Williams out at least a game after man found in his truck arrested for murder
February 28, 2008
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -Indiana Pacers forward Shawne Williams will miss at least one game after a man who had just left Williams' home was arrested on a murder charge.
Williams did not practice with the team on Thursday and will not travel with the Pacers to their game at Toronto on Friday. Team CEO Donnie Walsh said Williams was not suspended but needed time to sort out what happened.
Officers arrested 20-year-old Gary Bohannon of Memphis, Tenn., on a Tennessee warrant for murder Wednesday night, after he allegedly left Williams' home in a truck registered to Williams.
Williams attorney John Tompkins said his client didn't know Bohannon was at his home and did not invite him there. Tompkins said Williams was cooperating with investigators.
Sam Cassell's stint with Clippers ends as team waives him
February 28, 2008
LOS ANGELES (AP) -The Clippers waived injury-prone Sam Cassell on Thursday, after he missed four straight games with a sprained right wrist.
He averaged 12.8 points, 4.7 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 25.7 minutes in 38 games. Earlier in the season, the point guard missed 12 games with a strained left calf.
``After weighing all of the options and after conversations with Sam we believe this is the best solution for this team,'' general manager Elgin Baylor said in a statement. ``We know and appreciate the many contributions Sam made during the last three years, and we wish him nothing but the best.''
Cassell's most productive season with the Clippers came in 2005-06, when he averaged 17.2 points and 6.3 assists. He helped them get within a game of reaching the Western Conference finals.
Wizards' Caron Butler has labral tear in hip, return uncertain
February 28, 2008
WASHINGTON (AP) -A re-examination of Washington Wizards All-Star forward Caron Butler's hip revealed a small labral tear of the left joint, further complicating his return from injury.
Butler has missed the past 10 games with what was originally diagnosed as a strained hip flexor. He did not accompany the team on the road trip that ends Friday night at Chicago.
The Wizards did not give a timetable for Butler's return. They said Butler will be evaluated next week, essentially ruling him out of Sunday's home game against New Orleans.
The Wizards are 4-10 this season when Butler doesn't play. He is averaging 21.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.4 steals and earned a spot in the All-Star game for the second time.
The Wizards, who have also played most of the season without injured point guard Gilbert Arenas, have lost 11 of 14 games to fall to sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
Jazz bring their music to New Orleans
Two of the best young point guards in the NBA square off once again on Friday night when Deron Williams and the Utah Jazz take on Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets.
Williams and Paul both came out of the same draft class in 2005 and were actually drafted back-to-back in the first round. With Paul sporting slightly better stats and making a trip to the All-Star game earlier this month, you would think he came off the draft board first. However, Williams was actually chosen third overall by Utah, while the Hornets grabbed Paul with the No. 4 pick. Every time the two rivals have clashed in the past, one has tried to outplay the other and Friday night will be the next chapter in this intriguing story.
Utah and New Orleans last met up on Feb. 4 when the Jazz squashed the Hornets 110-88 as a 2.5-point home favorite. Williams shot an impressive 11-for-13 from the field for Utah to net a team-high 29 points, while also handing out 11 assists. Paul struggled for New Orleans, hitting only 3-of-11 for a lackluster six points. Paul also ran into foul trouble in the loss and posted only six assists.
When New Orleans and Utah met up for the first time this season back in November, it was a different story but the same result. The Jazz sang some sweet music in that game as well, torching the Hornets 99-71 as a 6.5-point favorite. Carlos Boozer was the man for Utah with 19 points and 16 rebounds, while Williams was held to 12 points and seven assists. Four other Utah players scored in double figures in what was an all-around team victory. Paul had a better game for New Orleans, but he didn’t light it up with 15 points, six rebounds and six assists. The Hornets were led by David West, who has 18 points and 14 rebounds in the loss.
The Hornets head into Friday night’s contest coming off an impressive win over Phoenix on Wednesday. New Orleans snapped a short three-game losing streak by thumping Phoenix 120-103 as a 3.5-point home favorite. West scored 27 points for New Orleans, while Paul chipped in with 25 points and 15 assists.
Utah knocked off Detroit 103-95 as a 1.5-point home favorite on Wednesday night. Mehmet Okur led the Jazz with 24 points and seven rebounds, while Boozer added 18 points and 15 rebounds. Williams chipped in with 14 points and 14 assists in the win.
Tip-off is Friday night at 8:00pm ET with ESPN handling the coverage.
Friday’s best NBA bets
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Utah at New Orleans
The Hornets lost three of four games after the All-Star break and that cost them their lead in the NBA Southwest. But they bounced back to snap a three-game losing streak on Wednesday, downing the visiting Suns 120-103 as a 3 ½-point favorite.
