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The Suns shot 55.9 percent Wednesday and lost, with wings Grant Hill, Raja Bell and Leandro Barbosa combining for 11 points instead of the 41.5 they average. Barbosa did not make a shot. Hill has not scored in double digits in five of the past seven games. "We're still figuring it all out," Hill said in the wake of his four-point Wednesday.
Jermaine O'Neal is expected to play tonight for the Pacers for the first time since Jan. 16. O'Neal has been out with knee troubles, but practiced yesterday and reported no problems. Even if the knee is fine, his conditioning probably will limit him to only a few minutes.
Maurice Ager did not travel to Indiana because of an upper respiratory infection.
Jermaine O'Neal returns to help his teammates make one final push.
O'Neal, who missed more than two months with a knee problem, continues to say he could return any day. He's not in game shape, but his presence improves the Pacers, particularly on defense.
Ask Hawks point guard Mike Bibby a question and he'll give you a direct answer.
"Unless there's something torn or broken I'm playing," he said.
Those were Bibby's last words as he left Philips Arena Thursday for an appointment with a specialist who was going to examine his sprained left thumb.
Bibby was right. He will play tonight when the Hawks host Chicago at Philips Arena.
The results of Thursday's MRI exam on his thumb were negative. That's the same thumb that cost Bibby 36 games this season after surgery to repair a torn ligament.
The Hornets have virtually been unshakeable, particularly in the fourth quarter, when they have been able to close out opponents regardless of their performance in the opening three quarters.
"There are still games left to go, and whenever you see the standings, they are changing, so it's real tough," forward Peja Stojakovic said.
The Hornets have won nine of 11 games decided by four points or less because of Paul's ability to control the tempo and West's ability to make shots from mid-range, along with Stojakovic's and Jannero Pargo's clutch shooting and Tyson Chandler's inside presence.
"We're going to be up for Boston, because it's a chance to get to 50 wins," Chandler said.
Celtics guard Rajon Rondo rode an exercise bicycle during yesterday's practice because of a right hamstring injury he suffered in the third quarter of Wednesday's win against Phoenix. "I'm playing [against New Orleans] for sure," he said .
The Hornets are the only team the Celtics have not beaten this season .
While small forward Hedo Turkoglu said he'll play tonight in Milwaukee, the Orlando Magic are expected to hold out point guard Jameer Nelson -- maybe just to keep him away from friendly fire from teammate Dwight Howard for a while.
Nelson, who has a history of concussions, said it appears the team is taking a precaution after he was struck on the chin by an inadvertent forearm from Howard in Tuesday night's loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
Nelson was not allowed by team doctors to return after taking the first-quarter hit and said he later felt dizzy and nauseous -- typical concussion-like symptoms. He also was held out of Thursday's practice.
Turkoglu, the club's second-leading scorer and a candidate for the most-improved player award, was injured trying to brace his fall. He did not return to the game. He said an MRI showed nothing but swelling.
Being right-handed, he said his only difficulty likely will be some discomfort as he shoots the ball. Turkoglu did not practice Thursday but went through some light shooting drills and is determined to play all 82 games this season for the first time in his career.
Andrew Bogut's bloody collision with Atlanta Hawks forward Marvin Williams is not expected to keep the Milwaukee Bucks center out of the lineup this weekend.
"I don't suspect there will be any problem with that (playing) at all. He was interested in staying in last night, if it wouldn't have been bleeding so much. He's not going to miss anything."
Nine losses in a row, 16 in 18 games: The numbers aren't looking pretty for the Clippers, and there is no reprieve awaiting them in Utah, where they are a staggering 1-31. The Clippers upset the Jazz, 114-104, in their last meeting in L.A. on Feb. 22. Chris Kaman returned from lower back pains in a 97-88 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, scoring 16 with five rebounds.
The Jazz are eager to avenge last month's loss to the Clippers on the road. "They took it to us the last time we played them and we haven't forgot that,'' Carlos Boozer said.
Kings coach Reggie Theus said he does not expect to have point guard Beno Udrih (strained lower back) or rookie center Spencer Hawes (sprained left ankle) available against Washington tonight.
Point guard Anthony Johnson has a sprained left ankle as well, although he is probable. Theus has tried to avoid playing Francisco García at the point but he might not have a choice.
A troublesome right pinkie forced Chris Wilcox to end the season prematurely.
The Sonics forward considered staying in the lineup, but after receiving a second opinion from a hand specialist and talking with his agent, Jeff Schwartz, and team officials on Thursday, Wilcox chose to sit out the final 10 games.
Kobe Bryant is collecting technical fouls in a flurry and will be automatically suspended by the league for one game if he picks up one more technical in the Lakers' last 10 regular-season games.
Center Pau Gasol might return Sunday against Washington after a pain-free day with his sprained left ankle
Kwame Brown and Javaris Crittenton return to Staples Center tonight with Memphis, although only one of them might play.
Brown has not gotten off the bench the last four games and barely played five minutes the two games before that. He is averaging only 2.5 points and 3.4 rebounds with the Grizzlies. As Jackson noted, "He doesn't play except for blowouts."
Crittenton has shown spurts of strong play, scoring 22 points against Houston and 17 against Chicago. Overall, though, he is averaging 6.9 points, one assist and 16.6 minutes a game with the Grizzlies.
Jackson thought Kobe Bryant was slowed Wednesday against Charlotte because of a sprained right ankle suffered Sunday against Golden State. "Guys were taking him to the basket," Jackson said. "Those type of things were really apparent [Wednesday] night."...Center Chris Mihm did some half-court scrimmaging at Thursday's practice but is not expected to play tonight. He has not played since Dec. 23 because of an injured right foot.
