News from January 27.

Due to their team records, Flip Saunders (Min) will coach the West team and
Rick Carlisle (Ind) will coach the East team for the All-Star game.  The
game takes place on February 15.

The NBA announced the contestants for the Rookie Challenge teams (Rookies vs
Sophomores).  The game takes placed February 13 at 8 pm on TNT.  In a change
from the past, if a player is also selected to play in the All-Star game, he
will still play in this game.
  Sophomores                    Rookies
  Carlos Boozer (Cle)           Carmelo Anthony (Den)
  Mike Dunleavy (GS)            Chris Bosh (Tor)
  Manu Ginobili (SA)            Udonis Haslem (Mia)
  Marko Jaric (LAC)             LeBron James (Cle)
  Ronald Murray (Sea)           Jarvis Hayes (Was)
  Nene (Den)                    Kirk Hinrich (Chi)
  Tayshaun Prince (Det)         Josh Howard (Dal)
  Amare Stoudamire (Pho)        Chris Kaman (LAC)
  Yao Ming (Hou)                Dwyane Wade (Mia)

Jim O'Brien resigned as coach of Boston.  Assistant John Carroll was named
as coach for the rest of the season.  Assistant Dick Harter was fired.

New Orleans activated Jamal Mashburn and placed Bryce Drew on IR with
lower back spasms.

Chicago promoted Gar Forman to director of player personnel.


Dal 118, Sea 116  at Sea
Antoine Walker (Dal) had 17 points including the game winning turn around
long baseliner at the buzzer, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) had 43 points including 16-22 FG and 8-11 3-pointers
and 5 turnovers.
Michael Finley (Dal) had 17 points on 8-22 FG and 6 rebounds.
Steve Nash (Dal) had 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Rashard Lewis (Sea) had 30 points including 9-16 FG and 5-9 3-pointers and
9 rebounds.
Ray Allen (Sea) had 20 points.
Antonio Daniels (Sea) had 21 points including 8-11 FG and 3-4 3-pointers,
5 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Tony Delk (Dal, sprained left ankle) did not play.

SA 77, NY 67  at NY
Tim Duncan (SA) had 30 points, 19 rebounds, and 6 turnovers.
Manu Ginobili (SA) had 14 points including 4-13 FG, 7 rebounds, 6 assists,
and 3 steals.
Tony Parker (SA) had 10 points including 4-11 FG.
Kurt Thomas (NY) had 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Stephon Marbury (NY) had 19 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals.
Hedo Turkoglu (SA, left thigh contusion) did not play.

NJ 94, Phi 76  at Phi
Richard Jefferson (NJ) had 30 points including 11-17 FG and 4-6 3-pointers
and 5 assists.
Kenyon Martin (NJ) had 13 points and 5 assists.
Jason Kidd (NJ) had 13 points and 10 assists.
Eric Snow (Phi) had 13 points including 3-10 FG and 5 assists.
Willie Green (Phi) had 20 points.
Allen Iverson (Phi, sprained right index finger) did not play.

Pho 89, Atl 85  at Atl
Joe Johnson (Pho) had 20 points and 7 assists.
Shawn Marion (Pho) had 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals.
Casey Jacobsen (Pho) had 13 points including 4-6 FG and 5 assists.
Stephen Jackson (Atl) had 19 points including 6-17 FG, 5 assists, and 7
turnovers.
Theo Ratliff (Atl) had 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
Amare Stoudemire (Pho, sore left ankle) and Alan Henderson (Atl, back
sprain) did not play.

LAC 102, Chi 92  at LAC
Corey Maggette (LAC) had 28 points including 10-13 FG and 3-3 3-pointers,
6 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Elton Brand (LAC) had 20 points including 8-10 FT, 11 rebounds, 5 assists,
4 blocks, and 7 turnovers.
Quentin Richardson (LAC) had 18 points and 7 rebounds.
Jamal Crawford (Chi) had 13 points on 5-16 FG and 7 assists.
Eddie Robinson (Chi) had 17 points including 8-9 FG.
LAC shot 18-23 FT and Chi shot 8-12 FT.