Streaking Pacers fend off Knicks

INDIANAPOLIS — First the Heat, now the Knicks.

The Indiana Pacers are proving they can beat up on everyone in the Eastern Conference these days.

Paul George scored seven of his 25 points during a decisive 13-0 fourth-quarter run, leading the Pacers past New York 81-76 on a night the Knicks were without their top scorer, Carmelo Anthony. Indiana has won 12 of 15 and swept the two other Eastern Conference division leaders this week.

"We want to compete for the one and two (seeds) and for sure want to compete for the No. 1 spot," George said. "We probably could be pushing one or two if we would have started off playing the way we're playing right now."

Clearly, the Knicks (23-12) weren't the same without their All-Star forward, who was suspended for the game after Monday's postgame confrontation with Boston's Kevin Garnett. They finished with a season-low point total, shot just 34.8 percent from the field and 20 percent from 3-point range.

And the Pacers (22-14) took Anthony's absence by pulling off a rare double — beating defending champion Miami and Atlantic Division-leading New York — in back-to-back games.

It's about time. The Pacers came into this season with high expectations, but struggled early as they tried to adjust to life without their top scorer, Danny Granger, who still has not played because of a left knee injury.

Now, they're rolling. Indiana has won nine straight home games, their longest streak since 2002-03, and their suffocating defense limited the short-handed Knicks to just three points over the final 6? minutes of the first quarter and into 11 straight misses during the opening part of the fourth.

"They did what they had to do to secure the win," Knicks coach Mike Woodson said.

Nobody did more than Indiana's new leader.

George started the game by missing his first five shots, but wound up finishing 10 of 24 from the field. He also had 11 rebounds, six steals, five assists and one block on a night point guard George Hill played with bronchitis and All-Star center Roy Hibbert left twice with a bad back.

But George got help from some surprising places.

Ian Mahinmi finished with 13 points and six rebounds, and Lance Stephenson added nine points and seven rebounds.

"He (George) is just blossoming in front of our eyes with special performance after special performance after special performance," Indiana coach Frank Vogel said. "He's leading our defense, which is becoming a beast and our guys are embracing that identity."

It wasn't just Anthony who was missing for New York. He spent the day at the team hotel.

Doctors also told Woodson to limit Amare Stoudemire to 21 minutes as he tries to work his way back from October knee surgery. Stoudemire wound up playing 21:31 and scoring nine points, and the Knicks lost starting forward Marcus Camby for all but 2? minutes of the second half after the longtime veteran re-injured his left foot.

Without those three, the Knicks were led by J.R. Smith, who had 25 points and almost single-handedly rallied New York in the second half. Tyson Chandler had 12 points and 15 rebounds, and nobody else scored more than eight.

Trail Blazers 92, Heat 90

In Portland, Wesley Matthews made a 3-pointer to put the hosts in front with 26.9 seconds left and the Trail Blazers hung on to beat Miami for their fourth straight win and ninth in a row at the Rose Garden.

Portland held LeBron James to 15 points, snapping his 54-game streak with at least 20 points that dated back to last season.

Miami led by as many as 13 points but lost for the fifth time in eight games.

Nicolas Batum led the Blazers with 28 points, and LaMarcus Aldridge had 20 points and 15 rebounds. Matthews finished with 18 points.

Chris Bosh had 29 points for the Eastern Conference-leading Heat.

Mavericks 117, Kings 112 (OT)

In Sacramento, O.J. Mayo had 24 points and 10 rebounds, Vince Carter scored 23 points off the bench and Dallas rallied from 17 points down to beat the hosts in overtime.

Shawn Marion added 19 points and 10 rebounds to help the Mavericks snap a four-game losing streak. Dallas, which had lost 10 of 11, finished its short road trip 1-2.

The Kings' DeMarcus Cousins had 29 points and nine rebounds before getting ejected in overtime for elbowing Carter in the face.

SACRAMENTO, California — Aaron Brooks has been in an awkward spot since news surfaced that the Sacramento Kings could be sold and moved to his hometown of Seattle.

The Kings guard has no answers for family and friends who have been calling and texting for information. Even the excitement his brother, Alvertis, had when he showed up for a visit evaporated once he realized those in Sacramento might feel the same sorrow as when the SuperSonics left for Oklahoma City in 2008.

