News from March 23. The NBA named Chris Paul (NO) and LeBron James (Cle) as Players of the Week. Paul averaged 28.5 points, 9.5 assists, and 4.5 steals as New Orleans went 3-1. James averaged 30.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists as Cleveland went 4-0. New York signed Courtney Sims to a 10-day contract. New York elected not to sign Cheikh Samb for the rest of the season after he completed his 2nd 10-day contract. Oklahoma City recalled D.J. White from the NBADL. Orlando re-signed Adonal Foyle. Portland activated Nicolas Batum and placed Shavlik Randolph on IL. Miami activated Joel Anthony and placed Jermaine O'Neal (bruised right hip) on IL. The LA Clippers activated Al Thornton and placed Alex Acker on IL. Brandon Costner (forward, NC State, junior) declared himself eligible for the NBA draft. Underclassmen have until April 26 to declare themselves eligible. Orl 106, NY 102 at NY Hedo Turkoglu (Orl) had 16 points and 8 rebounds. Dwight Howard (Orl) had 29 points on 12-18 FG and 5-11 FT, 14 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Courtney Lee (Orl) had 22 points including 6-8 FG and 3 steals. Wilson Chandler (NY) had 17 points and 8 rebounds. Nate Robinson (NY) had 19 points including 6-23 FG, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Larry Hughes (NY, sore left big toe) did not play. Bos 90, LAC 77 at Bos Kendrick Perkins (Bos) had 12 points and 13 rebounds. Ray Allen (Bos) had 20 points including 8-10 FG and 3-3 3-pointers. Rajon Rondo (Bos) had 14 points, 7 assists, and 5 steals. Zach Randolph (LAC) had 17 points and 14 rebounds. Baron Davis (LAC) had 13 points including 4-12 FG, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists. Leon Powe (Bos, sprained right knee) did not play. Pho 118, Den 115 at Pho Grant Hill (Pho) had 23 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 turnovers. Shaquille O'Neal (Pho) had 19 points including 6-8 FG, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Jason Richardson (Pho) had 22 points and 5 rebounds. Carmelo Anthony (Den) had 29 points including 10-12 FT. Kenyon Martin (Den) had 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals. Chauncey Billups (Den) had 20 points including 4-6 3-pointers and 8 assists. Leandro Barbosa (Pho, left leg bone contusion) did not play. Mia 94, Mem 82 at Mia Jamaal Magloire (Mia) had 10 points and 12 rebounds including 6 offensive. Dwyane Wade (Mia) had 27 points and 8 assists. Michael Beasley (Mia) had 17 points and 9 rebounds. O.J. Mayo (Mem) had 21 points. Mike Conley (Mem) had 11 points and 5 assists. Atl 109, Min 97 at Atl Joe Johnson (Atl) had 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals. Mike Bibby (Atl) had 20 points including 9-13 FG, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists. Flip Murray (Atl) had 30 points including 12-18 FG and 5-8 3-pointers and 5 assists. Kevin Love (Min) had 17 points and 6 rebounds. Randy Foye (Min) had 19 points including 7-10 FG and 4-5 3-pointers. Chi 101, Was 99 at Was John Salmons (Chi) had 19 points. Ben Gordon (Chi) had 21 points. Derrick Rose (Chi) had 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists. Antawn Jamison (Was) had 34 points and 12 rebounds. Andray Blatche (Was) had 15 points and 13 rebounds including 6 offensive. Caron Butler (Was, left hamstring) and Darius Songaila (Was, sprained neck) did not play. Phi 114, Por 108 OT at Por Andre Iguodala (Phi) had 25 points including 9-11 FT and 5 assists. Thaddeus Young (Phi) had 25 points including 10-15 FG and 7 rebounds. Andre Miller (Phi) had 27 points including 9-11 FT, 10 rebounds, 3 steals, and 6 turnovers. LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) had 24 points including 9-25 FG, 12 rebounds including 10 offensive, and 5 assists. Steve Blake (Por) had 22 points including 3-12 3-pointers and 5 assists. Rudy Fernandez (Por) had 19 points including 4-9 3-pointers. Phi shot 51.4% (38-74) FG and Por shot 40.6% (41-101) FG. Phi shot 35-39 FT and Por shot 16-17 FT. Schedule for Tuesday, March 24 (All times Central) Detroit @ Chicago 7:00 pm TNT LA Lakers @ Oklahoma City 7:00 pm Golden State @ San Antonio 7:30 pm Houston @ Utah 9:30 pm TNT ---- 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