News from December 31. Al Jefferson (Cha) underwent surgery on his right knee to repair a tear in his lateral meniscus and is expected to be out 6 weeks. Cleanthony Early (NY) is recovering from a gun shot wound to his right knee - MRI showed no structural damage. Early reports are that he will be out 2 to 3 months. Indiana activated Rakem Christmas and Shayne Whittington and placed Ian Mahinmi and George Hill on IL. Minnesota activated Damjan Rudez and placed Kevin Garnett on IL. Oklahoma City activated Mitch McGary and placed Steve Novak on IL. Mil 120, Ind 116 at Ind Greg Monroe (Mil) had 23 points including 10-12 FG. Khris Middleton (Mil) had 33 points including 12-18 FG and 4-6 3-pointers and 5 rebounds. Giannis Antekounmpo (Mil) had 14 points on 4-11 FG and 6-10 FT, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 4 blocks. Paul George (Ind) had 31 points including 5-9 3-pointers and 10-11 FT, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. C.J. Miles (Ind) had 19 points including 5-10 3-pointers and 5 rebounds. Det 115, Min 90 at Det Andre Drummond (Det) had 23 points including 11-14 FG and 18 rebounds including 7 offensive. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Det) had 22 points and 3 steals. Reggie Jackson (Det) had 19 points and 9 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns (Min) had 22 points including 10-17 FG and 9 rebounds. Andrew Wiggins (Min) had 21 points and 3 steals. GS 114, Hou 110 at Hou Klay Thompson (GS) had 38 points on 16-27 FG and 6-11 3-pointers and 7 rebounds. Shaun Livingston (GS) had 13 points and 7 assists. Andre Iguodala (GS) had 20 points including 6-7 FG. James Harden (Hou) had 30 points including 5-10 3-pointers, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Dwight Howard (Hou) had 21 points including 8-9 FG, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks. Leandro Barbosa (GS, strained left shoulder), Stephen Curry (GS), bruised lower left leg), and Festus Ezeli (GS, sore left toe) did not play. LAC 95, NO 89 at NO DeAndre Jordan (LAC) had 11 points including 5-7 FG, 20 rebounds including 8 offensive, and 3 blocks. J.J. Redick (LAC) had 26 points including 9-15 FG and 4-7 3-pointers. Jamal Crawford (LAC) had 15 points. Anthony Davis (NO) had 14 points and 15 rebounds. Ryan Anderson (NO) had 17 points including 7-11 FG. OKC 110, Pho 106 at OKC Russell Westbrook (OKC) had 36 points on 12-19 FG and 11-11 FT, 12 assists, and 5 steals. Kevin Durant (OKC) had 23 points. T.J. Warren (Pho) had 29 points including 11-17 FG, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals. P.J. Tucker (Pho) had 22 points on 10-14 FG, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals. Uta 109, Por 96 at Uta Gordon Hayward (Uta) had 23 points including 4-12 3-pointers and 10 rebounds. Rodney Hood (Uta) had 18 points including 4-7 3-pointers, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Trey Burke (Uta) had 27 points including 12-19 FG. C.J. McCollum (Por) had 32 points including 6-11 3-pointers, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Meyers Leonard (Por) had 17 points on 6-8 FG and 5-8 3-pointers. Derrick Favors (Uta, back spasms) did not play. ---- 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