Hooped Up

Gasol is rumored to be headed to the Bulls and that would be fine. He will not have the impact that a Garnett would, but nonethless could cause some problems if he ends up in Los Angeles or San Antonio.

Arizona republic 

Early in the courting process for then-Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson, it was reported that he vetoed a possible trade to the Charlotte Bobcats. Monday, Iverson denied the reports. “I didn’t say I didn’t want to go there,” Iverson said. “I was cool with going anywhere that somebody wanted me. Wherever I was going to be appreciated.” Iverson acknowledged he said he preferred to play for a winning team, but said he didn’t specifically rule anyone out.

Denver Post

The Mavericks will feel good about their chances if they do nothing, but owner Mark Cuban may want to add a physical presence down low that can match up with Amare Stoudemire or another shooter.

Arizona republic

Even with Kobe Bryant banned from the arena, the Knicks knew not to expect an easy game.

The Lakers certainly didn’t give them one.

The Knicks held off a late rally Tuesday night, handing the Lakers their season-high third straight loss with a 99-94 victory.

Bryant was suspended one game without pay earlier Tuesday for hitting San Antonio’s Manu Ginobili in the face late in the Lakers’ loss to the Spurs on Sunday.

Yahoo

Lakers center Chris Mihm is with the team for its eight-game trip, elated that his ankle rehabilitation has gone better than expected and that he might return later this season.

“My ankle is coming along really well, ahead of the schedule I was given by the doctors,” Mihm said. “I’ve still got quite a ways to go on it, but my sights have been set on coming back and playing this year. It’s been pretty exciting to me. It keeps me motivated and working hard every day.”

Mihm has undergone two operations since tearing ligaments in his right ankle last March against Seattle. He is listed on the injury report as being out for the season but is making steady progress with a routine that includes swimming and upper-body weightlifting.

L.A. Times

Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard missed Tuesday night’s game against the Seattle SuperSonics for the birth of his first child, Dallas coach Avery Johnson said.

Johnson said Howard was expected to rejoin the team on Wednesday.

NBA

Guard Monta Ellis sprained his right ankle in the final minutes of the Warriors’ 124-97 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers . He limped off the court with 5:38 left in the fourth quarter, and the Warriors down 24 points. After the game, he was on crutches, his right foot trapped in a boot.

X-rays were negative. Ellis said his status for tonight’s game depends on how he feels this morning. He is officially listed as day-to-day.

“It’s painful, but I’ll be all right,” Ellis said.

Contra Costa Times

Freed from the 76ers, Chris Webber wants this to be clear: He is happy playing basketball again now that he is with the Detroit Pistons .

But the mere mention of his former team wiped the smile off his face as the forward prepared for last night’s game with the Washington Wizards .

He called his stay with the Sixers the most difficult part of his 14-year career.

“It was probably the first time I didn’t enjoy basketball,” Webber said, standing by the locker room at the Verizon Center.

Webber said he appreciated that Sixers president and general manager Billy King finally bought out his contract earlier this month and gave him his release.

Philadelphia Inquirer

Former Knick star Latrell Sprewell roughed up the mother of four of his kids and told her they had a “fake-ass relationship” in an effort to worm out of his financial duties, the woman alleges in a $200 million federal lawsuit. Longtime gal pal Candace Cabbil filed the lawsuit against Sprewell in Manhattan federal court yesterday, claiming the millionaire ex-NBA star abandoned and abused her - and is refusing to honor a 1994 deal re quiring they split his wealth.

New York Post

After playing 19 games in Denver, Nuggets guard Allen Inverson will miss his first game Wednesday night.

Iverson, who joined the Nuggets after a trade on Dec. 18, sprained his right ankle Monday night in the first half of a 105-101 loss to Charlotte. He continued to play, finishing with 31 points.

He did not travel with the team for Wednesday night’s game in Portland.

Denver Post