News from December 19.

The NBA fined Ron Artest (Ind) $10,000 for shoving Raja Bell (Dal) and
failing to leave the court in a timely manner following his ejection
during Tuesday's Dal-Ind game.

USA Basketball named Gregg Popovich (SA), Roy Williams (Kansas), and Oliver
Purnell (Dayton) as assistant coaches for Team USA for the 2003 Americas 
Olympic Qualifying Tournament that will take place August 21-31 in Puerto 
Rico.

Sacramento activated Mike Bibby and placed Mateen Cleaves on IR with a
lower back strain.


NJ 98, LAL 71  at NJ
Kenyon Martin (NJ) had 16 points including 5-15 FG, 9 rebounds, and 5
assists.
Lucious Harris (NJ) had 19 points and 6 rebounds.
Jason Kidd (NJ) had 27 points including 12-20 FG, 11 rebounds, 8 assists,
and 3 steals.
Shaquille O'Neal (LAL) had 19 points.
Kobe Bryant (LAL) had 21 points including 8-29 FG, 5 rebounds, and 5
assists.
NJ shot 45.5% (40-88) FG and LAL shot 30.2% (29-96) FG.
Dikembe Mutombo (NJ, wrist surgery) did not play.

SA 83, Sac 81  at Sac
Tim Duncan (SA) had 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists.
David Robinson (SA) had 8 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
Stephen Jackson (SA) had 18 points on 5-15 FG and 8-10 FT and 8 rebounds.
Chris Webber (Sac) had 23 points including 10-27 FG, 12 rebounds, 6
assists, and 3 blocks. 
Bobby Jackson (Sac) had 21 points.
Steve Kerr (SA, family emergency) and Hidayet Turkoglu (Sac) did not 
play.
It was Sac's first home loss of the season (won first 13).