Show 4 '0444r 'Wr4rwr1 Ih Stit 116 I SUNDAY'S STAR () iii:It: Michael Redd ) -) the Bulls seeing Redd scoring 39 points in as many minutes and pulling down eight rebounds He was also flawless from He left tit- 00 40 the stripe hitting !LL:::Li 11 8 of 8 I Pet CO — 14 13 619 8osI66 12 14 462 PIAreatam 11 14 440 2 New Yoril 6 9 16 360 4 19 345 5 SOUTHEAST W L Pct GB Miarnl 22 7 759 — 600 5 S 560 b 4 46 Orlando I S 10 Washrlyton 14 11 CharIot1 I 16 304 12 Attanta 5 20 MC 15 W L Pci Ckwe 4and 16 It 593 Dot KM 13 12 520 Indiana WI 59 ca 6 W 2 19 77 Str Homo LitlO w la° BY STEVE LUIIM 92 68 1 7 5 10--6 LI I Str Homo LatIO Cont Away W 5 WI 2 4 7 12 13 460 3 28 L 3 76 Chao 9 16 360 6 73 Li 81 161aukoe 7 16 304 1 10-- 0-- 1 Western Conference SOUTHWEST W L Pci San Antonto 22 6 86 Dallas 16 10 643 4 Houston 13 14 481 8 Memptss New — 3 7 't e 12 65 414 10$ 2 24 011 19 NORTHWEST W I Rd GA Sean) 19 5 192 — Minnesota 16 10 615 4 Portland 13 12 520 6 OenVW 13 14 481 7'7 Utah 11 16 401 912 7 PACIFIC W lPct 68 LatIO Phoenix 24 3 889 — Sacramento 17 9 654 612 I Lakers 14 12 538 912 Clippers 12 13 480 11 Golden State 9 18 333 15 A 215 St r LIMO Home r Sir Home 10--0 6 92 Charlotte Pnoenix 101 106 Minnesota DAIS Toronto 94 109 New 90 Weans 96 Houslon Boston New New Clippeis 14 102 Derive Golden Stale 98 88 5 30 p m THE ASSOCIATED Stale 8 DENVER Sensing teammate Michael Finley was about to go on a scor- pm 8 30 P m 140A SHAG VS KOBE DRAWS VIEWERS overtime victory over the 80 the highest rating in years for a regularseason NBA game That was the highest since February 1998 when Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls against the Lakers on NBC first game Saturday's game featured Shaquille O'Neal's six against the Lakers since being traded to the Heat last summer O'Neal and Kobe Bryant were teammates for eight chaotic seasons with the Lakers De- streak Jerry services as coach were no longer desired Bryant meanwhile $1364 million contract to stay signed a seven-yea- r O'Neal had 24 points and 11 rebounds before touting out with 2:151eft in 42 points regulation Bryant had a season-hig- h Overnight ratings measure the 55 largest IV markets covering about 70 percent of the United States The rating is the percentage of all homes with TVs whether or not they are in use ANTHONY MISSES ANOTHER GAME Denver Nuggets star forward Carmelo Anthony missed his fourth straight game because of a sprained left ankle Sunday night against Dallas and he 214 points per game hasn't played since stepping on Shaquille O'Neal's toot against the Miami Heat on Dec 17 drills with the team on Friday but NugAnthony went through gets coach Jeff Bzdelik said he wasn't ready to go against the Mavericks and would be doubtful tonight at Golden State Denver's next game after that is Friday at home against Philadelphia "If he was able to play he'd play but he's not ready" Bzdelik said AROUND THE LEAGUE Cavaliers: Cleveland activated forwarckenter Robed Traylor from the in- jured list and placed forwarckenter Scott Williams on the injured list Knicks: Guard Jamal Crawford was placed on the injured hst because of a toe injury on his right loot New Yorit also activated guard Jamison Brewer Warriors: Guard Derek Fisher