The Timberwolves contacted Indiana last week about acquiring All-Star Ron Artest, a source said Tuesday.
The discussions have not turned serious, and no formal trade offers have been made, said the source. Minnesota officials declined to comment on the situation.
Artest’s agent said his client would be excited to play with Kevin Garnett. “Ron, he loves K.G.,” Mark Stevens said.
“It would be an honor and a privilege to play by his side.”
Abdur-Rahim injured
Kings power forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim broke his jaw Monday night against the Trail Blazers, X-rays showed Tuesday. He has no timetable to return.
Abdur-Rahim was hit by Portland’s Zach Randolph but continued to play and was surprised to discover his jaw was broken.
Odom `cool’ with Payton
NBA spokesman Tim Frank said the league will not look into Sunday’s postgame confrontation between Heat guard Gary Payton and Lakers forward Lamar Odom. Odom said that was fine: “I just want to play basketball, be the cool dude that I am.”
Layups
Tracy McGrady left at halftime of the Rockets’ game against the Jazz when he learned his fiance had gone into labor. Clerenda Harris, who has a 3-year-old daughter named Layla with McGrady, gave birth to a boy named Laymen Lamar. . . . Rookie Ike Diogu will make his first NBA start Wednesday against Boston, replacing veteran center Adonal Foyle as the Warriors try to snap a five-game losing streak. . . . Bucks guard T.J. Ford sprained his left foot after being fouled by James Posey.
TUESDAY’S GAMES
RESULTS, SYNOPSIS
Charlotte 93 at Atlanta 90
Primoz Brezec hit the go-ahead basket with 14 seconds left and Brevin Knight had 22 pts as Bobcats won 3rd straight road game and ended Hawks’ 4-game home winning streak.
Toronto 106 at Detroit 113
Richard Hamilton’s 24 pts led Pistons to 8th straight win. Their 23-3 mark is best start in franchise history. Chris Bosh scored career-high 37 for Raptors, who are league-worst 6-22.
Milwaukee 98 at Miami 109
Bucks bench outscored Heat reserves 39-21, but Miami starters Dwyane Wade (35 pts), Shaquille O’Neal (23) and Jason Williams (18) helped move Heat to 6-2 under Pat Riley.
Cleveland 91 at New Jersey 96
A night after going 8-for-8, Richard Jefferson went 9-for-11 and scored 28 as Nets won 7th straight. LeBron James had 31 pts, 10 rebs and 8 asts, but Cavs’ 6-game win streak ended.
Utah 82 at Houston 74
Mehmet Okur had 20 pts, 17 rebs and hit a decisive 3-pointer as Jazz beat Rockets, who went 12 of 42 and scored just 33 pts in 2nd half after Tracy McGrady (21 pts) left for birth of his son.
Indiana 86 at San Antonio 99
Tony Parker had 27 pts and Tim Duncan 26. But Manu Ginobili, back after missing 8 games with foot injury, sparked Spurs’ decisive 3rd-quarter run. He scored 9 in 15 mins.
Philadelphia 108 at Denver 106
Allen Iverson had 36 pts and 10 asts as Sixers, who had lost 5 of last 6 in Denver, won despite career-high 45-pt game by Carmelo Anthony. Sixers 8-2 vs. Western Conf. teams this season.
Sacramento 110 at L.A. Clippers 93
Mike Bibby had season highs with 38 pts, 10 asts as Kings ended 5-game losing streak. Kings haven’t lost to Clippers since Jan. 18, 2003. Elton Brand 25 for Clippers, who have lost 6 of 8.
