Tid Bits around the League from USA Today.

[TheKid]

Court coverage

The week that was and the week ahead

By David DuPree, USA TODAY

Team of the week


Seattle SuperSonics: They had a perfect 4-0 week, beating the New Jersey Nets, Charlotte Hornets and Minnesota Timberwolves at home and the Memphis Grizzlies on the road, holding them to an average of 83.3 points and 36.9% shooting. Different players stepped up each game but Gary Payton was the consistent force, averaging 19.5 points, 10.5 assists and 2.0 steals and keeping everyone involved. Sonics have won 11 of 13 overall.

Stepping up

Allen Iverson, Philadelphia: 76ers won three in a row last week and have won five of six overall as Iverson scored more than 40 points four times and averaged 38.0 points, 5.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds. He also has gotten to the line 13.2 times a game.

Michael Finley, Dallas: Averaged 26.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and only 1.25 turnovers in a 4-0 Mavericks week.

Tim Duncan, San Antonio: Recorded his league-leading 50th double-double Saturday and averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and shot 58% as the Spurs went 4-0.

Sizzle and fizzle

New Nuggets star: Denver has a two-game winning streak (New York and Portland) and Juwan Howard averaged 26.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists.

Courtney's court: Courtney Alexander, getting minutes with Michael Jordan out after knee surgery, averaged 23.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and shot 59% as the Wizards went 2-2.

Kidd skid: New Jersey's Jason Kidd shot just 30.8% and got to the foul line only twice as the Nets went 0-4 on their Western road trip, losing at Los Angeles (Lakers), Portland, Seattle and Phoenix.

The O'Neals: Shaquille O'Neal averaged 34.7 points, 12.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.0 blocks and shot 69.8% as the Lakers went 2-1. Jermaine O'Neal (no relation) averaged 25.8 points, 11.5 rebounds and shot 59% as the Pacers went 2-2.

Notable and quotable

The 50 Club: Orlando's Tracy McGrady became the sixth player this season to score 50 points in a game when he did it Friday in a 99-96 win against Washington.

Friday and the 13th:Toronto broke its 13-game losing streak and Golden State ended its 13-game road losing streak on Friday. Antonio Davis had 23 points and 10 rebounds as the Raptors beat Miami 83-74, and Jason Richardson had 32 points in the Warriors' 108-95 win at Houston.

One-liner

Jason Williams of Memphis, playing his first game in two weeks after ingrown toenail surgery, showed just how dazzling he can be in Wednesday's 122-111 win against Indiana, snapping an eight-game losing streak and giving the franchise its first ever victory against Indiana. His line:

Min. FGM-A 3-pt. FGM-A FTM-A Reb. Ast. Stl. TO Pts.
35 13-21 4-10 3-4 2 11 1 5 33

This week's big game

Sacramento at Philadelphia: The Kings, as road-challenged as they are, still have the best record in the league, and the 76ers are playing their best basketball so far this season. This is a statement game for both. (Wednesday, 8 ET, TNT). Last week's big game: Lakers beat the Nets 101-92.

This week's best matchups

Antoine Walker vs. Tim Duncan: Duncan may be the best low-post player in the league, while Walker is a point-power forward. Their styles collide Saturday when Boston visits San Antonio.

Dirk Nowitzki vs. Rasheed Wallace: These are two of the most difficult players in the league to guard. Now each gets to see what it feels like first hand when Dallas travels to Portland on Thursday.

USA TODAY TOP 10

(Through Saturday; last week's ranking in parentheses)

1. Dallas (3): Are there enough minutes to go around?

2. L.A. Lakers (2): Shaq making his MVP push.

3. Sacramento (1): Do Kings have enough muscle?

4. San Antonio (6): Quietly put themselves back into contention for NBA's best record.

5. Portland (7): Scottie Pippen has taken control.

6. Philadelphia (10): Claxton-Snow point guard duo creating havoc.

7. New Jersey (5): Now we find out what Nets are made of.

8. Seattle (-): Sonics cranking up the defense.

9. Detroit (9): Tough Western swing coming up this week.

10. Minnesota (4): Second-best home record in league, but only .500 on road.