Game Is Big TV Draw

The NBA All-Star game Sunday drew 8.2 million viewers to TNT, according to Nielsen Media Research numbers released Wednesday.

It was the second-largest audience for a basketball game on cable television. The largest was 10.1 million for last year’s All-Star game, which featured Michael Jordan.

The national rating for Sunday’s game was a 5.1 with a 9.6 share, compared to a 6.6/12 last year. The 2002 game, televised by NBC, drew an 8.2 rating.

In Los Angeles, Sunday’s game at Staples Center drew an 8.3/14, compared to a 10.1/16 for last year’s game at Atlanta.

Larry Stewart

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The Boston Celtics released Vin Baker after the forward cleared waivers following his suspension for violating the terms of his alcohol treatment program.

The move terminates Baker’s contract, and may let the team avoid paying Baker the $36 million he is owed for the remaining 2 1/2 years of the contract.

It also probably will start a showdown between the team and the NBA Players’ Assn. The union has said it would file a grievance over any attempt to void the contract.

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Dallas Maverick assistant Del Harris, a former coach of the Lakers, will coach the Chinese men’s national team at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Harris would become the first foreigner to coach the team in international play.