Mavericks’ Blackman to Fill In for Malone on West All-Star Team

Rolando Blackman of the Dallas Mavericks was named today to replace Utah’s Karl Malone on the West team in Sunday’s NBA all-star game.

Malone, who had earlier threatened to boycott the game because the Lakers’ A. C. Green was selected over him in the voting by fans, sprained an ankle Thursday against the Charlotte Hornets.

Blackman, who is averaging 20.9 points a game, will be making his fourth all-star appearance. In 1987, he scored 29 points, including two free throws with no time left that sent a game eventually won by the West into overtime.