was activated from the injured list after rnissing seven games because of a sprained right knee To make room for Fisher the Waniors placed guard Luis Flores on the injured list with a strained rip hamstring Wizards: Washington placed guard Laron Profit on the injured list with a strained left foot and activated guard Steve Blake — The Associated Press started yelling "Get warm Fin get warm!" Finley did then it was Dirk Nowitzki's turn Finley hit three straight r baskets during a key run and Nowitzki finished it off scoring 25 of his 36 points in the second half to help the Dallas Mavericks rally for a 10288 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night Finley and Nowitzki in were a combined the first half before taking over in the second allowing the Mavericks to turn a deficit into a three-poilead at the end of the third quarter Finley finished with 20 points and Erick Dampier added 13 points and 10 rebounds in the first Finley half got it going with three straight baskets including a floater in the lane after an offensive rebound to get Dallas within four Nowitzki took over from there hitting three straight free r a throws and a pair of jumpers after third-quarte- three-pointe- Suns 106 Raptors 94 PHOENIX — Amare Stoudemire scored 33 points and Phoenix held off a strong Toronto comeback for its Ilth consecutive victory The Suns won for the 20th time in 21 games to boost their record to 24-- Steve Nash had 18 points and 13 assists for Phoenix making him the first NBA player in history to register 10 or more assists in 11 consecutive wins NBA-bes- t FT FG TOR Min Peterson Pd YG Pd lb All A S I TO lts Pli Boozer 27 214406 527 0 0 000 114 161 708 258 96 12 20 9 65 542 201 kilenko 14 68 135 504 6 11 286 65 89 730 101 11 37 10 62 34 207 141 Fiore ItirrAing 24 Okur 27 Bel 27 Arroyo 21 Girkek 27 18216 478 TZ7285 446 86177 486 405 2158 Ikteod 9 Wink 202912 24 Etsley 46 120 2458 liu1peties5 466 419 619 6684 II 316 4 14 4145 407 03 345 286 000 12 15 000 183 1016 191 414 5 16 313 1122 30 Borchardt 18 1317 351 000 Loon 9 292 143 7otaii 27 An WIN 303 Opploonts 27 ASS 000 0 11 Miens 25 02 28 29 LAC 740 8:30 BM L 55 51 11 2 39 306 195 12 48 7 ?I 32 337 125 33 41 23 5 36 15 117 94 846 38 II 119 16 3 46 198 51 19 43 13 2 29 224 83 800 15 17 41 6 14 66 Ti 755 59 10 19 1 12 98 49 09 18 3 37 107 3111- team" Asked how that has been 43 19 0 4 4 16 51 500 30 14 6 3 5 11 60 2 POW1011 Bosh 3 6 8 37 21 500 4 04 31 3 0 U lb 19 761 tnT 411 137 IGO IZS 430 132 197 I54 ZSP 900 040 More online - coverage of the Utah Jazz this season visit httribtrovwsttribcomi Nil Janson atlas ohm Outlaw Tomb Homer None FT Ilsb MA 4A 0I A PP P N 31 4 418 3 2 18 2 4 13 2 GO Goas- 0 Daniels 0 240411410-1- 2 12 2 0 4 0 2 14 21 102 905 Three-P- TUMOVerill: 2 Teny 2 Dampier 4 (Nowt Howard Dariper Hers) Fouls: DetensNe Three Second 443 Technical second FT FG Reb 04 MA PF Pis DENVER Ihin Noncom 17 Karen 20 2 Canty 36 BUCIOIN 38 IS Maw 39 Nene 29 Russel 22 64 I8 17 BG!ttre 30 &on Torts the Delta Center At Tipoff: 7 pm TV: None Radio: KFNZ-ARecords: Jazz (1320) Sonics 19-- 5 Season Series: Sons lead Sonics lead Utah: Jazz lead Streak: Sonics 2 Last Meeting: Sonics At in 9 OT (Dec 1) Line: Sonics by 3 first