March 2003 NBA Wiretap

Arenas to remain sidelined indefinitely

Nov 30, 2003 1:18 PM

"Gilbert Arenas' severely strained abdomen is far worse than originally thought and is likely to keep the Washington Wizards point guard and leading scorer out "for at least a few weeks, maybe even longer," a source with knowledge of the situation said last night."

Guard Mitchell Butler has been activated off the injured list to replace him.

John N. Mitchell of the Washington Times

Tags: Washington Wizards, NBA

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50 for Iverson

Nov 30, 2003 2:00 AM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Allen Iverson scored a season-high 50 points, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 98-86 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night.

Kenny Thomas had 13 rebounds and reserve John Salmons added 13 points for Philadelphia, which leads the Atlantic Division despite a 9-9 record.

Jason Terry had 20 points and Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 17 for the Hawks, who are off to a 6-12 start.

It was the ninth time, including playoffs, that Iverson has scored 50 or more points in his eight seasons. He had 55 in a playoff victory over New Orleans last April.

Iverson was coming off a season-low 12-point performance in which he missed 15 of 19 shots in a loss to Indiana on Friday night.

Knicks 79, Hornets 74

NEW YORK (AP) Allan Houston scored 18 points, and Dikembe Mutombo added 13 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks to help New York beat New Orleans.

Mutombo got the Knicks started with 11 points and seven rebounds in the first half, and Houston scored 13 during a sluggish second half for both teams.

David Wesley's 16 points led the Hornets, who committed six of their 16 turnovers in the fourth quarter and shot just 32 percent from the field. Baron Davis had 13 points and 10 assists.

Pistons 80, Wizards 69

WASHINGTON (AP) Richard Hamilton scored 25 points and Chauncey Billups added 22 to lead Detroit to its eighth win in nine games against Washington.

Detroit's win overshadowed a solid game by Brendan Haywood, who led the Wizards with a career-high 23 points and season-high 11 rebounds.

Moments after Jarvis Hayes tied the game at 65 with a dunk with 6:57 remaining, Washington coach Eddie Jordan drew a technical for charging onto the court as Hamilton was making a layup.

Hamilton made the free throw for a 68-65 lead with 6:37 left and the Pistons never trailed again.

Heat 78, Raptors 66

MIAMI (AP) Rookie Dwyane Wade scored 16 points to lead Miami over short-handed Toronto, which played without starters Antonio Davis and Jerome Williams.

Davis and Williams are part of a six-player trade that will send Jalen Rose to the Raptors, Bulls general manager John Paxson said Saturday night. The deal is pending league approval Monday.

Rookie forward Chris Jeffries, also involved with the trade, did not dress for the Raptors.

Toronto, which has yet to reach 90 points in regulation this season, was held below 70 points for the fifth time.

Grizzlies 122, Cavaliers 115, 2OT

CLEVELAND (AP) Pau Gasol scored a career-high 37 points and Memphis Grizzlies completed its second-biggest comeback with a double-overtime win over Cleveland.

Shane Battier added 22 points and a career-high 12 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who trailed by 24 in the first half and 16 going into the fourth quarter.

Memphis' comeback was its biggest since overcoming a 25-point deficit to beat Portland on March 25, 2002.

Cavs rookie LeBron James had his best game as a pro _ 33 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists _ but had two costly turnovers late in the first overtime period that helped Memphis rally.

Mike Miller added 20 points and a career-high 13 assists for the Grizzlies, who clawed back by scoring the first 18 points of the fourth quarter.

Mavericks 92, Timberwolves 88

DALLAS (AP) Michael Finley scored 25 points and rookie Josh Howard provided a much-needed spark in the second half, carrying Dallas past Minnesota in a matchup of teams playing their fourth game in five nights.

Missing Dirk Nowitzki (sprained ankle) and Danny Fortson (suspended), Dallas needed fresh legs to remain undefeated at home. Howard came through, scoring seven points during a 22-4 run that turned a 12-point deficit into a six-point lead early in the fourth quarter.

