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Show Page B4 THE DAILY HERALD, (www.HaitTheHerlld.comX Provo, Utah, Friday, March 28, 2003 NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION EASTERN CONFTXCNCE rob lures ATbumc omsroti tr 28t 11,1 j EmmiK to Cards fKi -- . v Washington NewYo Miami CENTRAL - The TEMPE, Ariz. to a remain opportunity featured running back ' lured Emmitt Smith to the Wk Klciradly life w-- 1 7--3 W-- 2 22-1- S 7--3 W-- 2 512 2-- 8 6 4-- 6 W-- 2 306 21 W I 25 New Orleans Milwaukee Atlanta 45 41 40 34 29 Chicago 26 Ibronto 22 14 Cleveland Minnesota's Mike Wllks, left, steals the ball from Orlando's Darrell Armstrong in the first half on Thursday. STTt 5-- 5 22 50 HOKE LID - 42 28 39 34 38 34 34 37 32 40 12 9 1112 12 CW AWAT 14-2- 1 30-1- 2 20-1- 8 29-1- 6 24-1- 4 15- - 20 28-2- 0 22-1- 3 16- -21 25-2- 23-1- 4 11-2- 3 23-2- 3 10-2- 5 20-2- 29-- 7 5--5 1--1 22-1- 5 2-- 8 1--3 14-2- 2 UP 5TH Hfflffi 5 0 jazz REPOirr 7 16-2- 9 8 THIS WEEPS GAMES " PCT GB - 8-- 2 .643 .577 412 3-- 7 5-- 5 .556 6 12 .472 3 7 .397 17 12 5-- 5 5-- 5 .361 20 2-- 8 .314 23 .197 3112 3-- 7 30 32 38 44 46 48 57 W-- 2 1--2 COBr AWAT 27-- 7 18-1- 8 32-1- 4 28-- 13-2- 3 29-1- 7 Utah 96, Boston 91 Utah 94, Portland 85 . Today, Milwaukee, 7 pm.F0XSN KJZZ Saturday, at San Antonio, 6:30 p.m., 6 2 25-1- 1 15-2- 1 25-2- 1 1--2 19-1- 6 15-2- 2 26-2- 1 1--2 21-1- 19-2- 7 4 0 W-- 1 23-1- 2 4 18-2- 9 W-- 1 14-2- 0 8 16-2- 7 t--1 11-2- 4 3 TONIGHTS GAME 7 WHEJt7p.m. WESTERN CONFERENCE FHELAN M. LbtNHACKThe Associated Presa Arizona Cardinals, a franchise Nctcb rtatlf wvn with no his tory of success and the smallest crowds in the NFL Smith, signed by the Cardinals to a deal worth $7 million to $8 million, was introduced at a news conference at the team's headquarters on Thursday. VThis was definitely a football decision," Smith said. "A Couple of other teams were asking me to come in and be a backup. I didn't foresee myself being a backup." At 33, with many speculating that his skills have deteriorated, the NFL's career rushing leader says 1,200 to 1,300 yards is a reasonable goal next season. "Why wouldn't it be?" he said. "I think that it's very reasonable. I expect that of myself. I expect myself to back be over a 1,000-yar- d every year. I just have to stay healthy, obviously, and everybody else has to do their job." Owner Bill Bidwill and Smith held up a red Cardinals jersey with the No. 22 and Smith's name on it Doane Starks, who wore 22 last season, agreed to give it up to Smith. The news conference was televised live in Phoenix and in Dallas, where Smith played 13 seasons and helped the Cowboys win three Super Bowls. Asked if he was motivated by the fact that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones let him walk away, Smith just smiled a long, big smile. "That's about all I can say he said as the crowd laughed and applauded. Smith said he felt that the Arizona offense, with a stable offensive line and the recent signing of free agent Jeff Blake, is in bettwo-ye- w i r.?- "El .606 .600 .534 .528 .479 .444 DIVISION (Detroit Indiana The Associated Press KT 43 new jciacj Phitadelphia Orlando Boston MIDWEST WHERE: Delta Center, Salt Lake City TVSFOXSN DIVISION I W .761 20 27 29 Antonio Minnesota Utah ' Houston 51 46 42 37 Memphis Denver 26 45 35 16 UP '5TB GB PCT 5417 tDaiias 56 .718 .630 .592 .514 .366 .222 3 9 12 PCT GB W-- 3 29-- 7 25-1- 0 30-1- 3 8-- 2 W-- 3 29-- 7 22-1- 3 31-1- 4 30-- 7 16-2- 0 29-1- 6 U 6-- 4 26-1- 0 16-1- 9 26-1- 1712 5-- 5 2 24-1- 2 13-2- 3 22-2- 4 28 6-- 4 t-- 1 18-1- 7 8 3812 4-- 6 W-- 1 12-2- 4 2 110 STB HOME 8-- 2 W-- 5 W-- 5 3 RADIO: KFNZ 1320 AM, KSRR 1400 AM 1H1 SKINNY: Its a renewal of the longtime John Stocktow-GaryPayt- CONF AWAT HOME 3 7 rivalry, butmistirm,PaytDn will be in a different uniform. Parton was traded Id Milwaukee 10-3- 3 6 . MCIFIC DIVISION t W ar 51 KINGS The Associated Press rebounds and four assists in three quarters as the Kings easily won their fifth 7 day night. The Magic, who have won six of seven, closed the game on a 13-- 3 run. McGrady, who also had 10 assists, extended his streak of games to 12, despite being hounded by Garnett; Garnett had 26 points and 14 rebounds for his in his 20th double-doublast 21 games. Wally added 22 Szczerbiak for 'Minnesota, points which had won four straight. McGrads two free throws with 24.4 seconds remaining put Orlando up v Cor-nerba- ck . 106-10- - its first lead 4 since 6 and capped a run of nine straight points in a span of 2:10. Garnett drew a foul on Minnesota's ensuing pos7-- session, but he missed one of two free throws. Darrell Armstrong then hit four foul shots in the final 15.6 seconds to seal the win. (39-3Orlando season-beto a improved 4) st five games over .500. The e Magic also grabbed a lead over idle Boston for the No. 6 playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. half-gam- . Corey Maggette was the only Los Angeles starter to score in double figures, finishing with 14 points. Melvin Ely added 12 rebounds for the Clippers, who lost their fourth straight and 10th in a row at Sacramento. After the Clippers scored the first four points in the third period, Sacramento went on a 13-- 0 run and held LA. scoreless for a span of 6:01 to build a 62-3- 6 lead. The Kings' regulars took a seat late in the third.. . SPURS 98, ROCKETS 85: At San Antonio, Stephen Jackson scored 27 points and Tim Duncan added 25 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Spurs. The Rockets trimmed a lead to 11 in the final period, but Jackson stopped the slide by hitting the last of his five with 5:16 remaining. The loss dropped Houston (37-3behind idle Phoenix a half-gam-e in the race for the eighth and final postseason berth in the Western Conference. Cuttino Mobley led the Rockets with 37 .471 50 .306 .521 12 13 16 17 29 .486 5-- 5 32-- 6 3 THURSDArS RESULTS Orlando 110, Minnesota 107 San Antonio 98, Houston 85 Sacramento 93, LA. Clippers 83 COHF 19-1- 5 33-1- 23-1- 2 21-1- 7-- 23-1- 8 5 W-- 2 25-1- 0 16-2- 0 25-1- 4-- 6 W-- 1 25-1- 1 12-2- 3 20-2- 3 5-- 5 W-- 1 22-1- 4 13-2- 3 17-2- 7 5-- 5 t-- 1 19-1- 6 14-2- 1 20-2- 1 2-- 8 1-- 13-2- 4 4 in a deal that sent Ray In Men to Seattle. The Bucks are just in the 18 games since Peyton joined the 5 7 team. Payton has led the Bucks in scoring in seven of those 18 games. Milwaukee has tost seven of its last nine, setback in Denver including a 108-10- 3 on Wednesday Utah has won five 12-3- 2 6 suargmaiiu o hi urcauuii --yw. um Western Conference playoff race, one game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers and two games behind Portland. Utah on Jan. 3 in beat the Bucks 118-11- 5 Cleveland at Boston, 5:30 p.m. Phoenix at Detroit 6 p.m. Minnesota at Miami, 6 p.m. New Jersey at New York, 6 p.m. Milwaukee at Utah, 7 p.m. , Chicago at Indiana, 5 p.m. New Orleans at Toronto, 5 p.m. Golden State at Philadelphia, 5 p.m. .. that Milwaukee. Allen led Milwaukee in game. This is the final game of a three-gam- e homestand for Utah. Saturday, the Jazz are at San Antonio ami on Tuesday theyll play the Clippers on the road. Memphis at Seattle, 8 p.m. Dallas at Portland, 8:30 p.m. . Washington at LA. Lakers, 8:30 p.m. TODAY'S GAMES SCOREBOARD Odom Sa2nto9-16- ' M 22, Gamtt 26, Jo.Smtr. 34 13, Peeler 24 00 5, Hudson 11, Wita 4, Gal 6 16, Jackson 14 107, 2 34 2 VauttM 30, 00 7 12, DeOer-o- q 16, l. Oyedef (H 00 0, Whitney 110. 