About the Jazz: This is their home game since Dec 14 They have lost tour of their last five and 13 of their last 17 They are 0 without injured F At 11- Andrei Kirilenko (knee) 16 this is their worst Christmas F Carlos record since 1982 Boozer (201) is one of 28 players in the league averaging at least 20 Boozer is also the points Jazz's top rebounder (96) After tonight they play five of their on the road the SuperSonics: played once (Denver) 19 They are sev- next seven About They have since Dec enth in the league in scoring Their top scorers are G Ray Allen (241) and F Rashard Lewis (219) They average 223 three-poiattempts per Four SuperSonics game make at least 39 percent of their (1004 F Vladimir Rad- manovic (408) Lewis (406) G Luke Ridnour (391) and Allen G Antonio Daniels (ton(390) sillitis) missed the win over Denver and is questionable Percentages: Nene D Turnovers: Doormen Dabs A tenon V1011111PaYner 28811 813 32 27 —1122 le —01 Ron Gan 20 Wally FT Reb 0 2 3 5 21 0 7 00 07 20 8 01 2 22 te 74 ThewPoInt 1030 FT 714 14 Conn 4 Hayes' Tom Imam Rebounds: 7 Tam TUITIOMMI: 20 (28 PTS) blonde Skew 3 (herrn Heed tiersera 20 (Arenas 5 Hupes 3 fade 3 Weed 3 Men 2 Jethes 2 Caton Jemeon) Weed 2 (Hullos Hayed lechniael FOUI None FT Pee FG VA N Min 81 A 0-A P F P is 38 4 Swatted 34 8 0 23 64 24 23 44 Jottwat 24 00 34 44 3 Gan 21 Geier 20 3 htedasn 18 RAon 7 hared 5 8 216 0 3 2 2 3 4 22 3 3 7 24 3 0 7 earth Toronto II Kumla A Monty 18 422 (18422) 25 30 26 —14 32 24 T ktCuthol P1 Frt? 57 II Mist 11 —106 Joe Fut" AwbstO 1 0 I 2 0 n 24 Awn Gary 01109011 Bems AOmni 10 3 13 Alen) Blount FT 480 632 Shots) 6 (Blount Tomoverv 15 (Days 8 Banks Pedurs Jetterscni 3 Carty 2 Pierce ton) Technical Banks 7 LaFrentz 06 27 Ramo Neslerwc Groan 33 8:31 third FT Delon- 115 24 013 25 351117 4 314 0 0 3 5 4 11 27 2 6 00 00 Percentages: n Eddie F awls Moines 35 Mohammed 40 —AO Mau- - Mott 71 In LAC &and Swoons FT 04 WA IAA 14 30 III 2 4 4 39 00 8 Kann 18 Brunson 31 4 3 0 Asmara) 33 8 2 23 Ince Cronin 10 18 Acoa 21 Wins 20 I 0 4 0 4 0 2 8 0 2 5 0 I 11 0 0 0 23 16 79 4 5 3 Penney Torn 7 0 02 17 Moore 4 t Paronloget FG 413 FT 815 BrunSerowe GNI: 14 167 (Memel son 01 Owners Tam Rebounds: 13 Teem Turnovers: 17 (le PTS) Barbed Moto: 3 (Brand Konen Slums) Towns': 15 (Mewatte 4 Kam 3 Wax 2 Brunson 2 Penney 2 Smot Bernol) Desk 11 (Simons 4 Donn 2 Brand Wink Boat Bunn Mom) Tschnicol Folio Coach Dockery 5211tar Brand 2:55 kat H OUSTO N 1 Win Jecloon Hoard Tayks 22 34 410 04 00 44 07 34 04 04 24 13 FO 487 FT IC1 20 (15 SIcG'rtaty 3) Tinware: a "Winn 3 Garnet (A Clown Frs) Blocked I 9 321 3 2 7 2 6 12 0 0 19 96 1 4 Itwo-Po- lia:Gnekt Bony Mors: 20 (Jackson 0 5 0 0 Tow Astionosir Sin Tannins 2 20 25 3 (Jackson 211 0 2 411 14 240 Parcentageo 412 Owls: 2 21 4 34 22 P F P is A 0-- 21 Barry Bouillon IA A 45 Tao (Snot 5 Bab FT It 6 Tam elan 3 5 Sure 5 Tao Stoat 7 Martini Ron None 20 20 It 20 —71 31 21 le 25 —96 Takix 2 Bony Bawd) lAcGraW) 16548 (17962) T aCe Cabo Shic Dem Zacn Lobo 011ickalt Sem 26 30 Gordon Htatkowslo 20 82 Smelt FT BICkO- A 0-- PP Ms 510 0 4 20 116 5 316 Matury 2 FG Percentages: Goole: FT 478 1 364 (Houston Rebounds: Mote: 8 Teem Sleek: (Whinnied 4 Houston Thorns Noirts1Twhnicil Clarions Km York A 