News from February 17.

West Coach Gregg Popovich (SA) named Tim Duncan (SA) as the injury
replacement starter for Yao Ming (Hou) for the All-Star game.

Stephen Curry (GS), Chris Paul (NO), Derrick Rose (Chi), John Wall (Was),
and Russell Westbrook (OKC) were named as contestants for the Skills
Challenge for All-Star Saturday on February 13.

James Harden (OKC) was named as injury replacement for Tyreke Evans (Sac,
plantar fasciitis left foot) for the Sophomore Team for the
Rookie-Sophomore game.


Stats Leaders
Points
Kevin Durant (OKC)       28.9
Amare Stoudemire (NY)    26.1
LeBron james (Mia)       26.1

Rebounds
Kevin Love (Min)         15.5
Dwight Howard (Orl)      13.8
Zach Randolph (Mem)      13.2

Assists
Rajon Rondo (Bos)        12.2
Steve Nash (Pho)         11.3
Deron Williams (Uta)      9.7


Dal 112, Pho 106  at Pho
Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) had 35 points including 13-18 FG and 3-3 3-pointers.
Tyson Chandler (Dal) had 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Jason Terry (Dal) had 16 points, 7 assists, and 3 steals.
Channing Frye (Pho) had 24 points including 9-15 FG and 8 rebounds.
Steve Nash (Pho) had 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 14 assists.
J.J. Barea (Dal, ill) did not play.

Chi 109, SA 99  at Chi
Luol Deng (Chi) had 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Carlos Boozer (Chi) had 15 points and 6 rebounds.
Derrick Rose (Chi) had 42 points including 18-28 FG, 5 rebounds, and 8
assists.
Tim Duncan (SA) had 14 points and 9 rebounds.
Tony Parker (SA) had 26 points.
Tiago Splitter (SA, strained left hamstring) did not play.


All-Star weekend - at Los Angeles
  Schedule for Friday, February 18  (All times Central)
    Rookie and Sophomore Practices  11:30 am  NBATV
    All-Star Interviews              2:00 pm  NBATV
    Rookie-Sophomore Game            8:00 pm  TNT

  Schedule for Saturday, February 19  (All times Central)
    East and West Practices         12:30 pm  NBATV
    NBADL All-Star Game              4:00 pm  NBATV
    David Stern Press Conference     6:00 pm  NBATV
    All-Star Saturday Night          7:30 pm  TNT
      Skills Challenge
      Shooting Stars Contest
      3-Point Shootout
      Slam Dunk Contest

  Schedule for Sunday, February 20  (All times Central)
    NBA Legends Brunch               2:00 pm  NBATV
    All-Star Game                    7:30 pm  TNT


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  Patricia Bender                       pbender@eskimo.com
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