News from December 21.

The NBA fined Jerry Sloan (Uta coach) $7,500 for verbally abusing the refs
and failing to leave the court in a timely manner after being ejected
during Wednesday's Uta-Phi game.

The NBA fined Tim Hardaway (Mia) $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct
following his ejected during Wednesday's Cha-Mia game.

Charlotte placed Eddie Robinson on IR with a bruised tailbone.


Orl 99, Chi 88 - at Orl
Pat Garrity (Orl) had 19 points including 4-4 3-pointers.
Tracy McGrady (Orl) had 31 points on 10-16 FG and 11-15 FT, 5 rebounds,
and 9 assists.
Darrell Armstrong (Orl) had 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 steals.
Elton Brand (Chi) had 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Ron Mercer (Chi) had 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals.
Grant Hill (Orl, ankle rehab) and Bo Outlaw (Orl, sprained right ankle)
did not play.

Bos 92, NY 86 - at NY
Paul Pierce (Bos) had 31 points including 13-21 FG.
Antoine Walker (Bos) had 23 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals.
Tony Battie (Bos) had 7 points including 3-9 FT, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
Glen Rice (NY) had 32 points and 9 rebounds.
Latrell Sprewell (NY) had 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 turnovers.
Bos shot 28-41 FT and NY shot 9-9 FT.

Mil 80, NJ 78 - at Mil
Glenn Robinson (Mil) had 13 points including 5-18 FG, 11 rebounds, and 7
turnovers.
Ray Allen (Mil) had 16 points including 5-16 FG and the game winning
15-foot jumper at the buzzer, 9 rebounds, and 5 steals.
Tim Thomas (Mil) had 16 points including 6-9 FG.
Aaron Williams (NJ) had 11 points including 7-10 FT and 6 rebounds.
Stephon Marbury (NJ) had 12 points including 3-14 FG and 5 assists.

LAL 99, Hou 94 - at Hou
Rick Fox (LAL) had 14 points.
Shaquille O'Neal (LAL) had 25 points including 7-22 FT, 12 rebounds, and 6
assists.
Kobe Bryant (LAL) had 45 points including 20-26 FG.
Maurice Taylor (Hou) had 19 points including 9-14 FG and 10 rebounds.
Steve Francis (Hou) had 14 points including 4-12 FG, 8 rebounds, 5
assists, and 5 steals.