7 . a 27 S3 26 26 - 21 (tn 00 6, Parts 24 00 4, Rooks 2 16 Garnett GMcek Armstrong SmIs-L- A. Fouled Reoounds-L- A. dippers 17, Sacramento (McGrady SPURS 98, ROCKETS 85 IASIUM 00 9,laylor Norris Francis 2 00 8, Mobley 00 6, Rice 3 00 2, Moms 7 11, Cato 3 OO 2. Wab 15, Yao 9 OO 2, 2 6 9, 1 Nov Jersey Philadalphia Indiana NewOrlaana Orlando SAN JhTRMIO (96) 2 6 3 3, Duncan Boxen 25, Robinson 2 Pancr 27, Rose 12, Jackson 00 2, 2- - 7 1 00 6, WHHs 5, GnoM 34 3 9, Oaxton 3- - 71-- 2 7, Ferry 00 2, Kerr 00 00 0. totals 9 22 23 15 26 14 24 SI It (17317). - 86 - tt NewVork Chicatjo Ckmland 45 43 42 41 40 39 38 34 34 32 29 26 22 22 14 N 5 Rice (Norris Morris on 45 (Duncan 14). Antonio 23 (Duncan Antonio M.lecrmials-rianc(18,500). San Mobley Antonio Fouled 51 (Cato 8), San Antonio 16 (Norris 5), San 18, San 8). total GinoMi 14, Parker 97 it, 16.1cfmcals-Seaamen- -k) IOMLKLNC4. L W ' aOalas Antonio ULLakm 25 28 28 30 32 34 34 37 38 40 44 46 48 50 57 M .643 .606 .600 .577 .556 .534 .528 .479 .472 .444 397 361 314 306 .197 - 212 3 412 6 712 8 11 12 12 14 1712 20 23 24 31 12 Oppen Dennr W I 54 51 51 20 44 42 41 17 21 27 27 29 30 Pot Qi .761 .718 3 3 12 .708 .630 9 ' 10 .620 12 .592 77 13 34 35 37 .521 .514 .486 .471 17 ' 1712 19 12 2012 45 366 22 SO .306 28 32 16 56 322 3812 12 spot LEADERS Marat Tknea M McGrady, Ori. Bryant, LAL O'Neal, LAL hnaon.PM. Pwce.Bos. rkwnzki, Dal. Duncan, SA Ganwtt, Minn. Martwry, Phot. Webber, Sac. Houston, N.Y Rosa, Chi. Aden. Sea. Jamison, G.& Staddmuse,Wesh. Hou. Francis, Mashbum,N.a Marion, Phoe. Robinson, All. BWaaa,Utak $um a n 740 762 578 680 574 585 617 650 600 556 572 574 497 599 443 505 591 567 532 521 66 71 56 70 69 69 70 72 70 56 72 72 64 72 62 70 72 70 67 78 m rr aw 508 2137 32.4 517 2137 30.1 377 1533 27.4 475 1909 273 522 1770 25.7 398 1687 24.4 401 1640 23.4 350 1669 23.2 330 1614 23.1 174 1290 23.0 331 1632 22.7 358 1622 22.5 265 1427 22.3 345 1597 22.2 413 1366 22.0 '439 1528 21.8 273 1557 21.6 222 1478 21.1 259 1413 21.1 21.6 424 146 FtPDICBraGf PB P8A KS NO Booar.CkK GasoJ.Mam. 578 293 273 494 Nesterovic.Minii. 364 Hilano.Den. 282 358 450 301 617 1024 543 507 943 695 543 699 814 593 1222 .564 .540 .538 .524 .524 .519 .512 O'Neal. tAL Brown, Yao, Hou. ItarBrliltak R Millar, Duncan, COflKRUICC 46 Utah (FJy 12), 19 A. 6). Mai STANDINGS CONFERENCE 7 Oppen 65 lekmnelhiee Second. (17548). Posey (Jackson 7 (Jade 24, MaggateO-1- , JJack-so44 (Stojakovic Cappers Sacramento SaonmenlD55(MMl3).Assists--LA.aippen- i (Odom, Jane 4), Sacramento 22 (CkrMe Ml Hawkins LA. 2 Odom 14, McGrady Wmxdt-Unna- a FduM 49(Garne014),Onando45(OeCtere,Kemp7). 30 (Rseler 7), Onando 19 21, Ohando 22. 10). Posey Memphis (til 1 23, Divac 16, CWsbber 0 8 Christie 34 OO 6, 8ibby 10, BJack-aoPokard 13, 00 0,JJackson 34 00 7, tortogki 5 40 6, Clark 6, Wallace 14 00 2. totals 3844 Stokanic OO 4, Orlando Whitney HOUSKW(iS) OO 4, Ely 10, FowHes 44 16. totals 14, AMMer 7 OO 00 2, Jaric 00 8,WiooK 107 110 (Snwtfek 24, Gi Mar Hudson Garm 37 35 33 26 Houston Golden State playoff 18, Kemp 2 7, Hunter 2 0-- Magged 12, Wang 7, PiatkowaW aYVTMBTTTTTI 11, Garrity SasserO-Totals 2 1 OHUMO(IM) Giro 8, McGrady 3? KINGS 93, CUPPERS 83 110, TIMBERW0 IVES 107 MAGIC 21 points. Duncan scored 15 points on shooting in the half, while Mob-leSteve Francis and Yao Ming shot for nine points. Francis just finished with eight points. AWAT 6-- 4 ' doit 30-poi- nt le Roundup - .708, .620 6 12 .577 912 spot playoff straight game. Vlade Divac added 13 rebounds for Sacramento, which lowered its magic number for winning a second straight Pacific Division title to four. Any combination of Kings