Elton Brand of the Los Angeles Clippers is the recipient of the Joe Dumars Trophy presented to the 2005-06 NBA Sportsmanship Award winner, the NBA announced today.

Originally presented following the 1995-96 season, the Sportsmanship Award honors a player who exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship on the court -- ethical behavior, fair play and integrity. The trophy is named for former Detroit Pistons guard and Hall of Famer Joe Dumars, the award?s first recipient.

Former Heat head coach Stan Van Gundy told the Miami Herald that "right now, my plan'' is to spend next season away from coaching, though ``I never say never to anything.''

If another club would like to speak to Van Gundy about an opening, they would need permissions from the Heat, as he remains under contract with the organizations for the next two years.

''I don't know what they would do [if a team asked permission],'' he said. ''That would be up to'' Pat Riley.

DeShawn Stevenson, shooting guard for the Magic, is in the process of getting other opinions on his troublesome left knee that might need surgery this summer.

Even with the uncertainty about his health, he still is planning to opt out of the final year of his contract this summer, hoping for a better deal.

Three-time NBA champion Toni Kukoc, 37, would like to return to play one more season, though he isn't sure where.

"I kind of decided to play one more year," he said. "I didn't have any problems during the season, knock on wood. So, I decided to play one more. Where it's going to be, I am not sure. We'll see what the summer brings."

The L.A. Clippers ended a 13-year road playoff drought and moved within one victory of the franchise's first series win in 30 years by beating the Denver Nuggets 100-86 Saturday night.

"It's a great feeling, but we can't get lackadaisical. We have to come out with some fight," forward Elton Brand said. "I don't know what else to say. When we get to the second round, it will be like, 'Welcome to the party.'"

Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony was stunned after the loss, staring at the back of his locker with a towel draped over his head.

"This right here really hurts, to lose on our home court the way we did," Anthony said.

Mike Dunleavy will return to coach the Los Angeles Clippers next season, ESPN's Jim Gray reported on Saturday.

The final year of Dunleavy's four-year contract is an option year, and Dunlaevy told Gray that the Clippers want him back.

Under Dunlaevy, the Clippers have had their best season since the franchise left Buffalo for California, finishing fifth in the Western Conference.

While some may have been suprised with the Bucks' blowout win over the Pistons in Game 3, but not Pistons coach Flip Saunders.

?I told my guys tonight the biggest adjustment they?re going make is the attitude they?re going to play with and how hard they?re going to play,? Saunders said. ?They came out and played with a great amount of energy and got some shots going early and got their confidence going.

?But they can?t change how we play. We cannot all of a sudden play a lot of one-pass shots and play out of character, which I thought we did a lot of.?

Led by 40 points by Michael Redd and a career high 15 assists by T.J. Ford, the Milwaukee Bucks crushed the Detroit Pistons, 124-104, at the Bradley Center and got themselves back into their first round playoff series, which the Pistons lead 2-1.

?It?s definitely a series now,? said Bucks guard Mo Williams. ?It?s not 3-0 where you know you?re on the outside looking in...like I don?t know if I should pack or get ready to play. It?s a series now. We sent them a message, obviously. They?re going to come out aggressive and with an attitude on Monday, but that?s fine.?

Said guard T.J. Ford, ?I?m not ready to go home. I want to play some more basketball. It?s all about basketball right here. This is what we work hard for.?

Dirk Nowitzki said he twisted his right ankle Saturday and was walking a little gingerly afterward.  But according to a report in the Dallas Morning News, the injury is not serious and Nowitzki should be right to play in Game 4.

"I rolled it pretty good," he said. "But you know how I am. I'll be OK."

According to the Dallas Morning News, the Mavericks will ask the league to review the flagrant foul that was called on Dirk Nowitzki when he tried to block a Pau Gasol drive to the basket with 59.3 seconds left in overtime.

Nowitzki said he felt like he went for the ball, and in fact, he blocked the layup.

"We'll review it, and I think it will get reduced," said Mavs owner Mark Cuban.