Philadelphia at Dallas (9 p.m. EST). Steve Nash and the Mavericks, 16-3 at home, face Allen Iverson and the 76ers.

STARS

Tuesday

_ Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Hawks, scored 29 points in Atlanta's surprising 86-77 victory over San Antonio.

_ Ben Wallace, Pistons, had 12 points and 17 rebounds as Detroit won its ninth straight, 105-89 over Chicago.

_ Voshon Lenard, Nuggets, scored 32 points to help Denver beat Phoenix 105-92.

_ Corey Maggette, Clippers, scored 32 points as Los Angeles defeated Portland 103-96.

DANCE WITH THE CHAMP

The lowly Atlanta Hawks were coming off three straight embarrassing defeats, but built a big lead over San Antonio and held on for a surprising 86-77 victory Tuesday night. The defending NBA champion Spurs had won 17 of their last 18.

MISSION CONTROL

Steve Francis had 10 of Houston's season-high 27 assists in the Rockets' 93-80 win over Washington on Tuesday night.

HUNGRY WOLVES

Minnesota beat New Orleans 94-89 on Tuesday night for the Timberwolves' 15th win in 18 games.

MOTOR CITY MUSCLE

Detroit finished with a 56-35 rebounding edge in its 105-89 win over Chicago on Tuesday night. The Pistons _ who have won nine straight _ had 15 offensive rebounds at halftime, the same number of total rebounds grabbed by Chicago.

SUSPENDED

Washington Wizards forward Christian Laettner was suspended for five games Tuesday for violating the NBA's drug policy. The suspension, without pay, began with Tuesday night's home game against Houston. The 6-foot-11 Laettner is in his 12th season, and is averaging 6.7 points and 5.3 rebounds for the Wizards (10-25), who are sixth in the seven-team Atlantic Division.

UNHAPPY TRAILS

The Los Angeles Clippers beat Portland for only the sixth time in 28 meetings, 103-96 Tuesday night, extending the Trail Blazers' road losing streak against Western Conference teams to 13 games.

SPEAKING

``Horrible working conditions, definitely, but nothing's perfect and you have to deal with it.'' _ Don Chaney on being coach of the Knicks. He was the target of another ``Fire Chaney'' chant at Madison Square Garden on Monday night in an overtime loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Team president Isiah Thomas hasn't provided any public assurances to Chaney.