NBA briefs

GRIFFIN ENTERING REHAB: New Jersey Nets forward Eddie Griffin plans to enter the Betty Ford Center next week for six weeks of alcohol abuse treatment, his lawyer told The New York Times.

"Eddie feels he needs further help with his drinking problem," Rusty Hardin said Friday. "He's very disappointed. But he's thankful for the way the Nets have reacted to his request for further treatment. He realizes these are problems he's created."

Hardin said Griffin's agent, Arn Tellem, has arranged for the player to fly to Southern California to enter the center Wednesday.

Griffin took a leave from the Nets on Wednesday, three weeks after signing with the team.

Griffin is in Houston, where he was recently convicted of marijuana possession. Griffin also faces a separate charge of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

The Nets signed Griffin, a former Seton Hall star, after he was released by the Houston Rockets. He was on the injured list and did not appear in any games for New Jersey.

Griffin had troubles on and off the court in Houston. The Rockets suspended him Oct. 16 for a series of missed practices and a skipped flight to Sacramento. Also that month, he checked into a hospital to get help for undisclosed problems.

Griffin was charged in November with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after a woman accused him of hitting her three times in the face and shooting at her as she drove away from his home on Oct. 25. He was convicted of marijuana possession in Houston on Jan. 20 and is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 13.

The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 8.7 points and 5.8 rebounds in two seasons with the Rockets.

ROOKIE ACTIVATED: Rookie forward Michael Sweetney was activated from the injured list Saturday by the New York Knicks, who decided not to offer center Bruno Sundov a second 10-day contract.

Sweetney has appeared in only 13 games for the Knicks, who selected him with the ninth overall pick in the draft last June. He is averaging 1.5 points and 0.8 rebounds.

Sundov appeared in one game, making his only shot.

The Knicks had just 11 players in uniform Saturday night against Phoenix, with Allan Houston missing his second straight game because of a sore knee. He is expected to remain sidelined through the All-Star break.