gillette blades indeed

The Jazz weren’t thrilled to have to finish the season by playing four games in five nights. The regular-season finale will be April 14, a TNT-televised game against the Lakers at Staples Center.

Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor said he would wait to talk to Sloan before deciding whether to ask the Timberwolves to acknowledge the milestone.

The Jazz had no trip longer than four games last season, but will have three five-game trips this season. That includes the

Seattle finished a franchise-worst 20-62 record last season.

SEATTLE (AP) – Starting point guard Earl Watson fractured his right thumb will have surgery Thursday in Los Angeles, the SuperSonics said Tuesday.

The Sonics said the injury has a typical recovery period of 3-4 months.

Sonics general manager Sam Presti said he is confident Watson will make a “timely recovery.”

Last season, the 29-year-old Watson averaged career highs in points (10.7

James Battista was sentenced in New York on Thursday to 15 months in prison for making bets based on inside tips.

NEW YORK (AP) -A professional gambler linked to disgraced referee Tim Donaghy will spend over a year in prison for his role in the betting scandal that rocked the NBA.

Another defendant, Thomas Martino, also was to be sentenced Thursday for paying the referee thousands of dollars for the tips.

Donaghy, a resident of Bradenton, Fla., will be

Despite the knee problems, the three-time All-Star decided to opt out of his contract at the end of last season and make himself a free agent. He re-signed with the Wizards, saying he accepted $16 million less than what was offered because he wanted to give the team more flexibility under the salary cap. Nevertheless, the $111 million deal was the richest in franchise history.

The Wizards’ hopes of becoming a top Eastern Conference team have been disrupted by injuries to t

Murray will play behind starting guards Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby.

Murray, a six-year veteran, can play both guard spots. He joins Maurice Evans as free-agent additions to the backcourt after the Hawks lost sixth man Josh Childress, who stunned the team last month by signing with Greek powerhouse Olympiakos.

“By signing Flip, it provides us with another experienced player who has the ability to play multiple positions for us,” said Hawks general manager Rick Sund.