victories and Portland losses totaling four will Thurs- 41 37 35 33 22 Seattle LA Clippers 23 points, eight Tim-berwolv- es 110-10- 93 CUPPERS 83: At Sacramento, Chris Webber had ORLANDO, Fla. Tracy McGrady scored seven of his 30 points in the final 3:54 and outdu-ele-d Minnesota's Kevin Garnett to help the Orlando Magic defeat the 44 Portland LA. Lakers Phoenix Golden State - 21 27 30 34 37 hid. SA ' ASSISTS , AST KkM,NJ. Payton, Mi. Williams, Mem. Phoe. Marbury, 14a oklaa, Utah 69 70 65 70 71 599 593 538 578 146 M .508 .505 M 8.7 8.5 83 8.3 7.7 ter shape than the rebuilding Dallas offense. "When you're playing in a game as physical as this is, and you're playing with NEWS QUOTES two young quarterbacks, and you're playing with an offensive line that's playing musical chairs, it's hard to do your job," Smith said of his last years in Dallas. BRADY Pacers sign Tim Hardaway - Tta Hardaway feared his career was INDIANAPOLIS Anton Garrity, in his 11th year covering the Jazz, recaps their season each Friday for The Daily Herald. RESTRUCTURES CONTRACT Iba Brady finally found time to catch his breath, examine his cluttered life list and make a Now he can cross out that line about restructuring his contract Brady reworked the deal late last week to give the New England Patriots more room under the salary cap. With to-d- o LOOKING BACK This was first-roudraft picks next month, they're sure to need it "fou do whatever it takes to.help the team get better players and help the team win, he said Thursday. Ultimately, the only thing I care about is winning. Brady's base salary for 2003 was $3,125 million. That was reduced to $450,000, according to a report in . the Boston Herald. Unlike most NFL player contracts, the Patriots agreed to guarantee some money, and payments will be spread out over a longer peri- od, Brady said. The salary cap is one thing that all these teams are trying to figure out how to manipulate it best," he said. "I think we freed up a couple of million bucks." two ' Free agent running back Mike Cloud was suspended for the first four games of the 2003 season for violating the NFLs steroid policy. The league would not comment on the specifics of the violation, spokesman Gref Alette said Thursday, citing the NFLs confidentiality policy. Cloud, an unrestricted free agent, spent his first four seasons playing . sparingly with the Kansas City Chiefs. His agent said a protein supplement caused his client to test positive for the banned steroid nandrotone late CLOUD SUSPENDED: last season. Agent JooattM FrJasml declined to name the supplement 'It was not what he bargained for :' " Felnsodsaid. The suspension Is for the first four games of the tegular season, whether or not Cloud Is with a team. , . . "If he signs after four games, then e no turner suspension," Aieno saio. - 1 an important week for the Jazz if they have any aspirations of improving their playoff position. Utah had three games at home it couldnt afford to lose. The Jazz took advanlead over tage and now enjoy a one-gathe Los Angeles Lakers for the sixth spot in the Western Conference. The problem is, the sixth spot points to a matchup with San Antonio in the first round of the playoffs. There's an outside chance the Jazz can now catch Portland for the fifth spot and a matchup with Minnesota. Thafs a series Utah can win, even on the road. Utah just cant afford any stumbles down the stretch.. The Jazz started off the week against the Los Angeles Clippers. Most of the bad teams in the NBA are still trying to play hard every night, but this team was flat-oi embarrassing. The Clippers were missing three key players, but they were just horrible. The Jazz