NBA: Nov. 14, 2006

After shooting 2-for-18 in his two games since dropping 37 points on Milwaukee , Ben Gordon spent most of Monday's practice paired with Thabo Sefolosha on the Bulls ' second unit. -- Chicago Tribune

Despite Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley 's statement that Mike Fratello 's future is up to Jerry West , there's not much doubt that West would already have replaced his head coach if he were in a position to go out and hire another guy. He's not, though, because of the uncertain ownership situation. If Brian Davis and his group manage to strap together the money to buy the Grizzlies, they naturally will want to pick the coach themselves. -- Memphis Commercial-Appeal

Isiah Thomas disputed Bruce Bowen 's assertion that Thomas told his players to 'break his neck' during Saturday's on-court verbal confrontation in San Antonio . -- Newsday

Theo Ratliff visited a doctor in the morning for further examination of the disc problem in his back. The Celts had no update, but the team doesn't expect to have the center's services in the near future. -- Boston Herald

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle realizes an argument could be made that Jeff Foster should start. Carlisle doesn't want to start Foster because he believes the current starting frontcourt of Jermaine O'Neal , Al Harrington and Danny Granger allows them to have their best players on the court at the start of games. -- Indianapolis Star

Heat coach Pat Riley said Jason Williams had an excellent practice Monday and could see spot minutes as early as tonight against the Nuggets. -- Miami Herald

Richard Jefferson is a quick healer and yes, the swelling in his sprained left ankle has gone down, but no, it doesn't look as if he's coming back tomorrow night against the Bucks . And he may not come back this week. -- New York Post

Jazz basketball boss Kevin O'Connor said Monday that both forward Andrei Kirilenko and shooting guard Gordan Giricek may miss at least the next three games, but he doesn't know how many more beyond that. -- Deseret News

In an attempt to reverse a disturbing trend, Raptors coach Sam Mitchell replaced struggling mainstay Morris Peterson with explosive newcomer Fred Jones in a slumping starting lineup with four games remaining in a challenging West Coast swing. -- Toronto Sun