Saturday, April 20, 2002
NBA Today
By The Associated Press
SCOREBOARD — Saturday, April 20: Indiana at New Jersey (12:30 p.m. EDT). The Nets get their first look at the Pacers since Indiana revamped its roster with a big trade in February.
NOT INVITED
Avery Johnson, the only Dallas player with an NBA championship ring, was one of three players the Mavericks left off their 12-man playoff roster Thursday. Johnson, who was San Antonio's point guard on its championship team three years ago, injured his left calf when he was kicked in a game a week ago against Houston. ... John Starks and John Crotty were left off Utah's 12-man roster.
BIG SPENDERS
New York has the NBA's highest payroll at $85.1 million, but still missed the playoffs for the first time since 1987 finishing with the seventh-worst record in the league. The Knicks have 44 chances out of 1,001 to win the first pick in the upcoming NBA draft lottery.
20 MILLION
A total of 20,182,148 people went to NBA games this season, up about 225,000 from last season. There were 482 sellouts, a 16 percent jump. The 16,974 fans per game is the fourth-highest average in league history. With Michael Jordan's return, the Washington Wizards' attendance increased 32 percent, the biggest jump in the NBA.
UNTIMELY INJURIES
Vitaly Potapenko, Boston's backup center who injured his left knee Wednesday, will miss at least the first round of the NBA playoffs against Philadelphia. ... Robert Horry's status for the Lakers' playoff opener Sunday against Portland was uncertain following the discovery of a hematoma — a pooling of blood — under his abdominal muscle Thursday. ... Allen Iverson's status for the playoff opener against Boston won't be clear until he practices with the 76ers on Friday. Iverson missed the last 14 games of the regular season after breaking a bone in his left hand in a game against the Celtics on March 22. ... Rashard Lewis (sprained ankle) and Vladimir Radmanovich (sprained big toe) of Seattle, were unable to practice because of injuries.
SPEAKING
“I don't think there's anything we can exploit. Everyone knows how good they are and how easily they walked through us. It depends on whether we want to compete against them or just get it over with.” — Utah coach Jerry Sloan, on the upcoming playoff series with Sacramento.
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NBA Today