Nba Eastern Conference

Sporting News, The, April 16, 2001 by Kathy Sheldon

WHO'S HOT

Pistons SG Jerry Stackhouse lit up the Bulls with 57 points last week, and it wasn't a fluke. He had scored more than 30 points in nine of 15 games leading up to the game in which he broke Michael Jordan's United Center scoring record (53), "Ron Attest told me at the beginning of the game that coach (Tim) Floyd said he didn't respect my game and he wasn't going to double-team me."

WHO'S NOT

Celtics point guards, Randy Brown's scoring average was at a three-year tow, and his turnovers were up, but the team still would rather have him playing. With Brown likely out for the remainder of the season, Boston must finish the playoff chase with a tougher schedule than the rival Pacers and with two second-year players directing traffic: Milt Palacio and Chris Herren.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME

Heat coach Pat Riley almost has a more difficult job now that C Alonzo Mourning and SG Eddie Jones are getting healthy, Egos hang in the balance. Brian Grant filled in admirably at center, the position he hated so much in Portland, but won't be rewarded with a move to his natural starting spot. He will be benched in deference to PF Anthony Mason, whom the team is trying to coax out of a recent funk.