HOUSTON (AP) The newest New York Knick, Moochie Norris, is disappointed to be leaving Houston but thrilled to play for one of his idols, Isiah Thomas.

``Just to go up there and be around him, I'm sure he'll come down and show me some things,'' Norris said Wednesday before boarding a plane to New York. ``He's one of my favorite point guards of all time _ him and John Stockton.''

Norris, who played five seasons for the Rockets, was dealt Tuesday along with center John Amaechi, who is expected to be waived. In exchange, the Rockets received forward Clarence Weatherspoon.

It's the first deal for Thomas, the former Detroit Pistons star, since he replaced the fired Scott Layden last week as Knicks president.

``I was a little disappointed about leaving Houston because it's home,'' Norris told TV station KRIV.

Norris was averaging 2.7 points and 1.6 assists for Houston this season. He was a second-round pick by Milwaukee in the 1996 draft.

NEW YORK (AP) Reserve forward Clarence Weatherspoon was traded Tuesday from the New York Knicks to the Houston Rockets for point guard Moochie Norris and center John Amaechi.

It was the first trade engineered by Isiah Thomas, coming just eight days after he took over for fired Knicks team president Scott Layden.

The Knicks had been in buyout talks with Weatherspoon, who is signed for two more seasons for $12.2 million. Instead, Thomas found a trading partner in need of frontcourt depth ever since suspending and then releasing forward Eddie Griffin.

Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy criticized his team Monday night after a loss to Seattle, pointing out the lack of rebounding as one of the team's main flaws.

``I'm just thinking about how we can get better. Obviously, we're not good enough,'' Van Gundy said.

Weatherspoon, an 11-year veteran, averaged at least five rebounds in every season before this one. He appeared in 15 games for the Knicks before being placed on the injured list shortly after Thomas was hired. He averaged 3.8 points and 3.3 rebounds.

In Norris, the Knicks are adding another point guard to a roster that already includes three _ newly installed starter Frank Williams and veterans Howard Eisley and Charlie Ward. Norris was the backup to Steve Francis in Houston, where he averaged 2.7 points and 1.6 assists this season.

Norris' career averages are 6.2 points and 3.5 assists for Houston, Seattle and Vancouver.

``It means added help. With the way Don (Chaney) wants to play, we want to give him the luxury of having different guys that can play a different tempo,'' Thomas said. ``As we continue to shuffle and retool our roster, at some point in time we may have an overload at one spot.''

Amaechi, acquired by the Rockets during the preseason for Glen Rice, has been on Houston's injured list all season. Although Amaechi has two more years remaining on his contract, the Knicks plan to waive him, Thomas said.

The Knicks made two other roster moves, placing forward Michael Sweetney (knee tendinitis) and backup center Michael Doleac (back spasms) on the injured list.

The Knicks also are considering signing forward Leon Smith of the CBA's Gary Steelheads.

Smith, who was at Madison Square Garden before Tuesday night's game against Miami, was the last first-round pick of the 1999 draft straight out of high school and was waived by the Dallas Mavericks. He played briefly for Knicks assistant Lon Kruger with the Atlanta Hawks.

``We looked at him and had a chance to talk to him, and later on down the road we'll probably revisit that,'' Thomas said.

MSG Network in New York has announced that the Knicks have acquired guard Moochie Norris and center John Amaechi from the Houston Rockets in exchange for forward Clarence Weatherspoon.  Knicks boss Isiah Thomas has been in discussions to buy out Weatherspoon since taking over from Scott Layden last week.

More information as it comes to hand

EAST RUTHERORD, N.J. (AP) Troubled forward Eddie Griffin said Sunday he has agreed to play for the New Jersey Nets.

Griffin, released Friday by the Houston Rockets, quickly found a new home with the team that originally drafted him.

``I've decided to go play for the Nets,'' Griffin said in an interview with Houston television station KRIV. ``I'm excited about going to play for (Nets head coach) Byron Scott and playing with (Nets guard) Jason Kidd. It's just going to be an exciting thing for me and I can't wait.''

New Jersey president Rod Thorn said Saturday that the Nets were in the running to sign Griffin, who played at nearby Seton Hall. Thorn did not return a telephone call Sunday night.

Griffin said he had already received calls from Scott, Kidd and Richard Jefferson welcoming him to the team.

The Nets have not had a consistent contributor off the bench this season and Griffin, the seventh pick in the 2001 draft, could fill that role. But New Jersey is taking a chance by signing a player who brings considerable legal baggage.

Griffin was charged in November with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after a woman accused him of hitting her three times in the face and shooting at her as she drove away from his home before dawn on Oct. 25. He will be arraigned on the charge Jan. 14.