"Enough is enough," Chris Paul, who had 25 points and 15 assists on the night, said after the win. "We were on a losing streak and we came out with a different mentality, but we've got to come out with that mentality every night."
If Hornets can recreate that performance on Friday, then expect Utah’s road woes to continue. The Jazz have dropped three of their last four, both straight up and ATS, on the road, including a shock 111-100 loss to the struggling Timberwolves in their last away game.
Memphis at Houston
The Rockets were without their star player on Wednesday night, but it didn’t really show. Yao Ming will miss the rest of the season with a stress fracture in his foot, but Houston still beat the Wizards 94-69 for their 13th straight win.
That’s their longest streak since their 1993-94 championship season and it’s also the longest active streak in the NBA. The most impressive thing about Wednesday’s win is that it was a total team effort. The Rockets got double-digit contributions from five different players, including a team-high 18 from guard Luther Head off the bench.
While Yao’s injury is likely to catch up with the Rockets eventually, it probably won’t happen when Memphis visits on Friday. Houston has beaten the Grizzlies in six of the last seven meetings, covering the spread in three of the last four.
Minnesota at Cleveland
LeBron James became the youngest player in NBA history to reach the 10,000-point milestone in Wednesday night’s loss to Boston. But bettors should be focusing on the new-look back-up crew, not James, ahead of Friday’s meeting with Minnesota.
The Cavs have played three games together since trading for four new players last week, and they’ve lost two of them. Of course, there’s no shame in a loss at Boston, but the previous defeat to Milwaukee is more of a cause for concern. All four new players were involved, and forward Anderson Varejao returned from injury, but Cleveland still needed 35 points from James just to keep it close.
The supporting cast could have to step in a big way on Friday, because James' status is in doubt due to an ankle injury he picked up in Boston.
Indiana Pacers vs. Toronto Raptors
- The Indiana Pacers and the Toronto Raptors will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Air Canada Centre.
The Pacers fell 113-107 to the Bulls last time out, as 1.5-point underdogs. The 220 points made it OVER the posted total of 209.
Mike Dunleavy scored 25 points, while Travis Diener added 22 points and nine assists in the loss.
Chris Bosh dropped a game-high 28 points in leading the Raptors to a 107-85 win over the Timberwolves last time out. The Raptors covered the 11.5-point spread, while the combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 198.5.
Bosh shot 12-for-17 from the field with seven rebounds, and T.J. Ford chipped in with 16 points in the win.
Current streak:
Indiana has lost 3 straight games.
Toronto has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Indiana: 22-36 SU, 26-31-1 ATS
Toronto: 32-24 SU, 33-23 ATS
Indiana most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Milwaukee are 3-7
After playing Chicago are 3-7
After a loss are 2-8
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Friday are 1-9
Before playing Charlotte are 2-8
After playing Minnesota are 3-7
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 6 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Indiana's last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indiana's last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Toronto is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Toronto is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Indiana
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Indiana
Next up:
Indiana home to Milwaukee, Sunday, March 2
Toronto at Charlotte, Sunday, March 2
New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks
- The New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Philips Arena.
Nate Robinson threw in 22 points to lead the Knicks to a 113-89 win over the Bobcats last time out. The Knicks covered the 7.5-point spread, while the combined 202 points made it OVER the posted total of 197.5.
Jamal Crawford shot 7-for-13 from the field with 20 points, while Zach Randolph added 18 and Quentin Richardson had 17 in the win.
Mike Bibby had 24 points and 12 assists to lead the Hawks past the Kings 123-117 last time out. The Hawks managed to cover the 6-point spread, and the 223 points sailed OVER the posted total of 202.
Joe Johnson chipped in with a game-high 26 points and Josh Childress added 25 for the Hawks.
Team records:
New York: 18-39 SU, 28-28-1 ATS
Atlanta: 24-32 SU, 28-28 ATS
New York most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Orlando are 2-8
After playing Charlotte are 6-4
After a win are 2-8
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Boston are 4-6
After playing Sacramento are 4-6
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New York's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New York's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of New York's last 8 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
New York is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Atlanta's last 8 games when playing at home against New York
Atlanta is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Atlanta's last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Atlanta's last 11 games when playing New York
Next up:
New York at Orlando, Saturday, March 1
Atlanta at Boston, Sunday, March 2
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
- The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Cleveland Cavaliers will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Quicken Loans Arena.
The Timberwolves lost 107-85 to the Raptors last time out, as 11.5-point underdogs. The combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 198.5.
Al Jefferson shot 9-for-12 from the field with 23 points and five rebounds in a losing effort.
The Cavaliers were defeated 92-87 by the Celtics on Wednesday, as 9.5-point underdogs on the road. The 179 points fell UNDER the posted total of 191.5.
