Once Again Laker-Heat Christmas Match Up Has People Talking

This Christmas NBA fans will be privy to a Pistons-Spurs championship rematch and yet another chapter in the Kobe-Shaq novella as the Heat take on the Lakers.

"We had a great run. Three rings," Bryant said. "I think people should leave it the hell alone and move on. ... I understand it's interesting, but we also have an interesting game. The game itself tomorrow is interesting."

"It's a big game, a Christmas game, the marquee game, Shaq and Kobe and Phil and all that stuff," said Heat coach Patrick Riley, who's 4-2 since Stan Van Gundy resigned as Heat coach. "It's got a great sidebar to it

Via USA Today

Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons

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Wallace Cousin Shot By Police

A cousin of Detroit Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace was killed and a police officer was wounded in a shootout authorities said occurred after an undercover drug buy.

Tyree Wallace, 22, was pronounced dead at Albert Einstein Medical Center. Sgt. Mike Mitchell, 41, was in stable condition Friday with a groin wound.

Pistons spokesman Matt Dobek confirmed that Tyree Wallace was Rasheed Wallace's first cousin. Dobek said it was unclear whether Wallace would play in Friday night's home game against the Golden State Warriors, but said he did not participate in the team's shootaround Friday morning.

On Thursday night, Mitchell was in an unmarked police car when an undercover officer bought drugs from Tyree Wallace before identifying himself, Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson said.

Via AP

Detroit Pistons

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Jazz May Be Without Williams And Giricek Against Detroit

As if racheting up the degree of difficulty, the Jazz may face the NBA's best team tonight without their entire starting backcourt. Deron Williams, batting the effects of an ear infection, could not finish Utah's morning workout Monday, and Jazz coach Jerry Sloan sounded pessimistic about his starting point guard's chances of suiting up against the 15-2 Pistons. "We'll have to see if he's any better tonight, but ... he's still sick," Sloan said. Williams would become the 11th member of the Jazz's 15-man roster to miss a game this season. Gordan Giricek, Williams' backcourt partner, will definitely not dress for the game, his Achilles tendon still too sore to run on. The Jazz will get one guard back: Keith McLeod, who has missed the last 13 games with a fracture in his lower back, has been taken off the inactive list and expects to play.

Via Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons

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