News from October 10.

Paul Pierce (Bos) is now participating in light practice.  It will still
be a week or two before he can participate in full contract practice and
he hopes to be ready by the start of the season.

Derrick Coleman (Cha) will miss the entire pre-season while he adjusts to
new heart medication.  Coleman has an irregular heartbeat.

The LA Lakers released Nate Johnson.

Miami released Ike Nwankwo and Mario Bennett.

Todd Lindeman is in Portland's training camp.

San Antonio released Ndongo N'Diaye.


Pre-season games
Dal 93, Hou 92 - at Dal
Eduardo Najera (Dal) had 23 points including 9-10 FG and 9 rebounds
including 6 offensive.
Steve Nash (Dal) had 12 points including the game winning free throws with
2.7 seconds left, 9 assists, and 3 steals.
Howard Eisley (Dal) had 11 points.
Steve Francis (Hou) had 17 points including 6-19 FG, 7 rebounds, and 6
turnovers.
Cuttino Mobley (Hou) had 19 points and 3 steals.

Phi 92, SA 87 - at Phi
Tyrone Hill (Phi) had 11 points and 8 rebounds.
Allen Iverson (Phi) had 15 points.
Nazr Mohammad (Phi) had 10 points on 5-7 FG and 6 rebounds.
Malik Rose (SA) had 18 points on 4-11 FG and 10-10 FT.
Shawnelle Scott (SA) had 12 points on 6-7 FG and 10 rebounds.
Phi shot 52.8% (38-72) FG and SA shot 37.6% (32-85) FG.

Min 100, Tor 96 - at Tor
Kevin Garnett (Min) had 17 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 blocks.
Joe Smith (Min) had 13 points including 3-14 FG, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
Chauncey Billups (Min) had 14 points including 3-10 FG.
Vince Carter (Tor) had 18 points.
Antonio Davis (Tor) had 15 points on 3-9 FG and 9-11 FT, 12 rebounds, and
4 blocks.

Det 101, Cle 97 - at Det
Jerry Stackhouse (Det) had 14 points.
Ben Wallace (Det) had 8 points on 4-5 FG and 7 rebounds.
Andre Miller (Cle) had 20 points including 9-10 FG.
Lamond Murray (Cle) had 14 points.

NY 96, Chi 91 - at NY
Glen Rice (NY) had 20 points on 2-9 FG and 16-16 FT.
Latrell Sprewell (NY) had 21 points including 9-11 FG.
Elton Brand (Chi) had 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Ron Mercer (Chi) had 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 turnovers.

Orl 105, Atl 83 - at Orl
Tracy McGrady (Orl) had 24 points including 8-13 FT and 8 rebounds.
Don Reid (Orl) had 13 points including 6-7 FG.
Darnell Armstrong (Orl) had 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Jim Jackson (Atl) had 12 points on 2-8 FG and 8-8 FT.
Anthony Johnson (Atl) had 11 points on 1-7 FG and 9-9 FT.
Orl shot 47.4% (36-76) FG and Atl shot 30% (21-70) FG.

Van 91, GS 84 - at Van
Shareef Abdur-Rahim (Van) had 14 points on 7-11 FG.
Damon Jones (Van) had 13 points including 3-3 3-pointers and 6 assists.
Stromile Swift (Van) had 13 points and 6 rebounds.
Marc Jackson (GS) had 16 points including 7-8 FG, 8 rebounds, and 6
turnovers.
Chris Mills (GS) had 13 points and 5 rebounds.