Spurs, Knicks square off in Alamo City

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03/10/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Antonio Spurs will have to continue their playoff push tonight against the New York Knicks without star guard Tony Parker.

The team did receive some good news on Monday, however, when it was learned that Parker won't need surgery for a broken bone in his right hand. An examination of the All-Star confirmed an initial diagnosis of a non-displaced stable fracture of the right fourth metacarpal and Parker is still expected to be sidelined for about six weeks, which likely means he will not return until the postseason.

Parker, the Spurs' second-leading scorer this season at 16.5 points per game, originally suffered the injury late in the first half of last Saturday's 102-92 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Without him, San Antonio fell in Cleveland on Monday when Mo Williams had 17 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, as the Cavaliers edged the Spurs, 97-95, despite playing without LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal.

Manu Ginobili had a huge night for the Spurs, sinking seven three-pointers on his way to 38 points. He appeared to hit a game-tying three with 14.2 seconds left, but it was ruled a two-pointer after review.

George Hill added 23 points for San Antonio, which had its four-game win streak broken.

"We had a great opportunity, not many teams can come in here and win," Ginobili said. "LeBron wasn't playing, Shaq wasn't there [because of thumb surgery] and [Antawn] Jamison didn't play the second half, so we blew a big one, so we are kind of upset with that."

The Spurs currently sit in seventh place in the Western Conference playoff race, a still comfortable 4 1/2 games ahead of ninth-place Memphis.

The Knicks, meanwhile, are playing out the string but are coming off an exciting 99-98 win over playoff-bound Atlanta on Monday. Danilo Gallinari made four three-pointers and finished with a game-high 27 points in that one, as New York escaped with the victory at Madison Square Garden.

David Lee contributed a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Al Harrington went for 14 points off the bench for the Knicks, who were able to recover from a 113-93 loss to New Jersey on Saturday.

"I thought our team the whole game did a good job competing on the boards, did a good job competing for loose balls," Lee said. "We did a good job overall."

New York, which had lost four of its last five coming into the contest, made 10-of-15 three-pointers after setting an NBA record by going 0-for-18 from three-point range in the setback to the Nets.

The Spurs have won eight of their past nine meetings with the Knicks, including a 95-88 win in New York earlier this season. San Antonio has also won six straight over the Knicks in the Alamo City.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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