News from December 2. The NBA named Michael Finley (Dal), Dirk Nowitzki (Dal), Steve Nash (Dal), and Tracy McGrady (Orl) as Players of the Month for November (includes start of the season in October). Finley averaged 21.3 points and 6.9 rebounds, Nowitzki averaged 21.6 points and 11.3 rebounds, and Nash averaged 18.3 points and 7.8 assists as Dallas went 15-1. McGrady averaged 31.9 points and 6.3 rebounds as Orlando went 10-7. The NBA named Don Nelson (Dal) and Isaiah Thomas (Ind) as Coaches of the Month for November. Dallas went 15-1 in November and October and Indiana went 13-2 in November and October. The NBA named Drew Gooden (Mem) and Caron Butler (Mia) as Rookies of the Month for November. Gooden averaged 15.1 points and 6.4 rebounds. Butler averaged 12.7 points and 5.9 rebounds. The NBA named Stephon Marbury (Pho) and Allen Iverson as Players of the Week. Marbury averaged 24.5 points and 8 assists as Phoenix went 3-1. Iverson averaged 32.3 points and Philadelphia went 4-0. New York activated Lavor Postell and placed Frank Williams on IR with tendinitis in his left Achilles. Washington activated Brian Cardinal and placed Juan Dixon on IR with a sprained left elbow. Dixon is expected to be out 3 weeks due to the injury. Toni Kukoc (Mil) underwent surgery on his right thumb and is expected to be out up to 6 weeks. Dal 113, Tor 102 at Dal Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) had 23 points including 7-20 FG and 6 rebounds. Michael Finley (Dal) had 15 points on 7-11 FG and 5 rebounds. Steve Nash (Dal) had 25 points on 7-8 FG and 10-10 FT and 7 assists. Nick Van Exel (Dal) had 17 points and 6 assists. Morris Peterson (Tor) had 24 points including 4-8 3-pointers and 7 rebounds. Antonio Davis (Tor) had 18 points and 9 rebounds. Alvin Williams (Tor) had 27 points including 12-19 FG and 7 assists. Eduardo Najera (Dal, sore left knee), Lindsey Hunter (Tor, sore right knee), Voshon Lenard (Tor, sore back), Jerome Williams (Tor, sore left elbow), Mamadou N'diaye (Tor, stress fracture right foot), Nate Huffman (Tor, right knee injury) did not play. Bos 102, Orl 97 at Orl Paul Pierce (Bos) had 27 points on 7-21 FG and 12-14 FT, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 5 turnovers. Antoine Walker (Bos) had 19 points and 8 rebounds. Eric Williams (Bos) had 21 points including 7-10 FG and 3 steal. Grant Hill (Orl) had 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists. Tracy McGrady (Orl) had 25 points including 4-8 3-pointers, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals. Mike Miller (Orl) had 18 points and 6 rebounds. NY 125, Cle 93 at NY Latrell Sprewell (NY) had 20 points and 11 assists. Kurt Thomas (NY) had 22 points on 11-15 FG, 8 rebounds, and 6 blocks. Allan Houston (NY) had 29 points including 9-15 FG and 5-10 3-pointers and 5 rebounds. Dajuan Wagner (Cle) had 25 points on 8-22 FG and 9-10 FT, 10 assists, and 5 turnovers. Juamine Jones (Cle) had 19 points including 7-20 FG and 4-10 3-pointers and 11 rebounds. Carlos Boozer (Cle) had 18 points and 7 rebounds. NY shot 52.5% (45-85) FG and Cle shot 39.6% (36-91) FG. NY out-rebounded Cle 53-31. Ricky Davis (Cle, suspended) and Chris Mihm (Cle, hamstring injury) did not play. Mia 100, Pho 90 OT at Pho Caron Butler (Mia) had 20 points including 8-10 FT and 6 rebounds. Brian Grant (Mia) had 17 points and 17 rebounds. Eddie Jones (Mia) had 21 points and 7 assists. Shawn Marion (Pho) had 30 points and 9 rebounds. Amare Stoudemire (Pho) had 20 points and 9 rebounds. Stephon Marbury (Pho) had 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists. Mia shot 27-31 FT and Pho shot 11-12 FT. Tom Gugliotta (Pho, right foot contusion) did not play. Uta 102, Ind 91 at Uta Karl Malone (Uta) had 21 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. John Stockton (Uta) had 22 points including 11-11 FT, 10 assists, and 4 steals. Matt Harpring (Uta) had 15 points including 5-16 FG and 9 rebounds including 6 offensive. Jermaine O'Neal (Ind) had 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 turnovers. Al Harrington (Ind) had 17 points and 8 rebounds. Jamaal Tinsley (Ind, right thigh contusion) did not play.