News from January 29. The NBA named Steve Nash (Pho) and Ben Gordon (Chi) as Players of the Week. Nash averaged 22.5 points and 14.8 assists as Phoenix went 4-0. Gordon averaged 26.8 points as Chicago went 3-1. The NBA announced the contestants for the Skills Challenge to take place on All-Star Saturday on February 17 in Las Vegas. The contestants for the dribbling, passing, and shooting contest are: Dwyane Wade (Mia), Kobe Bryant (LAL), LeBron James (Cle), and Steve Nash (Pho). Golden State elected not to signed Renaldo Major to a 2nd 10-day contract. Utah activated C.J. Miles and placed Carlos Boozer on IL with a knee injury. Min 121, Pho 112 at Min Kevin Garnett (Min) had 44 points on 18-29 FG and 8-10 FT, 11 rebounds, and 3 steals. Ricky Davis (Min) had 17 points including 3-4 3-pointers and 8 assists. Marko Jaric (Min) had 11 points. Shawn Marion (Pho) had 24 points including 8-10 FG and 3-3 3-pointers and 10 rebounds. Raja Bell (Pho) had 26 points including 5-11 3-pointers. Steve Nash (Pho) had 20 points, 5 rebounds, 18 assists, and 5 turnovers. NJ 116, Uta 115 at Uta Vince Carter (NJ) had 16 points on 10-15 FG, 3-4 3-pointers, 10-13 FT, and the game winning 3-pointer at the buzzer. Jason Kidd (NJ) had 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists. Eddie House (NJ) had 19 points including 3-4 3-pointers. Mehmet Okur (Uta) had 18 points including 5-16 FG, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists. Deron Williams (Uta) had 25 points including 10-16 FG, 5 assists, and 6 turnovers. Uta out-rebounded NJ 44-21 including 16-5 offensive. Cha 105, Den 101 at Den Gerald Wallace (Cha) had 25 points and 13 rebounds. Emeka Okafor (Cha) had 18 points on 9-12 FG, 13 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 5 turnovers. Raymond Felton (Cha) had 16 points including 5-14 FG, 5 rebounds, and 11 assists. Carmelo Anthony (Den) had 25 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 turnovers. Allen Iverson (Den) had 31 points on 10-15 FG and 10-12 FT, 8 assists, and 4 steals. Othella Harrington (Cha, left knee soreness) did not play. NO 103, Por 91 at NO Desmond Mason (NO) had 16 points and 6 rebounds. David West (NO) had 21 points and 10 rebounds. Tyson Chandler (NO) had 14 points, 16 rebounds including 5 offensive, and 4 blocks. Zach Randolph (Por) had 20 points and 13 rebounds including 6 offensive. Brandon Roy (Por) had 19 points. LaMarcus Aldridge (Por, flu) did not play. Hou 105, Phi 84 at Hou Juwan Howard (Hou) had 20 points on 10-15 FG, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. Tracy McGrady (Hou) had 25 points and 5 assists. Rafer Alston (Hou) had 12 points, 9 assists, 3 steals, and 6 turnovers. Samuel Dalembert (Phi) had 13 points and 11 rebounds including 6 offensive. Andre Iguodala (Phi) had 19 points. Hou shot 50.6% (40-79) FG and Phi shot 38.6% (34-88) FG. Mem 124, Sac 117 at Mem Mike Miller (Mem) had 27 points including 4-12 3-pointers, 6 assists, and 7 turnovers. Pau Gasol (Mem) had 34 points including 14-17 FG, 8 rebounds, and 8 blocks. Chucky Atkins (Mem) had 22 points including 9-11 FT and 7 assists. Ron Artest (Sac) had 21 points and 5 assists. Kevin Martin (Sac) had 22 points and 3 steals. Mike Bibby (Sac) had 23 points including 5-9 3-pointers. Mem shot 58.6% (41-70) FG and Sac shot 47.3% (44-93) FG. Atl 93, Orl 83 at Atl Josh Smith (Atl) had 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 turnovers. Joe Johnson (Atl) had 34 points including 4-9 3-pointers, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Tyronn Lue (Atl) had 13 points and 7 assists. Grant Hill (Orl) had 21 points including 9-10 FT and 6 rebounds. Jameer Nelson (Orl) had 16 points including 6-17 FG and 5 assists.