"Seattle does need a team. But you would hate to have a team leave a city you know wants a basketball team," Brooks said. "It's unfortunate."

For Sacramento players, coaches and fans, this is not an easy time.

In the first game since the latest — and perhaps most serious — round of relocation talks began, the Kings lost to the Dallas Mavericks in overtime Thursday night, with chatter around the aging arena seemingly centering on everything but basketball.

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Knicks ease to victory over local rival Nets

NEW YORK — Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks know they can't entirely dismiss the rivalry talk, not with the Nets just a few miles away.

Hardwood showdown: Brooklyn's Kris Humphries (43) and New York's Ronnie Brewer (11) fight for a loose ball during the Knicks' 100-86 win on Wednesday. AP

On the court and in the standings, the distance keeps growing.

Anthony scored 31 points in his return to the lineup, and New York beat Brooklyn 100-86 on Wednesday night in the third meeting this season between the city rivals.

After two tight games in Brooklyn, the Knicks turned the first one at Madison Square Garden into a rout by dominating the second half. Anthony, who missed two games with a sprained left ankle, moved fine and shot well, though his scoring average against the Nets this season actually dropped to 37 points per game.

"At the end of the day, these are statement games, these are big games, divisional games," Anthony said. "They're right across the bridge, so these games definitely mean a lot."

J.R. Smith added 19 points and Tyson Chandler had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks, who bounced back from their first home loss Monday against Jeremy Lin and Houston, improving to 11-1 at MSG.

Chandler scored 12 on 6-of-8 shooting in the second half.

"I just wanted to close the game. I wanted to make a statement," Chandler said. "Tonight was a big game for us, a game in our division, an opportunity to gain a full game as far as the lead goes, and we have to make statements like that."

Joe Johnson scored 17 points for Brooklyn, which has lost three straight and eight of 10. What once was a deadlock for the Atlantic Division lead after the first meeting is now a six-game advantage for the Knicks.

"We have a lot of season left. We'll get it turned around," Nets coach Avery Johnson said. "We're going to get back in the lab on Friday and work on some parts of our game and get this bad taste out."

Deron Williams and Brook Lopez each had 16 points for Brooklyn.

The Nets won 96-89 in overtime on Nov. 26 in the rescheduled season opener that was postponed after Superstorm Sandy, and the Knicks pulled out a 100-97 victory Dec. 11 behind Anthony's 45 points and Jason Kidd's tiebreaking 3-pointer with 24 seconds left.

This one was only close for a half with the Knicks outscoring the Nets 48-38 in the final 24 minutes.

"Once they started hitting the way they did, it's kind of deflating," Williams said. "It takes you away from your game. You try to get it all back at once instead of being patient and executing like we did in the first half."

Thunder 100, Hawks 92

In Atlanta, Kevin Durant set a season high with 41 points and had 13 rebounds as Oklahoma City held off the Hawks for its 12th straight win.

Celtics 103, Cavaliers 91

In Boston, Paul Pierce scored 25 of his season-high 40 points in the second half, hitting 10 of his 11 shots after halftime.

Grizzlies 90, Bucks 80

In Memphis, Zach Randolph had 15 points and 17 rebounds, and Marc Gasol had 12 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Grizzlies over Milwaukee.

Pacers 104, Jazz 84

In Indianapolis, reserve guard Gerald Green scored a season-high 21 points, and Paul George had 20 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks to help Indiana beat Utah.

Rockets 125, 76ers 103

In Houston, James Harden had 33 points and seven assists to lead the Rockets to a victory over Philadelphia.

Suns 121, Bobcats 104

In Phoenix, Shannon Brown scored a season-high 26 points and the Suns hit a season-high 17 3-pointers to send Charlotte to its league-worst 13th straight loss.

Raptors 97, Pistons 91

In Toronto, DeMar DeRozan had 23 points, Alan Anderson scored 12 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter and the Raptors beat Detroit to extend their winning streak to four games.

Magic 90, Wizards 83

In Orlando, J.J. Redick scored 17 points and fellow reserve E'Twaun Moore had 15 to lead the Magic to a win over Washington.

Clippers 93, Hornets 77

In Los Angeles, Blake Griffin scored 18 points and the Clippers beat New Orleans for their franchise record-tying 11th consecutive victory.