Kevin Garnett _ who had 28 points and 20 rebounds _ single-handedly kept the Timberwolves close, scoring eight of their last nine, including a jumper that tied it at 81 with 3:46 left.

He also had a 3-pointer and two free throws in the final 27 seconds that prevented the Mavericks from sealing the victory.

After Steve Nash made a pair of foul shots with 2 seconds left, Minnesota's last chance ended when Sam Cassell fumbled an inbounds pass. When time expired, Cassell punted the ball high over the court, landing in the seats.

Bucks 100, Celtics 94

MILWAUKEE (AP) Joe Smith made two free throws with 11 seconds left and Toni Kukoc scored nine fourth-quarter points to lead Milwaukee past Boston in the second game of a home-and-home series between the teams.

Milwaukee blew a 15-point second-quarter lead, fell behind by 12 in the third quarter and rallied to become the first team to score 100 points against the Celtics this season.

Michael Redd had 23 points, Desmond Mason had a season-high 22 points and Smith had 16 points and 11 rebounds for Milwaukee.

Mike James had a career-high 23 points and Paul Pierce scored 21 for the Celtics, which beat the Bucks 106-96 Friday night in Boston.

SuperSonics 95, Rockets 88

SEATTLE (AP) Rashard Lewis scored 27 points in his return from a one-game absence and rookie Luke Ridnour had eight of his 11 points in the fourth quarter for Seattle.

Lewis, who shot 9-of-18 from the floor, missed Friday night's loss at Utah because of a death in his family.

Antonio Daniels made his first start of the season, scoring 13 points, while Ronald Murray came off the bench for 12 and Brent Barry added 10. The Sonics had lost three of four at home.

Steve Francis led the Rockets with 28 points, but he scored only four in the fourth quarter _ all from the foul line.

Nuggets 98, Clippers 86

LOS ANGELES (AP) Vashon Lenard scored a season-high 26 points and Denver never trailed in handing the Los Angeles Clippers their sixth straight loss.

Point guard Andre Miller had 19 points and seven assists in his return to Staples Center, where he spent an unproductive and unhappy season with the Clippers before joining Denver as a free agent when Los Angeles declined to match the Nuggets' six-year, $51 million offer sheet.

Corey Maggette had 22 points and eight rebounds for the Clippers, who were 29-for-83 from the field and have failed to shoot 50 percent or better this season.

Spurs 91, Warriors 89

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Nick Van Exel scored 16 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter to help Golden State beat San Antonio.

Van Exel, playing a backup role because of a sore left knee, either tied the score or gave the Warriors the lead with five of his seven fourth-quarter baskets, including a long 3 with 20 seconds left that proved to be the winner.

Tim Duncan, who missed a wide-opener 20-footer in the final second, led the defending NBA champion Spurs with 27 points and 15 rebounds. Tony Parker added 19 points, and Rasho Nestorovic had 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Associated Press

Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia Sixers, NBA

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Carter injures jaw

Nov 29, 2003 11:01 PM

MIAMI (AP) Toronto star Vince Carter the Raptors' game Saturday night against Miami after injuring his jaw in a fall.

Carter was injured in the third quarter when he got tangled up with an official near the baseline and tumbled behind the basket after losing his balance. Carter stayed on the ground for a few minutes before being escorted to the locker room.

Associated Press

Tags: Toronto Raptors, NBA

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Iverson fined $10,000 for gesture toward fans

Nov 29, 2003 11:00 PM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Philadelphia 76ers star Allen Iverson was fined $10,000 by the NBA on Saturday for making an obscene gesture toward fans during a loss in Milwaukee earlier in the week.

Iverson made the gesture in the 76ers' 95-91 loss to the Bucks on Monday. He scored 50 points Saturday night to lead the Sixers over the Atlanta Hawks 98-86.

``I made a mistake and I deserve it,'' Iverson said of the fine.

Associated Press

Tags: Philadelphia Sixers, NBA

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Lakers' Malone oldest to get triple-double

Nov 29, 2003 8:00 PM

LOS ANGELES (AP) Karl Malone gave the Los Angeles Lakers the physical presence they expected.

