Olowokandi will be listed day-to-day. But it seems likely he will miss several games in an attempt to further strengthen his left knee after September surgery, while allow his sore right knee (tendinitis) to calm down. Skipping the entire preseason schedule didn't get him back to full health, and limiting his minutes to 24 or less wasn't the answer, either.

"I'm thinking the shorter, the better. . . . A few days to let it settle down," Olowokandi said Saturday. "I've learned my lesson. Now I'm going to get it stronger and come back."

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Minnesota Timberwolves center Michael Olowokandi sat out Saturday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers, his former team, with tendinitis in his right knee.

Olowokandi wasn't placed on the injured list, but it wasn't immediately clear how many more games he'd miss for the injury-plagued Timberwolves. Wally Szczerbiak (foot) and Troy Hudson (ankle) are both on the injured list.

``I'm hoping just a few days,'' Olowokandi said. ``I'm eager to come back.''

Olowokandi, one of Minnesota's key offseason acquisitions, was limited in recent games because of the pain. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in the offseason and missed the entire exhibition schedule.

The 7-foot center, who played five seasons with the Clippers before signing with the Timberwolves, averaged 6.3 points and 3.5 rebounds in Minnesota's first 12 games, but developed pain in his right knee.

Coach Flip Saunders wouldn't comment on Olowokandi's injury.

Timberwolves center Michael Olowokandi might miss some time because of his sore legs.

"I talked to the medical staff tonight and I'm seeing a doctor [Saturday], and we'll determine what needs to be done."

The No. 1 overall pick in 1998 NBA draft has done little this season. Injuries to both knees have him spending an increasing amount of time on the bench, causing his game to suffer on both ends of the court. The Wolves hope this isn't a carry over from last season, when Olowokandi played only 36 games with the Los Angeles Clippers because of a knee injury.

Saunders stopped short of calling Olowokandi's latest injury concern a setback, but the center's inability to practice was a disappointment. Saunders said Olowokandi had a good practice on Sunday, and said what the Wolves (5-5) need now is a practice with everybody healthy and involved.

CLEVELAND (AP) LeBron James got his first win as a pro when Darius Miles and Ricky Davis scored 26 points apiece to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 111-98 victory Saturday night over the Washington Wizards.

Davis scored 23 points in the second half and the Cavaliers used a 13-2 burst midway through the fourth quarter to separate from the Wizards.

James had 17 points, nine assists and eight rebounds for the young Cavaliers, who started the season 0-5 and looked listless while losing their home opener to Denver earlier this week.

For the second straight night, backup center DeSagana Diop came up big for Cleveland. The 7-footer had four rebounds and five blocks in 18 minutes.

Rookie Jarvis Hayes and Gilbert Arenas had 22 points each and Larry Hughes had 20 to pace the Wizards.

Timberwolves 88, Heat 79

MIAMI (AP) Kevin Garnett had 25 points and 17 rebounds to lead Minnesota past the winless Miami.

Garnett used his height advantage to dominate inside against the Heat's smaller front line, and helped Minnesota follow up Friday's 100-71 rout of Orlando.

Sam Cassell added 23 points, six assists and five rebounds, and Latrell Sprewell had 15 points for Minnesota.

Eddie Jones had 21 points to lead the Heat, 0-6 for the first time since opening their inaugural season in 1988-89 with 17 straight losses.

Bucks 90, Knicks 87

MILWAUKEE (AP) T.J. Ford hit a pair of free throws with 7.7 seconds left, Tim Thomas scored 12 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter and Milwaukee beat New York for the second time in four days.

Charlie Ward missed two 3-point attempts in the final 16 seconds, the final one at the buzzer.

Michael Redd added 22 points for the Bucks, who also beat the Knicks 106-90 Wednesday night in New York.

Allan Houston scored 19 of his 28 points in the second half and Keith Van Horn added 20 for the Knicks.

Mavericks 81, Spurs 78

SAN ANTONIO (AP) Antawn Jamison scored 20 points, capped by a putback with 4.9 seconds remaining to lead Dallas.

The Spurs, who trailed for most of the game, went up 78-77 on a corner 3-pointer by Bruce Bowen with 1:29 left. But Steve Nash made a jumper on the next possession to put the Mavericks back on top.

Michael Finley stole the ball from San Antonio's Malik Rose and then rebounded an errant 3-pointer by Antoine Walker with 29 seconds left. Nash missed on his drive to the basket, but Jamison was there for the putback.

Nash scored 15 points. Dirk Nowitzki also had 15 and Tony Delk 12.

Rose led San Antonio with 20 points and a career-high 22 rebounds.

Bulls 109, Hornets 106

NEW ORLEANS (AP) Jalen Rose, playing as a reserve for the first time in more than four years, scored 34 points to lead Chicago.

Rose, who had started 323 straight games, shot 10-of-15 and made four 3-pointers to lead the Bulls, who shot 59.4 percent despite hitting only two of their last 12 shots.

Donyell Marshall scored 22 points on 10-of-13 shooting and the Bulls made 12 of 13 free throws in the fourth quarter, 20 of 24 for the game.

Baron Davis had 35 points, 13 assists and five steals, but his game-tying 16-foot attempt was blocked by Jamal Crawford in the final minute. Davis also missed a 3-pointer with 5 seconds left. New Orleans had one more chance, but David Wesley's shot in a crowd was well off the mark and time expired.

Rockets 96, Magic 86

HOUSTON (AP) Steve Francis had 31 points and Cuttino Mobley 21, and Houston handed Orlando its sixth straight loss.

Yao Ming had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Rockets, who never trailed after the opening minutes and won their third straight game.

Juwan Howard led the Magic with 22 points, and Tyronn Lue added 18. One night after an awful performance against Minnesota, Tracy McGrady scored 14 on 5-for-21 shooting.

Timberwolves guard Troy Hudson has taken a small step toward getting his sprained right ankle healthy.

Wolves coach Flip Saunders said Wednesday that Hudson is off crutches and the swelling gone.

Former University of Minnesota point guard Bobby Jackson returned to Target Center with the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, still uncertain why the Timberwolves let him go four years ago.

"I know they wouldn't give me any guaranteed money after all the work I put in with them, coming early and staying late," Jackson said, shaking his head. "I guess they didn't think I was good enough to play in their organization.

"Kevin Garnett was fined $5,000 by the NBA on Tuesday for throwing the basketball into the Delta Center stands after being ejected Monday from the Timberwolves' 93-88 loss to the Utah Jazz."

Hudson has made little progress since severely spraining his right ankle Oct. 20 in an exhibition game against Milwaukee at Target Center. Wolves coach Flip Saunders said the key reserve is wearing a boot cast, and the ankle is swollen. Hudson was placed on the injured list Monday.