New players can suit up for replay

ATLANTA --- Shaquille O'Neal is no longer around, but Mike Bibby and Shawn Marion will be able to play in the NBA's first replay since 1982.

The league set guidelines for Saturday's replay between the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat, who must complete the final 51.9 seconds of their Dec. 19 overtime game.

The Hawks left the court that night with a 117-111 victory, but commissioner David Stern struck it from the books after the home team's stat crew mistakenly ruled that O'Neal, then playing for Miami, had fouled out with less than a minute to go in overtime.

O'Neal has since been traded to Phoenix, but the NBA said Monday that both teams can fill out any openings on their 12-man active roster with players acquired since the disputed game.

SUPERSONICS: Oklahoma City voters will go to the polls today to vote on a $121 million plan aimed at luring the NBA to the city on a full-time basis.

Oklahoma City mayor Mick Cornett 's proposal would spend $97 million to upgrade the Ford Center and another $24.6 million to build an NBA practice facility in hopes of completing the city's courtship of the Seattle SuperSonics.

Cornett considers the improvements to the Ford Center necessary even if the SuperSonics don't end up relocating. Without them, Cornett says Oklahoma City will fall behind competitors for concerts, the Big 12 tournament and other events.

HEAT: A knee injury will sideline Dorell Wright for the remainder of the season, the latest piece of bad news to hit the reeling Miami Heat.

Wright had surgery Monday to repair a left meniscus tear, which he suffered in the second quarter of Miami's 120-109 loss Sunday night at the Sacramento Kings.

The Heat said Wright would be in a straight-leg brace for one month, and will begin rehabilitation immediately.

WARRIORS: Reassigned center Kosta Perovic to the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League on Monday.

Perovic, 23, previously was assigned to the Jam on Nov. 18 before being recalled Jan. 6. During his most recent stint with Golden State, Perovic played in one game, scoring four points and grabbing four rebounds in 7 minutes.

HAWKS:

RACKING UP THE AWARDS

Al Horford has been named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for February. It's his second award of the season.

Horford put together several solid performances during the month. He had 15 points and 20 rebounds in a Feb. 6 win over the Lakers. It was the first 20-rebound effort for the Hawks since 2002. And in a Feb. 29 win over the Knicks, Horford had a career-high 20 points and 11 rebounds.

NEXT: vs. Golden State Warriors

WHEN: 7 tonight

TV: SportSouth

RECORD: 24-33