot-8, 245-pounds Kleiza averaged 8.3 points per game and 3.5 rebounds in 301 games over four seasons with the Nuggets from 2005-09.

Nuggets re-sign backup point guard Anthony Carter
The Denver Nuggets, who lost Dahntay Jones and Linas Kleiza to free agency, have fulfilled one of coach George Karl's offseason wishes with the re-signing of backup point guard Anthony Carter. Nuggets executive Mark Warkentien said: "AC's loyalty to (owner) Stan Kroenke, George Karl and Denver is exemplary; rarely seen in professional athletics today." Carter has averaged 5.2 points, 4.1 assists and 2.2 rebounds over his 10-year NBA career with Miami, San Antonio, Minnesota and Denver.

NBA free agents: Denver Nuggets re-sign Anthony Carter
The Denver Nuggets, who lost Dahntay Jones and Linas Kleiza to free agency, have fulfilled one of coach George Karl's offseason wishes with the re-signing of backup point guard Anthony Carter.

NBA free agents: Denver Nuggets forward Linas Kleiza takes Olympiakos' offer
Denver Nuggets forward Linas Kleiza is on his way to Greece after signing a two-year contract worth $12.2 million with Olympiakos on Monday.

Kleiza leaving Nuggets for $12M from Olympiakos
Restricted free agent forward Linas Kleiza of the Denver Nuggets is taking his game to Europe. Nuggets executive Mark Warkentien says Kleiza has chosen to play for Olympiakos, agreeing to a two-year deal worth more than $12 million. Warkentien said Kleiza's agent, Bill Duffy, informed him of the signing Monday. Duffy was flying back from Europe and unavailable for comment.

Nuggets F Kleiza opts to play in Europe (AP)
Restricted free agent forward Linas Kleiza of the Denver Nuggets is taking his game to Europe. Nuggets executive Mark Warkentien says Kleiza has chosen to play for Olympiakos, agreeing to a two-year deal worth more than $12 million. Warkentien said Kleiza's agent, Bill Duffy, informed him of the signing Monday.

Kleiza, Billups help Nuggets rip Kings (AP)

With Carmelo Anthony sidelined with a broken a bone in his right hand, the Denver Nuggets needed somebody to fill the void. Linas Kleiza and J.R. Smith are doing their best to make up for the All-Star's absence. Kleiza scored 27 points, Smith had 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists and the Denver Nuggets used strong second and third quarters to beat the Sacramento Kings 118-99 on Tuesday...

'Melo-less Nuggets win fifth straight (AP)

Chauncey Billups, Linas Kleiza and J.R. Smith scored 21 points apiece to help the Denver Nuggets win their fifth straight game, 108-97 over the Miami Heat on Wednesday night. Kenyon Martin and Nene scored 14 points each for Denver in the Nuggets' seventh victory in eight games. Denver played without scoring leader Carmelo Anthony, out at least three weeks after fracturing a finger on his right hand...

Nuggets coach Karl earns 900th victory (AP)

Nene scored 21 points, Carmelo Anthony added 20 and the Denver Nuggets beat the Toronto Raptors 114-107 on Wednesday night. Chauncey Billups scored 18 points and J.R. Smith had 16 for Denver, with Kenyon Martin adding 15 points and reserves Linas Kleiza and Chris Andersen each scoring 10. Denver coach George Karl earned his 900th career regular-season victory.

Billups' 27 in 3 quarters lift Nuggets (AP)

Chauncey Billups scored a season-high 27 points in three quarters, Carmelo Anthony added 25 points and 10 rebounds, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 106-97 on Saturday night. Linas Kleiza added 15 points, and Anthony Carter had 12 for Denver. The Nuggets have beaten Minnesota seven straight times and 12 of 15.

Nuggets score season high, beat Bucks (AP)

The high-flying, high-scoring Denver Nuggets didn't leave town with Allen Iverson, after all. Although the new model features a stingy defense and an effective halfcourt offense engineered by Chauncey Billups, there's still some pop left in the lineup to light up the scoreboards. Linas Kleiza scored 25 points and Carmelo Anthony had 17 and the Nuggets whipped Milwaukee 114-105 Tuesday night.

Nuggets decline to offer Kleiza extension
The Denver Nuggets are counting on keeping Linas Kleiza around for many more years, but they may have opened the door for him to play in Europe instead. The Nuggets decided at the last minute not to sign Kleiza to a four-year, $25 million extension because of economic uncertainties, meaning he'll become a restricted free agent after the season. Denver will then have the right to match any offer he gets - unless that offer comes from Europe and not the NBA.img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Foxsports/rss/NBA/~4/439586110" height="1" width="1"/

Nuggets, Kleiza fail to agree on 4-year extension
The Nuggets decided at the last minute not to sign Linas Kleiza to a four-year, $25 million extension because of economic uncertainties, meaning he'll become a restricted free agent after the season.

Bryant's 49 lift Lakers past Nuggets (AP)

Kobe Bryant scored big at the start and finish Wednesday night. In between, he set up his teammates for easy baskets. It turned out to be a winning formula. Bryant had 49 points and 10 assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets 122-107 to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.

