10-game suspension for Pistons' Hunter

Detroit Pistons guard Lindsey Hunter was suspended 10 games without pay by the NBA after testing positive for phentermine, a banned substance primarily used for weight loss.

"I'm as shocked as anyone," Hunter said after arriving at the Palace yesterday. "It was a diet pill - we've all taken stuff and nothing ever happens."

Hunter said the pill was prescribed for his wife, Ivy.

"We do that at our house - if I've got a head cold, I might grab one of her pills," he said. "It was just a bonehead mistake on my part."

Phentermine is listed as a steroid or performance-enhancing drug under the league's Anti-Drug program and brings an automatic 10-game penalty for a first positive test.

Hunter, who is 36 and in his 13th NBA season, began his suspension last night when the Pistons faced the Cleveland Cavaliers and will lose more than $202,000.

"It's the league rule, and I have to abide by it," he said. "I just hope people don't think I'm out smoking marijuana."

* Minnesota guard Randy Foye has been exonerated of any wrongdoing in connection with an early-morning argument that resulted in the former Villanova star receiving a misdemeanor citation for disorderly conduct on Feb. 12.

According to a report on Minneapolis' StarTribune.com, the city's assistant city attorney sent a letter to Foye saying that the citation had been dismissed.

Foye was driving three family members in his SUV when two of them began to argue. Police responded and gave all four citations.

* Denver forward Carmelo Anthony became a father when his fiancee, actress La La Vazquez, gave birth to a son, Kiyan, who weighed 5 pounds, 9 ounces and was 18 1/2 inches long.

* Deputies have responded to five 911 calls from Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest's home since last August, including two domestic disturbances between Artest and his wife, Kimsha.

The previous incidents became known after Artest's arrest Monday, when a woman inside his home in a Sacramento suburb called 911 and said she had been assaulted. California law prohibits releasing the name of a victim of a domestic violence. However, the Sacramento Bee quoted Artest's neighbor as saying it was Kimsha Artest.

Artest was arrested Monday on suspicion of domestic violence and using force or violence to prevent the woman from reporting a crime. He was released from custody after posting a $50,000 bond and is awaiting a March 22 arraignment.

* At Toronto, Chris Bosh had 19 points and nine rebounds, and the Raptors ended a three-game losing streak with a 94-87 victory over Memphis.

* At Oakland, Baron Davis (22 points) and Andris Biedrins (14 points, 14 rebounds) led Golden State to a 110-96 win over Denver, which was led by Allen Iverson's 35 points.

* At Atlanta, Zaza Pachulia had a career-high 27 points to lead the Hawks over Washington, 100-97.

* At Miami, Shaquille O'Neal had 24 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, Eddie Jones added 23 points, and the Heat defeated Chicago, 103-70.

* At Boston, Tracy McGrady had 25 points and nine assists, and the Houston Rockets beat Boston, 111-80, to snap the Celtics' four-game winning streak.

* At Milwaukee, Charlie Villanueva scored a season-high 26 points to lead the Bucks to a 110-90 victory over the Lakers.

* At Auburn Hills, Mich., Le-Bron James scored a season-high 41 points, leading Cleveland to a 101-97 overtime victory over the Pistons.

* At Salt Lake City, Deron Williams' 17 points led Utah to a 94-72 win over Indiana.

* At Phoenix, Leandro Barbosa had 32 points to lead the Suns to a 115-106 win over Charlotte. *