NBA Today

Scores, news, and notes today in the NBA.

The NBA Europe tour went to Spain yesterday, and Darko Milicic had 13 points and 7 rebounds as Memphis defeated MMT Estudiantes. Real Madrid pulled off a 104-103 upset of the Raptors, despite 23 and 7 from Andrea Bargnani. At a silent Madison Square Garden, the Knicks routed Macabi Tel Aviv, as New York had 7 players in double figures. There was no reaction to Isiah Thomas, though that should change during the regular season. Houston hammered Greek power Panathinaikos as Yao scored 21 and grabbed 8 boards. Atlanta edged Charlotte 109-104 as Joe Johnson led all scorers with 25. Detroit and Cleveland went to OT, but the Pistons came away with the 96-90 win despite 17 from LeBron James. Phoenix won at Sacramento 110-99 as disgruntled Shawn Marion scored 18, and new Sun Grant Hill scored 17. Kevin Martin and Quincy Douby led the Kings with 17 each. The Warriors beat the Lakers 119-106 as former D-Leaguer Kelenna Azubuike scored 22.

-Lakers owner Jerry Buss is now open to offers for Kobe Bryant. It would've been better if he admitted this before, because it's now unlikely that teams will make deals until December at the earliest.
-Wizards Center and Syracuse alum Etan Thomas underwent open heart surgery in Minnesota and should be OK. Meanwhile, Washington might look for a big man such as PJ Brown, but Coach Eddie Jordan says that he's satisfied with his frontcourt according to the Washington Post.
-According to all New York papers, it will be tough for Allen Houston to make the Knicks roster. He starts his comeback today.
-This is a make or break year for Carlos Delfino, according to the Detroit Free Press.