The NBA named Jason Richardson (GS) and Chauncey Billups (Det) as Players of the Week. Richardson averaged 24 points and 10.3 rebounds as Golden State went 3-1. Billups averaged 25.5 points and 6.3 assists as Detroit went 4-0.
The NBA suspended Steve Francis (Orl) for 2 more games, for a total of 3 games, for kicking a photographer during Friday's Orl-Sea game.
Cleveland fired head coach Paul Silas and named Brendan Malone as interim coach. Assistant coach Stephen Silas was also fired.
San Antonio activated Sean Marks and placed Tim Duncan on IR with a grade 2 sprained right ankle. Duncan is expected to be out 2 to 4 weeks.
Chicago activated Luol Deng and placed Jared Reiner on IR with a left hip flexor strain.
New York activated Jackie Butler and placed Anfrenee Hardaway on IR with a strained right hamstring.
Dal 103, NO 86 at Dal Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) had 25 points including 11-11 FT and 8 rebounds. Michael Finley (Dal) had 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Devin Harris (Dal) had 17 points including 5-7 FG and 3-3 3-pointers. Jamaal Magloire (NO) had 13 points on 2-6 FG and 9-14 FT and 12 rebounds including 5 offensive. J.R. Smith (NO) had 27 points including 10-11 FT. David West (NO, right knee) and Speedy Claxton (NO, sprained left ankle) did not play.
NY 88, SA 75 at NY Malik Rose (NY) had 18 points including 6-18 FG, 7 rebounds, and 5 turnovers. Tim Thomas (NY) had 14 points including 5-17 FG and 7 rebounds. Stephon Marbury (NY) had 31 points including 11-12 FT, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists. Tony Parker (SA) had 14 points and 6 assists. Devin Brown (SA) had 22 points and 8 rebounds. Kurt Thomas (NY, infected left elbow) did not play.
Chi 105, Atl 91 at Chi Eddy Curry (Chi) had 24 points and 6 rebounds. Kirk Hinrich (Chi) had 12 points and 10 assists. Ben Gordon (Chi) had 17 points. Al Harrington (Atl) had 15 points including 6-19 FG and 7 rebounds. Josh Childress (Atl) had 17 points and 7 rebounds.
Cha 102, Orl 97 at Cha Emeka Okafor (Cha) had 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Primoz Brezec (Cha) had 16 points including 7-9 FG, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Brevin Knight (Cha) had 19 points, 8 assists, and 3 steals. Grant Hill (Orl) had 25 points and 9 rebounds. Dwight Howard (Orl) had 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 turnovers. Malik Allen (Cha, sore left Achilles), Theron Smith (Cha, right knee), Pat Garrity (Orl, personal reasons), and Steve Francis (Orl, suspended) did not play.
LAC 96, Por 89 at LAC Bobby Simmons (LAC) had 15 points and 7 rebounds. Elton Brand (LAC) had 22 points including 10-17 FG, 6 rebounds, and 6 blocks. Corey Maggette (LAC) had 22 points including 10-14 FT, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 turnovers. Darius Miles (Por) had 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, and 6 turnovers. Shareef Abdur-Rahim (Por) had 23 points and 14 rebounds including 5 offensive. LAC shot 48% (36-75) FG and Por shot 34.1% (29-85) FG. Derek Anderson (Por, tight back) did not play.
Schedule for Tuesday, March 22 (All times Central) Detroit @ Cleveland 6:00 pm TNT Indiana @ New Jersey 6:30 pm Phoenix @ Atlanta 6:30 pm Washington @ Denver 8:00 pm LA Lakers @ Utah 8:00 pm Miami @ Houston 8:30 pm TNT Portland @ Sacramento 9:00 pm Milwaukee @ Seattle 9:00 pm
