The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 42

SPORTS: NBA.AUTO RACING Marion helps Suns clinch playoffs for 13th year in row VMMMMMMMMH IMivll.lili Tennessetm Nexs Services. CLEVELAND Shawn Marion made sure the Phoenix Suns took advantage of every opportunity in their bid for a playoff berth. The former Clarksville High star scored 25 points as Phoenix overcame a 17-point deficit to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 102-98 last night and clinch a playoff berth for the 13th consecutive season. "I was just determined in what I was supposed to do," Marion said. "It was like a mismatch on the court, so we had to take advantage of them." Marion scored nine consecutive points over a 236 span and Phoenix went on a 14-4 run for its first lead, 66-64, midway through the third quarter.

Jason Kidd punctuated the outburst with a 3-pointer and an 11-foot jumper as Phoenix moved ahead to stay. "We came out lethargic," Phoenix Coach Scott Skiles said. "We crept back into the game and got in position where, if we played hard, we could win. We played much harder in the second half." Lamond Murray scored nine points in the fourth quarter as Cleveland stayed close. The Cavaliers closed a 10-point deficit to 98-96 with 17 seconds left when Clarence Weatherspooon converted a bad pass by the Suns' Rodney Rogers into a slam dunk.

moved within one game of the last playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics trail idle Indiana by one game in the race for the eighth playoff spot in the East. Boston has five games left, while Indiana has sevea Jazz 116, Mavericks 103 DALLAS Karl Malone scored 11 of his 30 points in the third quarter and finished with 11 rebounds as the Utah Jazz beat the Dallas Mavericks. The Jazz went on a 19-0 run that started in the final three minutes of the first half and continued until 9:48 in the third quarter. A short jumper by Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki ended Utah's run.

Rockets 110, Hawks 97 HOUSTON Steve Francis scored 10 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter as the Houston Rockets beat Atlanta, extending the Hawks' road losing streak to 11 games. Hakeem Olajuwon scored 26 points for Houston. Mourning's comeback: Alonzo Mourning of the Heat has a hot game with the Knicks today. Stakes are high with seven regular-season games left, the Eastern Conference rivals are tied for third place, meaning the showdown could decide home-court advantage if their paths cross in the playoffs for a fifth consecutive year. Former Kentucky star Tony Delk of Brownsville, Tena, then drove for a score, was fouled on the play, and made the free throw, pushing the Suns' lead back to five points.

Kidd, who left the Suns' game against Minnesota on Friday night with back spasms and a sore knee, finished with 17 points and nine assists in 43 minutes. Pistons 97, Hornets 92 CHARLOTTE, N.C. Jerry Stackhouse scored 30 points and Ben Wallace had a career-high 24 rebounds to lead the Detroit Pistons to a victory over the slumping Charlotte Hornets. Elden Campbell had 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Hornets, who have lost three straight and seven of their last nine. The Hornets were booed off the floor by the few remaining fans at the end of the game, even after Baron Davis hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Charlotte, which started the week in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, slipped to sixth place and is now only a half-game ahead of seventh-place Orlando. Ceftics 102, Wizards 100 WASHINGTON Antoine Walker had 28 points and 13 rebounds as the Boston Celtics beat the Washington Wizards and BILL STEBER STAFF Russell Tickle stands at the infield fan walk during Nashville Superspeedway's open house. The walk will give fans a close-up view of the pit crews during races. New track opens its doors, official says all systems go By LARRY WOODY -f I 1'ltirffljtl T1TIT IT'f Vt Klff Writer 1 1 iilUll Wi 1 1 1 i I i I I I II I iHHrnmH Staff Writer NBA playoff races EASTERN CONFERENCE NBA Glance EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division Pet .697 632 .600 .600 .566 53 23 48 28 45 30 45 30 43 33 42 35 41 35 35 40 53 23 45 30 45 30 41 35 35 42 26 51 18 58 y-PNadelphia x-Mdwaukee x-NewYork x-Miami x-Toronto x-Chartotte x-Orlando Indiana Closing In Boston .545 11(4 .539 12 .467 1714 checked out the seats for his two season tickets. "You've got to see it to believe it.

