1st February: Games and other news.

Games today:
1. Houston Rockets pick up the win over the Boston Celts, 97-94. Jon Barry scored 17 (15 in the 4th). Yao Ming gave up 23. Houston's 4th consecutive win in Boston. T-Mac is battling a sore back.

2. Philly 76ers beat the Indiana Pacers 89-88. Some last-minute heroics by Karl Korver, a 15 foot beauty with 6.5 seconds on the clock, clinched the win for Philly. A.I., back from a shoulder injury, threw up 27 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and dished out 8 assists.

3. The Atlanta Hawks beat out the Orlando Magic 79-80. Grant Hill's potentially game-winning jumper didn't quite hit the mark, hitting the rim twice before rolling off. Antoine Walker hit a 16-foot fadeaway with 2.3 remaining to lift Atlanta to a 1 point lead.

4. The hungry Grizzlies in Memphis stole a 98-91 win from the New Orleans Hornets.

5. San Antonio's Spurs got their road-trip off to a good start with a 103-84 win over Seattle's Supersonics. Manu Ginobilli scored 25 points, as 5 Spurs hit the double-figures. TD had 21 points and 10 rebounds, Tony Parker added 17 points. Supersonic star Ray Allen missed the game due to a viral infection.

6. L.A. Clippers aren't doing too bad this season...they're still facing relegation from the playoffs, but they secured a 96-89 home win over the New York Knicks.

In other news...Kobe Bryant is still out for the Lakers, due to a "very sprained ankle". He is expected to return in time for the NBA All Star Game, to be held on February 20th, in Denver.

Miami head coach Stan Van Gundy is tipped to coach the Eastern All Stars...lucky for Shaq. Van Gundy's Miami Heat are currently 32-13, heading the Eastern conference.

That's all folks!
Gayatri.