News from November 24.

The NBA named Kevin Garnett (Min) and Chauncey Billups (Det) as Players 
of the Week.  Garnett averaged 25.3 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 assists as
Minnesota went 3-0.  Billups averaged 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 7.8 
assists as Detroit went 3-1.

Chicago fired head coach Bill Cartwright.  Assistant Pete Myers was named
as interim coach.

Due to medical reasons Alonzo Mourning (NJ) has retired.  Mourning is
suffering from focal glomerulosclerosis and will soon need a kidney
transplant.  Doctors have advised that it is no longer safe for Mourning
to continue playing.

Cleveland suspended Ira Newble for 1 game for a profanity laced tirade
he had with coach Paul Silas following Saturday's Cle-Atl game.  Although
not suspended, Cleveland told Ricky Davis and Michael Stewart to stay away
from the team for 2 days and the 2 (though Stewart is on IR) did not
travel with the team to New Orleans.

Houston activated Eric Piatkowski and placed Mike Wilks on IR with a right
shoulder contusion.


Hou 105, LAC 90  at LAC
Yao Ming (Hou) had 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
Cuttino Mobley (Hou) had 17 points including 7-20 FG, 9 rebounds, and 6
assists.
Steve Francis (Hou) had 19 points including 7-10 FG, 9 assists, and 6
turnovers.
Corey Maggette (LAC) had 33 points on 7-20 FG and 18-20 FT and 6 rebounds.
Predrag Drobnjak (LAC) had 20 points and 7 rebounds.
Hou shot 49.4% (38-77) FG and LAC shot 34.1% (28-82) FG.
Marko Jaric (LAC, left foot injury) did not play.

Det 94, Atl 89  at Atl
Tayshaun Prince (Det) had 22 points and 8 rebounds.
Ben Wallace (Det) had 8 points including 2-8 FG and 15 rebounds.
Chauncey Billups (Det) had 24 points on 7-23 FG and 9-10 FT and 3 steals.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim (Atl) had 26 points and 14 rebounds.
Jason Terry (Atl) had 25 points including 10-10 FT.
Richard Hamilton (Det, neck strain) did not play.

Ind 89, Orl 78  at Orl
Ron Artest (Ind) had 17 points and 5 rebounds.
Jermaine O'Neal (Ind) had 22 points and 19 rebounds including 7 offensive.
Austin Croshere (Ind) had 15 points on 6-9 FG and 5 rebounds.
Donnell Harvey (Orl) had 13 points including 6-9 FG and 9 rebounds.
Juwan Howard (Orl) had 17 points and 6 rebounds.
Tracy McGrady (Orl, flu) did not play.

NY 94, Bos 88  at Bos
Kurt Thomas (NY) had 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Shandon Anderson (NY) had 28 points.
Dikembe Mutombo (NY) had 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
Vin Baker (Bos) had 16 points including 6-12 FT, 12 rebounds, and 5
blocks.
Paul Pierce (Bos) had 16 points including 4-15 FG and 10 rebounds.
Allan Houston (NY, sore lower back) and Keith Van Horn (NY, sprained right
ankle) did not play.