A second misdemeanor charge of assault related to the same encounter was dismissed last week.

A separate case involving a charge of marijuana possession is scheduled to go to trial Jan. 20.

Griffin hopes to start with a clean slate in New Jersey, although he is uncertain when he will be able to join the Nets because of his legal problems.

``New Jersey was the best fit for me,'' Griffin said. ``I can get the most opportunity there. I felt like that's the team I fit in at.''

Griffin said a number of teams, including Detroit, Toronto, Philadelphia and Orlando, were in the running. He said he will sign for the balance of the season and again become a free agent.

``It feels good,'' Griffin said. ``It's a relief just to know where I'm going. I just got to get everything else behind me and I am ready to get back on the court.''

The 6-foot-10, 232-pound forward averaged 8.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.63 blocks in 150 career games with the Rockets.

Drafted by New Jersey, Griffin's rights were traded to the Rockets for three first-round draft picks _ Jefferson, Brandon Armstrong and Jason Collins.

Although a tad tainted by his criminal conduct and ridiculous rhetoric, bidding for Rasheed Weed's services has sharply escalated within the last week. Resolved to rid themselves of the rising free agent, the Blazers gave permission to agent Bill Strickland to elicit trade propositions from teams his client would consider re-signing with come summer.

So far, all three Texas teams and the Hawks - maybe even the Pistons - are involved in the auction.

Rasheed's preference is the Rockets, according to Peter Vecsey; the obvious appeal being Yao Ming and Steve Francis, which is why they refuse to include either one in trade talk. Meaning, Houston may have to wait until the offseason to pursue Rasheed.

Unlike the Mavericks, underlines a Strickland trustee, who might be inclined to give up Antawn Jamison and Eduardo Najera (but would rather include Tariq Abdul-Wahad), depending on the health of the Lakers' feared foursome and Mark Cuban's mood following a two-game skid.

Long before the Spurs' manufactured their 12-game victory march, they offered Rasho Nesterovic, Malik Rose and Ron Mercer for Rasheed, the same source maintains.

As for the Hawks, they're eager to move Theo Ratliff and Alan Henderson for Rasheed. The Blazers countered with a request for Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Stephen Jackson.

Several teams are interested in signing recently0released and troubled forward Eddie Griffin.

It is said that the Knicks, Nets, Raptors, Pistons, and Heat are interested.

In fact, Nets president Rod Thorn has offered Griffin a contract likely for one year at the league minimum.

"We've talked to everybody we need to," Thorn said of a background check on Griffin. "We've done our due diligence regarding him. He's an introverted kid, obviously. He doesn't do a whole bunch of talking, but we feel he has a chance to be a very good player. You don't find guys with that size and that kind of talent."

New Knicks president Isiah Thomas is also interested but won't say whether or not he would be contacting Griffin's agent, Arn Tellum.

Thorn excepts Griffin to make a decision early this week.

Although a tad tainted by his criminal conduct and ridiculous rhetoric, bidding for Rasheed Weed's services has sharply escalated within the last week. Resolved to rid themselves of the rising free agent, the Blazers gave permission to agent Bill Strickland to elicit trade propositions from teams his client would consider re-signing with come summer.

So far, all three Texas teams and the Hawks - maybe even the Pistons - are involved in the auction.

Rasheed's preference is the Rockets, according to Peter Vecsey; the obvious appeal being Yao Ming and Steve Francis, which is why they refuse to include either one in trade talk. Meaning, Houston may have to wait until the offseason to pursue Rasheed.

Unlike the Mavericks, underlines a Strickland trustee, who might be inclined to give up Antawn Jamison and Eduardo Najera (but would rather include Tariq Abdul-Wahad), depending on the health of the Lakers' feared foursome and Mark Cuban's mood following a two-game skid.

Long before the Spurs' manufactured their 12-game victory march, they offered Rasho Nesterovic, Malik Rose and Ron Mercer for Rasheed, the same source maintains.

As for the Hawks, they're eager to move Theo Ratliff and Alan Henderson for Rasheed. The Blazers countered with a request for Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Stephen Jackson.

"The Nets and Knicks are among the teams lining up hoping to sign (Eddie) Griffin, the 6-10 problem player recently released by the Rockets."

It is said that at least seven teams are willing to take a chance on Griffin.

If he is signed, Griffin would likely get a one-year deal for the league minimum.

Not much of a post-Christmas encore from Tracy McGrady, LeBron James or the team that humbled the Lakers.

All of the stars from Christmas took a step back Friday night, underperforming in the fourth quarter on the second night of back-to-back games.

