Karl Malone is close to returning to the Los Angeles Lakers after being cleared Thursday to practice without restrictions.
Malone sprained a ligament in his right knee Dec. 21 and landed on the injured list for the first time in his career.
He has said he’d like to play Monday, when the Lakers visit the Utah Jazz, his former team.
Baker hearing Monday
Vin Baker will get a hearing Monday in New York to determine whether he is eligible to sign with another NBA team.
The NBA has issued a memo to all 29 teams barring them from signing Baker until his arbitration is settled. The Celtics terminated the final 2 1/2 seasons of his deal.
The NBA explained that it issued the memo because if Baker wins his arbitration case, his contract would be reinstated and he’d return to the Celtics.
RESULTS, THURSDAY’S SYNOPSIS
Milwaukee 98 at Miami 104
Miami snapped 4-game skid but wasted 16-point 1st-half lead when Bucks rallied to tie it 98-98 with 1:09 left. Lamar Odom scored next 3 points to give Heat 101-98 lead with :24 left.
Sacramento 114 at Philadelphia 105
Peja Stojakovic scored 27, Chris Webber 24 in 2nd game back for Kings. Allen Iverson rebounded from Wednesday’s 2-for-21 effort to score team-high 32 for Sixers, who have lost 6 of 7.
Detroit 83 at Portland 68
Rasheed Wallace’s 1st return to Portland since being traded to Detroit. He was booed, but not as much as his old team, which went into half down 46-29. Blazers 0-4 after 5-game win streak.
