The Knicks are still looking for help in the backcourt, and Charlotte's Raymond Felton, Portland's Sergio Rodriguez, and Denver's Chucky Atkins are reportedly options.

Felton, who makes $4.1 million and will be a restricted free agent this summer, has been shopped by the Bobcats.

New York likes Rodriguez, but the Blazers are going to want something significant in return.

The Nuggets have Atkins buried on the bench, but he is more of a shooter than he is a playmaker.

The Knicks and Nuggets had serious enough discussions about a David Lee-for-Linas Kleiza trade earlier this month that Lee got word something was possible.

Denver coach George Karl reportedly persuaded Nuggets' management to hang on to Kleiza because of his versatility.

Both Kleiza and Lee will be restricted free agents this summer.

Nuggets' coach George Karl doesn't believe that Nene will be representing the Western Conference at February's All-Star Game.

"I'm sure he's probably not going to make the All-Star team, but he's close to an All-Star player," Karl said Sunday.

The Nuggets have talked to the Thunder about possibly acquiring one of its big men, assuming they land Nenad Krstic, whom they recently signed to an offer sheet.

Even Oklahoma City players know a deal is likely.

"Right now, we've got nine big men. . . . Something has got to happen," Chris Wilcox said.

Coach George Karl said the Nuggets could use another big man, but he doesn't have to "predict it (until) the trade deadline."

Denver forward Carmelo Anthony scored 32 points against New York on Sunday afternoon in his return from a three-game absence.

Anthony missed three games because of a bruised right elbow. The break wasn't absolutely necessary, but Denver decided to give him a break to avoid troubles later in the season.

"I think that was the best thing that ever happened to me," Anthony said. "At first I was a little hesitant about doing it. Any time you can get rest during a long season like this, it helps."

Denver forward Carmelo Anthony hopes to return on Sunday against New York after missing three games to rest his injured right elbow.

"I'm going to try to (play)," Anthony said.

He wanted to play against Philadelphia on Friday night, but the team's training staff felt it was best to hold him out another game.

If the Thunder land Nenad Krstic as expected, the Nuggets could make a play for one of the team's excess big men.

Chris Wilcox, Nick Collison, and Joe Smith would all be potential trade candidates, assuming New Jersey declines to match Krstic's offer sheet.

Nene, who survived cancer last season, is working hard to maintain his stamina while playing heavy minutes for the Nuggets.

"After the cancer, I don't know," Nene said. "I'm hard to get sick, you know? But now I get sick all the time."

Nene will play his 30th game tonight, which is nearly double last season's total.

"It's a lot of contact on the low post," Nene said. "That is not easy. It's extra energy. It's a lot of games and no time to rest ? back-to-back and all that stuff."

He is recording career-high averages in points (14.2), rebounds (7.6), blocks (1.5), and field-goal percentage (.615).

Once Chauncey Billups has laced up his sneakers for the last time, he wants to move into the front office and run an NBA team just like Joe Dumars, the Detroit News is reporting.

During his time with the Pistons, Billups spent countless hours picking Dumars' brain about the intricacies and vagaries of team building and salary-cap management.

"I think it's a tough challenge (working) behind the scenes," Billups told the Denver Post. "You get to orchestrate, make moves and try to build a champion, and I think I know what it takes. ... You've got to be a personable guy; you've got to be able to incorporate relationships."

"(Billups and Dumars) had quite a few talks about him having an opportunity to step into an office," Pistons' Coach Terry Porter said. "But just because you had a long basketball career doesn't mean you're guaranteed to be a good coach or GM. You still have to be in those situations and learn on the job, learn from mistakes, just like you did as a player."

"Most players probably don't understand all the work that goes into being a GM, dealing with players, agents, front-office people, salary cap, trying to decide what pieces to add. There's a lot of stuff."

The Lakers narrowly escaped their trip to Memphis with a victory on Monday night. They needed some late game heroics from Kobe Bryant and tough defense to avoid an upset.

- Orlando 113, Golden State 81

Team FIC Differential: Magic +47, Warriors -47

The Magic (22-6) maintained their dominance against the Western Conference with a win over the Warriors (8-21) on Monday night. Jameer Nelson had 22 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds; Dwight Howard posted 11 points and 11 boards; and Rashard Lewis added 21 points in the victory. Orlando limited Golden State to 31% shooting and narrowly out-rebounded the visiting team by three. Jamal Crawford led with 18 points; Marco Belinelli tallied 12 points and 6 rebounds and rookie Anthony Randolph added 11 points and 12 boards off the bench.

