News from November 9.

The arbitrator ruled that David Stern was within his rights in voiding 
Joe Smith's previous 2 contracts and, thus, nuking Smith's Bird rights 
with Minnesota (right to re-sign with the team regardless of the salary 
cap after 3 years with a team).  Smith, a free agent, can re-sign with 
Minnesota, but only for league minimum ($611,000).  Chicago (who has the 
most money available to offer Smith, around $6 million), Miami ($3.9 
million injury exception for Mourning), New York ($2.25 million exception),
and Dallas ($2.25 million exception) are believed to be the front runners 
to sign Smith.

Houston activated Dan Langhi and placed Kelvin Cato on IR with a sprained
left ankle.

Muggsy Bogues (Tor) will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee 
today (Friday) and is expected to be out 4 to 6 weeks.


Det 108, NJ 94 - at NJ
Eric Montross (Det) had 13 points including 6-9 FG and 11 rebounds.
Jerry Stackhouse (Det) had 29 points and 6 assists.
Chucky Atkins (Det) had 26 points including 4-8 3-pointers and 6 assists.
Stephen Jackson (NJ) had 15 points.
Stephon Marbury (NJ) had 32 points and 11 assists.
Kendall Gill (NJ, right knee tendinitis) did not play.

Pho 88, Atl 79 - at Pho
Shawn Marion (Pho) had 24 points, 13 rebounds including 8 offensive, and 5
blocks.
Jason Kidd (Pho) had 19 points including 7-10 FT, 13 rebounds, 12 assists,
and 4 steals.
Rodney Rogers (Pho) had 14 points and 5 rebounds.
Dikembe Mutombo (Atl) had 15 points and 17 rebounds.
Jim Jackson (Atl) had 17 points.

Phi 84, Min 82 - at Min
Theo Ratliff (Phi) had 9 points including 2-9 FG and 14 rebounds.
Allen Iverson (Phi) had 18 points on 6-17 FG and 6-10 FT and 5 assists.
Eric Snow (Phi) had 22 points on 7-9 FG and 8-11 FT.
Kevin Garnett (Min) had 24 points and 9 rebounds.
Chauncey Billups (Min) had 20 points.

Sea 102, Cha 94 - at Cha
Rashard Lewis (Sea) had 19 points including 7-11 FG and 8 rebounds.
Vin Baker (Sea) had 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Gary Payton (Sea) had 17 points including 6-18 FG and 9 assists.
Jamal Mashburn (Cha) had 25 points and 6 assists.
Derrick Coleman (Cha) had 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Brent Barry (Sea, sprained left ankle) and P.J. Brown (Cha, strained left 
arch) did not play.

Hou 85, Van 78 - at Hou
Maurice Taylor (Hou) had 21 points and 5 assists.
Steve Francis (Hou) had 19 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 6
turnovers.
Cuttino Mobley (Hou) had 15 points including 11-14 FT.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim (Van) had 17 points and 8 rebounds.
Michael Dickerson (Van) had 16 points.

Por 107, Den 91 - at Por
Dale Davis (Por) had 17 points and 8 rebounds.
Rasheed Wallace (Por) had 15 points including 7-10 FG, 10 rebounds, 6
assists, and 4 steals.
Damon Stoudamire (Por) had 15 points and 10 assists.
Bonzi Wells (Por) had 17 points and 7 rebounds.
Antonio McDyees (Den) had 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 turnovers.
Nick Van Exel (Den) had 23 points and 5 assists.
Por shot 51.3% (40-78) FG and Den shot 41.3% (31-75) FG.

Chi 95, Orl 90 - at Chi
Michael Ruffin (Chi) had 10 points on 1-5 FG and 8-16 FT and 18 rebounds
including 9 offensive.
Ron Mercer (Chi) had 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 turnovers.
A.J. Guyton (Chi) had 18 points on 7-11 FG and 4-5 3-pointers in 19
minutes.
Tracy McGrady (Orl) had 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Darrell Armstrong (Orl) had 13 points on 6-19 FG and 1-7 3-pointers, 6
rebounds, and 12 assists.
Chi shot 30-42 FT and Orl shot 10-13 FT.
Brad Miller (Chi, broken right hand) did not play.