NBA Wednesday Recap: Turkoglu tests positive for steroids, Rondo’s surgery successful and more

Today has been a busy day in the NBA as we had 24 teams playing around the league plus news and trade rumours to get to. If you’re one of the fortunate people to have NBA league pass, today must’ve been an amazing day for you. So now without further ado, lets get right to it.

• The biggest news today came off the court. Orlando Magic forward, Hedo Turkoglu. The NBA conducted a drug test on Turkoglu and found Methenolone in his system. He has been suspended for 20 games. On top of that, Turkoglu missed 11 games due to a broken hand. Josh Hill has all the details here.

• Speaking of the Magic, the Atlanta Hawks took on the team as they faced off in Orlando. While the Hawks destroyed the Magic, Josh Smith put on a show, leading the Hawks to victory as he had 30 points in 30 minutes while obtaining 10 rebounds. He shot a spectacular 13-of-20 from the field. Al Horford and Smith combined for 56 points, 22 rebounds. David Menze of Soaring Down South has the recap of the Hawks win.

• We now take a trip to Boston where we have an update on Celtics star point guard, Rajon Rondo. Rondo tore his ACL a while ago and need immediate surgery. While Dr. James Andrews was a potential candidate to perform the surgery, Rondo wanted a second opinion. Today, Michael Sykes II of Harwood Houdini reports that Dr. Andrews did indeed conduct the surgery and it was a success.

• While we’re in Boston, lets stop by the TD Garden where the Boston Celtics took on the Chicago Bulls. Although both teams play some good defence, they played horrendous offence as neither team shot over 38% from the field. Michael Sykes II of Harwood Houdini has the recap.

• While trade rumors are a popular topic this time of the season, Brett David Roberts of Presto in the Paint is suggesting a possible trade swapping Milwaukee Bucks’ Brandon Jennings for Orlando Magic’s J.J. Reddick and whether it could potentially work. You can read all about it here.

• While we’re still talking about the Milwaukee Bucks, lets head over the King James Gospel. Vytis Lasatits has a report suggesting the Dallas Mavericks, coincidentally are also interested in Brandon Jennings (I see a potential blockbuster trade in the works). He also reports the latest on Josh Smith and Paul Millsap.

• Sticking with the ever so popular trade rumours trend, Matt Shelter over at Buckets over Broadway has a report suggesting that the New York Knicks are interested in Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Luke Ridnour. It’ll be interesting to see whether or not this follows through.

• We switch gears a little going away from the trade rumours (thank goodness) and head over to the Beale Street Bears. John Hugar suggest that the 2011 Memphis Grizzlies run may have influenced the Rudy Gay trade to send him over to Toronto. You can read all about it here.

• Onto some game action and head back to New York to the Madison Square Garden. The 32- 17 New York Knicks came into the game a bit too confident thinking they can beat the 21-31 Toronto Raptors. While Raptors’ Kyle Lowry was ejected from the game, Toronto managed to defeated the eastern conference playoff contenders with a final score 92-88. Alan Anderson lead the way, coming off the bench shooting 1o-of-16 and scored 26 points. Brian Burke of Raptors Rapture breaks down the game here.

• We head of to Quicken Loans Arena where the Cleveland Cavaliers welcomed the San Antonio Spurs. The spurs, generally a dominated team destroying the Chicago Bulls, actually barely made it out alive, beating the Cavaliers by one point (a win is a win a suppose). The Spurs were led by Tony Parker who shot 8-of-14 from the field and had 24 points. However, it was Kawhi Leonard who sealed the deal for the Spurs as he shot a last second three-point with 2.9 seconds remaining, giving the Spurs the win, 96-95. Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal recaps the Cavaliers lost here.

• Over to Indiana where the Pacers welcomed the Bobcats. While the Pacers obviously destroyed Charlotte Hornets Bobcats 101-77,  Pacers’ Paul George had his first career triple double, scoring 12 rebounds, 12 assists and 23 points while shooting 8-of-17 from the field. Edward Shuler Jr. of Robert Gato breaks down everything that went wrong for the lowly Bobcats.

• Now to New Orleans where to Hornets took on the Portland TrailBlazers. The Blazers, coming off a five game losing streak, tried to get back on track but where unable to as the Hornets won 99-63. The Blazers perhaps played worst than the Bulls and Celtics tonight. Their top scorer was Damian Lillard as he had 12, yes 12 points, as he shot 4-of-15 from the field. Anthony David led the way for the Pelicans Hornets scoring a double-double 21 points 11 rebounds. Mike Acker of Rip City Project recaps the game and everything that went wrong for the Blazers here.