Rafer Alston, whose contract was recently bought out by the Nets, is poised to be signed by the Miami Heat and become the teams starting point guard. Alston, who is expected to replace current starter Carlos Arroyo if he does officially sign with Miami, has to be excited about escapting one of the worst teams in the league for a playoff contender. The Nets acquired backup point guard Chris Quinn for a heavily protected draft pick on Tuesday, clearing the way for Alston to go to the Heat.

Elsewhere around the NBA:

Washington:  In the continuing saga that is Gilbert Arenas, the NBA is reportedly considering suspending Arenas before the legal process involving his gun possession concludes. While the league usually waits until the courts have made a decision, “Arenas has already admitted to breaking league rules on gun possession both publicly and to federal investigators.” The incident took place in a lockerroom is already smearing the NBA’s public image and most expect David Stern to come down hard on Arenas.

Los Angeles:  Ron Artest (concussion) and Lamar Odom (flu) are expected to play Tuesday against the Houston Rockets.

Utah:  Jazz PG Deron Williams (bruised and sprained right wrist) will be a game-time decision on Wednesday vs. the Grizzlies. X-rays were negative but Williams will have an MRI on Tuesday afternoon, which should determine his status. He is officially listed as day-to-day.

Portland:  Brandon Roy is dealing with a sore right hamstring, which bothered him Monday, when he scored just six points and had his streak of scoring at least 23 points in a game broken at 15. “It’s pretty sore,” Roy said. He suffered the injury during Saturday’s victory over the Golden State Warriors. Roy should be able to play on Tuesday.

Toronto:  Hedo Turkoglu is expected to resume starting at SF on Wednesday after missing one game with the flu. Turk has also been battling a knee injury lately, making him a shaky start until he gets going.

Indiana:  Coach Jim O’Brien said Tuesday that he thinks Danny Granger (heel) is still about two weeks away from returning to action. O’Brien’s estimate would bring Granger back by around Jan. 20, on the long end of the original 4-to-6 week prognosis Granger received Dec. 8.

Philadelphia:  The Philadelphia 76ers have announced that Allen Iverson’s contract has been extended for the remainder of the season.

Iverson has played decently through injury this season, averaging 15.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in nine games with the 76ers. While he’s not the star he once was, he continues to put up consistent stats.

A grand jury could soon decide whether the gun case involving Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton merits weapons and assault charges. Arenas met with police on Monday and released his official statement: “I took the unloaded guns out in a misguided effort to play a joke on a teammate,” said Arenas. “I never threatened or assaulted anyone…I now recognize that what I did was a mistake.

I should not have brought the guns to DC in the first place.” The question now seems to be not whether Arenas will be punished, but how severely. If Arenas is not prosecuted, he will be punished by the NBA. The league has a strict policy of not bringing any weapons to an NBA facility.

Elsewhere around the NBA:

Denver: Carmelo Anthony (knee) and Chauncey Billups (groin) don’t sound likely to play on Tuesday, according to the Colorado Sports Desk. The report says “it is likely they will both get rest again before the high-key match up this Friday against Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.”

Los Angelas: Lakers PF Pau Gasol has a mild-to-moderate hamstring strain and is doubtful to play vs. Houston on Tuesday. The Los Angelas Lakers are smart to rest their injuryed players to ensure they’re healthy come playoff time.

Sacramento: Kins G/F Francisco Garcia practiced for a short while on Monday, his first action since breaking his wrist on October 9th. Garcia left to a round of applause from his teammates, but his return will likely drag on for quite some time.

Boston: Paul Pierce’s (knee) status for Wednesday’s game will likely be determined after Tuesday’s practice. He shot around on Monday but did not participate in any drills, and ESPNBoston reports that the Boston Celtics prepared as if he wouldn’t be available.

Orlando: As expected, Vince Carter practiced on Monday and expects to start Tuesday’s game vs. the Pacers. Orlando Magic practiced for 2 1/2 hours and both Carter and coach Stan Vandy reported that he was fine.