19763 (19763) FG FT IA 44 Mown 32 Wiliam Pachuka 35410 3 Net 15 24 13 Mar- 20 2 None —42 Foe- 24 25 21 12 —22 35 25 15 23 —42 A Mil: 15108 (18717) T 2 12 Michael Snot Jason PNIps triple-doubl- 11-- 2 2 11 DUnieaVy c4aX011 25 8 Harlon 38 9 410 38 Peens Faber 24 3 6 2 10 (Oda 38 Nam 21 0 3 0 0 0 Rego Brown 3 6 Wesiey 42 0 2 3 0 21 Days Edawds Stott 22 20 Totals 14 1 FG Ponomeaget Goat 445267 FT 465 (Nelms 14 13--6 24 17 98 e 01 Caution 13 Tom TtIMOVMS: 16 (14 Biodad Shot None Unions: 16 (Rs:heroism 6 Fisher 3 Dunlowy 2 Caudon 2 Foyle 5 SasMutphy Robire34 Semis: 10 (Rizhardson phy Dinlowy Proem Robeson Fesher) Techripol (Menem Nee Second 744 bunk DunieNy On Mon Roboundt PTO) kln SACRA SteMeac 43 Webber 36 FT Rob IAA NA 01 1124 4 Fouls: Denims Throe 2 22 1 4 18 Isausios 29 0 4 11 39 10 Varela° 12 19 Sonoeila 17 Sam Hans 1 I 2 23 18 94 793 t 544 Mose Seeekoac Ikby 14) Teem Rebound 4 Turnonws: 18 (17 PTS) Nodal Shaer 3 (Born 2 ONO heroes: 17 (Chnsto 7 Webber 4 Stoat: 10 Slopkovic 2 Baty 2 Miler Scope 3 Styakost (Webber 4 Chose Sanwa Ewers Tomo None Steil Sacramento A 17317 (17317) Loon Wood Mwe Arno A T 216 --41 21 IS 37 20 IS 211 24 14 -- 44 Meat Jon 23 atecv 19 Ionia 240 A PP PM 0-- 14 14 34 14 8 2232 Permitter: PG 507 500 (McInts Goat FT 0 2 3 8 5 1 I 9 4 I 2 29 21 5 8 ICO Ibro4Point 698 Snow 116 0 0 11 No ante Two Rebounds 9 Turnovers 13 (17 PIS) Blocked SONE 8 (Iloausitas 3 2 James Hewn Snow) Tumors: 13 5 Irina (Ames Goodan 2 ligauskas Newbie 'Rayo) Mews 8 01M06 4 Serena) Tedinical Fouls Nis A 20 582 (20582) ou Man WwWwlich Mcinnis tree Hams Sncw Innts Snow None 22 20 20 20 Clwrelend 111 ‘ Rob 3 28 514 013 Golden 457 fwd FT 84 47 3 Foot 91 36 37612 Technical 24 Gcoden Bttry Sewn FT 18 116 18 457 2 45 Nestle FG 7 1 Mines 0 24037-8- 3 0 NA 13 357 (Webber Second PG 4 POICP1691111: 14 1542 Min 4 Goole: 314 314 13 (15 P7S) Blocked Mott 4 (Edavards 2 Brown tacttau) Turnovers: II (Wastes 4 Nation 3 BMATI Sroln Didwu Edwards) Stabs: 9 (Wenn 2 Brown Z Nits) 2 Won Freak Eckeards) Technical 6 Totals GI 111 3 0 56 04 13 7 Noint 37 I 5 240 IAA 00 4 56 10 ClAsSe 27 4 9 19511 McInnis 7 418 512 2 GO 33 41 5 714 CLEVE APPI 54 APFPtI Itin Pwcontages: PG 357 FT 793 471 (Dews 4112 NW Goals Weeksy (ckau 14) Teem Rebounds: 13 Teen Turnovers: keit FO Rib FT PG NEW Totals Roientom SaurprN Facherdson 04) Demck Cavaliers 100 Hornets 91 CLEVELAND — Jeff Mehl-Hi- s scored six points in a 47-second span late in the fourth quarter for Cleveland LeBron James came within one rebound of his first career e with 22 points 14 assists and a season-higfor the Cavaliers who handed the Hornets their 12th consecutive road loss Drew Gooden had 18 points and 18 rebounds while McInnis fmished with 16 points and 10 assists for Cleveland which at home improved to 2 00 99 Milwaukee 2 04 2 19 'Nee-Poi- Chicago 2 8 857 6 Percentages: Team GA 250 (Redd Rebounds: 8 Teem Tomlin: 14 (13 PTS) Blocked Shots: 3 (Pactiolia 2 Mason) Tumwavrt 14 (Redd 4 Mason 4 Pachula 2 M W6mm 2 J S(Teth Fuer) Siesta 8 (J Smith 2 James 2 Redd M Technical Fault None 27 16 27 FT 476 2 0 Goals: 19 24040-6- 8 1821 FG 126 Foyer( 3 311 4 00 343 240 4 Denney 521 6 0 20 4 00 2 APFPII 0 313 1 0 31 24 4 39 Rob 4 Pis A PF 0-- 2 Sisitorti 28 Reb 4 2 40 