The Detroit Pistons are expected to name long-time NBA assistant John Kuester their next head coach, various media reported Tuesday.

The NBA's Memphis Grizzlies confirmed the firing of Coach Marc Iavaroni Friday in the midst of a seven-game losing streak. Iavaroni became the Grizzlies' coach in May 2007 after five seasons as an assistant with Phoenix, but had no prior experience as a head coach. He is the seventh NBA coach fired since the 2008-09 season started in October. His overall record was just 33-90, including 11-30 this season. We wish Marc all the best in his future endeavors, Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace said.

From the start, Avery Johnson was a perfect fit as coach of the Dallas Mavericks. At the end, it was pretty obvious he wasn't.

Game 5 of the Mavericks' first-round playoff series is Tuesday night in New Orleans, and has there ever been a bigger waste of jet fuel? They knew going in that Game 4 was when their season would swing. It swung, all right.

PHOENIX _ An inability to beat quality teams has dogged the Dallas Mavericks for weeks and called into question the wisdom of the Jason Kidd trade. It may be time to move on. It seems the Mavericks have.