Washington: Mike Miller will definitely play vs. the Magic on Friday, according to coach Flip Saunders, and he could return even sooner.

Indiana: Stacy Paetz reported on the Pacers’ broadcast Sunday that Danny Granger’s workout prior to the game went well and he appears to be nearing a return. He reportedly went through extensive shooting and movement drills, and while no return date has been set, it sounds like he could play in the next 10 days or so.

Oakland: The Warriors have waived veteran C Mikki Moore, in order to clear a roster spot for rookie big man Chris Hunter. The league had granted Golden State a special roster exemption because of all their injuries, but Hunter’s contract would have been ineligible once it becomes guaranteed on Wednesday

Celtics G/F Paul Pierce revealed on Saturday that he underwent a second procedure on his right knee after the first one wasn’t effective in removing an infection just before Christmas.

There is still no timetable on his return, but it isn’t thought that the second procedure should keep him out much longer than the first one would have. “It’s getting better,” said Pierce. “I’m feeling pretty good. Right now it’s day-to-day. There’s no timetable on it.” However, it is interesting that the Boston organization has not commented on the second surgery.

Elsewhere around the NBA:

Boston: Doc Rivers indicated Saturday that Kevin Garnett’s hyperextended right knee injury could keep him out 10 more days. The Boston Celtics are dealing with a plethora of injuries at the moment, so Rivers is likely going to be even more cautious with his stars than normal. A logical return date for Garnett might be the 13th of January.

Utah: Jazz PG Deron Williams will play for the Utah Jazz on Saturday, according to beat writer Ross Siler.

Toronto: Despite an earlier report in the Toronto Star, Hedo Turkoglu will now play on Saturday according to beat writer Doug Smith. Turkoglu is bothered by a sore knee and was originally ruled out. But in his pre-game live chat, Smith writes that Turkoglu will give it a shot tonight.

Indiana: T.J. Ford may have been bumped completely out of the Pacers’ rotation, according to a tweet from beat writer Mike Wells. Wells writes that Ford is now the third-string point guard, behind Earl Watson and rookie A.J. Price. We doubt this is a long-term move and our guess that making their best point guard irrelevant is not going to help them break their eight-game losing streak. If the Pacers cannot beat the lonely Wolves at home tonight, they have bigger problems to worry about.

Los Angelas: Los Angelas Lakers F Ron Artest worked out Saturday for a neurologist and a decision about his availablity won’t be made until Sunday. Artest is still suffering the effects of a concussion suffered in his home and has missed four straight games. He’ll be evaluated after Sunday’s shootaround, so its likely that he will play in a limited capacity.

Miami: Dwyane Wade had 29 points, 11 assists, three rebounds, two steals, a block, four 3-pointers and six turnovers in Saturday’s loss to the Bobcats. Things are only going to get worse for the Heat, who play 20 of their next 27 games on the road.

Charlotte: Stephen Jackson hit 11-of-20 shots and four 3-pointers on his way to a season-high 35 points to go along with eight rebounds and two steals as the Charlotte Bobcats overcame an early 19-point deficit to beat the Heat in Miami for just their second road win of the season.

