DENVER — Nuggets coach George Karl has been diagnosed with neck and throat cancer and likely will miss some games and practices while undergoing a rigorous six-week treatment program of radiation and chemotherapy.
His voice breaking at times, Karl revealed the diagnosis Tuesday night with his doctor, Jacques Saari, at his side and surrounded by his team and members of the Nuggets organization.
“My desire is to do whatever I can to stay with my team throughout the treatment that I have to go through,” Karl said. “Basically, my belief is this is a championship team and I want to do anything and everything I can to help them continue in their quest that we all want.”
Karl, a survivor of prostate cancer, said he expects to miss at least a couple of upcoming games, at Golden State on Feb. 25 and at Minnesota on March 10. He said assistant Adrian Dantley would lead the team when he’s absent.
Karl informed his players that he was battling cancer when the team convened earlier Tuesday for its first practice since returning from the All-Star break.
“A situation like that, it’s real life,” guard Chauncey Billups said.
Clippers trade Camby to Blazers
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Trail Blazers are picking up needed help on the interior, acquiring Marcus Camby from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for guard Steve Blake and forward Travis Outlaw.
The team announced the trade on Tuesday. ESPN.com and Yahoo! Sports were the first to report the deal, which also includes cash going to the Clippers.
Nets 103, Bobcats 94
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Courtney Lee scored 21 points, Devin Harris added 17 and New Jersey never trailed in beating Charlotte for just its fifth win of the season.
Thunder 99, Mavericks 86
OKLAHOMA CITY — Kevin Durant had 25 points and 14 rebounds, rookie reserve James Harden added 17 points and Oklahoma City beat Dallas to stretch its winning streak to seven games.
Heat 105, 76ers 78
PHILADELPHIA — Dwyane Wade scored 24 points and Miami cruised past Philadelphia. Jermaine O’Neal added 20 points for Miami, which won its third straight.
Bulls 118, Knicks 85
CHICAGO — Derrick Rose made it look easy despite a bruised right hip, hitting his first nine shots and scoring 29 points to lead Chicago over New York.
Pistons 108, T-wolves 85
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Jonas Jerebko led a balanced offense with 21 points and Detroit pulled away in the second half to beat Minnesota.
Suns 109, Grizzlies 95
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Jason Richardson scored 27 points, Amare Stoudemire added 21 points and 10 rebounds as Phoenix won its sixth game in the past seven with a victory over Memphis.
Jazz 104, Rockets 95
HOUSTON — Deron Williams scored 17 points and dished out 15 assists, Mehmet Okur scored 21 points and the Utah Jazz continued their midseason surge with a win over the Houston Rockets.
Celtics 95, Kings 92
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Rasheed Wallace and Paul Pierce each scored 17 points, and the Boston Celtics held off the Sacramento Kings.
Trail Blazers 109, Clippers 87
PORTLAND, Ore. — Martell Webster scored 28 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 22 as the Portland Trail Blazers cruised to a victory over Los Angeles.
Lakers 104, Warriors 94
LOS ANGELES — Shannon Brown set career highs with 27 points and 10 rebounds while starting in place of the injured Kobe Bryant, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors.
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