SCOREBOARD
Friday, Feb. 15
No games scheduled. The All-Star game is Sunday.
STARS
Thursday
-Steve Nash, Suns, had 24 points and 13 assists and Phoenix pulled away in the final quarter to beat Dallas 109-97.
-Kirk Hinrich, Bulls, scored 24 points in a 99-92 victory over Miami.
STRUGGLING HEAT
The Chicago Bulls beat Miami 99-92 on Thursday night, sending the Heat to their ninth straight loss and 24th in 25 games. Two years after winning the NBA championship, Miami staggered into the All-Star break with just nine wins.
STRONG IN DEFEAT
Dirk Nowitzki scored 36 points and Jason Terry added 29 for Dallas in a 109-97 loss to Phoenix on Thursday night. … Dwyane Wade had 30 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, and Shawn Marion added 23 points and seven rebounds in a 99-92 loss at Chicago.
KOBE’S PINKIE
nesday night’s game at Minnesota. Bryant was examined in Los Angeles by Dr. Steven Shin, a hand specialist who recommended surgery to repair the ligament. It was unclear if Bryant will play in Sunday’s All-Game at New Orleans, but he will skip the 3-point shooting contest on Saturday, with Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki replacing him.
HONORING HAKEEM
The Houston Rockets plan to unveil a monument honoring former star Hakeem Olajuwon on April 11 outside the team’s arena. Organizers said they worked hard to ensure that the monument complied with Olajuwon’s Islamic beliefs. Houston television station KRIV reported that it would focus on his jersey and accomplishments, but in keeping with the tenets of his Muslim faith, it won’t include a picture or likeness of him.
SPEAKING
“This is just a totally different feeling. I’m not even looking at the record.” – Miami’s Dwyane Wade after the Heat’s 99-92 loss to Chicago on Thursday night. The Heat dropped their ninth straight and 24th of their last 25 games.