LeBron James tossed in a game-high 26 points and Delonte West added 20 in the loss.
Current streak:
Cleveland has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Minnesota: 12-44 SU, 27-28-1 ATS
Cleveland: 32-26 SU, 27-31 ATS
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Seattle are 3-7
After playing Toronto are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5
Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Chicago are 6-4
After playing Boston are 6-4
After a loss are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota's last 8 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Minnesota's last 13 games
Minnesota is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Cleveland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Cleveland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland's last 8 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Cleveland is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games at home
Next up:
Minnesota home to Seattle, Sunday, March 2
Cleveland home to Chicago, Sunday, March 2
Charlotte Bobcats vs. Boston Celtics
- The Charlotte Bobcats and the Boston Celtics will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at TD Banknorth Garden.
The Bobcats lost 113-89 to the Knicks last time out, as 7.5-point road underdogs. The 202 points made it OVER the posted total of 197.5.
Emeka Okafor shot 5-for-15 from the field with 18 points and 14 rebounds for a double-double in the loss.
Kevin Garnett had a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds on Wednesday, as the Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 92-87 last time out. The Celtics failed to cover the 9.5-point spread, while the 179 points fell UNDER the posted total of 191.5.
Ray Allen shot 7-for-10 from the field with a team-high 22 points in the win.
Current streak:
Charlotte has lost 4 straight games.
Boston has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Charlotte: 19-38 SU, 21-34-2 ATS
Boston: 44-12 SU, 33-21-2 ATS
Charlotte most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-4
Before playing Toronto are 5-5
After playing New York are 3-7
After a loss are 1-9
Boston most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Atlanta are 2-8
After playing Cleveland are 6-4
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Charlotte is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
Charlotte is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Charlotte's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Charlotte's last 5 games
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Boston is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
Boston is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Charlotte
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 7 games when playing at home against Charlotte
Next up:
Charlotte home to Toronto, Sunday, March 2
Boston home to Atlanta, Sunday, March 2
Washington Wizards vs. Chicago Bulls
- The Washington Wizards and the Chicago Bulls will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at United Center.
The Wizards fell 94-69 to the Rockets last time out, as 10.5-point underdogs on the road. The combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 189.
Antawn Jamison had 18 points and nine rebounds in a losing effort for the Wizards.
Larry Hughes tossed in a game-high 29 points on Wednesday, as the Bulls downed the Pacers 113-107. The Bulls won the game as a slight 1.5-point underdog on the road, while the 220 points made it OVER the posted total of 209.
Luol Deng scored 16 points, while Ben Gordon chipped in with 15 in the victory.
Team records:
Washington: 27-30 SU, 33-23-1 ATS
Chicago: 23-34 SU, 25-32 ATS
Washington most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing New Orleans are 5-5
After playing Houston are 4-6
After a loss are 2-8
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Cleveland are 8-2
After playing Indiana are 7-3
After a win are 0-10
A few trends to consider:
Washington is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Chicago
Washington is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Chicago is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games at home
Chicago is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Washington
Chicago is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Washington
Next up:
Washington home to New Orleans, Sunday, March 2
Chicago at Cleveland, Sunday, March 2
Utah Jazz vs. New Orleans Hornets
- The Utah Jazz and the New Orleans Hornets will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at New Orleans Arena.
The Jazz dominated the fourth quarter with 36 points on Wednesday, as they upended the Pistons 103-95. The Jazz covered the slight 2-point spread, while the 198 points made it OVER the posted total of 197.
Mehmet Okur shot 10-for-18 from the field with 24 points, seven rebounds and four assists for the Jazz.
Chris Paul had 25 points and nine rebounds to lead the Hornets to a 120-103 win over the Suns last time out. The Hornets covered the 3.5-point spread, while the combined score made it OVER the posted total of 216.
David West chipped in with a team-high 27 points and Jannero Pargo added 22 points in the victory.
Team records:
Utah: 37-21 SU, 30-28 ATS
New Orleans: 38-18 SU, 33-22-1 ATS
Utah most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Memphis are 5-5
After playing Detroit are 6-4
After a win are 7-3
New Orleans most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Washington are 5-5
After playing Phoenix are 4-6
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
Utah is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing New Orleans
Utah is 15-3 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Utah's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Utah's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Orleans's last 5 games when playing Utah
New Orleans is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 10 of New Orleans's last 13 games at home
New Orleans is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games
Next up:
Utah at Memphis, Saturday, March 1
New Orleans at Washington, Sunday, March 2
Sacramento Kings vs. Dallas Mavericks
- The fans at American Airlines Center will be treated to a game between the Sacramento Kings and the Dallas Mavericks when they take their seats on Friday.
The Kings lost 123-117 to the Hawks last time out, as 6-point road underdogs. The 223 points sailed OVER the posted total of 202.
