THREE POINTS

STILL WAITING

Urged by Coach Isiah Thomas to show “manliness,” New York Knicks center Eddy Curry has instead shown he has a ways to go, especially against the Houston Rockets’ Yao Ming.

In their two meetings this season, Curry was outscored, 61-26, and outrebounded, 26-7. He also had no blocked shots to Yao’s 10.

Curry, whose acquisition from Chicago last year could cost the Knicks a pick in the next draft that could be Ohio State phenom Greg Oden, has done marginally better elsewhere, averaging 13.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 0.3 blocks this season.

GETTING THE POINT

Monta Ellis, a point guard from Lanier High in Jackson, Miss., is taking full advantage of new Golden State Coach Don Nelson’s system in his second season after being in the final group of high school players allowed to turn pro last year before the NBA raised its age minimum.

Ellis, who averaged 6.8 points and 1.6 assists as the 40th pick last year, is averaging 17.3 points and 4.6 assists this year, including scoring a career-high 31 points twice in the last week.

EXTREME APOLOGY

Ejected for the first time last week at Washington, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Damon Jones not only apologized to fans and referees Tuesday but also promised to never have another technical foul called on him.

-- PAUL NETTER