Robinson 7 53 lust IAA 6 TTlxniee 0-- 92 25 24 23 25 19 —91 IAA 12 23 3 Kevin Fehr Min 3 26 0 Warriors 98 Kings 94 SACRAMENTO Calif — Jason Richardson scored all 26 of his points in the second half to lead Golden State The Warriors snapped an 11- game losing streak in Sacramento and won for just the second time in 22 games there dating back to April 9 1998 Troy Murphy had 19 points and 13 rebounds for the Warriors who had lost four of five games St 0 0 889 FT FG Cl Scott 19 2 Team Three Second James 28 14 18 FT 449 Min MILVI 2 203 095:946: T 4 Deng 13 Rebounds: 8 Team 17 (15 PTS) Blocked Shots 4 (MinDeng) Turnovers: 17 (Deng 5 Noccni 3 Cony 2 GOrdOn 2 Duhm 2 Chandler Harrington 2 (Winch Deng) Technical Steels: Plak(Oveslo) 5 Fouls: 18 18 Duhon Totals 2 4 2 0 13 Blocked 12 3 18 4 391527 (Mohammed 3 Anza 2 Turnovers: 5 Marbuy 5 20 (Sweeiney Thomas 3 Houston 2 Norris 2 Ann 2 K Thomas) K 2 3 Gordon Ol Tutnovers: der 2 Cony N000ni 91 Turnovers: 5 Teem 7 8 00 FG Percentages: 9 Redd 913 tyry (25 PIS) Housto) 115 4 Goals: 0 Thomas 0 16 18 1 2 14 18 0 2 1 112 5 34 24035-7- 19 8 240 3 Gadzoric 14 4 4 18 Wiens Noma Harrington Totals Pts A PF 6 Fouls: Defensive Rob 6 Richardson A PF 39 Chandler Knkila Teem 04 68 22 5 2 0 GM Rob 7 544 ler Leroy Richardson le inch 2 0 29 Totals N 24 40 0 Kan Cufry Dultso Houston 0 2 08 Officials: Rebounds: Blocked Shot': 38 16 Rockets 96 Clippers 79 — HOUSMN Tracy Mc Grady and Jim Jackson each scored 21 points to help Houston win for the seventh time in 10 games Yao Ming had 20 points and 11 rebounds for his third and straight double-doub11 th of the season team-higCorey Maggette scored 23 points to lead the Clippers who lost their eighth straight to the Rockets Los Angeles has not defeated Houston since Dec 14 2002 A 1Clhoinas 16 18 25 23 (18500) T Poole Rodiey 17541 Bows lUte Nome 25 25 31 26 —107 Son Anionio Ginn SI 31 —ICA NEW YORK Anza 2 Bosich 14 14 PG Sweetney Anza hone kkacroo Town fwd 2 40 8 18 107 4 6 Samson S Kapono 6 36 heccod Coach 2 Wallace Foot:104g rslat 409 Fouls: 2 Technical 6 778 Dettg 30 0 Rib FT FG Mtn CHICAGO 8 4 (Banc 19 (17 PTS) 17 Merl 4 Bows EN Ocat Wallace) IINTIOVOTS: 2 Evezec 2 Okatot 2 Waliace 2 Ely Knight Sampson T Smith S Smith) Sleets: 13 (Knight 4 Hart 2 2 Turnovers: 14 (Parker 4 Gmobe 3 Rose 2 Duncan Harty Nesteromc Barry WM) Simis: 10 (Parker 3 Cumin 2 Gotta 2 Ruse Homy Batty) Technical A Turnovers: five-gam- e 29 650 Teem TSrnall 2 Parker (0 Brown 5 Bon Gourd Honv (dnh Barry Teem Rebounds 8 Team Turnovers: 15 (11 PIS) Blocked Shots: 4 (Duncan 2 Nom! Nesterovic) Goals: Tons (10 FT Snit 4 27 525 2347 FT to Redd who made eight of his first 11 shots was from the floor Joe Smith 21 points added a season-higto go with nine rebounds for the Bucks who beat Chicago for the 13th straight time in Milwaukee Chicago had its winning streak halted 3 29 375 points in the first help snap the losing 39 Caws 0 FG 3 1 4280 FG 2 040 04 24 240 Okatot IC Pts A 0-- 25 Parker Pay- Rob NA Min Bowen (Mc- Davis bull PG SAN ANT 8 Steely 37 4 231 (S PerneMeges: Gnats: Pierce 4 Payton Weisch Peduns Fouls: slVe Three Second LaFrentz Perkins N111WAUKEE — Michael Redd scored 20 of his season-hig- h five-gam- e 12 18 IStrnt 18 109 2 00 018Walst 12 