I've had tickets to Bristol and Talladega for years. I've seen those crowds of 150,000, 200,000 people." Some area residents have expressed concern over the impact of the huge facility on the rural community, but Parker, who lives a mile from the Superspeedway, said "It's not going to be a problem. There will be some traffic on race weekends, but it's not going to hurt our community. It's going to be good for it" Cindy Hein and Tracy Goodman from nearby Lebanon arrived long before the 10 am opening. "We've watched the construction from the outside, and ifs been exciting to see," I Iein said.

"This is a great dry run for us," Hawks said. 'It not only allows the fans a chance check out the track, it lets our staff get a feel for how to kindle a big crowd." Although workers were still putting up signs and adding other finishing touches, I lawks said the facility is ready for operatioa "All the seats are in place, all parking areas are completed, and we had a 'flush-off last week to make sure all the restroom facilities work, with plenty of water pressure," he said. "The only thing not entirely done is some of the sodding has not been finished. But except for missing a little grass here and there, we're ready to race." tarry Woody writes about auto racing at www.tennessean.com. He can be reached at 259-801 9 or lwoodytennessean.com.

GLADEVILLE, Term. The gates swung opea the fans poured in and a new racing era was launched yesterday with the official opening of Nashville Super-speedway. 'This is the biggest moment in the history of motor-sports in Middle Tennessee," said Cliff Hawks, presi-dent and general mamiger of the new $125 million facility, who presided over yesterday's ribbon-cutting ceremony. Thousands of fans took advantage of the first public opening to tour the facility, check out their seats and get their bearings in preparation for this week's races. ARCA practice starts Wednesday and Busch practice Thursday.

Busch qualifying will be held at noon Friday, followed by a 4 p.m. 150-mile ARCA race. The main event, the Pepsi 300 NASCAR Busch Series race, starts at noon Saturday. While the fans and a number of state and local dignitaries turned out for yesterday's sneak peek, the single most important visitor won't arrive until Wednesday: NASCAR Chairman Bill France, whose impression of the track could help determine whether the facility gets a Winston Cup race. The track will open with 50,000 seats, and if it lands a Winston Cup race it will immediately add 100,000 more and even that number probably won't be able to meet the ticket demand.

"People who have never been to a Cup race can't imagine how big a deal it is," said Ron Parker, who Pet GB .697 .600 7V4 .600 .539 12 .465 18Vi .338 27Vi .237 35 Pet GB .632 .566 5 .545 6(4 .467 12'A .382 19 .342 22 .303 25 .160 35V4 35 42 .455 18V4 x-Mtami x-NswVbrk K-Ortando Boston New Jersey Washngton Cant Division x-MKwaukes x-Toronto x-Chaitotte Indana Detroit Cleveland Atlanta Chicago WESTERN CONFERENCE 48 28 43 33 42 35 35 40 29 47 26 50 23 53 12 63 Mashbum (19.925). Celtics 102, Wizards 100 BOSTON (102) Walker 10-24 6-8 28, Pierce 7-121415, Blount 0-1 04 0, Pala-do 7-10 04 14. Stith 3-8 34 10, Potapenko 1-5 04 2, Herren 34 04 9. E.Williams 7-9 5-7 20, Battie 2-3 04 4, Gntfr 04 04 0, McCarty 0-1 04 0. Totals 40-79 15-27 102.

WASHINGTON (100) Alexander 8-1 94-5 21. Laettner 5-10 1-2 11. White 3-3 6-13 12, RHamilton 14-25 9-9 38, Profit 24 44 8. Mic.Smith 24 04 4. RJones 1 -2 2-2 4, Vanterpool 14 04 2.

Totals 36-75 26-35 100. Boston 27 29 23 23 102 Washington 31 25 28 18 100 3-Pomt Goats-Boston 7-24 (Herren 34, Walker 24, E.Williams 14, Stith 1-5, McCarty 0-1, PalacioO-1), Washington 2-9 (RHamilton 1 -3. Alexander 1 4, Laettner 0-1, Vanterpool 0-1). Fouled out-None. Rebounds-Boston 43 (Walker 13).