Kings 131, Warriors 127

In Sacramento, DeMarcus Cousins scored 24 points, Aaron Brooks added 23 and the Kings snapped a five-game losing streak with a win over Golden State.

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Knicks deal Bobcats 23rd straight loss

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — The worst season in NBA history is over for the Charlotte Bobcats.

In your face: New York's Amare Stoudemire slam dunks over Charlotte's Tyrus Thomas in the second half on Thursday night. The Knicks routed the Bobcats 104-84. AP

Meanwhile, the New York Knicks are looking ahead to the playoffs.

The Bobcats couldn't even beat a Knicks team resting most of its starters, finishing with the lowest winning percentage in league history after a 104-84 loss on Thursday night.

J.R. Smith scored 22 points for the Knicks, who pulled away in the second half to clinch the Eastern Conference's No. 7 seed and a first-round playoff matchup against No. 2 Miami beginning Saturday.

"I couldn't be happier," said Knicks interim coach Mike Woodson, now 18-6 since taking over for Mike D'Antoni. "It was a great regular season and now it's playoff basketball time. They will be ready."

Gerald Henderson had 21 points for the Bobcats, whose 23rd consecutive loss left them with a winning percentage of .106 (7-59) in the lockout-shortened season. The record was set 39 years ago, when the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers finished 9-73 (.110) in a full regular season.

"Going 7-59 like we did is not what we planned on doing," Henderson said. "This doesn't sit very well with me. These last 10 games, we've really tried to get after it, compete and not get that record. It just didn't happen for us. We just didn't have enough. We couldn't come up with the plays.

"When you look back at it and see we lost 59 games, you always think, 'We could've won one more.' "

Kemba Walker had 13 points, D.J. Augustin 12 and D.J. White added 11 for Charlotte, which now faces an offseason of uncertainty.

"I have to commend the guys," said Paul Silas, whose future as the Bobcats coach is in doubt. "They gave me everything they had and I can't fault them one bit for what happened. If they hadn't played hard for me and their attitudes hadn't been right then that's different, but they were positive and did everything that they needed to do."

The Knicks held out starters Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler and Baron Davis, while Amare Stoudemire had 21 points over two quarters.

That put the pressure on New York's reserves to make up the difference, and they didn't disappoint. Josh Harrellson added 18 points, Jerome Jordan 13 and Iman Shumpert 12 for the Knicks. Mike Bibby also had 12 assists.

Bulls 107, Cavaliers 75

In Chicago, John Lucas III scored a career-high 25 points, Joakim Noah had 13 points and 13 rebounds, and the Bulls clinched the top overall seed in the NBA playoffs.

The Bulls will play host to Philadelphia on Saturday.

Hawks 106, Mavericks 89

In Atlanta, Josh Smith scored 23 points and the Hawks clinched home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs after racing to a 23-point lead in the opening quarter.

Nuggets 131, Timberwolves 102

In Minneapolis, JaVale McGee scored 19 points to help Denver lock down the sixth seed in the Western Conference.

The Nuggets will face the third-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the first round.

Celtics 87, Bucks 74

In Boston, Paul Pierce scored all 12 of his points in the first half despite missing most of it with a sprained toe and Rajon Rondo had 15 assists for the Celtics.

Wizards 104, Heat 70

In Washington, playing without its Big Three, Miami suffered its worst defeat of the season.

With their first playoff game just two days away, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra rested LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh for the second straight game.

Mo Evans had a season-high 18 points for the Wizards.

Grizzlies 88, Magic 76

In Memphis, Marc Gasol scored 22 points, Rudy Gay added 20 and the hosts claimed the No. 4 seed in the West.

The Grizzlies will open the playoffs at home Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers, who dropped to the fifth seed.

Raptors 98, Nets 67

In Toronto, Ben Uzoh had 12 points, a career-high 12 assists and 11 rebounds for his first career triple-double, and the Raptors handed New Jersey a loss that slightly improves the Nets' chances in the NBA draft lottery.

Pistons 108, 76ers 86

In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Ben Gordon scored 26 points, including eight 3-pointers, to help Detroit rout short-handed Philadelphia.

Rockets 84, Hornets 77

In Houston, Chase Budinger scored a season-high 27 points and Marcus Morris hit the go-ahead 3-pointer to lift the Rockets.

