Rockets’ Taylor Is Suspended Again

Forward Maurice Taylor of the Houston Rockets was suspended a minimum of 10 games without pay by the NBA on Friday for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

Taylor’s suspension begins tonight when the Rockets play host to the Orlando Magic and will continue until he has resumed full compliance with his treatment program, the NBA said in a statement. Taylor was not immediately available for comment Friday.

The NBA, its teams and the players’ association are prohibited from disclosing information regarding the testing or treatment of any player in the program.

Taylor, a former Clipper, was suspended by the league for the first five games of the 2002 season for smoking marijuana.

He was previously suspended in December 2001 after acknowledging he used marijuana in violation of league rules.

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The New Jersey Nets put forward Rodney Rogers, who has a lacerated left thumb, on the injured list, and activated guard/forward Tamar Slay, who sat out the first five games because of a sore left shin.... The Miami Heat signed forward Tyrone Hill, 35, who averaged seven points and 5.6 rebounds in 56 games last season for Philadelphia and Cleveland.