TNT announced Thursday night that they have re-signed NBA studio analyst Charles Barkley to a multi-year deal beginning in the 2009-2010 campaign. Details of the deal were not released. Barkley is part of the in-studio trio on TNT broadcasts including host Ernie Johnson, and analyst Kenny Smith. Barkley has been a part of the broadcast team at TNT?for eight seasons. Barkley spent 16 years in the NBA, and is a member?of the Basketball Hall Of Fame. He retired from the NBA after the 1999-200 season. Barkley was also a member of the first U.S. Olympic “Dream Team” he won Gold Medals in 1992, and 1996.

Feb

29

Lakers Trounce Heat 106-88

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The Los Angeles Lakers? embarrassment of riches was on full display Thursday night for those who stayed up late enough to watch.The Lakers jumped out to an early lead and never let the Miami Heat get closer than seven points as they defeated Miami 106-88 in Los Angeles . Five players scored in double-figures for the Lakers as they beat Miami in nearly every phase of the game.

Tip-off was at 10:50 p.m. EST on TNT, twenty minutes later than planned due to TNT?s coverage of the earlier Dallas Mavericks-San Antonio Spurs game. L.A. jumped out to an 18-4 lead more than halfway through the first quarter as they scored 16 of those first 18 points in the paint.Miami was outscored, out hustled and out manned the entire night as 10-2 and 7-0 runs in the first half couldn?t even break the double-digit lead L.A. held throughout most of the game.L.A. was up 22-6 with just under four minutes left in the first quarter before Miami went on a 10-2 run. After a Laker basket, Miami ?s Marcus Banks hit a three-pointer just before the buzzer to cut the Lakers lead to 26-19 after one period.The Lakers quickly came back at the beginning of the second quarter as two Sasha Vujacic jumpers and a Jordan Farmar three, one of four on the night, moved the Laker lead back into double-digits at 33-19.Dwayne Wade and the Heat fought back a few other times during the game, but the Lakers controlled the tempo as they held Miami to just 37.5% shooting from the field.

Farmar scored a career-high 24 points, Kobe Bryant scored 21 while dishing eight assists and four Lakers posted double-digit rebounds. L.A. out rebounded Miami 55-40 on the night.Wade scored 18 points and Shawn Marion scored 13 and grabbed 11 rebounds.The win was the tenth straight for the Lakers and leaves them atop the Western Conference with a 41-17 record. With the loss, the Heat dip to 10-45 on the season

Feb

29

Duncan’s Double-Double Leads Spurs Past Dallas 97-94

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Tim Duncan recorded a double-double Thursday night as he led the San Antonio Spurs to their seventh straight win squeezing by the Dallas Mavericks 97-94. The game was filled with emotion, and was tight for the entire contest as the two teams were tied 39 times, and the lead changed hands an incredible 47 times.

The two teams are among the elite in the NBA Western Conference, and they played as two evenly matched for most of the contest. Dallas would take the lead at the end of the first quarter, as they were ahead 25-22, no more than five points seperated the two teams during the second quarter as the lead went back and forth, only to find the two teams knotted up at 47-47 as the game reached the half.? Dallas had the biggest lead of the game as they were up by 10 points, when Jason Terry made a layup, putting the Mavericks on top 77-67 with 3:44 left in the period. But San Antonio suddenly came alive and led at the end of the quarter 73-72 after Ime Udoka hit a trey at the buzzer. The final period came down to the last 34 seconds, as the teams were deadlocked at 94-94. Duncan hit 2 at the line and Michael Finley sealed the deal going 1-2 at the charity stripe for the final margin of victory.

Duncan led the Spurs with a game high 31 points, a game?high 15 boards, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block. Manu Ginobili scored 17 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, Michael Finley scored 16 points off the bench, 1 rebound, 1 assist. Bruce Bowen had a nice game 14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, Tony Parker scored 10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals.

Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 28 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block. Josh Howard scored 16 points, grabbed 8 boards, 1 assist, Brandon Bass came off the bench and also scored 16 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block. Jason Kidd scored just 7 points, but had a game high 10 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals. San Antonio after the win have a record of 39-17, Dallas is 38-20.

Feb

29

Barry To Return To Spurs

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The “Arizona Republic” reported Thursday night that Phoenix Suns General Manager Steve Kerr received a call from free agent guard Brent Barry to inform him that he was turning down Phoenix’ offer and was going to re-sign with the San Antonio Spurs. Barry who was an?important part of last year’s NBA Championship team, was traded to the Seattle Super Sonics in the deal that got the Spurs Kurt Thomas. Barry was waived immediately by Seattle, and cleared waivers Tuesday. Barry who is 36 years old and is in his thirteenth campaign in the?Association, will not be eligible to play for the Spurs until March 21.

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