Washington 56 (Laettner 9). Asststs-Boston 23 (Walker 7), Washington 16 (Profit 8). Total touts-Boston 23, Washington 20. Technicals-Walker. Mic.Smith.

NBA leaders Through April 8 Scoring FG FT PTS AVG Iverson, Phil. 67 720 557 2090 31 .2 Stackhouse, Det. 73707 6072172 29.8 Pet .707 .680 .662 .658 .645 .632 .618 53 22 51 24 51 26 50 26 49 27 48 28 47 29 x-San Antonio x-Sacramento x-LA Lakers x-Utah x-DaHas x-Portland x-Phoenix Minnesota Closing In Houston Seattle WESTERN CONFERENCE Midwest Division 45 30 .600 8 42 35 .545 41 36 .532 Pet GB .707 .658 3V4 .645 4V4 .600 8 .545 12 .481 17 266 32 53 22 50 26 49 27 45 30 42 35 37 40 22 55 x-San Antonio x-Utah x-DaHas Minnesota Houston Denver tancouver PscrAc Division x-Sacramento x-LA Lakers x-Portland 51 24 51 26 48 28 47 29 41 36 28 48 17 58 Pet GB .680 .662 1 .632 3'A .618 Vh .532 11 .368 23V4 .227 34 Letson gets first career win at track x-Hrtosnix Seattle LACyppers Golden Slate ice. Nowitzki. A-18.

187 (18.187). Rockets 110, Hawks 97 ATLANTA (97) Henderson 7-12 0-2 14, Johnson 0-3 0-0 0, Mohammed 5-9 5-5 15, Terry 9-21 4-5 23. Knight 2-7 04 4, Wright 6-13 2-3 14. Glover 7-12 2-2 17. Makxiey 3-5 04 6, Mottola 14 2-2 4, Bowdler 04 0-0 0.

Totals 40-88 15-19 97. HOUSTON (110) Anderson 2 7 04 5, Thomas 4-12 6-7 14. Otaiuwon 12-17 2-5 26, Francs 9-21 6-8 28, Moctey 7-15 7-7 21 Cato 2-4 04 4, Noms 1 -7 04 2, Langhi 1- 3 04 2, Budard 3-9 04 8. Totals 41-95 21-27110. Atlanta 23 29 24 21 97 Houston 33 21 26 30 110 3-Pomt Goals-Atlanta 2-12 (Glover 1-2, Terry 1-7, Johnson 0-1, Makxiey 0-2), Houston 7-20 (Francis 44, Bulard 24, Anderson 1-3, Noms 0-1, Mobley 0-2).

Fouled out-None. Rebounds-Atlanta 45 (Mohammed 8), Houston 67 (Thomas 13). Assists-Atlanta 20 (Knight 7), Houston 29 (Noms 8). Total fouls-Atlanta 19, Houston 13. Technkafs-HenrJerson, Francis.

Suns 102, Cavs 98 PHOENIX (102) Robinson 7-13 34 19, Marion 10-22 54 25, Tsakalidis 0-1 2-2 2, Kidd 6-22 44 1 7, Elie 04 2-2 2, Dudley 0-0 0-0 0, GugKotta 1-2 0-1 2, 4-8 2-3 10, Dal Negro 3-6046, Rogers 6-82-317, Santiago 1-2 04 2. Totals 38-90 20-27 102. CLEVELAND (98) Harpring 6-16 7-820. Weatherspcon 6-10 84 20, Mihm 4-7 2-2 10, Miler 4-14 8-10 16, Person 24 04 4, Cotes 2-4 0-0 4, Langdon 34 4-4 10. Tray-tar 0-1 1-2 1, Murray 6-10 04 13.

Totals 33-72 30-3498. Phoenix 19 27 33 23 102 Cleveland 28 26 18 26 88 3-Pomt Goals-Phoenix 6-12 (Rogers 34, Robinson 2-3, Kidd 1-3. Ehe 0-2), Cleveland 2-8 (Murray 1-2. Harpnng 1-4, Millar 0-2) Fouled out-None. Rebounds-Phoenix 49 (Manor 10), Cleveland 53 (Waatherspoon 9).

Assists-Phoentx 21 (Kidd 9). Cleveland 22 (Miller 8). Total fouls-Phoenix 24, Cleveland 25. Technicals-Phoenix coach Skiles. Robinson.

Pistons 97, Hornets 92 DETROIT (97) J.Smith 4-13-311. Williamson 7-13 0-3 14, B.Watece 24 54 9, Atkins 8-15 6-6 25. Stackhouse 1 1-30 7-7 30, FJuecNer 24 04 4, Moore 1-3 04 2, Cleaves 0-1 040. Barros 1-1 042 Totals 3648 21-27 97. CHARLOTTE (92) Mashbum 7-23 2-3 18, PBrown 24 1-1 5.

Campbell 7-11 64 20. Dave 8-13 2-3 20. Wesley 3-11 2-2 8, Maojore 1-3 04 2. Robinson 3-5 2-2 8, Coleman 2-7 54 9, James 1-3 04 2, Thorpe 0-1 04 0, Recasner 0-3 0-2 0. Totals 3446 20-29 92 Detroit 20 28 25 28 97 Cftertorte 18 19 28 29 82 3-Pomt Goafs-Detroit 4-10 (Atkins 3-5, Stackhouse 1-5).

Charlotte 4-8 (Mashbum 2- 2. Dave 2 3, Wesley 0-1. Recasner 0-1, Campbei 0-1). Foiled out-Nona Rebounds-Detrot 61 (B Walace 24), Charlotle 58 (PBrown 13). Assists-Detroit 19 (Stackhouse 6).

Charlotte 24 (Wesley 7). Total fuss-Detroit 1 7, Chanotte 24. Technicals-Detroit UtegaJ Defense. J.Srrith. x-dinched playoff spot y-dmcfied division 64664 4491837 28.

7 69755 4521962 28.4 69708 3581919 27.8 63720 3041746 27.7 71 725 401 1904 26.8 76636 521 1930 25.4 76 726 326 1 836 24.5 67563 3621598 23.9 74617 4901726 23.3 75644 2301718 229 74668 261 1690 22.8 75669 3361690 22.5 71 647 241 1587 22.4 75551 4121659 22.1 75636 3771655 22.1 76575 3281661 21.9 75649 2191590 21.2 GOFFDEF TOT AVG 70289 668 957 13.7 73273 651 924 12.7 69277 596 873 12.7 75238 684 922 12.3 70240 605 845 12.1 75206 661 867 11 6 72 189 581 770 10.7 67266 423 689 10.3 72250 468 718 10.0 Bryant, LAL O'Neal, LAL Carter, Tor. Webber, Sac. McGrady. Orl. Pierce, Bos.

Jamison. G.S. Marbury. N.J. Malone, Utah Walker, Bos.

PaytoaSea. Gamett, Minn. Robinson. Mil. Nowitzki.

Dal. Duncan, SA Alan. Ml. Finley, Dal. Rebounds Mutombo.

Phi. WaIace.Det O'Neal. LAL Duncan, SA McDyess, Den. Gamett, Mmn. Manon, Phoe.

Brand, Cli Daws, Tor. x-cUncried playoff spot y-csnched division Nuggets 98, Grizzlies 97 VANCOUVER (97) Abdul-Ranim 9-20 13-14 32, Massenburg 2-4 1-2 5, Reeves 7- 141-1 15. Dickerson 7-17 2-3 19, Bibby 8- 130-217, Swift 0-5 0-0 0, Austin 0-4 0-0 0, Edwards 1-3 1-2 3, Jones 0-1 0-0 0, Long 3-5 OO 6. Totals 37-86 18-24 97. DENVER (98) McOoud 7-13 0-0 18.

Wilis 6-17 34 15, LaFrentt 5-12 6-11 19, Pack 4-9 1-2 10, Posey 8-15 3-3 22, Bowen 0-2 0-0 0, Lenard 4-8 3-4 14, Gold-wire 0-2 0-0 0, McCKntock 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 34-78 16-24 98. Vancouver 28 19 23 29 97 Denver 28 22 21 26 98 3-Point Goats-Vancouver 5-9 (Dickerson 3-3. Abdur-Rahim 1-1. Bibby 1-3, Jones 0-1, Austin 0-1), Denver 14-24 (McCloud 4-7, LaFrentz 3-4, Lenard 3-4, Posey 3-5.

Pack 1-2. Wins 0-1, Goktwre 0-1). Fouled out-None. Rebounds-Vancouver 57 (Heeves 12), Denver 50 Posey 11). Assists-Van-couver 28 (Bibby 18).

Denver 26 (Pack 12). Total touts-Vancouver 22, Denver 23. Jazz 116, Mavericks 103 UTAH (116) Malone 9-21 13-17 31, Marshal 9-12 2-2 21, Pdynice 1-2 0-0 2. Russell 4-10 7-12 18. Stockton 6-12 2-2 15.

Vaughn 1-2 0-0 2, Ostertag 1-4 0-02, Starts 6-12 2-2 16. Manning 3-3 3-4 9. Totals 40-78 29-39 116. DALLAS (103) Howard 7-13 10-10 24, Nowitzki 7-16 7-7 22, Booth 3-3 3-4 9. Fin-ley 5-10 3-3 14.

Nash 3-7 4-4 12. Bradley 1-11-23, FJsley 34 2-2 9, Maxwel 34 0-0 8, Napa 1-1 0-0 2, ZHzri 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 3343 30-32 103. Utah 17 31 36 32 116 Dallas 21 21 30 31 103 3-Pomt Goats-Utah 7-10 (Russef 3-4. Starts 2-4.

Stockton 1-1. Marshall 1-1), Dallas 7-18 (Nasn 2-3. Maxwel 2-3. ErsJey 1-2, Fnley 1-5. Nowfeto 1-5).

Fouled out-None. Rebounds-Utah 45 (Malone 11), Dallas 35 (Nowitzki 9). Assista-Utah 26 (Stockton 13). Dalas 23 (Nash 11). Total toufeHJtah 2a Dallas 31.

TectmcaB-Pctynioa. Howard. Flagrant foute-Polvn- sion for crashing into parked cars during a red-flag situation last Saturday night at least one fan expressed his disapproval of the penalty. Mt. Juliet's Kelly Overstreet wore a T-shirt inscribed "Fans Against Nashville Speedway Officials." "I thought the penalty was too much because Joe didn't do what he did intentionally," Overstreet said.

Buford said he will not attend races during his suspeasioa "because I can't bear to watch when I'm not racing." Afson update: Robbie Allisoa 9-year-old son of late NASCAR star Davey Allisoa was resting and recovering at the family's Brentwood home yesterday after crashing at Twin Fountain Speedway on Friday night "He's a little sore but he'll be fine," his mother, Liz, said. "It scared him more than anything. It scared me, By LARRY WOODY Staff Writer Alabama driver TelTLetson zipped to his first career win last right at Nashville Speedway, while the slippery championship lead slithered through hand after hand. With three-time defending champion Joe Buford sidelined by a two-race penalty, nobody could get a grasp on the points lead. First-place Stuart Kirby dropped out on the first lap, second-place Mike Reynolds lost a kip making pit repairs, and third-place Steadman Marlin crashed while dicing for second with Tony Formosa That chain of events left Michael Green on top of the standings with a fourth-place finish behind Mark Day and last week's winner, Bennie Hamlett.

Letsoa last year's Late Model Rookie of the Year, grabbed the lead on the second Lip and led the Friday rasuta Philadelphia 96. Cleveland 88 LA Lakers 100. Boston 96 Toronto 108. Orlando 100 Miaml81.Chartotte76 Indiana 100, Chicago 93 Minnesota 101, Phoem 88 Sacramento 118. Vancouver 90 Clippers 1 13, Milwaukee 1 10, OT Portland 122, Golden State 91 Saturday results Boston 102.

Washington 100 Phoenix 102. Cleveland 98 Detroit 97. Charlotte 92 Utah 116. Dallas 103 Houston 110, Atlanta 97 Denver 98. Vancouver 97 San Antonio at LA Ctppers Todays games New York at Miami, 1 1 :30 am.

Indnna at New Jersey, noon Chicago at Toronto, 2 p.m. Portland at Sacramento. 2 m. LA Lakers at Minnesota, 4 30 m. Miwaukee at Seattle.

8 p.m. San ArAorio at Golden State, 8 pm Tomorrow games Boston at Phsadafchia. 6 m. Atlanta at Detroit, 6: 30 p.m. Ovulate at New York.

6:30 pm Washngton at hckana. 7 m. Houston at Utah, 8 p.m. remaining 49. Tandy Marlin made it a SuperTruck triple, winning his third race in three starts in the truck racing divisioa He started third, and dominated most of the race.

A restart with five kips to go allowed the field to pull up on Martin's tailgate, but he quickly spurted away, leaving Steve Pendergrass three truck-lengths behind. Brad Stell claimed third John Earheart and Phillip Akin split a pair of Street Modified 25-lap-pers. Earheart won the first race by several car-lengths over Charles Bri-ley. Akin likewise faced little challenge in the second event Steve Dickens won a Pure Stock feature, with Tommy McArthur second and Danny Wilkerson third. Support for Buford: As Buford began serving a two-race suspen AST AVG Kidd.

Phoe. Stockton. Utah Van Exel, Den. Bibby. Van.

Jackson, N.Y. 664 600 618 617 596 PaytoaSea. NBA calendar Aphl18- Regular season ends. Aprl 21- Playoffs Degn. May 13 Early entry eligibility deadBne.

May 20 Draft lottery, Secaucus, J. June 20 Latest posstxe end date for finals. Early entrant withdrawal deadhne for draft. ultnnfr ana md Me llrn BmmoPEMmwEEimD! ntseimDiY It's just a matter of days before the inaugural race at the new Nashville Superspeedway! -NASCAR Busch Series and ARCA REMAX Series will christen the super-quick, 1.33-mile superspeedway. BDsnca- Riggs' gamble brings a victory Associated Press MARTINSVILLE, Va.

Scott Riggs' gamble paid offbig. Riggs passed up a tire-change stop to grab the lead with 108 laps to go yesterday and made the same rubber last for 151 hps to win the Advance Auto Parts 250 Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway. Riggs, the series points leader entering the race, pitted for right-side tires after 87 laps, left sides after 99 laps and stopped for gas only thereafter en route to his first career victory in his 23rd start The victory was the fourth in four races for Dodge this seasoa Travis Kvapil was second in a Chevrolet, and Terry Cook third in a Ford. Defending race champion Bobby Hamilton of Nashville, who led early, had to settle for 15th after developing rear end trouble late. Pole-sitter Joe Ruttman of Brentwood finished fourth.

"I thought at first that Hamilton was going to give me a rua but he had to pit there at the end. Then Travis put some pressure on me, but we were able to get away from him after that last restart," Riggs said. Don't miss Winston Cup regular Ken Schroder on Friday, April 13 in the ARCA REMAX Series. On Saturday, the Busch Series takes center stage as the Green Brothers Mark, David and defending Busch Series champion Jeff battle rookie Winston Cup sensation Kevin Harvick and Tennessee's own Bobby Hamilton Sr. AND Jr.

in a typical Busch Series shoot-out And, you'll enjoy these great Nashville Superspeedway fan-friendly amenities: Great sight line visibility; Extra-wide seats; Convenient parking. Easy access to and from the track; Don't miss a lap! ARCA mm: Guarantee yourself good seats by ORDERING TODAY! And, ask about the Music City Motorsports Club an exclusive hospitality add-on to your race ticket -and Nashville Superspeedway's exciting Fan Walk Pass! Dim Znwww TSftr nfr 71 Ivwmit II WUU-LLUZ CALL TOLL FREE UB661RACE-TIX PAMPER YOURSELF 11 lin'n A 254-6500 P.O. Box 859, Hermitage, TN 17076-0859 i blurwerlHot Tub sfi" 2803-A Nolensville 1 Hr $20 off (open 7 days a week) Nashville Superspeedway is located off State Route 840 between Lebanon and Murfreesboro lime -Sun. PsQS ir.