Baker Suspended for Three Games

Vin Baker’s comeback from alcoholism hit a detour Tuesday when he was suspended by the Boston Celtics for three games after the team was told he didn’t comply with his treatment program.

The forward got off to a strong start this season after missing most of the last one but was scoreless in his last two games, the only times he hasn’t started this season.

The Celtics said Tuesday they were notified of Baker’s noncompliance by a doctor jointly chosen by the player and the team to oversee the program.

Baker, averaging 11.6 points and 5.9 rebounds, started the first 33 games, but his performance declined. In his first 25 games, he scored in double figures 18 times. In the next 10, he reached that level three times.

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Coach Jerry Sloan returned to the Utah Jazz on Tuesday after missing one game to be with his ill wife.

Bobbye Sloan, treated for breast cancer five years ago, was sick for several weeks with flu-like symptoms. Jerry Sloan said that his wife is having tests done.

Utah beat Dallas, 108-94, Monday with assistant Phil Johnson guiding the Jazz.

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The Toronto Raptors declined to sign Stanley Roberts, 33, to a 10-day contract after working him out this week, with General Manager Glen Grunwald saying Tuesday the center “needs to get into better shape.” Roberts hasn’t played in the NBA since 1999, when the league suspended him, citing use of an amphetamine-based drug. ... Dallas signed center Mamadou N’Diaye to a 10-day contract. N’Diaye was a first-round pick in the 2000 draft.