NBA Monday: Raptors, Hornets earn blowout wins

Karl’s future in Sacramento appeared numbered after the team’s latest blowout loss to Cleveland put them at 21-31 on the season. Plans were set in motion to fire Karl during the All-Star Break, according to Stein and others. Instead, the Kings will keep Karl and hope he can improve his relationship with the team’s players and repair the damage done.

Things have been rocky with Karl from the start. Cousins didn’t want Malone fired and there were rumors that the big man didn’t want Karl as head coach. The offseason brought rumblings of a feud between star and coach, as well as trade talks and an upset Ranadive. No deal ever came to fruition and Sacramento added some nice pieces in free agency, but things went off the rails early this season thanks in part to an injury to Cousins.

Down two with one possession left, Damian Lillard missed a potential game-winning three. C.J. McCollum missed the follow-up. All is lost for the Blazers, right?

Wrong. Jeff Green is there to save the day. For the wrong team.

It’s a simple crossover, but Nurkic goes down, crumpling to the floor pathetically as Johnson, aka Hot Sauce, nails a jumper. Poor Nurkic.

You were so close. Probably too close. The ball just hangs on the rim there for a moment and you can’t push it in. And when you realize it, it’s just so sad.

Poor Mozgov. The rim won this time, but you’ll get it next round.

DeAndre Jordan knows that there are some pretty good centers with a lot of potential in Philadelphia. So that’s why he’s set to establish who is the center in charge during this game on Monday.

GET OUTTA HERE!