jumped out fast on this club and the game was essentially over by halftime as Utah led 45-21- 6 by intermission. Andrei NrBenke had a huge game, leading all scorers with 17 points and six blocked shots. The Jazz faced the Boston Celtics on Monday In what was a tight contest the entire game. It came down to Matt " jump shots rlarprbig nailing back-to-bain the final minute to seal a 96-9-1 victory. The key to the game was the start of the third quarter. Utah was down three, but started the second half with a 15-- 3 run. The Jazz were led by Harpring's 25 points while Hart MaloM added 19 points and 12 rebounds. The lead changed hands 15 times and the game was tied 15 times. Wednesday was the third meeting of the year between Utah and Portland. With the Jazz win, they have now won two of three games this season with the Blazers. The final contest wii be nextThiusday in Portland. That becomes an even bigger game now as the Jazz are just two games behind the Blaz-e-rs for the fifth seed in the playoffs. If fhe Jazz can win next week, theyll have won the season series, the tiebreaker and just need ' to tie the Blazers to overtake them. The Jazz scored the first eight points of this game and never looked back. John Stocktoa celebrated his 41st birthday with a big win. Utah used a zone defense for nearly the entire game, which is tough to do in the NBA. It worked, however, sending the Blazers to their third straight defeat Malone and Harpring led the way with 24 and 18 points, respectively. This game was never really in doubt as the Jazz led by as many as 25 points. SAY WHAT? "Anything can happen in these last 11 games of the season. We can win a couple and they (Portland) can lose a couple and there you have it playoff position. Harpring following the Portland win. - - STAT LEADERS The Clippers were held to a franchise-lo- w from the field in 26.3 percent shooting Friday's game. . the win against Portland, the Jazz assured themselves of an 18th consecutive winning season, tops in the NBA With record books. IN MY OPINION as of late and they owe much of their success to their veteran backcourt Stockton may have turned 41 on Wednesday, but most NBA teams would take him in a heartbeat over what they have already. Stockton has started all 71 games this season and is shooting over 48 percent from the field and 83 percent from line. He also averages 11 the free-thro-w , points and 7.6 assists a game. More importantly, Stockton runs the Jazz offense as well as any point guard has run an offense In the NBA. His teams have never had the spectacular or athletic play ers that can create themselves, yet the The Jazz have been playing well '' f jazz system works. They just recorded their 18th consecutive winning season and ifs no coincidence that this is Stockton's 18th year in the NBA. 'Stockton is a terrific competitor, Jazz coach Jerry Skua said. 'He's a guy who's always playing forward, never playing backwards. He's really a unique player where at 41 he looks like a guy 21 or 22. He's proof you don always have to jump over another player to be successful in this league." Although a step slower, Stockton still leader in defends well, is the NBA's all-tisteals and sets a pick as well as anyone in the league. Harpring is finding himself open a tot this season right under the basket for quick, easy layups. Usually, It's because Stockton has just set a wicked screen. The other half of the backcourt belongs to Catbert Cbeaney, who's quietly having a terrific year. Cheaney is probably Utah's defender right now. He best one-on-ohas been getting the assignment to hound opponents' top players and he's doing it t well. Just this past week, Cheaney