News from February 2. Deron Williams (Uta), Derrick Rose (Chi), Steve Nash (Pho), and Brandon Jennings (Mil) were named as contestants for the Skills Challenge for All-Star Saturday on February 13. Anthony Morrow (GS) was named as a replacement for Derrick Rose (Chi) for the Rookie-Sophomore game. Rose was allowed not to play in the game as he will participate in the Skills Challenge competition and play in the All-Star game. J.R. Giddens (Bos) underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Cleveland signed Cedric Jackson to a 2nd 10-day contract. Del Harris resigned as an assistant coach for New Jersey. The LA Clippers activated Chris Kaman and placed Brian Skinner on IL. Detroit activated Will Bynum and placed Chucky Atkins on IL. New Jersey activated Devin Harris and placed Keyon Dooling (hip injury) on IL. OKC 106, Atl 99 at OKC Kevin Durant (OKC) had 33 points including 14-14 FT and 11 rebounds. Jeff Green (OKC) had 19 points including 3-4 3-pointers and 6 rebounds. Russell Westbrook (OKC) had 12 points including 5-16 FG, 9 rebounds including 5 offensive, and 9 assists. Josh Smith (Atl) had 15 points and 6 rebounds. Joe Johnson (Atl) had 37 points including 13-20 FG and 5 turnovers. Ind 130, Tor 115 at Ind Danny Granter (Ind) had 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Troy Murphy (Ind) had 20 points and 14 rebounds. Roy Hibbert (Ind) had 18 points and 9 rebounds. Marco Belinelli (Tor) had 21 points including 3-4 3-pointers and 5 rebounds. Chris Bosh (Tor) had 35 points including 9-12 FT and 15 rebounds including 5 offensive. Andrea Bargnani (Tor) had 34 points including 14-21 FG and 4-6 3-pointers. Hedo Turkoglu (Tor, fractured orbital bone right eye) did not play. Orl 99, Mil 82 at Orl Dwight Howard (Orl) had 22 points on 7-10 FG and 8-13 FT, 11 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 6 turnovers. Vince Carter (Orl) had 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. J.J. Redick (Orl) had 15 points including 4-5 FG and 3-4 3-pointers. Charlie Bell (Mil) had 13 points. Luke Ridnour (Mil) had 13 points. Orl shot 46.5% (33-71) FG and Mil shot 36.3% (33-91) FG. Jameer Nelson (Orl, hyperextended left knee) and Mickael Pietrus (Orl, sprained right ankle) did not play. Hou 119, GS 97 at Hou Aaron Brooks (Hou) had 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. Trevor Ariza (Hou) had 18 points and 5 rebounds. Karl Landry (Hou) had 24 points including 12-13 FT and 5 rebounds. Monta Ellis (GS) had 34 points including 13-22 FG. Coby Karl (GS) had 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. Hou shot 26-31 FT and GS shot 9-15 FT. Hou out-rebounded GS 57-35 including 12-10 offensive. Kyle Lowry (Hou, sprained left knee), Corey Maggette (GS, left hip pointer), and Anthony Morrow (GS, sprained right knee) did not play. Cle 105, Mem 89 at Cle LeBron James (Cle) had 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 15 assists. J.J. Hickson (Cle) had 15 points and 8 rebounds. Shaquille O'Neal (Cle) had 13 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Rudy Gay (Mem) had 15 points. Jamaal Tinsley (Mem) had 12 points. Det 97, NJ 93 at NJ Tayshaun Prince (Det) had 15 points and 8 rebounds. Rodney Stuckey (Det) had 21 points and 8 assists. Richard Hamilton (Det) had 22 points, 5 assists, and 7 rebounds. Brook Lopez (NJ) had 27 points including 11-16 FG and 7 rebounds. Devin Harris (NJ) had 24 points including 10-11 FT, 5 rebounds, and 14 assists. LAC 90, Chi 82 at Chi Marcus Camby (LAC) had 11 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 4 steals. Chris Kaman (LAC) had 21 points and 11 rebounds. Eric Gordon (LAC) had 24 points including 7-10 FT and 6 rebounds. Luol Deng (Chi) had 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals. Derrick Rose (Chi) had 16 points including 7-20 FG. Schedule for Wednesday, February 3 (All times Central) LA Clippers @ Atlanta 6:00 pm Chicago @ Philadelphia 6:00 pm New Jersey @ Toronto 6:00 pm Washington @ New York 6:30 pm Miami @ Boston 7:00 pm ESPN Oklahoma City @ New Orleans 7:00 pm Golden State @ Dallas 7:30 pm Portland @ Utah 8:00 pm San Antonio @ Sacramento 9:00 pm Phoenix @ Denver 9:30 pm ESPN Charlotte @ LA Lakers 9:30 pm ---- Patricia Bender pbender@eskimo.com For NBA stuff: http://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/index.html For Mavs stuff: http://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/mavs.html