2 SSnyth Totals SZOW 7 1Gernen 4 Szatotwit Kobel Torroverw 7 OAF 3 Stalitan 2 Cas- OM) T Sampson EN 2 2 ThreaPoint 30 Mont 15398 09 24 I 0 Pierce Welsch (LaFrentz Days 12 Banks Payton IkCady Team Rebotelde: 6 Teem Turnovers: 16 (14 PISI FG Pea:eat:let 429 Goat l3 955 Ant A Kapono Hart 0 0 42 Hawn Annual 24 93 33 7 11n19111 0 1kGraW Twnoverw 9 16 Sin 4 etwiw 4 13 (Hobert sel Anolunt Sproollt Ganst Smarten Waal Janne Tedvicsi Fouls: Can 010 Ihtsd 18 20 IS —74 thematoon Mooned (Sprott Habeng 7 Two 28 0 3 Gi Bows 19 8 itka 35 2 1 FT 0 Brezec Reb FT FG 0 240 Reed Totals 0 1 13 2 3 boon& 13 21 3 240 tilt McCarty Men 6 10 0 1 467 16 34 00 FG 11 04) TARA Parelningot 4 16 250 3 0 5 FG 0 0 0 Ch) 8 Pwainlaps PG 488 FT 125 Ten 452 (Mum 0 Rowelson 411 Butose 02) Pinti 5 Johnson Jtobasn Taws Rebounds: 5 Isms ItElICMInt 11(22 KS) Modad Shoat 5 (Students 5) Twrotart 16 (Nash 4 Johnson 3 Studien 3 Moron 2 0 Rezhardsom 2 eattota (ani) laser 9 (Marton Oonts: 36 213 04 25 22 Wallace er 15 Hulas 4 321 29 240 2 (Arenas Peeler OA I 5 15 Dem Pedurs Baits Totals 38 3E15 0 Mils:mon 7 (1)9Mte) — 3378 23 316 27 FG 1 18 Man 240 39 15 Arenas Pertentaget Gods: 235 Matt 2 17 Torras PM 16 Hon) kiltas 48 HIdlee Pc 3 Bany PF 17 vm 2 2 0 Min Nahsood CHAR 34 2 two-gam-e FO 010 I 0111clit: MINNEAPOLIS 32 2 5 37 4 Szczerbiak's 23 points led four starters in double figures for Minncsota Sam Cassell had 22 points Kevin Garnett 18 and Latrell Sprewell 11 for the Timberwolves who snapped a losing streak Minnesota has beaten the Wizards seven straight times Janssen Mines 3 26 0 74 WASH 26 Payton Pierce 0 Timberwolves 109 Wizards 10 Nowt 317 Slott N N 1 2 14 88 Kennedy (19 882) 10 3 I d 25 - 19099 0 2 17 e 0 2 0 double-doubl- 2 13 3 quarter Bucks' streak 19 15 8 (Canty tlee Eton Nene MIK Marto Rome) Smelt 6 (rAirer 3 Boyitn52 Tectrkel NA: Nene 1145 fourth Oenvot A PF Ple figures Allan Houston had 16 points Center Nazr Mohammed added 16 Emeka Okafor had 23 points and 15 rebounds for the Bobcats for his 15th straight the most in a row by a rookie since Shaquille O'Neal had 15 straight for Orlando during the 1992-9season LaFrentz 33 895 Ellociod Reb 'Ann 333 (Borions White Buckner 14 Teem Rebounds: 8 Teem Johnson 9 (10 PTSI FT MA Rose Turnovers: BICknOt FO OA Bucks 99 Bulls 92 32 DBrown 25 FT Min BOSTON Knicks 91 Bobcats 82 NEW YORK — Tim Thomas scored 20 points to lead five New York starters in double Weisch 18 0 1719 393 2 1054 three-pointer- 15 4 6 240 15 I 23 V 0 eithadtel 2 Jamb Stesante Nash Outten Tolintsi Fuer Dellerwes Tlvss SIOYA 15-- 8 00 8 Goats: 4 5 14 14 04 6 Vett A 0 Heiberg Goit points and San Antonio fended off a series of rallies by Boston Tim Duncan had 14 points and 11 rebounds to against the improve to Celtics Devin Brown added 17 s points including four and Bruce Bowen finished with 15 points Mocked 3 Henderson 18 4 211 0 Steels: HarTIS1 33 18108 4 Poet 24 0 20 13 (15 PTS) Blocked Shots: 7 lHowasti 2 DaMPOr 3 Henderson 2 Nowithil Tummy 13 34612 24 13 3 0 200 (Terry Fnley Teem Rebounds9 Teem GanW1 0 FT 465 5 14 1e52 FG 36 62 2 OeNnamal Spread OMNI 010 k notAwtabawAwoT!m1"w10fNmeeftImAIPtoa-vom- 14 PG 02 12 jazz Wares 79 43416 GI 9 01 01 10 04 12 00 4 04 17 319 22 Rose 18 11 2 11 500 Noah 51 