News from December 23.

The NBA fined Larry Brown (Det) $15,000 for verbally abusing a ref
following Wednesday's Chi-Det game.

The NBA suspended Caron Butler (LAL) for 1 game for punching Dan Dickau
(NO) in the stomach during Wednesday's NO-LAL game.

TRADE: Atlanta traded Jon Barry to Houston for Tyronn Lue.

A federal judge upheld an arbitrator's ruling that reduced Jermaine
O'Neal's (Ind) suspension from 25 games to 15 games.  With the ruling,
O'Neal is eligible to return to action - his 15th game missed was on
Wednesday.  The NBA is still challenging the ruling with the next court
date set for December 30, but says that O'Neal can play until that court
date.

Jamal Crawford (NY) is expect to miss 3 to 6 weeks with turf toe in his
right big toe.

Bobby Jackson (Sac) is expected to be out at least 12 weeks with a torn
ligament in his left wrist, which will require surgery.


SA 96, Min 82  at SA
Tim Duncan (SA) had 19 points including 8-23 FG and 10 rebounds.
Manu Ginobili (SA) had 22 points including 7-9 FG and 4-6 3-pointers, 5
rebounds, and 3 steals.
Tony Parker (SA) had 19 points and 8 assists.
Wally Szczerbiak (Min) had 22 points.
Kevin Garnett (Min) had 15 points including 4-16 FG, 10 rebounds, 9
assists, and 7 turnovers.

Pho 109, Mem 102  at Pho
Quentin Richardson (Pho) had 17 points including 6-17 FG and 4-9
3-pointers and 10 rebounds.
Shawn Marion (Pho) had 29 points including 12-17 FG, 7 rebounds, and 3
blocks.
Amare Stoudemire (Pho) had 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 steals.
Steve Nash (Pho) had 17 points and 14 assists.
Pau Gasol (Mem) had 19 points and 7 rebounds.
Jason Williams (Mem) had 21 points and 9 assists.
Mike Miller (Mem) had 22 points on 10-16 FG and 7 rebounds.
Lorenzen Wright (Mem, sore right knee) and Bonzi Wells (Mem, bruised ribs)
did not play.

Mia 109, Sac 107  at Sac
Eddie Jones (Mia) had 21 points and 5 assists.
Shaquille O'Neal (Mia) had 25 points on 11-19 FG and 3-13 FT and 10
rebounds including 5 offensive.
Dwyane Wade (Mia) had 22 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, and 5 turnovers.
Damon Jones (Mia) had 18 points including 4-8 3-pointers and the game
winning 3-pointer with 23.4 seconds left.
Peja Stojakovic (Sac) had 19 points and 7 rebounds.
Chris Webber (Sac) had 26 points.
Mike Bibby (Sac) had 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Bobby Jackson (Sac, torn ligament left wrist) did not play.