*New Orleans Hornets at Denver Nuggets (Thursday, TNT): Two of the league's best point guards go at it in New Orleans' Chris Paul and Denver's Chauncey Billups. Denver is competing like a playoff team again.

*Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics (Friday): There's talk in Philadelphia of a renewed Sixers-Celtics rivalry. But disappointing Philly (6-6) has to give the fans a reason to believe. A win here could do it.

*Miami Heat at Phoenix Suns (Friday, ESPN): Miami's Shawn Marion and Phoenix's Shaquille O'Neal face off against their former teams.

*Golden State at Knicks (Saturday): New Warriors guard Jamal Crawford will seem right at home playing back at Madison Square Garden in an early litmus test for the recent deal between the clubs.

Thunderless: The Oklahoma City Thunder will try to double their one-win total when they face the Phoenix Suns at home Tuesday under new coach Scott Books.

Brooks replaces P.J. Carlesimo, who was fired over the weekend after an NBA-worst 1-12 start in the first season since relocating from Seattle.

Carlesimo, 21-74 with the franchise, was let go after Friday's 105-80 loss to New Orleans. The Thunder had given up at least 100 points in five consecutive games and scored fewer than 90 in four consecutive.

This is not the first fill-in duty for Brooks, who debuted with the Thunder on Saturday in a 109-97 road loss to the Hornets. Brooks was the Sacramento Kings head coach for two games in 2007 filling in for suspended coach Eric Musselman. Brooks also coached the Nuggets for four games in 2005-06 for suspended coach George Karl. Brooks went 2-4 in those games.

General manager Sam Presti said Brooks would finish the season as Thunder head coach.

Slow recovery: Milwaukee Bucks leading scorer Michael Redd, out since spraining his right ankle Nov.2, could be sidelined another week.

Redd did not travel with the Bucks on their four-game road trip, with the next stop tonight against the Orlando Magic.

"He's just having some soreness," said coach Scott Skiles, who hinted Redd might have tried to come back too soon when he tried to practice about a week ago.

Redd was averaging 21.3 points in four games before the injury.

Around the hardwood: The Miami Heat hope to have center Jamaal Magloire (broken hand) in the lineup tonight for the first time this season, against the visiting Houston Rockets. ... With so many Utah Jazz injuries this season, only guard Ronnie Brewer and swingman C.J. Miles have started all 14 games. The Jazz won Saturday at the Memphis Grizzlies without guard Deron Williams (ankle), leading scorer and rebounder Carlos Boozer (quadriceps) and key reserve Kyle Korver (wrist). ... The Washington Wizards have lost five in a row and, at 1-10, have their worst start since the then-Baltimore Bullets opened 1-10 in 1966. ... It was a rough weekend for Detroit sports fans, as Michigan, Michigan State, the Lions and Pistons lost their games by a combined 235-125 score.

*Check out Colston's latest NBA Power Rankings at noon ET at NBA.usatoday.com