Rumors, moves, injuries and newsmakers...

LeBron shakes off back spasms, as do Shaq and Lee; Alston is back for Houston, but McGrady's out again; Charlie V steps up against his old Raps; Still no decision on Isiah; Diop bounces back; and more...

STATE OF CHAOS 
With just one week left in the NBA season, the West still hasn't been won. Well, more specifically: the final two playoff spots in the Western conference still haven't been claimed. Which makes Thursday's showdown between the Warriors and Nuggets in Golden State a must-win for both teams.

Along with Dallas, the two teams are the only ones left in the West that haven't either been eliminated or won postseason berths. But since Dallas is sitting pretty with a two-game lead on the currently-tied Warriors and Nuggets, the latter two squads are both desperate for the victory Thursday night. And since a win by either will also set their opponent back a game, it's that much more important.

Adding to the intrigue is the fact that both squads play a chaotic, free-flowing, high-scoring style that usually ends up in a high score. With elite ballhandlers Allen Iverson (for the Nuggets) and Baron Davis (for the Warriors) leading the way, this contest has the potential to be one of the highest-scoring of the season. Which superstar will bring order to his team's playoff push Thursday?

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LEBRON BACK ON FOR CAVS 
After rumors that he might sit out Wednesday night because of a sore back, Cavaliers' superstar small forward LeBron James dropped 33 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, and two blocks to lead Cleveland to a 104-83 win over the Nets. INTEL: James also played 35 minutes in the game, suggesting his back isn't bothering him too much. While the playoff-bound Cavs might be wise to rest him up a little during the final week, James may also be pushing for his first-ever MVP award so it's unclear how much he might play before the postseason.

ALSTON RETURNS . . . 
Coming back from a three-game absence caused by strained left hamstring, Rockets' point guard Rafer Alston led Houston with 18 points and five assists to pace his team to a 103-80 thumping of Seattle. INTEL: Alston has always had star-caliber talent but attitude issues and inconsistency have dogged him in the past. He is coming on lately for the Rockets, who need him to be on top of his game to make some noise in the playoffs. His return sends veteran Bobby Jackson back to the pine.

. . . AS MCGRADY SITS 
With his sprained shoulder still aching, Rockets' superstar swingman Tracy McGrady missed Wednesday's outing versus the SuperSonics. He is considered day-to-day. INTEL: The Rockets are already in the playoffs and so it's fairly clear that they are taking the cautious approach with McGrady. It wouldn't be surprising if he was kept out until the playoffs, since he remains the Rockets' meal ticket (especially with Yao Ming gone). With McGrady out Wednesday, point guard Rafer Alston shouldered the scoring load with 18 points to lead Houston to a 103-80 win.

SHAQ BACK FOR PHOENIX  
After sitting out Tuesday because of a sore hip, Suns' center Shaquille O'Neal was back in the lineup for Phoenix on Wednesday, making his absence just one game. INTEL: Good news for the Suns and for Diesel. His hips have been bothering him all season long and his Wednesday absence obviously was to help him rest up and get fresh for the playoffs. Boris Diaw and Brian Skinner are around to bring the team some depth in the middle if Shaq needs more rest, and Amare Stoudemire can play center as well as power forward.

FRYE GETS ANOTHER TRY 
On Tuesday, Trail Blazers' center Channing Frye saw his first start since Dec.17 and he didn't disappoint, posting season-highs of 22 points and 11 boards versus the Lakers. INTEL: With Joel Przybilla gone for the duration because of a broken bone in his hand, Frye becomes an intriguing option for the Blazers' final week of the season. He has always had the talent to be an above-average producer, and he showed that again Tuesday. The fact he played a season-high 38 minutes bodes well for similar showings going forward.

NAZR STARTS AGAIN 
On Wedneday Bobcats' center Nazr Mohammed started second straight game at center, but he didn't fare as well as his previous start. Mohammed posted a measly three points in just 19 minutes of action during Charlotte's 109-107 loss to the Knicks. INTEL: Mohammed has proven he can be an above-average center when given the playing time but head coach Sam Vincent continues to juggle his lineup. Mohammed is in line to be a starter for the next week or so, mostly because forward Gerald Wallace may sit out the rest of the regular season due to groin issues.

CHARLIE V SEES RAPTOR RED 
On Wednesday night Bucks' forward Charlie Villanueva exploded for 38 points and 12 rebounds in a team-high 47 minutes of action during Milwaukee's 111-93 loss in Toronto. INTEL: Villanueva's huge performance obviously was motivated by the fact the Raptors traded him before last season to the Bucks for point guard T.J. Ford. He has been running hot and cold all season long, but maybe this big performance will help him finish the season strongly.

WALSH WILL WAIT ON ISIAH 
In the first hint of what might be shaking out in Gotham, Knicks' new team president Donnie Walsh on Wednesday told the Associated Press that he isn't going to fire head coach Isiah Thomas with only a few games left in the season. But he did say Thomas would need to explain why the team has done so poorly in 2007-08 (at just 23-56). INTEL: Walsh is already very familiar with Thomas from their days together in Indiana, when Walsh was running the Pacers' organization and Isiah was head coach. Thomas isn't a slam dunk to be fired (since he also gets along with team owner James Dolan) but he certainly has a lot to answer for.

LEE BACK IN FOR KNICKS 
After missing Tuesday's game to back spasms, Knicks' power forward David Lee started on Wednesday versus the Bobcats and played 30 minutes. He pulled down 11 boards and scored six points in the 109-107 win. INTEL: Looks like Lee's back problem was just a flare-up. His return sent impressive rookie Wilson Chandler back to the bench, but Chandler still managed 12 points and six boards in 24 minutes as a reserve.

DIOP BOUNCES BACK 
Nets' center DeSagana Diop was back in action Wednesday after sitting out for two straight games due to a sore knee. Playing against his old Cavaliers' team, Diop produced six points, nine rebounds, and two blocked shots in Jersey's 104-83 loss. INTEL: Diop started at center and was solid in this game, but his minor outburst may have been motivated by trying to one-up his former squad. That said, he is still relatively young at 26 and may eventually develop into a regular starter in the paint.