2006
Advanced news and notes for the Saturday and Sunday card
are at JoeDuffy.net
NBA
·
14-3 to
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New Jersey-Toronto series under 6-8 in
Nets-Raptors
North Jersey.com
The Nets left for
without starting small forward Richard Jefferson, whose ankle troubles are
becoming a cause for concern.
against the Raptors tonight and could miss Saturday’s home game against
because of a sore right ankle. This certainly put a damper on the Nets’
two-game winning streak. They’re already without Cliff Robinson and also could
be minus backup point guard Marcus Williams, who is questionable with a
strained lower back. Nenad Krstic
jammed his left ring finger, but is expected to play. Antoine Wright will start
in
Adams and perhaps Bostjan Nachbar
will get more time tonight.
Sonics-Cavaliers
Seattle
The Sonics are having a rough road trip heading into
tonight’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, primarily because of the
absence of Ray Allen. That might be a temporary condition as the bone bruise in
Allen’s right ankle is healing and he could be back for the Dec. 23 game
against the Toronto Raptors, coach Bob Hill said.
Allen has missed the past five games with a bruise of the talus bone, the
humped-shaped bone just above the ankle. The Sonics enter tonight 3-2 without
Allen, but have lost two consecutive games.
76ers-Mavericks
Philadelphia
With the imminent departure of Iverson, it’s safe to
assume the Sixers’ points per game will be decreasing. They have averaged 85.5
points since he was sent into exile by Billy King and Maurice Cheeks, including
their three lowest point totals of the season against the Trail Blazers (79),
Celtics (81) and Magic (84). 11.9 is the average points by which the Sixers
have been outscored during their nine-game losing streak.
Rockets-Lakers
Associated Press
Rockets guard Tracy McGrady missed
his second game with back spasms and is doubtful to play tonight against the
Lakers.