THE REPLACEMENTS
Seattle's Ray Allen and Utah's Mehmet Okur were chosen Tuesday by commissioner David Stern as injury replacements for the All-Star game. They will replace guards Steve Nash (shoulder) and Allen Iverson (ankle) who both pulled out of Sunday's game in Las Vegas. Allen is headed to his fourth straight All-Star game and seventh overall. Okur is a first-time selection.
OUT
Jason Kidd will miss the next two games for New Jersey with a strained lower back, and his status was uncertain for Sunday's NBA All-Star game. Kidd had played in all 52 games this season for the Nets (25-27), and is averaging 14.3 points, eight rebounds and 8.7 assists in 36.6 minutes this season.
STRONG IN DEFEAT
Ron Artest scored 39 points but Sacramento lost to Houston 109-104 in overtime. ... Kobe Bryant scored 31 points in the Lakers' 107-106 loss to the Knicks. ... Tyson Chandler had 17 points and a franchise record-tying 23 rebounds for New Orleans but the Hornets lost to Memphis 108-104.
SNAPPED
Toronto beat Chicago 112-111 on Tuesday night. The win ended a 15-game losing streak against the Bulls stretching back to Dec. 6, 2002.