1. Lakers (26-6): They’re the best team by default.
2. Cavaliers (27-8): The Cavs should attempt a trade to get the missing piece.
3. Magic (24-8): The scoring options on this team scare me.
4. Celtics (23-8): Dealing with a plethora of injuries at the moment.
5. Mavericks (22-10): Coming on of late, this could be a very good team.
6. Suns (21-12): Nash can still create problems around the league.
7. Hawks (21-11): This team is under the radar in my opinion.
8. Spurs (19-11): Starting to play better, should be good by the playoffs.
9. Nuggets (20-12): Lost a tough game on the road to the Kings.
10. Trail Blazers (21-13): To say they’re dealing with injuries is an understatement.
11. Rockets (20-13): They amazingly keep wining…not sure how though.
12. Thunder (18-14): Very young and climbing up this list each week.
13. Jazz (18-14): Consistently a good team, what else is new?
14. Heat (16-15): Starting to fall back a bit, where they belong.
15. Hornets (14-16): This is a good team, watch out.
16. Grizzlies (15-16): I think they should finish above .500 this year.
17. Kings (14-18): They improved, but can they win the close games and beat good teams?
18. Raptors (16-17): I think they should finish above .500 this year.
19. Bulls (13-17): The new coach search must not be going well.
20. Bobcats (13-18): They keep trying new coaches and players, same result.
21. Clippers (14-18): How is the No. 1 overall pick doing? He dresses nice.
22. Knicks (13-20): Surprisingly playing better, paging James…
23. Bucks (12-18): I really don’t have anything to say about this team.
24. Pistons (11-21): Yikes, spent a lot of money in the offseason.
25. Wizard (10-20): The team is a candidate to dump salary and players.
26. Pacers (9-22): Sinking fast.
27. 76ers (9-23): A.I. is not going to help this team.
28. Warriors (9-22): Nelson needs to go, fast.
29. Timberwolves (7-27): Have never recovered since trading the bit ticket.
30. Nets (3-30): Worst in the league, start scouting for the draft.

Wizards G Gilbert Arenas is considering suing the NY Post over their recent story claiming that he and teammate Javaris Crittenton pulled guns on each other in the Wizards’ locker room.

“That’s not the real story,” said Arenas. “I saw the story. Very compelling. Some real O.K. Corral stuff.” The Post cited unidentified sources, so it’s anybody’s guess what actually happened, but this still lends a worrisome angle to Agent Zero’s firearms fracas.

The NBA is currently investigating the wild-wild-west gun battle that “supposedly” happened in the locker room.

Elsewhere around the NBA:

Boston: Boston  Celtics Coach Doc Rivers said that Kevin Garnett (knee) would probably be out until January 6 against the Heat, or longer. Rivers also said that he was “leaning heavily” towards doing this, and then added “if I do decide to sit [Garnett], I’m not sitting him for one game. I can tell you that.” The wise move would be to sit Garnett for a week or two to ensure that he is 100%.

Boston: Rajon Rondo (hamstring) will not play against the Raptors on Saturday, according to coach Doc Rivers.

Boston: Paul Pierce has been ruled out for Saturday’s game with an ongoing knee injury. Coach Doc Rivers recently said Pierce could realistically return for their game vs. the Heat on Wednesday. Tony Allen will continue to start until Pierce returns.

Okalahoma City: Kevin Durant tied the franchise record for consecutive 30-point games on Thursday with six, finishing the game with 31 points on 12-of-22 shooting (including a three) with eight rebounds, five assists, one steal and two blocks. Aside from personal marks, the Okalahoma City Thunder won their fifth straight game for the first time in over four years. Its clear that Durant is emerging as one of the top players in the NBA and he appears to be taking the team with him.

Portland: LaMarcus Aldridge (sprained left ankle) has been downgraded from questionable to doubtful for Saturday’s game, and could sit out even longer. “L.A. might be out a couple games,” Brandon Roy said after Friday’s morning practice. Portland’s trainer said Aldridge is improving and that “when he will play again is kind of up to LaMarcus.”

New Orleans: Hornets F Peja Stojakovic sat out Friday’s practice because of a sore back that he sustained in Wednesday’s win over the Heat. Stojakovic received treatment and has rested his surgically-repaired back, but coach Jeff Bower said that (barring any setbacks) he should play on Saturday. “He…did some light shooting and stretching,” said Bower. “We’ll see how he is, but from his comments today, he expects to play.”

Toronto: Hedo Turkoglu (knee) is doubtful for Saturday’s game against the Celtics. “There is a good chance that Turk is not going to play,” Triano said. “I would probably start Antoine (Wright).”

Philadelphia: Andre Iguodala’s name has surfaced in trade rumors for Tracy McGrady, but it doesn’t sound like any deal is imminent. The Philadelphia 76ers would reportedly need to “knock the Rockets over” with the amount of talent in the deal, and Houston has no interest in trading T-Mac for Elton Brand and Samuel Dalembert.