WASHINGTON (AP) Abe Pollin, the Washington Wizards owner who brought an NBA championship to the nation's capital and later had the mettle to stand up to Michael Jordan, died Tuesday. He was 85.

His death was announced by his company, Washington Sports & Entertainment. No details were disclosed but Pollin suffered from progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare brain disorder impairs movement and balance. He had heart bypass surgery in 2005 and broke his pelvis two years later.

"With Abe Pollin's passing, the NBA family has lost its most revered member, whose stewardship of the Wizards franchise, together with his wife Irene, has been a study in unparalleled dedication to the city of Washington," NBA commissioner David Stern said. "During his illness he fought with a determination and valor that will remain an inspiration to all."

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PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Greg Oden is starting to become a force on the offensive end.

Oden tied a career high with 24 points and LaMarcus Aldridge also had 24 to help the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Chicago Bulls 122-98 on Monday night. Read More...

LOS ANGELES (AP) Baron Davis was having one of his poorest shooting nights as a pro, missing his first nine shots and coming within 8.5 seconds of playing an entire game without a field goal for the first time in eight seasons.

But with the Clippers holding a precarious two-point lead on the dreadful Minnesota Timberwolves, the 11-year veteran point guard drove the lane for a clinching layup to help Los Angeles escape with a 91-87 victory Monday night and send the T'Wolves to their 13th straight loss. Read More...

SAN ANTONIO (AP) The San Antonio Spurs were finally able to take advantage of a big night from Tim Duncan.

Duncan had 24 points and 12 rebounds and the Spurs halted the Milwaukee Bucks' three-game winning streak with a 112-98 victory Monday night, getting their second blow out in as many games after an unusually lackluster start to the season. Read More...

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) The Memphis Grizzlies finally were able to finish off an opponent.

Rudy Gay scored 24 points, O.J. Mayo added 20 and the Memphis Grizzlies beat Sacramento 116-105 on Monday night, sending the Kings to their fourth straight loss. Read More...

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) New York's top court ruled Tuesday that the state can use eminent domain to force homeowners and businesses to sell their properties for a massive development in Brooklyn that includes a new arena for the New Jersey Nets.

In a 6-1 ruling Tuesday, the Court of Appeals said the Empire State Development Corp.'s finding that the area was blighted was enough to justify taking the land. Read More...

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) Shaquille O'Neal asked for a shot. The Cavaliers gave him 10 days off instead.

The team wouldn't comply when O'Neal asked for a cortisone injection to make his ailing shoulder feel better, choosing to treat it with rest and rehab. O'Neal returned to practice with the Cavaliers on Monday and is hopeful he can play in Cleveland's game at Detroit on Wednesday. Read More...

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Golden State Warriors coach Don Nelson has pneumonia and isn't traveling with the team for two games in Texas.

The 69-year-old Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history, missed practice Sunday and again Monday. The team said he had been diagnosed with pneumonia and would miss Golden State's games Tuesday at Dallas and Wednesday at San Antonio. Read More...

HOUSTON (AP) Tracy McGrady returned to practice with the Houston Rockets for the first time since microfracture surgery in February on Monday, but the seven-time All-Star still doesn't know when he'll play.

McGrady said he can play now, but Rockets coach Rick Adelman has said he's not ready. Read More...

LOS ANGELES (AP) Clippers longtime TV play-by-play man Ralph Lawler and analyst Michael Smith were back behind the microphone following a one-game suspension by the Fox Sports Prime Ticket network Friday. They were reprimanded for some off-the-cuff remarks they made on the air last Wednesday at Memphis about Grizzlies Iranian-born center Hamed Haddadi.

Both declined interview requests from The Associated Press about 2 hours before gametime, but during the opening of Monday's telecast, Lawler said: "I want to get something out of the way right here off the top of the show. Speaking for Mike, both of us deeply regret anything that we might have said in that ballgame against Memphis last Wednesday night that may have offended any good Clipper fan, or anybody else. We're glad to put it behind us, we're glad to be back, the Clippers wind up with a 106-99 victory over Denver - Mike, I guess we missed a pretty darn good game." Read More...