The Suns shot 55.9 percent Wednesday and lost, with wings Grant Hill, Raja Bell and Leandro Barbosa combining for 11 points instead of the 41.5 they average. Barbosa did not make a shot. Hill has not scored in double digits in five of the past seven games. "We're still figuring it all out," Hill said in the wake of his four-point Wednesday.
Jermaine O'Neal is expected to play tonight for the Pacers for the first time since Jan. 16. O'Neal has been out with knee troubles, but practiced yesterday and reported no problems. Even if the knee is fine, his conditioning probably will limit him to only a few minutes.
Maurice Ager did not travel to Indiana because of an upper respiratory infection.
Jermaine O'Neal returns to help his teammates make one final push.
O'Neal, who missed more than two months with a knee problem, continues to say he could return any day. He's not in game shape, but his presence improves the Pacers, particularly on defense.
Ask Hawks point guard Mike Bibby a question and he'll give you a direct answer.
"Unless there's something torn or broken I'm playing," he said.
Those were Bibby's last words as he left Philips Arena Thursday for an appointment with a specialist who was going to examine his sprained left thumb.
Bibby was right. He will play tonight when the Hawks host Chicago at Philips Arena.
The results of Thursday's MRI exam on his thumb were negative. That's the same thumb that cost Bibby 36 games this season after surgery to repair a torn ligament.
The Hornets have virtually been unshakeable, particularly in the fourth quarter, when they have been able to close out opponents regardless of their performance in the opening three quarters.
"There are still games left to go, and whenever you see the standings, they are changing, so it's real tough," forward Peja Stojakovic said.
The Hornets have won nine of 11 games decided by four points or less because of Paul's ability to control the tempo and West's ability to make shots from mid-range, along with Stojakovic's and Jannero Pargo's clutch shooting and Tyson Chandler's inside presence.
"We're going to be up for Boston, because it's a chance to get to 50 wins," Chandler said.
Celtics guard Rajon Rondo rode an exercise bicycle during yesterday's practice because of a right hamstring injury he suffered in the third quarter of Wednesday's win against Phoenix. "I'm playing [against New Orleans] for sure," he said .
The Hornets are the only team the Celtics have not beaten this season .
While small forward Hedo Turkoglu said he'll play tonight in Milwaukee, the Orlando Magic are expected to hold out point guard Jameer Nelson -- maybe just to keep him away from friendly fire from teammate Dwight Howard for a while.
Nelson, who has a history of concussions, said it appears the team is taking a precaution after he was struck on the chin by an inadvertent forearm from Howard in Tuesday night's loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
Nelson was not allowed by team doctors to return after taking the first-quarter hit and said he later felt dizzy and nauseous -- typical concussion-like symptoms. He also was held out of Thursday's practice.
Turkoglu, the club's second-leading scorer and a candidate for the most-improved player award, was injured trying to brace his fall. He did not return to the game. He said an MRI showed nothing but swelling.
Being right-handed, he said his only difficulty likely will be some discomfort as he shoots the ball. Turkoglu did not practice Thursday but went through some light shooting drills and is determined to play all 82 games this season for the first time in his career.
Andrew Bogut's bloody collision with Atlanta Hawks forward Marvin Williams is not expected to keep the Milwaukee Bucks center out of the lineup this weekend.
"I don't suspect there will be any problem with that (playing) at all. He was interested in staying in last night, if it wouldn't have been bleeding so much. He's not going to miss anything."
Nine losses in a row, 16 in 18 games: The numbers aren't looking pretty for the Clippers, and there is no reprieve awaiting them in Utah, where they are a staggering 1-31. The Clippers upset the Jazz, 114-104, in their last meeting in L.A. on Feb. 22. Chris Kaman returned from lower back pains in a 97-88 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, scoring 16 with five rebounds.
The Jazz are eager to avenge last month's loss to the Clippers on the road. "They took it to us the last time we played them and we haven't forgot that,'' Carlos Boozer said.
Kings coach Reggie Theus said he does not expect to have point guard Beno Udrih (strained lower back) or rookie center Spencer Hawes (sprained left ankle) available against Washington tonight.
Point guard Anthony Johnson has a sprained left ankle as well, although he is probable. Theus has tried to avoid playing Francisco García at the point but he might not have a choice.
A troublesome right pinkie forced Chris Wilcox to end the season prematurely.
The Sonics forward considered staying in the lineup, but after receiving a second opinion from a hand specialist and talking with his agent, Jeff Schwartz, and team officials on Thursday, Wilcox chose to sit out the final 10 games.
Kobe Bryant is collecting technical fouls in a flurry and will be automatically suspended by the league for one game if he picks up one more technical in the Lakers' last 10 regular-season games.
Center Pau Gasol might return Sunday against Washington after a pain-free day with his sprained left ankle
Kwame Brown and Javaris Crittenton return to Staples Center tonight with Memphis, although only one of them might play.
Brown has not gotten off the bench the last four games and barely played five minutes the two games before that. He is averaging only 2.5 points and 3.4 rebounds with the Grizzlies. As Jackson noted, "He doesn't play except for blowouts."
Crittenton has shown spurts of strong play, scoring 22 points against Houston and 17 against Chicago. Overall, though, he is averaging 6.9 points, one assist and 16.6 minutes a game with the Grizzlies.
Jackson thought Kobe Bryant was slowed Wednesday against Charlotte because of a sprained right ankle suffered Sunday against Golden State. "Guys were taking him to the basket," Jackson said. "Those type of things were really apparent [Wednesday] night."...Center Chris Mihm did some half-court scrimmaging at Thursday's practice but is not expected to play tonight. He has not played since Dec. 23 because of an injured right foot.