News from April 7.

The NBA named Steve Nash (Pho), Shane Battier (Mem), Andrei Kirilenko (Uta),
Austin Croshere (Ind), Jacque Vaughn (NJ), and Grant Hill (Orl) as
Divisional winners for the NBA Sportsmanship Award.  A panel of 5 former
players - Tommy Heinsohn, Eddie Johnson, Steve Mix, Kelly Tripucka, Stu
Lantz - selected the divisional winners.  The current NBA players will vote
on the overall winner of the Sportsmanship Award from amongst the 6 
divisional winners after the season ends.

Juwan Howard (Hou) is expected to miss the rest of the season, including the
playoffs.  He suffered a viral infection in his heart.  The infection has
cleared, but doctors have ordered that he forgo physical activity for the
next 4 to 6 months.

Atlanta activated Michael Stewart and placed Al Harrington on IR with
tendinitis in his right knee.

Gerald Green (high school senior, Gulf Shores Academy (TX), guard) and
Brandon Bowman (junior, Georgetown, forward) declared themselves eligible
for the NBA draft.


Dal 104, SA 68  at Dal
Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) had 16 points and 8 rebounds.
Marquis Daniels (Dal) had 13 points.
Keith Van Horn (Dal) had 17 points and 7 rebounds.
Tony Parker (SA) had 11 points.
Brent Barry (SA) had 12 points.
Dal shot 53.2% (42-79) FG and SA shot 34.6% (27-78) FG.

Hou 114, LAL 100  at LAL
Tracy McGrady (Hou) had 27 points and 7 assists.
Yao Ming (Hou) had 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
Scott Padgett (Hou) had 16 points and 6 rebounds.
Caron Butler (LAL) had 24 points and 12 rebounds including 6 offensive.
Kobe Bryant (LAL) had 19 points on 4-19 FG and 9-10 FT, 10 rebounds, and 10
assists.
Hou shot 48.9% (44-90) FG and LAL shot 37.9% (33-87) FG.
Jon Barry (Hou, back spasms) did not play.

NJ 110, NY 98  at NJ
Nenad Krstic (NJ) had 11 points and 10 rebounds including 6 offensive.
Vince Carter (NJ) had 32 points.
Jason Kidd (NJ) had 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists.
Jamal Crawford (NY) had 26 points and 5 rebounds.
Stephon Marbury (NY) had 30 points including 10-16 FG and 4-8 3-pointers, 5
rebounds, and 9 assists.
Jacque Vaughn (NJ, fractured 5th metatarsal) did not play.