News from February 24.

The NBA named Kobe Bryant (LAL) and Tracy McGrady (Orl) as Players of the
Week.  Bryant averaged 43.3 points and 6.5 rebounds as the Lakers went 4-0.
McGrady averaged 40.7 points, 7 rebounds and 7.7 assists as Orlando went
3-0.

The NBA fined Nick Van Exel (Dal) $20,000 for verbally abusing the refs
following Sunday's Was-Dal game.


Hou 101, Bos 95 OT  at Bos
Steve Francis (Hou) had 33 points on 10-18 FG and 10-12 FT, 9 rebounds,
and 9 assists.
Cuttino Mobley (Hou) had 31 points including 5-9 3-pointers and 10
rebounds.
James Posey (Hou) had 10 points including 4-11 FG, 6 rebounds, 5 assists,
and 3 steals.
Antoine Walker (Bos) had 22 points including 7-20 FG, 11 rebounds, and 8
assists.
Tony Battie (Bos) had 20 points including 10-15 FG.
Paul Pierce (Bos) had 22 points and 6 rebounds.

Mem 103, Uta 92  at Mem
Wesley Person (Mem) had 27 points including 6-10 3-pointers.
Jason Williams (Mem) had 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Pau Gasol (Mem) had 18 points and 9 rebounds.
Matt Harpring (Uta) had 21 points and 8 rebounds.
Karl Malone (Uta) had 22 points including 9-16 FG, 5 rebounds, 5 assists,
and 3 steals.
Michael Dickerson (Mem, abdominal strain) and Mike Miller (Mem, back
spasms) did not play.

Min 117, Mil 114  at Mil
Kevin Garnett (Min) had 34 points on 11-19 FG and 12-16 FT, 12 rebounds,
and 8 assists.
Wally Szczerbiak (Min) had 26 points including 12-12 FT.
Troy Hudson (Min) had 21 points including 3-4 3-pointers, 7 assists, and 3
steals.
Gary Payton (Mil) had 21 points and 9 rebounds.
Michael Redd (Mil) had 19 points and 5 rebounds.
Sam Cassell (Mil) had 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Min shot 31-37 FT and Mil shot 13-18 FT.
Joe Smith (Min, sprained right ankle) did not play.

Chi 90, Pho 87  at Chi
Jalen Rose (Chi) had 21 points on 4-16 FG and 11-12 FT, 14 rebounds, and
11 assists.
Tyson Chandler (Chi) had 15 points including 9-12 FT and 6 rebounds.
Donyell Marshall (Chi) had 17 points and 6 rebounds.
Shawn Marion (Pho) had 18 points including 7-21 FG and 1-7 3-pointers, 8
rebounds, and 5 steals.
Amare Stoudemire (Pho) had 19 points including 7-10 FG and 9 rebounds.
Eddie Robinson (Chi, sore right hamstring) did not play.

GS 94, Den 89  at Den
Gilbert Arenas (GS) had 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 turnovers.
Earl Boykins (GS) had 14 points including 7-10 FT, 7 assists, and 3
steals.
Chris Mills (GS) had 14 points and 8 rebounds.
Juwan Howard (Den) had 29 points and 7 rebounds.
Nene Hilario (Den) had 14 points including 6-12 FT and 12 rebounds.
Danny Fortson (GS, personal reasons) did not play.

Sea 86, Det 79  at Sea
Rashard Lewis (Sea) had 22 points including 9-14 FG and 8 rebounds.
Predrag Drobnjak (Sea) had 15 points.
Ray Allen (Sea) had 23 points and 8 assists.
Eddie Robinson (Det) had 19 points.
Richard Hamilton (Det) had 22 points including 7-11 FG and 5 rebounds.
Ben Wallace (Det) had 2 points and 17 rebounds.


On the lighter side
Jon Barry (Det): "An old friend told me never to get into a fight with a 
pig.  You both get dirty and the pig likes it."