News from December 16. Yao Ming (Hou) has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left ankle and remains out indefinitely. Joakim Noah (Chi) underwent surgery on his right hand to repair a torn ligament. He is expected to be out 8 to 10 weeks. Rajon Rondo (Bos) is expected to be out a couple of weeks with a sprained left ankle. Atlanta activated Jordan Crawford and placed Jamal Crawford (sore back) on IL. Washington activated John Wallace and placed Yi Jianlian (sprained right knee) on IL. New Jersey activated Troy Murphy and placed Sasha Vujacic on IL. SA 113, Den 112 at Den Tim Duncan (SA) had 28 points including 12-18 FG, 16 rebounds including 5 offensive, and 4 blocks. Tony Parker (SA) had 24 points and 9 assists. Manu Ginobili (SA) had 16 points including 5-15 FG and the game winning layup with 4.2 seconds left. Carmelo Anthony (Den) had 31 points including 10-14 FT and 9 rebounds. Nene (Den) had 19 points and 5 rebounds. Arron Afflalo (Den) had 20 points and 5 rebounds. Chauncey Billups (Den, torn ligament right wrist) did not play. Bos 102, Atl 90 at Bos Paul Pierce (Bos) had 15 points including 5-15 FG, 5 rebounds, and 10 assists. Kevin Garnett (Bos) had 17 points including 8-10 FG and 14 rebounds. Ray Allen (Bos) had 18 points, 6 assists, and 4 steals. Glen Davis (Bos) had 18 points and 10 rebounds. Marvin Williams (Atl) had 26 points including 9-15 FG and 5 rebounds. Jeff Teague (Atl) had 18 points including 8-11 FG and 3 steals. Bos shot 8-11 FT and Atl shot 19-24 FT. Shaquille O'Neal (Bos, sore right calf) and Rajon Rondo (Bos, sprained left ankle) did not play. NJ 97, Was 89 at NJ Kris Humphries (NJ) had 12 points, 17 rebounds including 6 offensive, and 5 turnovers. Brook Lopez (NJ) had 18 points and 5 rebounds. Devin Harris (NJ) had 29 points on 7-25 FG and 14-17 FT and 9 assists. Gilbert Arenas (Was) had 19 points and 9 assists. Nick Young (Was) had 22 points including 9-10 FT. Anthony Morrow (NJ, strained right hamstring) and John Wall (Was, right knee tendinitis) did not play. Schedule for Friday, December 17 (All times Central) Cleveland @ Indiana 6:00 pm Miami @ New York 6:00 pm ESPN LA Lakers @ Philadelphia 6:00 pm New Jersey @ Toronto 6:00 pm Charlotte @ Atlanta 6:30 pm LA Clippers @ Detroit 6:30 pm Utah @ New Orleans 7:00 pm Sacramento @ Oklahoma City 7:00 pm Memphis @ Houston 7:30 pm Phoenix @ Dallas 8:30 pm ESPN Minnesota @ Portland 9:00 pm Schedule for Saturday, December 18 (All times Central) Philadelphia @ Orlando 6:00 pm Miami @ Washington 6:00 pm NBATV New York @ Cleveland 6:30 pm LA Clippers @ Chicago 7:00 pm Utah @ Milwaukee 7:30 pm Memphis @ San Antonio 7:30 pm Minnesota @ Denver 8:00 pm Golden State @ Portland 9:00 pm ---- Patricia Bender pbender@eskimo.com For Trianglons puzzles: http://www.trianglons.com For NBA stuff: http://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/index.html For Mavs stuff: http://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/mavs.html