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1. Suns' Stoudemire Rings In '05 With 50
In the ARIZONA REPUBLIC, Paul Coro writes that "Amaré Stoudemire's Christmas present to Suns fans arrived a week late, but his first career 50-point night was well received Sunday." Stoudemire "skipped right over his first 40-point game in the Suns' 117-98 win over Portland, making him the fourth Suns player to hit for 50 in the regular season."

2. Sonics Brace For 'Superman'
In the SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, Danny O'Neil writes that the "Sonics' strategy in a nutshell for tonight's game against the Miami Heat" is to "hold Shaquille O'Neal off as best you can" and "if that fails, foul him with everything you've got." It's the "same old story, just a different city after O'Neal was traded to the Heat this summer. It was a move that made the Heat (25-7) instant title contenders, and Miami has more victories than any team in the East."

3. Sit or Start? LeBron Faces Painful Decision
In the AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, Brian Windhorst writes that "despite some lingering soreness and some puffiness under his left eye where Dikembe Mutombo's elbow cracked his cheekbone, LeBron James is hoping it won't cause him to miss a beat." James is "planning on giving it a try against the Bobcats tonight in Charlotte." Still, "if James decides he's not ready to play, Lucious Harris or Sasha Pavlovic would likely start in his place."

4. Forget Offense, Kings' Webber Turns Defensive
In the SACRAMENTO BEE, Joe Davidson writes that "Chris Webber may not be explosively quick anymore, but his hands are still there." The Kings forward "didn't have the most glorious statistical line Sunday night with the game-high seven turnovers, but he had a hand in the 86-81 victory over the Spurs. Defending Tim Duncan on two fourth-period plays, as difficult a chore as there is in the NBA, Webber knocked the ball loose and then tied up the former MVP to force a jump ball."

5. Hamstring Could Sideline Celtics' Payton
In the BOSTON HERALD, Steve Bulpett writes that "Gary Payton suffered a strained left hamstring last night, but Doc Rivers may be feeling more ill this morning as he awaits the prognosis." At this point, "the possibilities range from Payton playing tonight against the Hornets at the FleetCenter to missing an extended period." If Payton can't go, "the bulk of the burden will fall on Marcus Banks, who had three points, two assists and three turnovers in 18 minutes last night."

6. Nuggets Fall As Cooper Goes Back To L.A.
Mike Bresnahan writes in the LOS ANGELES TIMES that "Michael Cooper put the ghosts-of-the-Lakers talk to rest right away at Staples Center." The Denver Nuggets' interim coach "acknowledged the 'specialness' of seeing the jerseys of Magic Johnson and James Worthy hanging below the ceiling, and made reference to the two championships he won here as the coach of the WNBA's Sparks, but as far as a chills-and-tears check, there were none."

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1. Sonics End Heat's 14-Game Winning Streak
Steve Kelley writes in the SEATTLE TIMES that "people keep waiting for the loss that starts the dominoes falling. But the wait continues and the wins keep coming." The "Sonics won in San Antonio and won the next night in Dallas." Last night "they beat the Heat 98-96, ending Miami's 14-game winning streak. They silenced a loud, sellout crowd and won their sixth straight road game. This season isn't fool's gold. This season, this unimaginable season, is real."

2. Lakers Prepare For Trip To Texas Triangle
In the LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS, Ross Siler writes that "the Lakers (16-12) will play tonight in San Antonio (NBA TV, 8:30 ET) and Wednesday in Dallas before returning to play host to Houston on Friday at Staples Center." San Antonio is an "NBA-best 14-1 this season at SBC Center, its lone loss coming Dec. 8 to Seattle." The "Lakers, by comparison, are just 5-6 in road games."

3. Gasol, Battier Help Grizzlies Win Fourth Straight
In the MEMPHIS COMMERCIAL APPEAL, Ron Tillery writes that "Pau Gasol led the Grizzlies to their fourth straight win by amassing 25 points and 10 rebounds Monday night during a 92-82 victory against the Utah Jazz in FedExForum. Shane Battier, amid trade speculation that would send him to New Orleans in a package for point guard Baron Davis, did his part by trying to fill in every line on the statistical report."

4. Pacers' Bender Prepares To Return
In the INDIANAPOLIS STAR, Mark Montieth writes that "as much as Jonathan Bender has been injured the past two-plus seasons, people have become conditioned not to get thrilled over positive news about his health." Bender "plans to return for Saturday's game at Dallas, however, ending a stretch on the injured list that dates to Nov. 19, and resuming a season that so far consists of two games. And he, for one, is ready."

