News from February 14. The NBA named Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) as an injury replacement for Kobe Bryant (LAL, torn ligament right pinky finger) for the 3-Point shooting contest. Bryant still plans on playing in the All-Star game. The LA Lakers assigned Coby Karl to the NBADL. Pho 109, Dal 97 at Pho Steve Nash (Pho) had 24 points including 4-8 3-pointers, 6 rebounds, 13 assists, and 5 turnovers. Boris Diaw (Pho) had 19 points including 9-12 FG, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks. Amare Stoudemire (Pho) had 26 points including 10-16 FG. Leandro Barbosa (Pho) had 26 points including 11-11 FT and 6 rebounds. Jason Terry (Dal) had 29 points. Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) had 36 points on 12-31 FG and 12-14 FT and 12 rebounds including 6 offensive. Pho shot 56.9% (41-72) FG and Dal shot 40% (36-90) FG. Josh Howard (Dal, lower back contusion) did not play. Chi 99, Mia 92 at Chi Joe Smith (Chi) had 19 points and 11 rebounds. Thebo Sefolosha (Chi) had 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 steals. Kirk Hinrich (Chi) had 24 points and 7 rebounds. Shawn Marion (Mia) had 23 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 5 turnovers. Dwyane Wade (Mia) had 30 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 turnovers. Ben Gordon (Chi, sprained right wrist), Ben Wallace (Chi, death in family), and Alexander Johnson (Mia, sprained ankle) did not play. Schedule (all times Central) 2008 All-Star Weekend - at New Orleans February 15-17 Friday, February 15 11 am Hall of Fame finalists announcement NBATV 8 pm - 10 pm Rookie-Sophomore Game TNT Saturday, February 16 11 am - 1:15 pm All-Star practice NBATV 2 pm - 4:30 pm D-League All-Star game NBATV 7 pm - 10 pm All-Star Saturday Night TNT - Shooting Stars - Skills Challenge - 3-Point Shootout - Slam Dunk Contest Sunday, February 17 11 am Legends Brunch NBATV 7:30 pm All-Star Game TNT Note that NBATV will have interviews, practices, and other All-Star related stuff throughout the weekend. ---- Patricia Bender pbender@eskimo.com For NBA stuff: http://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/index.html For Mavs stuff: http://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/mavs.html