held the Eric FlatkemM to Clippers' sharp-shootifrom the field and two points. He then was assigned to Boston's Paul Pierce, - who was averaging nearly 26 points per from game. Pierce was held to just the field. Finally, Cheaney guarded Port- land's Derek Amterson, who was averaging 15 points a game. Anderson finished from the field with no points. Cheaney scores nearly nine points a game on 49 percent shooting from the field. He leads the Jazz in shooting at 41.7 percent But he's also shooting 53 ' percent from the free throw line. Utah relies heavily on; its guard combination and Ifs going to take stellar play ' from both Stockton and Cheaney If the Jazz hope to have any success at ell in the playoffs this year. The way they've played to date, the Jazz can at least be assured that they'll be competitive, np matter who they plan , over when teams ignored him during training camps. The Indiana Pacers were concerned about backcourt depth entering the final weeks of the season. Both problems were solved Thursday. Hardaway gave up his job as a television analyst to sign with Indiana, giving the struggling Pacers a needed boost ld The is expectpoint guard, a five-tied to be in uniform for Friday's game against Chicago and is eligible for the playoffs because he is a free agent and not a waiver pickup. 'Until they called, I thought it was over with," Hardaway said. "Dont even consider it Dont even worry about It" Hardawav's aeent Hnnrv Thnmai said he talked with Pacers president Donnle Walsh throughout the season about the possibility of adding the player. Hardaway impressed team officials in a workout earlier this month, but Walsh didnt want to upset the team's chemistry. rt distractions and loses in 15 of the Injuries, team a iow. xa guinea uiaiigra naisn s minu. Hardaway joins Reggie Miner as the only Pacers older than 30, and the signing adds a healthy body to a thin backcourt Starting point guard Jamaal Tlnsley is expected to miss his second game since the death of his mother, and his backup, Erlck Strickland, is questionable with bruised ribs for Friday's game. 'He has the ability to help us at the point guard position, Walsh said of Hardaway. 'He's available in case somebody gets injured, ftu never limit a player, but thafs the idea going in." Hardaway averaged 17.9 points and 8.3 assists In 12 seasons, all but one with Golden State or Miami. He averaged 9.6 points in 68 games for Denver and Dallas last season. 'What he brings is smartness and veteran know-hoat the end of the game," coach blah Thomas said. 'He's a guy that's not going to get too rattled if he misses a couple of shots or we have a bad quarter Hardaway practiced with Indiana on Thursday and is expected to be in uniform Friday. Hardawav relied on oickun Mmes anH tmaHmiite etau in good condition. But he admits he's not in playing shape. I'm in good enough shape to sustain some minutes, Hardaway said. "Running up and down at an NBA pace is pretty hard, but that will come.' Hardawas season ended last year when he broke his left font in Mnirh Tha Muaoat ,, m. a..i a. knunha WW. yW IIIIUI uiv juaio ui his contract, and when he couldnt hook on with a team in camp, Hardaway thought his career was over. -it oeen wanting to play all season," he said. "I didnt want to go out with a foot injury: , SONICS SUSPEND FORTE: The Seattle SuperSonics sua- -' pended guard Joseph Forte for one game Thursday for conduct detrimental to the team. General manager Rick Sund did not provide any details about the conduct that led to the penalty. Forte will miss Friday's game against the Memphis Grtz- zties. He will return to the team for Saturday's practice. . , ".I |
