Today's games around the Association:

Detroit @ Atlanta, 7:00 PM

Washington @ Orlando, 7:00 PM

New Jersey @ Philadelphia, 7:00 PM

Charlotte @ Indiana, 7:00 PM

Minnesota @ Boston, 7:30 PM

Memphis @ NO/OK City, 8:00 PM

Dallas @ Houston, 8:30 PM

New York @ Chicago, 8:30 PM

Milwaukee @ San Antonio, 8:30 PM

Cleveland @ Denver, 9:00 PM

Toronto @ Portland, 10:00 PM

Phoenix @ LA Clippers, 10:30 PM

Daily Lines:

Detroit 9 ATLANTA
ORLANDO 1½ Washington
PHILADELPHIA 1½ New Jersey
INDIANA 8 Charlotte
BOSTON 1 Minnesota
Memphis 2½ NEW ORLEANS
Dallas 8½ HOUSTON
CHICAGO 1 New York
SAN ANTONIO 12½ Milwaukee
DENVER 4 Cleveland
Toronto 3 PORTLAND
Phoenix 2 LA CLIPPERS

do we post daly nba news in this thread too? or the NBA news thread? so confused

Sure - post anything related that doesn't deserve it's own thread.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AlPl1.4XV1WkVcGBBcCdrE68vLYF?slug=ap-magic-francis&prov=ap&type=lgns



Apologetic Francis rejoins Magic

By MARK LONG, AP Sports Writer
January 17, 2006

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Steve Francis apologized to teammates, coaches and fans Tuesday as he rejoined the Orlando Magic following his two-game suspension for refusing to re-enter a blowout game late in the fourth quarter.

Francis said all the right things in his return.

He called his decision "not a smart or wise one," said he hoped to remain with the club after the Feb. 23 trading deadline and added that he would be willing to "sacrifice" his starting role to benefit the team.





http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap;_ylt=AsmPlyqI9RyZaHD8NhF0ltK8vLYF?gid=200601 1726&prov=ap



SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Andrei Kirilenko spent much of the fourth quarter on the verge of his first career triple-double and the first for the Utah Jazz since 1999.

When he finally got it, Kirilenko allowed himself a quick fist pump to celebrate before running back to play defense.

Kirilenko finished with 18 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists to lead the Jazz to a 111-98 win over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, ending Utah's two-game losing streak and keeping the Jazz from falling below .500.

"I like it, but I like winning the game much more," Kirilenko said.



http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AvMrlXw4u9VwFpGd5d49pNu8vLYF?slug=ap-knicks-marbury&prov=ap&type=lgns



Marbury doubtful for Knicks' game at Chicago

By BRIAN MAHONEY, AP Basketball Writer
January 17, 2006

GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) -- New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury, who hasn't missed a game due to injury in five years, is doubtful for Wednesday's game at Chicago because of a sprained left shoulder.

Marbury was hurt in the fourth quarter of Monday's loss to Minnesota. X-rays after the game revealed no fracture, but Marbury's arm was in a sling Tuesday and he did not practice.


Marbury also could miss Thursday's home game against Detroit. He has played in 280 consecutive games, the league's fifth-longest current streak, and hasn't missed a game since Oct. 30, 2002, when he was suspended by the NBA for the Phoenix Suns' season opener.

"It means a lot but I'm just going to have to start up another one if I don't play tomorrow," Marbury said. "I play basketball for a living and this is what I do. I feel like for the money that we make that we're supposed to play through pain and through all of the things that we go through."



http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AgVBhENMbLW4NSUJnbaKUfO8vLYF?slug=ap-lakers-turiaf&prov=ap&type=lgns



Lakers sign Turiaf after open-heart surgery

By BETH HARRIS, AP Sports Writer
January 17, 2006

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Ronny Turiaf is back with the Los Angeles Lakers less than six months after having open-heart surgery.

The 23-year-old power forward signed a deal Tuesday.

"Of course, people would have some doubts about whether you could come back from open-heart surgery," he said during a conference call. "There is no worries. I feel comfortable that there is no risk."

Turiaf, a three-year starter at Gonzaga, was a second-round draft pick of the Lakers last June after averaging 15.9 points and 9.5 rebounds as a senior last season.

An enlarged aortic root was discovered by the Lakers in a physical exam four weeks after the draft, and Turiaf underwent surgery July 26 to repair the aortic root and preserve his aortic valve.

Remember when we picked up Sheed and Joe said "I saw him play and thought he was a Piston"? When I watch AK, I think he's a Piston (besides the injuries and contract).

BTW, Marbury has already said he probably isn't going to play tomorrow against the Pistons either.

BTW, Marbury has already said he probably isn't going to play tomorrow against the Pistons either.
this will make em tougher to beat if they get an actual point guard in to replace him.

BTW, Marbury has already said he probably isn't going to play tomorrow against the Pistons either.
this will make em tougher to beat if they get an actual point guard in to replace him.


Damn, beat me too it. I was going to say the same thing.

Why do I have the feeling that even if the Pistons have a big let down in turns of intensity tonight, they still win by 10?

Close game between SA and Milwaukee. SA up 90 - 87 with 27 seconds left in the game.

Anybody watching this Cavs/Nuggets game?

I really only have one comment on it. Those shoes Lebron has on make it look like he's wearing slippers.

Denver up 1 with 33 seconds left in the game.

Edit: Game tied at 87 after Lebron's FT. Denver's ball with 32.3 seconds left.

LOL@Pavlovic not passing to LeBron.

Why the fuck did Lebron pass up that wide open 3?

He did the same thing twice in his last game.

Lebron chokes at the line and then instead of taking a game winner he passes it off to random-lamovich and the Cavs lose the ball. Now its a foul shooting contest.

That was nice.

HUGE freethrows coming up for him now. Redemption?

wow, i'm surpised the refs called that foul. well, it IS lebron and he was being gang raped by two Nugget players.

He missed it.

LOL@LeBron choking!

you ain't Chauncey!!

Lebron chokes again.
http://academic.evergreen.edu/j/jenwil04/images/09.Choke.jpg

How can Lebron be the next MJ if he keeps choking like this?

The Piston game replay just started btw.

http://www.fortunecity.com/marina/shark/164/choke.jpg

Another close game in Portland.

Portland up by 1 over Toronto with 21 seconds left.