2042 FT 4113 141 786 31 01 916 39 1118 1 17 24 Stu1ent 0 240 Percentages 8 44 3 Totals 12 Munn 29 24 6 Feeke 18 23 31 Hans Walker Isehnicei Foul: I Henderson 14 11 46 Mat Tess 02 E Magna 02 Paterson Rsboundt 6 TIM Turnoset 19 (11 MIS) Blocked Shots 4 GSoods 3 Bosh) Timms: 18 (Rose 4 Maw 4 Pelertel 3 Plikiek) 2 Murray Maned Vellum Boma Woods) Stab: 8 X 01 13 Mashie) Woods) 14 21 2 I FG E 28 20 0 3 Terry Daniels floten 15 4 8 4 2 2 8 Batley 4 4C0 (Murry 2 42 4 29912 (Marshal 26 Finley 14 2404184 Goals Dempter Dixon 24 4 44 Notsidid 0 8 APFPti 28 0 41 11 13 Hoard 0 lel Futures 3 Reb Min DALLAS 2 28 losses 3 FT Tony season-hig- 27 Mavericks 102 Nuggets 88 FG — ANTONIO Parker scored a SAN 93-8- 0 OFechsolson 700 10I 314 Spurs 107 Celtics 90 in the first half Nowitzki kept it going in the fourth hitting three straight jumpers to help the Mavericks push the lead to with just over three minutes left 2 45 For all The Tribune's 30 happens to make the Jazz ninth-wors- t in the league in that regard "We've had three or four 2 Mom ken P S IOE 467 1St this expected from Seattle which went 37- 45 last season Ten teams in the Western Conference won more games Ray Allen (241) and Rashard Lewis (219) are the Sonics' top scorers but Sloan thinks the maturation of second-yea- r point guard Luke Ridnour has been critical to their success "Their point guard position has been pretty stable" Sloan said "That's been For a huge for them young guy Ridnour has really gotten ahold of their NBA More significantly opponents are shooting 455 percent against Utah which 22 Bonnet 128 09 22 1 Nobody ter with our principles offensively and defensively" he said "We've competed hard stretches" Sloan said "But in some stretches we've just disintegrated" Mostly the Jazz have had trouble on defense They allow an average of 979 points -- - 18th in the SuperSonics vs Jazz most explosive scorers has also been a huge factor "I like the fact he just plays basketball within the team concept" said Jazz assistant coach Phil Johnson "You don't see a lot of other He doesn't stuff with him to need all the seem sideshows" The Jazz could make a roster move prior to tipping off against the Son ics Keith Point guard McLeod is close to returning from a groin injury He attended practice Sunday night If he is deemed 100 percent McLeod could be activated If that happens someone else would have to be moved to the injured list One of the other point guards on the roster — probably Raul Lopez or Howard Risley — seem to be the most likely candidate "We've got to see Keith practice" before any decision is made Sloan said 129-11- 9 Dec TONIGHT'S GAME gets it to them" Allen one of the NBA's Eleven of their 19 wins have been by 10 points or more overincluding their time victory over the Jazz on in April? Yes according to Boozer "We've just got to stay toand try to get betgether Reyes P9Bilt 17 Huller 1114 DIE1113t SEA 132 911 625 500 516 27 850 113 133 Rvlcl 26 186 364 4680 367 22 Snyder 302 Pd 0 0 31 Palacio PF Pee 025 3l It Noon MWelows FG A 0-- 14 Marshal SUNDAY Rob $-- 28916 toes Utah Jazz season statistics 14A 18 Bosh THROUGH Stack-hous- e - spite their tense relationship the Lakers won three championships and reached the NBA