In the Lakers' most significant game so far this season, he gave them something they didn't expect: a triple-double.

And he accomplished the feat despite playing only 26 minutes.

Malone became the first NBA player to get a triple-double at age 40, leading the Lakers past the defending champion San Antonio Spurs 103-87 Friday night. He sat out all of the fourth quarter.

``I'm glad to be here,'' said Malone, the second-leading scorer in NBA history. ``Hopefully they're glad to have me.''

That goes without saying. He's doing a bit of everything for Los Angeles, which is 13-3.

Malone had 10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for the fourth triple-double of his career and first since spring 1999. The 6-foot-9, 259-pound forward left the game for good with 2{ minutes remaining in the third quarter and the Lakers leading 78-48.

``To get one at any time in your career, that's special. To get one at 40 is a little special. The most important thing is a win,'' said Malone, who played 18 seasons for the Utah Jazz before signing as a free-agent with the Lakers last summer.

Gary Payton, who also joined the Lakers as a free agent in the offseason, said he has never played with a forward like Malone.

``He is a great passing forward,'' Payton said. ``He rebounded the basketball and made points and he passed the ball really well. He did a great job.''

The game was the first between the teams in Los Angeles since May 15, when the Spurs won 110-82 in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals. That eliminated the Lakers from the playoffs and ended their quest for a fourth straight NBA championship.

The Lakers are a much different team now, with Payton and Malone providing new support for Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal.

``We have a full thrust. Last year, it was a 1-2 punch. This year, it's just a wave. And that's how we play,'' Bryant said. ``I mean, it's not only myself, Karl, Gary and Shaquille. It's also Devean George, because he's featured in our offense.''

George shot 8-of-9 and scored a season-high 19 points against the Spurs, making him 15-of-19 for 37 points in his last two games.

He shot 56-of-113 and averaged 9.9 points in the Lakers' first 14 games.

The win was the fifth straight and eighth in nine games for the Lakers and extended their regular-season home winning streak to 24, including nine this season. That ties the Los Angeles franchise record.

The Lakers can eclipse that mark Sunday night against the Indiana Pacers, whose 14-2 record is the NBA's best.

``These games we've got now are a big test for us,'' Malone said. ``We've got another big one Sunday.''

The Pacers have won eight straight games overall, and they're 7-0 away from Indianapolis _ the only team that's unbeaten on the road this season.

``They've got to come see us,'' Bryant said. ``They're playing extremely well, and we're playing extremely well, so we're going to fight fire with fire and see what's what.''

George said he very much looked forward to the game.

``The Beast of the East,'' he said of the Pacers. ``We're waiting for them.''

Associated Press

Tags: Los Angeles Lakers, NBA

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Raptors, Bulls agree to deal

Nov 29, 2003 5:31 PM

CHICAGO -- Chicago and Toronto have agreed to a six-player trade that will send Jalen Rose to the Raptors for Antonio Davis, Bulls general manager John Paxson said Saturday night.

The deal is pending league approval Monday.

The Bulls will also ship Lonny Baxter and Donyell Marshall to the Raptors and get Toronto's Jerome Williams and Chris Jeffries.

"We're giving up talented players," Paxson said, adding that the presence of Davis and Williams will help the Bulls on the inside where they have young and erratic prep-to-pros Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler.

"This is hard to do, but I think it's right for the organization right now," Paxson said. "It's been a long tough week in a lot of ways. I think we're in position now where we got a big basketball team. We've still got issues and I don't expect miracles right away, but I expect us to be a competitive team."

Paxson fired coach Bill Cartwright last Monday after Chicago lost 10 of its 14 games. Then on Friday, he named Scott Skiles to replace him. The Bulls are 4-12 overall.

Rose, a small forward in his 10th NBA season, is averaging 13.3 points -- third best on the team -- but has shot just 38 percent from the field this season. He would give Toronto, which has struggled to score points, an offensive punch. He came to the Bulls in February 2002 in a trade from the Pacers.

