Pacers won't punish Tinsley

Jamaal Tinsley knows he has to make lifestyle changes, and he feels blessed to have the chance.

That was the Indiana Pacers guard's mind-set 36 hours after being shot at with an assault weapon in front of a downtown Indianapolis hotel. He was not injured.

"The man upstairs, he gave me another opportunity to see another day. When athletes step out, anything can happen," the sixth-year player said after Monday's practice.

Tinsley met with coach Jim O'Brien and team president Larry Bird a day after the guard and several companions were targeted in an early Sunday morning shooting that wounded the team's equipment manager. The suspected shooters have not been arrested as police continue to investigate.

According to Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Sgt. Paul Thompson, at least three people in Tinsley's group had guns, all of which were legal. Though police didn't say Tinsley was carrying a gun, he does have a permit.

The team didn't punish Tinsley in the latest instance of Pacers players finding trouble — or trouble finding them.

SUITS AGAINST ARTEST DISMISSED: Two civil lawsuits against Ron Artest stemming from the November 2004 brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills have been dismissed. U.S. District Court Judge Anna Diggs Taylor on Monday dismissed the civil lawsuits against the former Indiana Pacer star.

Artest's lawyer, Allan Rubin, said Taylor ruled on motions filed by the defense. "We're extremely happy. We believe the court made the right decision," Rubin said. "We believe the plaintiffs were overreaching in their claims."

MARBURY MISSES KNICKS' GAME: Stephon Marbury missed the Knicks' game against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night, and the team has said he can take as much time as he needs following the death of his father. Marbury's father, Donald, died on Dec. 2 after being taken from Madison Square Garden to a hospital because of chest pains. Stephon Marbury missed one game, then returned the day after his father's funeral.

BARGNANI RETURNS TO PRACTICE: Toronto forward Andrea Bargnani practiced Monday for the first time in more than a week and hopes to play when the Raptors face the Atlanta Hawks today. If Bargnani plays, it will be the first time Toronto has had its trio of stars — Bargnani, T.J. Ford and Chris Bosh — together in the lineup since Nov. 20.

JAMES LIKELY TO RETURN: LeBron James' injured finger passed the required practice test. It's game time. James, who has missed Cleveland's past five games — all losses — with a sprained left index finger, is expected to be back in the lineup tonight when the Cavaliers host the Indiana Pacers.