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By Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 9, 2001
BOSTON -- New Celtics coach Jim O'Brien didn't stomp up and down the sideline. He barely used the full-court press. He didn't yell at his players every second of the game.
In fact, the only thing he did like Rick Pitino was lose.
In Boston's first game after Pitino resigned, Steve Smith hit two three-pointers 42 seconds apart in the fourth quarter to give the Blazers the lead and help Portland beat the Celtics 98-90 on Monday night.
"I've got news for you, I had a big part of us being 12-23," O'Brien said, dispelling any chance that Pitino would take all of the blame for the team's troubles. "But I feel pretty good that one of Rick's people can be involved in trying to turn it around."
It was the eighth consecutive victory for Portland. Boston has lost six in a row and 12 of 15.
HEAT 88, WARRIORS 78: Anthony Mason scored 11 of his 24 in the third quarter and led Miami to its sixth home win in a row.
CAVS 92, NETS 90: Lamond Murray scored 22, Clarence Weathersoon had 14 rebounds as host ended a three-game losing streak.
MAVS 104, BULLS 91: Michael Finley scored 30 as Dallas beat Chicago to set a franchise record with its sixth road victory in a row.
HORNETS: Swingman Jamal Mashburn will miss tonight's game against Chicago after an MRI revealed a bone bruise on his sore left knee.
JAZZ: Forward Bryon Russell will miss today's game against Indiana with a sprained right ankle and a bone chip on his right fibula.
NUGGETS: Forward George McCloud left the team for personal reasons and could miss tonight's game at Vancouver.
SONICS: The team is close to being sold for a reported price of $200-million to a group headed by Howard Schultz, the chairman of the Starbucks coffee chain, the Associated Press reported.
WARRIORS: Golden State activated forward Chris Mullin and placed center Erick Dampier on the injured list.
WIZARDS: Guard Rod Strickland was arrested and charged with drunken driving.
Strickland completed a year's probation and 30 hours of community service work for a 1998 conviction for driving under the influence. He was acquitted of a similar charge in 1999.
AWARDS: Philadelphia guard Allen Iverson was named the player of the week.
PHOENIX: Retired Houston guard Cynthia Cooper was hired to coach the Phoenix. Cooper replaces Cheryl Miller, who resigned in December after four years.