Jazz 96, Trail Blazers 94

In Salt Lake City, rookie Alec Burks scored 18 points and NBA Slam Dunk champ Jeremy Evans led a 10-0 fourth-quarter run as playoff-bound Utah beat Portland.

Kings 113, Lakers 96

In Sacramento, DeMarcus Cousins had 23 points and 19 rebounds, Tyreke Evans scored 17 points and the Kings beat Los Angeles' backups in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Kobe Bryant sat out along with four other Lakers' starters, conceding the NBA scoring title to Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant.

Spurs 107, Warriors 101

In Oakland, Patty Mills had career highs of 34 points and 12 assists, DeJuan Blair added 22 points and 13 rebounds, and short-handed San Antonio beat Golden State.

James Anderson added 19 points for the Spurs, who finished with the best record in the Western Conference despite having one of the league's oldest rosters. San Antonio hosts Utah in the first round of the playoffs beginning Sunday.

The Warriors, decimated by injuries, were also short-handed and became the first NBA team in modern history to start five rookies, including former Tokyo Apache big man Jeremy Tyler (season-best 16 points, nine rebounds in 43-plus minutes), in one game.

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Paul trade to Knicks not happening

NEW YORK — Congratulations to David Stern: Here were are, into December, and not one team has been eliminated from contention or contempt, heavy on the contempt slant.

I could have sworn the brainstorm behind the NBA lockout — and inescapable loss of countless millions as well as 16 games — was to ensure owners of regaining control of their product once business re-opened.

I thought the league's intent was to quash the CBA system that allowed quasar Carmelo Anthony to hold the Nuggets' franchise hostage by disrupting a season with a trade demand?

Exactly who won that contentious concern?

On the first day players were allowed to work out in team facilities in preparation for the start of practice, Dec. 9, it appears Chris Paul already has polluted his position with Hornets fans.

Through agent Leon Rose, the rising free agent supposedly notified GM Dell Demps he wants to be dealt to a Knicks team, sooner than later, like today vs. tomorrow . . . a Knicks team that can't remotely reimburse New Orleans.

According to someone very much in the know, Paul "made no trade demand." Rose leaked his client's preference to the media, the same way he did with Carmelo Anthony.

That racket you hear in the background, I suspect, is Dwight Howard warming up his vocal chords to alert the Magic he's agreed to become a Jay Leno regular and, thus, would appreciate being relocated to L.A. with either the Lakers or Clippers.

Then there's Deron Williams, who holds the same seemingly loaded cards as Paul and Howard. All three have two years remaining on their contracts. Each owns an opt-out clause after this season.

To Williams' credit, he's being very professional about his hand. Evidently, he's content to play out the season and see how much talent Nets management is able to assemble. If this is not truly his stance, at least he's not going public with a contrary one.

Clearly, I think, Paul, Howard and Williams continue to possess the preponderance of clout.

"They really don't," one team executive refutes. "Because they take a huge financial hit if they leave at the end as free agents. Paul and Williams are owed $53 million. If they stay put and opt out at the prescribed date after the season, they're entitled to sign for $100 million over five years. If they sign elsewhere, that number drops to $74 million."

That is precisely why players now have an added incentive to try to get moved, another club exec emailed. "That way the new team can offer the extra year and higher annual percentage bumps. So, the player has more incentive to make a stink to get moved.

"At the same time," the exec underlined. "a team has more leverage to play it out, and, ultimately, to force the player to choose between money and location."

In Paul's case, the team is owned by the league. This makes this situation particularly precarious, prickly and problematic.

Hugh Weber may be the Hornets' president but there ain't no way he and Demps are making a trade decision involving Paul without the express written consent of the commissioner.

While I applaud Paul's pitiless competitive spirit, does he honestly believe Stern can be intimidated into donating him to the Knicks?

And, as a result, devalue a team so badly it can't be sold for anything vaguely close to the going rate of other foundering franchises.

At best, the Hornets would have to shuffle off to Seattle or St. Louis or Suffolk County.

At worst, the league would be forced to schedule a Christmas Day dispersal draft.

In other words, a Hornets-Knicks swap is not going to happen. Yes, Amare Stoudemire does qualify as acceptable compensation . . . except, oh, yeah, his contract is uninsured against bodily injury. A three-way deal is equally unpromising for the same reason; New York has nothing, no first-round picks in the near future, and nobody worthwhile to exchange.

