Tip-offs

FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 17-23

THE QUOTE

"It was a fight between one guy who didn't know how to fight and another guy who didn't want to fight."—Sixers swingman Jerry Stackhouse, on his brief skirmish with teammate Allen Iverson during practice on March 19.

THE MOVE
The NBA fined Lakers guard Nick Van Exel $10,000 for the harsh remarks he made about the officiating after a 98-97 loss to Miami last Friday. Furious over a foul call on teammate Elden Campbell with 17 seconds to play, Van Exel accused the refs of "fixing" the game. He later apologized.

THE STAT
With a 100-91 loss to the Nets on Sunday, the Celtics fell to 0-19 against Atlantic Division opponents. No team in NBA history has ever finished a season without a win in its division. Boston has five games remaining against Atlantic foes.

THE QUESTION
Can the Knicks get over their recent malaise and win the Atlantic Division title? Since toppling the Bulls 97-93 on March 9, they have gone 2-4, with losses to Dallas, New Jersey, Milwaukee and Portland. At week's end New York trailed Miami by 2� games in the race for home court advantage through the first two rounds of the playoffs.