Inside: The Week In Sports

The NBA
The Sixers vaulted into the playoff race by emphasizing youth and an up-tempo attack ? Executive's take: The Rockets are no fluke

Baseball
New manager Joe Girardi has already put his mark on the reenergized Yankees ? One trade that's working out for both sides

POWDER PUFF
No magic trick, just Celtics forward Kevin Garnett completing his pregame ritual of slapping talc on his hands at the scorer's table before last Friday's 110--92 loss to the Jazz at TD Banknorth Garden.