PLAY OF THE DAY

SHOOTING STUDS

Tony Parker, Spurs
93-83 win at Grizzlies
28 pts, 12-13 FG, 4-4 FT

Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks
114-95 win vs. Bucks
35 pts, 14-21 FG,
2-2 3-pt FG, 5-6 FT

Al Harrington, Hawks
94-83 win vs. Rockets
28 pts, 12-16 FG, 4-4 FT

SHOOTING DUDS

Jamal Crawford, Knicks
96-90 loss vs. Wolves
1-9 FG, 0-4 3-pt FG, 4 pts

Kyle Korver, Sixers
104-76 loss at Wizards
0-7 FG, 0-4 3-pt FG, 0 pts

Rashard Lewis, Sonics
109-93 loss at Warriors
5-17 FG, 0-5 3-pt FG, 0-2 FT, 10 pts

STAT SHEET STUFFER

After missing L.A.'s previous two games with a right hip pointer, Elton Brand returned with a vengeance Monday. The early MVP candidate notched 35 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals in the Clippers' 102-93 OT win over the Jazz. His most impressive stastical accruement: a season-high seven blocked shots.

RICK KAMLA'S FANTASY TAKE

"Don't get used to these lines from Luke Ridnour (18 points, 12 assists and three steals Monday against the Warriors), who has averaged 16 points, seven assists and two steals in the last four games - three without Ray Allen. Ray Ray gets back to work Friday."

D-LEAGUE STAR OF THE NIGHT

Earl Barron's performance in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Showcase highlighted the second annual event. Barron averaged 23.5 points and 12 rebounds over the Showcase's two days, leading the Florida Flame to victories over Fayetteville and Arkansas.

GAME OF THE NIGHT

The Clippers went ice cold to start the fourh quarter Monday, watching an eight-point lead morph into a five-point deficit. After shooting 1-of-9 to open the period, Los Angeles clawed back to tie it on a pair of Elton Brand free throws with 19 seconds remaining. Utah's Andrei Kirilenko missed a jumper as time ran out, sending the game into overtime. It was all Brand in the bonus period. The forward scored eight of his 35 points in the extra frame, personally outscoring the Jazz by two, as L.A. pulled away for the 102-93 victory.

QUOTE OF THE NIGHT

"Right now it feels like we are finding ways to lose games, whether it's by making too many mistakes or fouling too much. Last year it seemed like we had a killer instinct. This year we don't have it."

-- Chicago guard Kirk Hinrich, on the play of his Bulls squad this season, including a 97-94 home loss to the Nuggets on Monday.

STORYLINES OF THE NIGHT

1. And the Rivalry Continues
It was all handshakes and hugs between Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal before Monday's matchup in Hollywood, as the former teammates collided for the fourth time since contentiously parting ways two seasons ago. Of course, things got even spicier when former Showtime coach Pat Riley once again took control of the Miami sideline, rekindling his old rivarly with Lakers guru Phil Jackson. The contest lived up to its heavyweight billing. Kobe went off for 37 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, while Shaq's new sidekick, Dwyane Wade, poured in 34. The Daddy added 18 and 10 rebounds, but could not carry the Heat to victory, losing to the Lakers, 100-92. However, Miami can take solice in its 3-1 record against L.A. since The Big Aristotle traded Venice Beach for South Beach.

2. Home Cooking Does Paul Good
The grub Charles and Robin Paul cooked up for their son before his game against the Bobcats on Monday must've been mighty tasty. For the first time as a pro, their boy Chris led his New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets into his home state of North Carolina and helped orchestrate a 107-92 rout of the local NBA franchise. The Lewisville, N.C. product - who played his college ball at Wake Forest in nearby Winston-Salem - tallied 24 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals. "He had about 500 people coming to see him today," Hornets coach Byron Scott said, "so he wanted to win the game and play well." The victory was New Orleans/Oklahoma City's 18th of the year, which matches its total for all of last season.

3. Nice to Have Him Back
The Nets cruised to nine straight wins with a healthy Richard Jefferson complimenting fellow superstars Vince Carter and Jason Kidd; their average margin of victory was nearly 11 points per game. However, after Jefferson left last Sunday's showdown in Toronto with back spasms, they needed a superhuman effort from Carter to steal their 10th in a row, and struggled to three consecutive losses without the injured small forward. R.J. returned Monday and New Jersey got back on track with a 97-92 home win over the Pacers. Jefferson played 40 minutes and notched 11 points and 10 rebounds.

ROOKIE WATCH

It's typical for rookies to go through peaks and valleys during their initial season in the pros. Luther Head experienced both extremes Monday, scoring 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including three trifectas. The No. 24 pick out of Illinois also delivered four dimes and swiped three steals in 44 minutes, filling in for the injured Tracy McGrady. Unfortunately, his six turnovers were more integral in the Rockets' 94-83 loss at Atlanta.

COOL/CLUTCH PERFORMANCE

Sure, Kevin Garnett set the tone, but Troy Hudson stole the show in Minnesota's 96-90 win in New York. Hudson tallied 10 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter, three of which came on a shot-clock-beating trey with 7.3 ticks remaining to put the Wolves up five and dash any hope the Knicks may have had for late-game heroics.

SIXTH MAN OF THE NIGHT

Mickael Pietrus made the most of his 14 minutes in the Warriors' 109-93 win over the Sonics. The third-year swingman from France - playing his second game since returning from injury - shot a scorching 7-of-9 from the floor, banked all three of his attempts from downtown and scored a season-high 19 points. Not bad for just over a quarter's worth of court time.