News from April 20.

The NBA named Tim Duncan (SA) as Rookie of the Month for April.  Duncan
averaged 26.9 points, 12 rebounds, and 2.6 rebounds as San Antonio went 
6-3.  Duncan joined Ralph Sampson (Hou, 83-84) and David Robinson (SA,
89-90) as the only players to win Rookie of the Month each month in the
season since its inception in 1981-82.  
 
The NBA named Jason Kidd (Pho) as Player of the Week.  Kidd averaged 17.3
points, 11 assists, 8.3 rebounds, and 4 steals as Phoenix went 3-1.

After completing a league worst record of 11-71, Denver fired rookie head
coach Bill Hanzlik.  Assistants T.R. Dunn and Brian Winters were also
fired.

After his 4th season with the Clippers and compiling a 17-65 record this
season, the LA Clippers fired head coach Bill Fitch.  Fitch is the only
NBA coach to have coached in over 2,000 games.  His 4 years coaching the
Clippers actually ties the longest consecutive coaching tenure in 
Clippers history (including San Diego and Buffalo Braves) joining Jack 
Ramsay (72-73 - 75-76).   The Clippers also fired assistants Jim Brewer,
Barry Heckler, and Rex Kalamian.


Playoff Standings
  1st Round             2nd Round            3rd Round         Finals
  (Best of 5)           (Best of 7)          (Best of 7)     (Best of 7)
1 Utah (0)    _____
8 Houston (0)      |_ _____________ _____
                    _ _____________      |
4 Phoenix (0)     _|                     |_ _____________ _
5 San Antonio (0)                         _ _____________  |
                                         |                 |
2 Seattle (0)   ___                      |                 |
7 Minnesota (0)    |_ _____________ _____|                 |
                    _ _____________                        |
3 LA Lakers (0) ___|                                       |
6 Portland (0)                                             |_ ___________
                                                            _ ___________
                                                           |
1 Chicago (0)    __                                        |
8 New Jersey (0)   |_ _____________  ____                  |
                    _ _____________      |                 |
4 Charlotte (0) ___|                     |                 |
5 Atlanta (0)                            |_ _____________ _|
                                          _ _____________ 
2 Miami (0)    ____                      |
7 New York (0)     |_ _____________ _____|
                    _ _____________    
3 Indiana (0)   ___|
6 Cleveland (0)