Brad Miller shot 9-for-16 from the field with 25 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double in the loss.
The Mavericks dropped a 97-94 decision to the Spurs last time out, as 4.5-point road underdogs. The 191 points made it OVER the night's posted total of 181.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 28 points with six rebounds in a losing effort for the Mavericks.
Current streak:
Sacramento has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Sacramento: 26-31 SU, 30-27 ATS
Dallas: 38-20 SU, 24-31-3 ATS
Sacramento most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Miami are 4-6
After playing Atlanta are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing LA Lakers are 9-1
After playing San Antonio are 3-7
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Sacramento's last 5 games when playing on the road against Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Sacramento's last 7 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Sacramento's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Sacramento's last 9 games on the road
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Sacramento
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Dallas's last 5 games when playing at home against Sacramento
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Dallas's last 7 games when playing Sacramento
Next up:
Sacramento home to Miami, Sunday, March 2
Dallas at LA Lakers, Sunday, March 2
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Houston Rockets
- The Memphis Grizzlies and the Houston Rockets will meet on the court at Toyota Center on Friday in a battle of division rivals.
Rudy Gay poured in a game-high 36 points in Memphis' 127-113 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night.
The Suns managed to cover the 11.5-point spread on the road in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (216.5).
The Rockets dominated all facets of the game on Tuesday, as they cruised past the Wizards 94-69. The Rockets covered the 10.5-point spread at home, while the combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 189.
Rafer Alston shot 6-for-11 from the field with 13 points, five rebounds and five assists in the win.
Current streak:
Memphis has lost 6 straight games.
Houston has won 13 straight games.
Team records:
Memphis: 14-43 SU, 24-33 ATS
Houston: 37-20 SU, 31-24-2 ATS
Memphis most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Utah are 4-6
After playing Phoenix are 3-7
After a loss are 1-9
Houston most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Denver are 2-8
After playing Washington are 5-5
After a win are 10-0
A few trends to consider:
Memphis is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Memphis's last 21 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Memphis's last 16 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Memphis's last 10 games on the road
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Houston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Houston is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games at home
Next up:
Memphis home to Utah, Saturday, March 1
Houston home to Denver, Sunday, March 2
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets
- The Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Pepsi Center.
The Clippers lost 82-80 to the Trail Blazers on Wednesday, as 2-point favorites. The 162 points were UNDER the posted total of 182.
Corey Maggette tossed in a game-high 32 points and hauled down six rebounds in a losing effort for the Clippers.
Allen Iverson tossed in a game-high 31 points as the Nuggets roared past the SuperSonics 138-96 last time out. The Nuggets easily covered the 9-point spread, while the combined 234 points sailed OVER the posted total of 213.
Iverson shot 13-for-18 from the field with five rebounds and six assists in the win. Kenyon Martin shot 11-for-14 from the field with 23 points for the Nuggets.
Current streak:
Los Angeles has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 19-36 SU, 24-31 ATS
Denver: 34-23 SU, 29-28 ATS
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Detroit are 5-5
After playing Portland are 5-5
After a loss are 5-5
Denver most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Houston are 5-5
After playing Seattle are 3-7
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of the LA Clippers last 10 games when playing Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of the LA Clippers last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the LA Clippers last 5 games when playing on the road against Denver
LA Clippers are 9-4 SU in their last 13 games when playing Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Denver's last 10 games when playing LA Clippers
Denver is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games at home
Next up:
LA Clippers home to Detroit, Saturday, March 1
Denver at Houston, Sunday, March 2
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Golden State Warriors
- The Philadelphia 76ers and the Golden State Warriors will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Oracle Arena.
The 76ers built up a 19 point lead at halftime on Wednesday, as they cruised past the Magic 101-89, as 1.5-point underdogs. The 190 points were UNDER the posted total of 202.5.
Andre Miller and Willie Green each tossed in 26 points to lift the 76ers, and Andre Iguodala chipped in with 24 points in the win.
The Warriors played tight defence in the second half of Tuesday's 105-99 win over the SuperSonics. The Warriors failed to cover the 15-point spread, while the combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 222.
Monta Ellis tossed in a game-high 30 points, and Baron Davis added 20 in the victory.
Current streak:
Philadelphia has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Philadelphia: 26-32 SU, 30-27-1 ATS
Golden State: 34-22 SU, 23-33 ATS
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Phoenix are 7-3
After playing Orlando are 6-4
After a win are 6-4
Golden State most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Portland are 6-4
After playing Seattle are 4-6
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games
Philadelphia is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
Philadelphia is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games on the road
Golden State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 6 games
Golden State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
Golden State is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Next up:
Philadelphia at Phoenix, Saturday, March 1
Golden State home to Portland, Sunday, March 2