News from December 30.

Memphis announced the Bryant Reeves will miss the rest of the season due
to a chronic back pain caused by degenerative discs.  The NBA granted
Memphis an injury exception worth $4.5 million.  Memphis will have 45 days
to use the exception.

Minnesota activated Felipe Lopez and placed Maurice Evans on IR with
posterior tibialis tendinitis in his left knee.

New York named Herb Williams as an assistant coach.

Philadelphia signed Jabari Smith and placed Damone Brown on IR with a
strained lower back.

Portland activated Chris Dudley and placed Mitchell Butler on IR with a
sprained left knee.


LAL 114, Hou 90 - at LAL
Rick Fox (LAL) had 16 points including 3-3 3-pointers and 6 rebounds.
Kobe Bryant (LAL) had 16 points and 11 assists.
Robert Horry (LAL) had 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Eddie Griffin (Hou) had 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
Cuttino Mobley (Hou) had 18 points on 2-17 FG and 12-12 FT, 8 rebounds,
and 7 assists.
LAL shot 10-13 FT and Hou shot 26-35 FT.
Steve Francis (Hou, migraine) and Kenny Thomas (Hou, hip pointer) did not
play.

SA 83, Mem 79 - at Mem
Bruce Bowen (SA) had 13 points and 3 steals.
Tim Duncan (SA) had 27 points, 18 rebounds, and 7 blocks.
David Robinson (SA) had 21 points including 9-14 FG and 12 rebounds.
Pau Gasol (Mem) had 24 points including 6-10 FT, 15 rebounds, 3 blocks,
and 5 turnovers.
Jason Williams (Mem) had 20 points, 8 assists, and 5 steals.
Rodney Buford (Mem, illness) and Brevin Knight (Mem, shoulder injury) did
not play.

Det 86, Mia 80 - at Det
Corliss Williamson (Det) had 14 points and 5 turnovers.
Ben Wallace (Det) had 7 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks.
Jerry Stackhouse (Det) had 24 points.
Brian Grant (Mia) had 22 points including 10-11 FG.
Alonzo Mourning (Mia) had 18 points including 7-8 FG and 10 rebounds.

Min 95, Por 93 - at Por
Kevin Garnett (Min) had 27 points including 9-15 FG, 16 rebounds, and 6
assists.
Wally Szczerbiak (Min) had 27 points including 11-17 FG and 3-3
3-pointers, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Chauncey Billups (Min) had 17 points including 6-8 FG and 3-4 3-pointers
and 10 assists.
Ruben Patterson (Por) had 19 points including 9-13 FG.
Rasheed Wallace (Por) had 26 points including 3-3 3-pointers and 6
rebounds.
Damon Stoudamire (Por) had 19 points and 13 assists.
Min shot 12-17 FT and Por shot 4-7 FT.
Joe Smith (Min, right calf contusion) and Dale Davis (Por, cervical
sprain) did not play.

Sac 109, Bos 94 - at Sac
Predrag Stojakovic (Sac) had 23 points and 5 rebounds.
Chris Webber (Sac) had 30 points on 10-17 FG and 10-12 FT and 8 rebounds.
Hidayet Turkoglu (Sac) had 13 points and 5 rebounds.
Paul Pierce (Bos) had 26 points.
Antoine Walker (Bos) had 24 points including 5-9 3-pointers, 8 rebounds, 7
assists, and 5 turnovers.

Orl 94, NY 90 - at NY
Mike Miller (Orl) had 13 points including 3-12 FG.
Tracy McGrady (Orl) had 29 points on 7-23 FG and 14-17 FT, 11 rebounds,
and 4 steals.
Troy Hudson (Orl) had 15 points and 8 rebounds.
Latrell Sprewell (NY) had 28 points and 7 rebounds.
Kurt Thomas (NY) had 16 points including 6-9 FG and 6 rebounds.
Orl shot 30-37 FT and NY shot 15-17 FT.