Sklava Kravtsov is the only player on the Detroit Pistons who has yet to have played in a game this season.

"It was not what I expected at all," Kravtsov said on Friday.  "But this is life.  You can not stop because of that.  You should prove yourself at the practices and keep working to find yourself, and sometimes a chance comes to you.  You just have to be ready for it."

Lawrence Frank has said that he would begin to play Kravtsov when he's ready.

"I think I'm ready," he said.  "I've worked hard this month.  I rested a lot on my body.  I worked on my skills with Roy (Rogers, Pistons assistant coach).  I think I get much better.  And I think I can show something right now.  I think I could help a lot.  I just need to show it."

The San Antonio Spurs have sent four of their top-five leading scorers back home instead of playing the Miami Heat on Thursday in a nationally televised game.

Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Danny Green did not travel with the team after Wednesday night’s win in Orlando.

The Spurs were already without Kawhi Leonard and Stephen Jackson.

Gregg Popovich will have nine active players.

“We’re getting tired,” Popovich said. “We’ve had a six-day trip and a 10-day trip. Usually you don’t have that in one month.”

The Nets have won 10 games in a month for the first time since 2006.

“People are starting to take notice," said Joe Johnson. "We are a mentally and physically tough team.”

The Nets defeated the Celtics on Wednesday in a game where Rajon Rondo, Kris Humphries and Gerald Wallace were ejected.

“We’re not going to back down,” Deron Williams said. “It’s not about being tough guys or anything like that. But we’re not going to back down. We did a good job of keeping our composure.”

Johnson added: “There was a lot of swings down there. Guys were going in to try and rescue their teammates. That’s the type of team we have. If you’re in an alley fight, we’ve got guys you’d like to be in there with.”

The Santa Cruz Warriors begin their D-League season on Friday.

With the affiliate so close to Oakland, the Warriors could shuttle Jeremy Tyler and Kent Bazemore back and forth to receive game experience.

"It's so close," said Bob Myers. "The thing you don't want is them sitting around here practicing but not getting any valuable game experience. It's certainly something we want to use."

With the New York Knicks off to a quick start while he recovers from a left knee injury, two sources contend that Amar'e Stoudemire will accept a role as sixth man when he returns if asked.

"All he cares about right now is helping the team and winning," said one source. "He'd be fine with coming off the bench if that's what they want."

Stoudemire hasn't spoken with reporters since suffering a left knee injury.

Stoudemire is expected to miss at least two more weeks.

The Dallas Mavericks left Darren Collison inactive for Wednesday's game against the Bulls.

The Mavericks started Dominique Jones at point guard instead of Collison in their previous game, but Rick Carlisle advised not to read too much into it.

Collison was publicly displeased.

"Am I happy about the situation as a competitor? No," Collison said. "I know how hard I work. I'm still going to try to lead this team to victories in the near future." 

Collison has a sprained middle finger on his right hand.

The Sacramento Kings have experimented with Tyreke Evans playing a variety of roles.

Evans appears to have found a fit as a playmaking shooting guard.

Evans will be a restricted free agent in the offseason.

"People say, 'Maybe it's (his progress) because he's in a deal year,' " Keith Smart said. "I don't think so. I think he's too genuine for that. He's a genuine guy. He just loves to play ball."

Evans is moving better without the ball and has never felt better physically.

Anderson Varejao is having a remarkable November, averaging 14.1 points, 14.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.

"To me, he’s the best center in the NBA,” Byron Scott said. “He’s by far the best in the Eastern Conference. Coaches and players are starting to recognize how well he’s playing. He has nine games of 15 or more rebounds. I don’t think there’s anyone in the league close to that right now.”

Varejao has increased his importance in the Cavaliers' offense with Kyrie Irving injured.

“We told him to shoot the ball when he had open shots,” Scott said. “This year, he has a lot more confidence taking shots.

“We’re running the offense through him. He’s the facilitator.”

Varejao is shooting 51 percent from the field and has extended his range.

The Cleveland Cavaliers held the lead 72 percent of the time in their recent three-game road trip.

But the Cavaliers went 0-3, losing by a combined 12 points.

The Toronto Raptors are 3-12 this season and have lost five in a row after dropping a 117-101 decision at the Rockets on Tuesday.

“We have to decide what type of team we want to be,” said Dwane Casey. “Do we want to be a team that gives in to a little bit of frustration just because someone makes a three-point shot on you or do you want to be a team that fights together, stays together and hangs in there together and lets the chips fall where they may?

“And I think we’re the latter.”

The Raptors have particularly struggled on defense and allowed 1.245 points per possession to the Rockets in the game.