The 6-foot-9 Davis, averaging nine rebounds and 8.6 points, presents a veteran inside presence

"Antonio Davis can't help but be a good influence on the other guys and Jerome Williams hustles all the time. He gets up and down the floor," Skiles said.

"Sometimes you have to give good things up for things that make more sense at the time. I think we've become a more physical and tougher team that can rebound and defend better," Paxson said.

Marshall, averaging 8.7 points and six rebounds, said he got a phone call Saturday from Paxson telling him of the deal.

"I feel a little in shock right now. I kept hearing about it for a week and a half now," Marshall said.

"Usually when trade rumors go around that long, usually they're dead. I was laying at home getting ready to come into the second practice and my phone rang and it was Pax," he said.

"I've been in this league 10 years. I know it's a business, I know you gotta do what you've got to do to make this team better. I guess it was a trade that both teams felt they got something good out of it."

When asked about the trade, Raptors spokesman Jim LaBumbard said Davis and Williams wouldn't be in uniform for Saturday night's game at Miami and that they were "involved in trade talks."

"We hope to have something done in the next 48 hours," LaBumbard said. He wouldn't comment further.

The Bulls don't play until Monday night.

Veteran Scottie Pippen, who returned to Chicago this season to provide leadership, said it's tough to see Rose and Marshall depart, but it's all part of the business.

"Davis will give us some toughness inside and Williams has a lot of energy and enthusiasm," Pippen said. "We got veteran guys who know how to play the game. I think it should make us better."

Associated Press

Tags: Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, NBA

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Lewis expected back for tonight's game

Nov 29, 2003 10:18 AM

"Rashard Lewis, who missed last night's game to attend his brother's wake in Houston, is expected to return to Seattle and play in tonight's game against the Houston Rockets."

Percy Allen of the Seattle Times

Tags: Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA

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Magic lose 15th straight game

Nov 29, 2003 10:15 AM

The Orlando Magic's losing streak grew to 15 games on Friday night with an 87-86 loss to the Toronto Raptors.

Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel

Tags: Orlando Magic, NBA

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Rip torches Cavs for 44 points

Nov 29, 2003 10:11 AM

"(Richard Hamilton)The Pistons' shooting guard, fully recovered from a concussion and neck strain, riddled the Cleveland defense for a career-high 44 points, sending LeBron James and Co. home with their 31st straight road loss, 92-88, Friday night before a sellout crowd of 22,076 at the Palace."

Perry A. Farrell of the Detroit Free Press

Tags: Detroit Pistons, NBA

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Arenas to visit Doctor today

Nov 29, 2003 10:07 AM

"Wizards doctors will examine (Gilbert) Arenas (out with strained lower abdominal muscles) for the first time before tonight's game. The results could lead to a timetable for his return, although Arenas, the team's leading scorer, has said that while he is sore, he plans on being back within two weeks."

Steve Wyche of the Washington Post

Tags: Washington Wizards, NBA

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Scott Skiles takes over with Chicago Bulls

Associated Press

Mavericks' Fortson suspended for three games

Associated Press

Magic hire Westhead as assistant coach

Associated Press

Suns activate Archibald, place Cabarkapa on IR

Associated Press

Mavericks not sure when Nowitzki will return

Associated Press

Coleman misses game with knee injury

Associated Press

Vujanic likely to play another year overseas

New York Post

Decision on Fortson likely to come today

Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News

Lewis out tonight against Utah

Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times

Nowitzki out tonight

Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News

LaFrentz likely to return tonight

Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald

Planinic forced to sit and learn

Brad Parks of the Newark Star-Ledger

ESPN to follow Rodman around

Chicago Sun-Times

Sonics' Lewis leaves team after death of brother

Seattle Times

Skiles takes charge as Bulls coach on Friday

Chicago Tribune

Knicks are set to roll out Dice

N.Y. Post

Sprewell: Dolan's to blame

N.Y. Post

Suns' Rookie Cabarkapa Breaks Wrist

Associated Press

Dozens inquire about donating a kidney to Mourning

Associated Press

Lewis misses practice after brother's death

Associated Press