5. Ford, Bucks Await Test Results
In the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, Tom Enlund reports that "Bucks guard T.J. Ford will undergo medical tests in the next few days that will determine whether he will be able to play this season." A "definitive answer is expected after Ford, who is recovering from spinal surgery, undergoes a two-part medical process." Ford "was hurt Feb. 24 at the Bradley Center when fouled by Mark Madsen of the Minnesota Timberwolves."

6. Warriors Celebrate 'The City' With Jerseys
In the MERCURY NEWS, David Pollak writes that "23 seasons after the Warriors moved from San Francisco to Oakland," one jersey stands out more than most. Golden State's 'The City' has "climbed near the top of the sales list." At "NBA.com, the Warriors say, only two throwback jerseys -- of the Lakers and Bulls -- are more successful." Al Attles, the Warriors vice president who raced up and down the court in the jersey long before it was retro, credits then-owner Franklin Mieuli with the look."

7. Behind The Mask: Wearing Protective Gear
LeBron James took the court Monday against the Bobcats wearing a protective face mask, and after a slow start proceeded to score a game-high 26 points in the Cavaliers' 94-83 victory. Perhaps James got some advice from teammate Zydrunas Ilgauskas on how to adjust to the new equipment. Ilgauskas is one of many players to have sought protection behind a thin piece of plastic. Click for a look at some players who have sported the look over the years.

8. NBA.com got milk? Rookie Rankings
Utah's Kirk Snyder made a strong case for a spot in this week's top 10, however, he couldn't quite keep up with Nenad Krstic, who has become a regular contributor for the Nets. Krstic joins Boston's Tony Allen and San Antonio's Beno Udrih as the three rookies to regain a spot in the top 10. Here's how the rookies rank this week.

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1. Pacers' O'Neal Goes For 55 Points
In the INDIANAPOLIS STAR, Mark Montieth writes that Jermaine O'Neal "scored 55 points to lead the Pacers to a 116-99 victory" over Milwaukee last night. "But he excused himself with 1:44 remaining rather than take on the records held by Reggie Miller and George McGinnis." O'Neal "settled for his 55 with no sense of frustration, and the growing feeling that something special might be happening for a team that experienced unprecedented turbulence through the season's first two months."

2. Trade Rumors Surround Hornets' Davis
In the NEW ORLEANS TIMES-PICAYUNE, John Reid writes that "Baron Davis was once considered an untouchable member of the Hornets, even after he made a trade request through his agent before the start of the season. But it appears now after a league-worst 2-27 start, the Hornets are at least listening to potential trade offers for their two-time All-Star." Davis "has been mentioned in possible deals involving the Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers and Indiana Pacers."

3. Nash Brings New Dawn To Suns
In the PIONEER PRESS, Brian Hamilton writes that "the season barely is beyond the quarter pole, but in Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders' mind, a presumptive most valuable player thus far was on the Target Center floor Tuesday night." With "apologies to Kevin Garnett, Saunders believes that the distinction belongs to Phoenix point guard Steve Nash, who arrived as a free agent in the offseason and arguably has single-handedly revived the Suns."

4. Wizards Have Franchise Night From Downtown
In the WASHINGTON TIMES, John N. Mitchell writes that "despite allowing the New Jersey Nets to shoot an uncharacteristic 50.7 percent from the floor, the Wizards countered with the best night of long-range shooting in franchise history, sinking 14 3-point field goals in earning their best-looking victory of the season 112-88." Larry Hughes "led the Wizards with 33 points, going 6-for-7 from beyond the arc."

5. Kings' Jackson To Miss Rest Of Regular Season
In the SACRAMENTO BEE, Joe Davidson reports that "Bobby Jackson's run of rotten luck landed him in surgery Monday, when the Kings guard underwent a successful procedure to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist." Now "the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year in 2002-03 is expected to miss the rest of the regular season and possibly part of the playoffs if his rehabilitation goes as scheduled."

6. Wade, Nowitzki Named Players of the Month
On Tuesday, the Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade and the Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki were named Eastern Conference and Western Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played during the month of December. Wade led the Heat to a league-best 14-1 record during December, averaging 23.0 points on 48.4% shooting, 7.7 assists and 5.9 rebounds. Nowitzki helped the Mavericks to a 9-4 month, averaging 27.2 points on 42.7% shooting.