While on the subject, why would anyone (oops) think the Knicks might designate Renaldo Balkman as their amnesty contract over the course of the CBA, column contributor Michael Catareva correctly questions?

"You can't delete chump change when you've got Stoudemire's this (ACL), that (back), or the third thing threatening to vacate MSG at a moment's notice," he said. "Makes a little more sense to save the amnesty exception for a catastrophe."

Meanwhile, if Paul is dead set on leaving his heart in New Orleans and forming a defensively and medically tipsy tripod with Carmelo Anthony and Stoudemire, he'll have to play out this season for the talent-challenged Hornets.

Even with Paul as a alluring inducement, it has never been easy to recruit quality free agents. So, imagine how difficult it's going to be now that everyone knows for sure he's on the way out.

Why wound David West want to return to such unstable circumstances, other than for larger bimonthly paydays, of course?

That's the way it goes, I guess. And that's the way it is.

At the risk of being a comprehensive crapehanger, before the actual time comes, Knick management might want to assess what Paul brings to the Garden Party without 'Melo looking over its shoulder.

As much as he's got going for him, Paul is a less athletic Derrick Rose and you saw how the Heat handled him. In other words, he's too short to cover Dwyane Wade, and, at $13 million per season ($55.5 million tops without benefit of a sign-and-trade), it'll be impossible to bag a worthwhile big man.

Peter Vecsey covers the NBA for the New York Post.

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Celtics edge Knicks for 2-0 lead in series

BOSTON — The Boston Celtics pulled out their first two playoff games with big finishes. They want to play much better from the start next time.

Luck of the Irish: Celtics forward Paul Pierce, left, and Knicks players Carmelo Anthony (7) and Toney Douglas chase a loose ball on Tuesday in Boston. The Celtics won Game 2 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series 96-93. AP

"We were lucky to win," coach Doc Rivers said after a 96-93 victory on Tuesday night over the depleted New York Knicks and Carmelo Anthony's 42 points.

Kevin Garnett sank the go-ahead basket with 14 seconds left then stole the ball with 4 seconds remaining as the Knicks — without Amare Stoudemire for the second half and Chauncey Billups for the whole game — still gave the Celtics all they could handle.

"I probably (have) never been more proud of a team and how they battled the circumstances," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said, "how hard they played and how tough they played."

Billups had a strained left knee and his status for Game 3 on Friday night is uncertain. Stoudemire had back spasms but expects to be back when the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series resumes.

Anthony matched his career playoff high for points and set a new high with 17 rebounds as the Knicks held a 53-37 advantage on the boards. Toney Douglas had 14 points in place of Billups.

"The Celtics didn't do anything special," Anthony said. "They won two games on their home court. Now it's our turn to go to our home court and try to do the same thing."

Magic 88, Hawks 82

In Orlando, following their humbling Game 1 loss to Atlanta, Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said that if his team cut down its turnovers and played better defense, he felt like everything would be fine in Game 2.

His team only fulfilled half of that equation Tuesday night, but it was still enough to earn a victory.

Dwight Howard had 33 points and 19 rebounds and Jameer Nelson added 13 points and eight rebounds to help the Magic hold off the Hawks.

"It's not anything I did — our guys did it," Van Gundy said when asked about the adjustments he made after Game 1. "You gotta get out and take the challenge. . . . Every game sort of takes on a life of its own and you just gotta do whatever it takes to get the win on that night."

Mavericks 101 Trailblazers 89

In Dallas, the Trail Blazers must have felt like they were in an NBA time warp. First they got beaten by Jason Kidd, now Kidd and Peja Stojakovic.

Even the Mavericks are feeling the retro mood. They're up 2-0 in a playoff series for the first time since 2006.

Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 33 points, but was practically a complementary player. He was at his best after the 30-something, former All-Stars built the lead, scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter — including the team's final 11 — to help the Mavericks keep the Trail Blazers from ever making a serious push.

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Walsh likely on way out with Knicks

James Dolan's reluctance to pick up Donnie Walsh's $ 5 million option for next season the moment the Knicks qualified for the playoffs says it all about where this shadowy situation is headed.

Instead of earning as little as that requisite reward - though a multi-year extension offer certainly wouldn't have be unreasonable - from his boss, the person most responsible for reviving the franchise's relevance got the silent treatment and the cold shoulder, at least for public consumption.

