NBA roundup: Celtics’ Garnett plans to return next week

Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Garnett is targeting early next week for his return from back spasms that have sidelined him for the past 16 games.

Garnett plans to return against Philadelphia on Saturday, or for one of the Nets’ back-to-back games at Miami on April 8 or at Orlando the following night, according to Newsday.

Brooklyn is 39-33 and holds the No. 5 spot in the Eastern Conference playoff spot.

—Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving has been cleared to resume full contact practice. He has not played since suffering a strained left biceps tendon during the team’s March 16 game at the Los Angeles Clippers.

Irving’s status for the team’s two-game road trip to Orlando on Wednesday and Atlanta on Friday will be determined on a day to day practice.

—Dr. James Andrews informed Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley that he will not need surgery on his injured right knee, according to ESPN.com.

Beverley will miss about two weeks. He was injured during last Thursday’s win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

—The Charlotte Bobcats signed forward DJ White to a second 10-day contract. White has played one game with the Bobcats this season and has one rebound and one steal in four minutes.

White, who is in his sixth NBA season, has career averages of 5.9 points and 3.2 rebounds in 133 games played with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Bobcats and Boston Celtics.

—The Sacramento Kings signed guard Jared Cunningham to a 10-day contract. Cunningham, a second-year player, has two points, one rebound, three assists and 22 minutes over five games this season with the Atlanta Hawks. He was waived Feb. 22.

—The Cleveland Cavaliers signed guard Scotty Hopson to a contract. Hopson averaged 7.2 points and 2.6 rebounds in 21.6 minutes over 12 league games this year with Anadolu Efes of the Turkish Basketball League.

—Philadelphia 76ers forward Arnett Moultrie was suspended without pay for five games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program.

Moultrie’s suspension starts with Monday night’s games against the Atlanta Hawks. He is also ineligible to play for the team’s NBA Development League club, the Delaware 87ers, during his suspension.

—Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic and San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively.