* Uh oh, the Clipper chaos is not calming down. Mike Dunleavy, Sr. says that Clippers President Andy Roeser told him to tell the media that he and owner Donald Sterling spoke and settled their differences, even though they didn’t. Rehashing Roeser’s orders, Dunleavy said, “‘You can say you talked to him because he got your message and he’s giving you a message — or relaying it — but it’s fine. You guys have corresponded.’”

* Hey Fantasy owners!: While the front office continues to bicker at each other, Elton Brand has officially been cleared to “start extensive running and jumping exercises on the court.”

* Not sure you would make this deal after last night’s performance, but Tim Kawakami proposes a fairly preposterous situation in which the Warriors could land Brand in a trade: Brand and Cuttino Mobley’s horrible contract for Al Harrington, Monta Ellis and Brandan Wright.

* Perhaps one of the best games of the year in Oakland last night. The Warriors trailed by 9 going into the 4th quarter, when they rallied behind 22-straight points on four Al Harrington triples. “(Al) got on a roll,” said Nellie, “and when he gets on a roll, he’s as good as anybody.” New Jersey stormed back with a 20-4 run, but Monta Ellis was perfect from the charity stripe down the stretch en route to a 39-point night to give Golden State a 121-119 win. PLUS, Baron Davis finished with his eighth career triple double - 25 points, 12 boards, 10 assists.

* Down one during the third quarter, Don Nelson decided to foul Josh Boone, a 34.3% free throw shooter, on every single Nets possession. “I’m liable to do that at any time and I thought about doing it at the end of the game as well, but then we had that big lead,” Nelson said. “I just wanted to hold on and didn’t want to take a chance. The strategy has been good over the years and whether it was good or not tonight, it did change their rhythm for sure.” It wasn’t good last night. Boone made 6-of-12 free throws and the Nets continued the run as they scored seven of the last 11 points in the quarter for a 90-82 lead.

* Trailing 90-89 after a Manu scoop shot in the lane, the Heat ran the same clear out for D-Wade twice in the final ticks. It didn’t work either time. “He was in that situation three or for times, and he was bumped three or four times,” said Pat Riley of his star player. The Spurs knew what was coming and Wade never even got a shot off. Miami missed ten of their last twelve shots and scored 17 points in the final quarter.

* The Diesel told ESPN Radio’s Jack Ramsay that he’ll keep churning through the remaining two years on his deal. “No, never that. I am the son of an army drill sergeant, and when we enlist, we go full term,” said Shaq. “So I’ve got two years left on my term and after that, I’ll be looking to do other things.”

* Perhaps Michael Redd and Larry Krystkowiak should meet before every game. Before last night’s Pacers game they had a 15-minute doors-closed session, described as “regular maintenance. I try to touch base with a lot of guys at some point,” said Krystkowiak. “Nothing major. This is a great time to do it.” Redd proceeded to torch Indiana for 37 points in a 104-92 Bucks win.

* In successive outings, the Pacers have allowed their opposition’s go-to guy steamroll over their defense. On Wednesday, Kirk Hinrich hung 38 on Indiana. Last night was Redd’s turn and he dropped 37. “We have to do a better job of stopping main options,” said Mike Dunleavy. “These guys are good players. They’re not some Joe Schmoe off the street. They’re good players making good plays, but we should do a better job.”

* From yesterday’s Cleveland Plain Dailer, DeShawn Stevenson is proving that he’s not a quitter - especially when it comes to his beard-growing competition with Drew Gooden. “I have to win this,” Stevenson said. “Everyone says Drew always does crazy things and that I’m not going to last, so I have to do it. There has to be a winner. Even if no one cuts their beard at the end of the season, we’ll have to carry this over. This could go on for years.”

* DeShawn is the same guy who got a Gatorade bucket dumped on him when the Wizards beat the Celtics.