I'm sure (well, maybe) Dolan thanked Walsh for reversing the depressing talk of the town within three years of becoming Knicks president. But not doing something definitive cheapened the accomplishment.

Instead of showering Walsh with love, Dolan has doused him with disrespect ... regardless of how things may turn out in the end. Who knows, should the Knicks make a second-round indentation or beyond it would be next to impossible, even for someone as arrogant and obdurate as Dolan, not to allow Walsh to finish what he started three seasons ago.

Yet, at this point in time, the smart money is betting parting gifts already have been picked out that will compensate Walsh suitably for having his authority usurped on a regular basis, enduring the indignity of almost being force-fed Isiah Thomas as GM, and theoretically keeping his lips sealed for x amount of years.

Time to go to your pocket or purse and start fingering your rosary beads to help Walsh pray a valuable package is looming. Because, really, if not for the millions, who needs to have Thomas lurking in every Garden cubbyhole, nook and cranny?

Then again, when the obvious becomes obvious to one and all, it's often wise to go the other way to see if there's someone significantly obscure (or not) hiding in the suns' glare.

Thomas might want to down a Lunesta before reading further.

Mike D'Antoni, too.

According to a team executive, who knows a thing or two about a thing or two regarding goings-on behind the screens, Dolan may have eyes for Kentucky's John Calipari ... to run the front office and coach.

Do I have confirmation on this?

No.

I unsuccessfully reached out to Calipari and left a message why I was calling.

Does it make sense?

Yes, especially in view of Dolan's disinclination to do right by Walsh.

We're talking about a marquee (there's that word again) college coach fresh from another Final Four, who owns pro experience (some of it good with the Nets), is an outstanding recruiter (though NBA's salary cap may limit impact) and relates remarkably well with young black players.

What's more, Calipari is represented by William (World Wide) Wesley who works for Creative Artists Agency, Hollywood's most powerful entertainment agency.

One of its many patrons is Chris Paul, who figures to be on the market within a matter of months. Wes also reps Mark Warkentien, current temporary Knicks West Coast scout and former Nuggets' VP. It's believed felt he would caddy for Cal in the office.

Last year at this time, fictitious reports surfaced that Wesley was shopping Calipari and LeBron James, another CAA client, as a package to the Bulls. Reporters assume Wesley has the juice to pull something like that off. He doesn't and he didn't.

CAA, on the other hand, does ... and the Garden, looking to load up on its concert talent and collaborate on other ventures, appears to be building a binding relationship. Whether Calipari is part of those weighty dealings is strictly conjecture...so far.

While on the subject of prospective goings and comings, the coaching carousel is in danger of developing some airliner type cracks from overuse over the next 16 weeks.

Fifteen almost assuredly will be back with their current team - Gregg Popovich, George Karl, Nate McMillan, Doug Collins, Tom Thibodeau, Scott Skiles, Lionel Hollins, Avery Johnson, Scott Brooks, Paul Silas, Monty Williams, Byron Scott, Alvin Gentry, Vinny Del Negro and Ty Corbin.

The remaining half have given notice (Phil Jackson), are on unspoken notice should their teams fail to meet expectations, or are in jeopardy to be served evictions notices.

Virtually guaranteed to go are Pistons' John Kuester, Timberwolves' Kurt Rambis, Hawks' Larry Drew (unless team pulls a first-round upset and even then I see it), Pacers Frank Vogel (same-same), Warriors' Keith Smart, Wizards' Flip Saunders and Raptors' Jay Triano, particularly if Bryan Colangelo doesn't get a new deal ... and maybe even if he does despite adhering to agreed-upon plan by those in charge to play almost exclusively young.

Paul Westphal, not that he deserves to be fired, might have saved his Kings (Royals?) job by winning some games the last couple of weeks, Fact is, he ought to get a raise for having to put up every day with DeMarcus Cousins' antics, said to be way worse than advertised.

We've already mentioned D'Antoni's uncertain circumstances. Rising free agent Rick Adelman, in spite of a superlative showing minus Yao Ming, is giving no indication he wants back with the Rockets.

Your guess is as good as mine regarding what happens to Erik Spoelstra (Heat), Stan Van Gundy (Magic), and Rick Carlisle (Mavericks) should their respective teams distribute playoff shares in April, early May or even later in the month.

Peter Vecsey covers the NBA for the New York Post.

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