Game FIC Scores

Jameer Nelson, Orlando ? 25.8

Rashard Lewis, Orlando ? 17.0

Anthony Randolph, Golden State ? 15.5

Kelenna Azubuike, Golden State ? 9.5

- Houston 114, New Jersey 91

Team FIC Differential: Rockets +40.8, Nets -40.8

The Rockets (19-9) built a sizable lead against the Nets (13-14) at IZOD Center and never looked back. Yao Ming had 24 points and 16 rebounds; Aaron Brooks posted 22 points and 6 assists; and Carl Landry scored 13 points off the bench. Houston shot 58% from the floor, including 9-for-19 from behind the three-point line. Keyon Dooling led with 17 points and 5 assists; Yi Jianlian tallied 10 points and 7 rebounds; and Vince Carter added 10 points on 5-for-15 shooting.

Game FIC Scores

Yao Ming, Houston ? 25.8

Aaron Brooks, Houston ? 17.0

Keyon Dooling, New Jersey ? 11.4

Brook Lopez, New Jersey ? 10.3

- L.A. Lakers 105, Memphis 96

Team FIC Differential: Lakers +19.6, Grizzlies -19.6

The Lakers (22-5) pulled out a comeback win over the Grizzlies (9-18), who held a lead in the closing minutes. Kobe Bryant starred with 36 points; Lamar Odom tallied 12 points and 6 rebound; and Pau Gasol added 15 points, 7 boards, and 6 assists against his younger brother?s club. Los Angeles shot 54% on the night and clamped down on defense in the fourth quarter to rally from a late six-point deficit. Rudy Gay paced the Grizzlies with 23 points and 7 rebounds; rookie O.J. Mayo posted 22 points and 6 assists; and Marc Gasol added 8 points and 7 rebounds in Pau?s return to Memphis.

Game FIC Scores

Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers ? 19.0

Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers ? 18.3

Rudy Gay, Memphis ? 13.6

O.J. Mayo, Memphis ? 12.9

- San Antonio 101, Sacramento 85

Team FIC Differential: Spurs +19.5, Kings -19.5

The Spurs (17-10) enjoyed five double-digit scorers in their win against the Kings (7-22) at AT&T Center on Monday night. Tony Parker led with 18 points and 5 assists; Manu Ginobili had 10 points and 5 rebounds; and Tim Duncan attempted just five shots for 10 points in the triumph. San Antonio shot 52% and out-rebounded Sacramento by eight. John Salmons scored 22 points; Beno Udrih tallied 15 points and 4 rebounds; and rookie Jason Thompson added 9 points and 5 boards off the bench for the Kings.

Game FIC Scores

Beno Udrih, Sacramento ? 13.0

John Salmons, Sacramento ? 11.9

Matt Bonner, San Antonio ? 10.5

Michael Finley, San Antonio ? 10.0

- Denver 97, Portland 89

Team FIC Differential: Nuggets +23.7, Blazers -23.7

The Nuggets (18-10) ended their three-game losing streak with a win against the Blazers (17-11), even without Carmelo Anthony. Chauncey Billups had 19 points and 10 assists; Nene had 19 points and 11 rebounds; and Linas Kleiza scored 17 points off the bench. Denver limited Portland to 41% shooting, and out-rebounded the visiting team by eleven. LaMarcus Aldridge led the Blazers with 20 points; Steve Blake tallied 14 points and 4 assists; and Brandon Roy struggled through a 3-for-11 shooting night to post 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 dimes.

Game FIC Scores

Nene, Denver ? 18.0

Chauncey Billups, Denver ? 15.9

LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland ? 12.0

Steve Blake, Portland ? 11.0

- Toronto 97, L.A. Clippers 75

Team FIC Differential: Raptors +52.4, Clippers -52.4

The Clippers (8-20) lost their twentieth game of the season on Monday against the Raptors (11-17) at STAPLES Center. Chris Bosh had 31 points and 7 rebounds; Jermaine O?Neal tallied 23 points and 9 boards; and Jose Calderon contributed 8 points and 9 assists in the win. Toronto held Los Angeles to just 32% shooting and won the rebounding battle by a margin of ten. Zach Randolph had 19 points and 8 rebounds; Baron Davis had 16 points and 9 assists; and rookie DeAndre Jordan turned in 8 points and 8 boards in a reserve role.

Game FIC Scores

Chris Bosh, Toronto ? 22.9

Jermaine O?Neal, Toronto ? 19.3

Zach Randolph, L.A. Clippers ? 10.5

DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers ? 9.6

? RealGM calculates the Floor Impact Counter using the following formula: (Points + .75 Defensive Rebounds + Offensive Rebounds + Steals + Assists + Blocks - .75 Field Goal Attempts - .375 Free Throw Attempts - Turnovers - .5 Personal Fouls)

( )'s indicate a negative FIC score.

It is also used to rank players and to determine their ?Reina Value.?
Click here to view the player rankings with the Reina Value for the current season