Finals a fourth time during their last five years together O'Neal demanded a trade three days after the Lakers were beaten by the Detroit Pistons in the Finals last June Phil Jackson was told the same day his might not play until the end of the week Anthony the Nuggets' leading scorer at JAZZ BASKETBALL accomplished Sloan said "He's a point guard When their other players are looking for the basketball he high-powere- All-Sta- w free-thro- Sorties average 1005 points per game reuntil the r Anturn of injured drei Kirilenko to be a factor going — pm ing The overnight rating for the Miami Heat's 104-10- 2 Los Angeles Lakers on ABC on Christmas Day was PRESS 6 p m Memphis Denver at Golden 94 m at Portland Philadelphia Sacramento p at Detroit I pm 5 p m 5 30 A Clippers at Seattle at Utah 19 5 at Indiana at MiaMI Jersey Can it be done? Can the Jazz stay close enough in the playoff race in attempts one quarter of the Royals game at Baltimore the most attempts in one quarter in NBA history The mark has matched been by five players in 36 years including Michael Jordan in 1992 but it has never been surpassed winnable games lately" Sloan admitted "But we give up an easy basket or two and it breaks your back" The bad news? The Jazz will try to get back on track by derailing Seattle One of the NBA's biggest surprises this season the and get refreshed" said Carlos Boozer "So we're ready - ready to get it on and make a strong push" Mays bury Nuggets 5 p m at Washington Orleans Atlanta 91 Washington A 8 Today's Games Milwaukee 100 Oscar Robertson of Cincinnati had 16 free throw 68 W2 New York at Orlando Anton Away 7 82 Se Cord 13-- Sunday's Games Cleveland Cant Away WI New York 91 Charlotte 99 Chicago I0-10-- 4 2 L A Cont Away 1 I ()deans Str Home Ls110 GO Sidi huff Tnbutte Jazz coach Jerry Sloan enjoyed Christmas It's the new year that worries him Sloan's children and grandchildren joined him in Salt Lake City for the holidays which afforded the break from Jazz a four-dathe disappointing start to their season Heading into tonight's return game against Seattle at the Delta Center Utah has lost four of its last five and on the year fallen to It's the Jazz's worst Christmas-timrecord since 1982 and it's 312 games behind their pace of a year ago when Utah missed the playoffs for the first time in 19 seasons "We've gone through some tough times" Sloan said "We've got to find out if we want to play on or what we want to do" "Everybody had a chance to see their family spend time with their loved ones 16-- I W — COM Away 11 W December 271964 win over the Clippers decide now if they are going to play hard 17u GB CENTRAL 4 8 II LI 10 soy ALMANAC Jazz attitude: The coach wants the players to Cool Away WI Tousito New Horne SU Let10 INvernber 27 2004 Sloan wants to see spark Eastern Conference W Nionday Houston's Tracy McGrady on passing in a 96-7- 9 attempts r NBA ATLANTIC NBA Taunt "I've had my time leading the league In scoring I think me is the best play I have when they're double-teamin- g to make it easy on my team and find my guys on the perimeter I get a kick out of that" MILWAUKEE BUCKS 4' i Akt I HE SAID IT akA 1 " '4"vito2V--4eq4r- 5 —II 20 V —100 214 Widmer: ade Defl- 21 T- Rate Ramon |