NBA roundup: Christie vs. Fox tunnel bout shows Kings-Lakers friction

LOS ANGELES — In an exhibition finale marked by a brawl between the Kings' Doug Christie and the Lakers' Rick Fox, Sacramento beat Los Angeles 93-88 last night to intensify the friction between the Western Conference rivals.

Christie, a former standout at Rainier Beach High School in Seattle, and Fox fought in the tunnel leading to the locker room after they were ejected in the first quarter. Neither player appeared seriously hurt.

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson blamed the tunnel fight on the officials, while Kings Coach Rick Adelman faulted Staples Center security.

Bobby Jackson scored 16 points for the Kings and Scot Pollard, who played at Kamiakin High School in Kennewick, had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 23.

Christie drew an offensive foul when Fox turned and knocked him down with an elbow. After Christie got up, the players exchanged words. Fox pushed Christie in the face with an open hand, and Christie responded with a left-handed punch to Fox's jaw.

After they were ejected, the players left the court in opposite directions. Fox apparently went around the back and met Christie in the tunnel toward the locker room.

Fox grabbed Christie in a headlock, and they had to be separated by security, as well as the entire Kings bench. Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal, in street clothes, attempted to separate players.

Sacramento's Vlade Divac criticized Fox.

"Rick didn't just go too far. He went overseas and back," Divac said. "I don't feel secure, man."

The teams regularly trade insults, but the rhetoric heated up before last night's game when O'Neal said, "I'm not worried about the Sacramento Queens."

Garnett, T-wolves discuss extension

MINNEAPOLIS — Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves are negotiating an extension to the largest contract in league history, the $126 million deal he signed in 1997.

The All-Star forward has two seasons left on his contract. He is eligible for an extension worth up to $139 million over four years.

Garnett and Troy Hudson each scored 22 points as the Timberwolves beat Indiana 111-76 in the final exhibition game for both teams.

Point guard Rod Strickland is expected to sign with the Timberwolves by today. The 36-year-old played last season with Miami, his sixth team in 14 seasons.

Howard gets suspension, fine

NEW YORK — Denver Nuggets forward Juwan Howard was suspended for two games and fined $15,000 by the league for throwing punches at Indiana's Al Harrington and Jermaine O'Neal during an exhibition game Wednesday.

Notes

• Jason Terry, a former standout at Franklin High School in Seattle, scored 21 points to lead Atlanta past New Orleans 90-69.

• Latrell Sprewell said he thinks an arbitrator will force the New York Knicks to refund at least some of his $437,000 in fines and lost salary when his grievance against the team is heard.

The Knicks lost to the New Jersey Nets 106-77 in East Rutherford, N.J.

• It was a good night for the player from North Carolina who is now starring at guard for the Washington Wizards.

Not Michael Jordan, who is working to get his timing back at age 39, but Jerry Stackhouse, who scored 36 points as the Wizards wrapped up the exhibition season with a 104-95 loss to the host Boston Celtics.

"If Stack can come out and get off to a start like that, it makes things easier for me," said Jordan, who scored 14 points in 23 minutes, making 5 of 13 shots. He also had nine assists.

• Tim Duncan had 17 points and 17 rebounds, leading San Antonio to a 103-82 victory over Philadelphia. Tony Parker added 17 points for the Spurs.

Allen Iverson scored 26 points for the 76ers. Todd MacCulloch, a former Washington Husky, scored 12 points and ex-Sonic Eric Snow had 10.

• Backup point guard Anthony Johnson was re-signed by New Jersey.

• Philadelphia 76ers forward Monty Williams will have arthroscopic surgery for torn cartilage in his left knee. He is out indefinitely.