News from January 2.

The NBA named Chris Webber (Sac) and Jason Kidd (NJ) as Players of the Month
for December.  Webber averaged 24.4 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists
as Sacramento went 10-4.  Kidd averaged 20 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 9.1 
assists as New Jersey went 12-3.
 
The NBA named Frank Johnson (Pho) and Bryon Scott (NJ) as Coaches of the
Month for December.  Phoenix went 11-5 and New Jersey went 12-3.

The NBA named Yao Ming (Hou) and Jay Williams (Chi) as Rookies of the Month
for December.  Yao averaged 17.1 points and 10.3 rebounds.  Williams
averaged 11.6 points and 6.3 assists.

Phoenix placed Jake Tsakalidis on IR after undergoing surgery on his lower
back.  He is expected to be out 6 to 8 weeks.


Dal 102, LAC 92  at Dal
Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) had 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
Michael Finley (Dal) had 20 points and 5 rebounds.
Steve Nash (Dal) had 24 points, 7 assists, and 3 steals.
Lamar Odom (LAC) had 20 points including 7-11 FG and 9 rebounds.
Corey Maggette (LAC) had 17 points and 8 rebounds.
Walt Williams (Dal, strained left knee) did not play.

Was 107, Chi 82  at Chi
Jerry Stackhouse (Was) had 28 points including 12-18 FG.
Larry Hughes (Was) had 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Kwame Brown (Was) had 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Jalen Rose (Chi) had 26 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 5 turnovers.
Marcus Fizer (Chi) had 12 points including 5-16 FG and 8 rebounds.
Was shot 52.8% (38-72) FG and Chi shot 36.3% (33-91) FG.

Pho 96, Phi 78  at Pho
Shawn Marion (Pho) had 24 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 7 turnovers.
Amare Stoudemire (Pho) had 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Anfernee Hardaway (Pho) had 17 points including 3-3 3-pointers and 5
rebounds.
Kenny Thomas (Phi) had 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Allen Iverson (Phi) had 12 points including 4-17 FG, 5 rebounds, and 6
assists.
Keith Van Horn (Phi, flu like symptoms) did not play.