Suns Throw In Towel, Send Horry To Lakers

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Robert Horry, recently suspended for throwing a towel in the face of Phoenix coach Danny Ainge, was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a four-player deal Friday that sent Cedric Ceballos back to the Suns.

Rumeal Robinson also went to Phoenix and Joe Kleine went to the Lakers.

“We’re not trading Robert Horry because he was a problem here and we’re not trading for Cedric Ceballos because he’s been a problem in L.A.,” Ainge said. “We had Cedric here for a while and he’s not a problem. I’m sure he’s very happy to be coming back.”

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said he isn’t worried about Horry’s recent behavior.

Ceballos, who began his NBA career in Phoenix, averaged 10.8 points and 6.6 rebounds in eight games as a starter this season.

“Cedric was disappointed,” Lakers coach Del Harris said. “He liked it here.”

Portland suspends Robinson

Forward Clifford Robinson was suspended for one game by the Portland Trail Blazers for referring to coach P.J. Carlesimo with an expletive after being removed from Wednesday’s game against Miami.

Pneumonia sidelines Bradley

Shawn Bradley, the NBA’s leading shot blocker, was hospitalized with pneumonia and is expected to remain there for more than a week, the New Jersey Nets said.

Bullets beat Wizards

Presto, the Washington Bullets can become the Washington Wizards. A federal judge rejected a trademark infringement lawsuit brought in the spring by the Harlem Wizards, a comedy basketball troupe based in North Bergen, N.J.

The troupe contended that the NBA team would come to dominate all associations with the Wizard name, hurting their business.

3-point inventor dies

Angelo Drossos, credited with bringing professional basketball to San Antonio and the 3-point shot to the NBA, has died. He was 68.

The former San Antonio Spurs owner, who signed center David Robinson to his first pro contract, died Thursday night after a lengthy battle with a form of Parkinson’s disease.

Camby just can’t win

Marcus Camby of the Toronto Raptors, playing for the first time in more than a week, cut his shooting hand Thursday on the rim as he attempted to block a shot. He had eight stitches and is listed as day-to-day.

Rodman leads Bulls

Dennis Rodman had Chicago career highs with 16 points and 26 rebounds and Michael Jordan scored 33 points as the Bulls defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 116-101. The Bulls became the first NBA team to win 30 games.