New York at Minnesota (8 p.m. EST). The Timberwolves' Latrell Sprewell faces his former team.

STARS

Monday

_ Jermaine O'Neal, Pacers, had 22 points and 19 rebounds to help Indiana beat Orlando 89-78.

_ Steve Francis, Rockets, had 19 points and nine assists to lead Houston to a 105-90 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

MOURNING RETIRES

Alonzo Mourning retired Monday because his life-threatening kidney disease worsened. Mourning played 12 games in his return to the NBA after sitting out last season and large portions of two others because of the ailment, focal glomerulosclerosis. Mourning, 33, will need a transplant soon, and the team said a nationwide search is under way for a prospective donor.

PACE SETTERS

The Indiana Pacers improved on the NBA's best record, improving to 11-2 with an 89-78 win Monday night over Orlando. It was the Magic's 13th straight loss.

REDEMPTION SHOT

Detroit's Chauncey Billups atoned for his gaffe the night before by hitting four straight free throws in the final 18.3 seconds to help the Pistons beat Atlanta 94-89 Monday night. He missed two foul shots with 7 seconds remaining in Detroit's 81-80 loss Sunday night to New Orleans.

STRONG IN DEFEAT

Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 26 points and 14 rebounds in the Atlanta Hawks' 94-89 loss to Detroit on Monday night. ... Juwan Howard scored 17 points to lead four Orlando players in double figures in the Magic's 89-78 loss to Indiana. ... Corey Maggette scored a season-high 33 points for the Clippers, who lost to Houston 105-90.

SPEAKING

``I told him the game of basketball is just a game, and I want you able to see your son play the game, or your daughter, your beautiful wife. Don't be upset that you feel you let me down because I want to be able to still call my friend.'' _ Jason Kidd, on teammate Alonzo Mourning, who was forced to retire because of a kidney disease.