NBA: In Toronto, Marty York reports that the NBA is
"conducting an investigation" after receiving a complaint
from a Raptors fan who said he was hit by the Nets' Sherman
Douglas during Monday's game in Toronto. Nav Bhatia claims
Douglas struck him in the head and nose while Bhatia was
sitting in his courtside seat (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 1/15).
....In N.Y., Mitch Lawrence reports that the NBA and NBPA
"are battling over who's going to have to get deposed" for
Latrell Sprewell's arbitration case. Sources tell Lawrence
that the league "wants to grill" Sprewell, while the union
is looking to get Warriors coach P.J. Carlesimo. Witness
lists must be exchanged by January 24 (DAILY NEWS, 1/15).
MLB: MLB's Exec Council approved changes to the
postseason format, giving the teams with the top records --
excluding wild cards -- home field advantage in the first
two rounds of the playoffs. The teams with the best records
will now host Games 1, 2 and 5, if necessary. The changes
must still be approved by full ownership, the union, Fox,
NBC and ESPN, but no opposition is imminent (Mult., 1/15).