McGrady and the Orlando Magic allowed a 15-0 run down the stretch, handing the San Antonio Spurs their 12th straight win, 98-83.

James shot just 7-for-24 while being defended by Jamal Crawford, and Chicago defeated Cleveland 87-80.

The Rockets, so impressive with their fourth-quarter defense in Thursday night's victory over the Lakers, couldn't stop Carmelo Anthony in the third quarter and made a critical late foul in a 95-94 loss to Denver.

In other games, Golden State beat Sacramento 98-91, Miami defeated Washington 92-84, New York topped Memphis 98-94, New Jersey edged Detroit 82-79, Utah outlasted Toronto 97-94 in overtime, Boston edged Phoenix 104-102, Milwaukee topped Indiana 101-96, Portland downed Minnesota 101-92, the Los Angeles Clippers defeated Philadelphia 101-92 and New Orleans crushed Atlanta 109-79.

Tim Duncan led San Antonio with 27 points and 16 rebounds, while Tony Parker added a season-high 22 points.

``You spend so much energy coming back from being down and just staying in it that by the end you are worn out both mentally and physically,'' said McGrady, who scored 41 in Orlando's overtime defeat of Cleveland on Thursday.

The Spurs began their winning streak Dec. 5 in Orlando after losing four straight and dropping into last place in the Midwest Division. San Antonio now sits atop the division at 21-10.

Bulls 87, Cavaliers 80

At Cleveland, Crawford matched a season-high with 30 points. He played the entire 48 minutes, shooting 12-of-20 with five assists as the Bulls won for just the fourth time in 19 games.

James scored 18 points but missed a 3-pointer with 35 seconds left that would have put the Cavaliers ahead. Cleveland missed its final eight shots.

Nuggets 95, Rockets 94

At Denver, Carmelo Anthony scored 22 of his career-high 37 points in the third quarter, shooting 9-of-11 with four 3-pointers in the period. Voshon Lenard made three free throws after he was fouled by Cuttino Mobley behind the arc with 8.3 seconds left.

Maurice Taylor had a chance to win it but missed a jumper at the buzzer.

Warriors 98, Kings 91

At Oakland, Jason Richardson scored 25 points, and Nick Van Exel hit a runner in the lane with 18.8 seconds left to help Golden State snap a 15-game losing streak against Sacramento.

Heat 92, Wizards 84

At Washington, Eddie Jones scored 22 points and Rasual Butler added 10 in the fourth quarter as Miami won its third straight. Heat rookie Dwyane Wade sprained his right wrist with 1:20 remaining. X-rays were negative.

Knicks 98, Grizzlies 94

At Memphis, Keith Van Horn scored 28 points, Allan Houston added 23 points and Frank Williams added 18 and ran the point down the stretch. The Knicks snapped a seven-game road losing streak. Memphis dropped its fourth straight.

Nets 82, Pistons 79

At Auburn Hills, Mich., Jason Kidd had 24 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds for his league-leading fifth triple-double. Kidd made all six of his free throws in the final 1:13, and Chauncey Billups missed two 3-pointers in the final seconds.

Jazz 97, Raptors 94, OT

At Salt Lake City, Andrei Kirilenko scored 17 points and made several big plays in overtime _ mostly with his defense against Vince Carter. Toronto scored five points in the final five seconds of regulation to force overtime.

Celtics 104, Suns 102

At Phoenix, Ricky Davis hit a 20-foot jumper with 2.8 seconds left and Paul Pierce scored 19 of his 27 points in the second half. The Celtics overcame a 17-point third-quarter deficit.

Bucks 101, Pacers 96

At Milwaukee, Damon Jones scored all 14 of his points in the fourth quarter to help the Bucks climb above .500 for the first time in more than six weeks. Milwaukee outscored Indiana 34-19 in the fourth quarter.

Trail Blazers 101, Timberwolves 92

At Portland, Jeff McInnis had 21 points as Portland snapped Minnesota's six-game winning streak. Wesley Person had 16 of his 20 points in the second quarter when Portland outscored Minnesota 37-17.

Clippers 101, 76ers 98

At Los Angeles, Quentin Richardson scored 22 points and Elton Brand had 20 points and nine rebounds as the Clippers won their fifth straight at home.

Hornets 109, Hawks 79

At New Orleans, David Wesley scored a season-high 32 points, including five 3-pointers, and the Hornets handed the Hawks their ninth straight road loss.

Philadelphia Sixers team president Billy King said the Sixers would check out recently waived forward Eddie Griffin but it would be only a matter of routine.

"We do that with everybody, whenever anybody gets waived," King said without indicating whether the Sixers had any interest."