Jazz rip Nuggets, boost home-court hopes (AP)

Mehmet Okur had 20 points and 15 rebounds, Deron Williams added 19 points and 11 assists, and the Utah Jazz beat the Denver Nuggets 124-97 Saturday night to strengthen their hopes of home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Jazz won three of four against their Northwest Division rivals for the third straight season and kept the Nuggets from moving closer to the final Western...

Iverson's 26 help Nuggets get by Nets (AP)

Allen Iverson had 26 points and nine assists and led a fourth-quarter spurt that carried the Denver Nuggets to a 125-114 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Friday night. Backup forward Linas Kleiza added 23 points and Marcus Camby had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Nuggets, who snapped a two-game losing streak.

Anthony returns, Nuggets beat Bobcats (AP)

Carmelo Anthony returned from an ankle injury to score 25 points, Allen Iverson had 24 points and 13 assists, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Charlotte Bobcats 117-101 on Saturday night. Linas Kleiza came off the bench to add 23 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, as the Nuggets won their eighth straight game at the Pepsi Center.

Iverson rallies Nuggets past Grizzlies (AP)

Allen Iverson had 32 points and 12 assists Wednesday night, and the Denver Nuggets used a late run to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 106-102. Iverson made all six of his free throws in the final 23.2 seconds, helping the Nuggets snap a six-game road losing streak. Anthony Carter finished with 18 points, while Linas Kleiza added 15 for the Nuggets.

Nuggets deal Nets eighth straight loss (AP)

Allen Iverson and Denver's supporting cast is making life without Carmelo Anthony painless for the Nuggets. Iverson scored 30 points and Linas Kleiza added 23 as the Nuggets beat the struggling New Jersey Nets 100-85 Friday night. "We've got so many guys banged up and we really needed a game like this," Iverson said.

Anthony-less Nuggets hold off Hawks (AP)

Allen Iverson scored 29 points and Linas Kleiza added 23 to lift the Denver Nuggets, playing without All-Star Carmelo Anthony, to a 107-100 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night. Marcus Camby finished with 13 points and grabbed 21 rebounds. He had 15 of his rebounds in the first half. Josh Smith had his first career triple-double for the Hawks, finishing with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 10...

Kleiza's 41 power Nuggets over Jazz (AP)

Linas Kleiza scored a career-high 41 points and Allen Iverson added 28 as the Denver Nuggets beat the Utah Jazz 120-109 on Thursday night. Carmelo Anthony scored 23 points, and Marcus Camby had 24 rebounds and 11 blocks for the Nuggets, who snapped a two-game losing streak. Deron Williams had 23 points to lead the Jazz, whose four-game winning streak ended.

Warriors end 7-game skid in Denver (AP)

Baron Davis scored 28 points and Stephen Jackson added 23 to help Golden State beat the Nuggets 105-95 on Sunday night, ending a seven-game losing streak in Denver. Carmelo Anthony had 26 points and 10 rebounds for the Nuggets. Linas Kleiza and J.R. Smith added 15 points each for the Nuggets, who saw their season-high seven-game winning streak snapped.

Kleiza beats buzzer, Nuggets top Kings (AP)

Linas Kleiza recovered the ball in a scramble and hit a jumper just before the final buzzer sounded, lifting the Denver Nuggets to a thrilling 106-105 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night. The Kings kept giving Denver extra chances, like when Brad Miller bricked two free throws with 16.5 seconds left.

Vujacic powers Lakers past Nuggets (AP)

Kobe Bryant scored 24 points and reserve guard Sasha Vujacic dominated the fourth quarter, scoring 19 of his career-high 22 points and powering the Los Angeles Lakers to a 127-99 rout of the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night. Vujacic shot 6-for-14 in 21 minutes of action. Andrew Bynum had 12 points and 13 rebounds and Luke Walton added a career-high 14 points in 27 minutes.

Anthony, Iverson lead Nuggets back
Carmelo Anthony had 32 points and 10 rebounds to rally the Denver Nuggets to a 113-106 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night. Allen Iverson added 27 points and 10 assists, and Linas Kleiza scored 12 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter for the Nuggets (4-3), who trailed by 25 in the first half.

Anthony helps rally Nuggets by Pacers (AP)

Carmelo Anthony had 32 points and 10 rebounds to rally the Denver Nuggets to a 113-106 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night. Allen Iverson added 27 points and 10 assists, and Linas Kleiza scored 12 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter for the Nuggets (4-3), who trailed by 25 in the first half.

No. 2 pick goes 7-for-22 from floor in loss
Kevin Durant's shot was off in his NBA debut, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Seattle SuperSonics 120-103 on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams. Durant scored 18 points in 31 minutes, but shot just 7-of-22. Carmelo Anthony bottled up the rookie on defense, and showed him a move or two on offense. Anthony finished with 32 points, making three 3-pointers. Allen Iverson had 25 points and 14 assists, and Linas Kleiza chipped in 18 points and hit five 3-pointers.

Linas Kleiza, G/F - DEN
Kleiza out with sprained ankle Visit Rotoworld.com for more analysis on this update.