Sprewell’s Hearing Begins
Latrell Sprewell’s arbitration hearing begins today in Portland, and his former Golden State teammates likely will be the first to testify.
Sprewell was fired by the Warriors and banned from the NBA for one calendar year for his attack on coach P.J. Carlesimo during a Dec. 1 practice. The firing cost the three-time All-Star guard the $25 million he was to be paid over the final three years of his four-year, $32 million agreement.
The players union filed grievances against the Warriors and the league, saying the penalties are too severe.
The matter will be heard by arbitrator John Feerick, dean of Fordham University Law School, who Sunday night issued a partial gag order to those involved with the hearing.
Warriors players likely will testify first because they’re in Portland for a game against the Trail Blazers tonight.
The hearing is scheduled for today, Wednesday and Thursday in Portland, and the league said there is a “strong possibility” it will be extended to Friday. It then will continue in New York on Feb. 3-4, the league said.
The arbitrator has 30 days from the end of the hearing, or from the filing of any post-hearing briefs, to make a ruling. His decision is binding.
On the courts
Rookie center Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 23 points, including a free throw with 1.3 seconds left that gave the Cleveland Cavaliers a 94-93 victory over the Miami Heat. The Cavaliers snapped a 10-game losing streak at Miami Arena.
At San Antonio, David Robinson scored 34 points and Avery Johnson added a season-high 27 as the Spurs routed the Houston Rockets 115-90.
Charles Barkley had 19 points and 14 rebounds for Houston before he was ejected for arguing a call in the fourth quarter. Eddie Johnson added 14 points for the Rockets.
At Atlanta, Rex Chapman scored 13 of his 26 points in the third quarter and Danny Manning got nine of his 19 in the final period as the Phoenix Suns beat the Hawks 96-91.
At Toronto, Oliver Miller got loose for a go-ahead layup with 3.5 seconds left and the Raptors tied a team record with their third straight win, 91-87 over the Philadelphia 76ers.