News from December 8. The NBA named Shaquille O'Neal (LAL) and Vince Carter (Tor) as Players of the Week. O'Neal averaged 19.7 points and 16.7 rebounds as the Lakers went 3-0. Carter averaged 23.5 points and 7.8 assists as Toronto went 4-0. The NBA announced that they will exercise their 04-05 option year for the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Atlanta suspended Stephen Jackson for 1 game for conduct detrimental to the team. Cleveland activated Bruno Sundov and placed DeSagana Diop on IR with torn cartilage on his right knee. He underwent surgery on the knee and is expected to be out 1 month. Sacramento released Rodney Buford. Orl 105, Pho 98 at Orl Gordan Giricek (Orl) had 19 points on a perfect 6-6 FG, 3-3 3-pointers, and 4-4 FT. Juwan Howard (Orl) had 19 points. Tracy McGrady (Orl) had 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists. Drew Gooden (Orl) had 21 points and 8 rebounds. Shawn Marion (Pho) had 29 points, 17 rebounds, and 5 assists. Anfernee Hardaway (Pho) had 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists. Stephon Marbury (Pho) had 15 points and 11 assists. Orl shot 26-32 FT and Pho shot 9-11 FT. Bos 102, Uta 80 at Uta Mike James (Bos) had 18 points and 9 assists. Paul Pierce (Bos) had 14 points. Eric Williams (Bos) had 19 points including 6-9 FG and 6 rebounds. Matt Harpring (Uta) had 17 points and 7 rebounds. Raja Bell (Uta) had 16 points. Bos shot 51.4% (38-74) FG and Uta shot 38.6% (27-70) FG. Vin Baker (Bos, flu) and Carlos Arroyo (Uta, sprained left ankle) did not play. NO 91, Mil 85 at NO Jamaal Magloire (NO) had 20 points including 7-10 FG and 11 rebounds. Baron Davis (NO) had 18 points including 6-25 FG, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, and 5 steals. David Wesley (NO) had 18 points including 6-18 FG and 5 rebounds. Desmond Mason (Mil) had 17 points and 5 rebounds. Joe Smith (Mil) had 13 points including 6-17 FG, 15 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Tim Thomas (Mil, sprained left ankle) did not play. SA 96, Chi 82 at Chi Tim Duncan (SA) had 17 points and 14 rebounds. Radoslav Nesterovic (SA) had 17 points and 7 rebounds. Manu Ginobili (SA) had 26 points including 9-13 FG and 5-6 3-pointers, 5 rebounds, and 5 steals. Antonio Davis (Chi) had 16 points and 13 rebounds. Jamal Crawford (Chi) had 26 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Malik Rose (SA, strained right ankle) and Scottie Pippen (Chi, left knee injury) did not play.