INJURY BUG: After proving to be injury-free early in his career, veteran Chris Mills has caught the injury bug.  Over the last four seasons, Mills has missed 178 games due to injury with 25 DNP-CDs.  In his first six years as a pro, he never missed more than three games in any one season.  This past season, he missed 39 games due to tendinitis in his left ankle.

JUST THE STATS: 2002-03 Highlights...Led or tied team in rebounds once and blocks twice...10-or-more points five times...14 points, eight rebounds in 27 minutes at Denver (2/24)...13 points at Memphis (12/16)...Made 2002-03 debut vs. Dallas (12/7) after being activated from the injured list prior to game...Has eclipsed the 80-percent mark in free throw percentage in eight of his 10 NBA seasons, with the exception of his rookie campaign (.778) and 2001-02 (.794)...Was originally placed on the injured list (tendinitis, left Achilles tendon) on 10/28...Missed 39 games due to injury, including first 19 of season and the final 19 games of campaign from 3/11 - 4/16...Missed three games (12/22 - 12/28) serving NBA suspension for role in altercation vs. Portland on 12/20.