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From The Associated Press

Knicks set up for 2010

NEW YORK—With two moves, the New York Knicks created salary space for a premier free agent and playing time for Stephon Marbury.

They hope someone like LeBron James wants their money more than Marbury wanted their minutes.

Short-handed after trading their two top scorers and Marbury declining to play, the Knicks lost to the Milwaukee Bucks, 104-87 on Friday night.

Still, it was a successful day for the Knicks, who freed up coveted salary-cap space for the summer of 2010 when team president Donnie Walsh traded Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford in separate deals.

“We’ve accomplished a lot of things and again, I don’t think we’ve compromised this season, which was important to me and to Donnie and the fans and everybody else,” coach Mike D’Antoni said before the game. “We didn’t compromise it. We will be fighting for the playoffs, which we were doing before. And we cleared cap to be a player as we go forward with our plan.”

Crawford was sent to Golden State for forward Al Harrington. Hours later, Randolph was shipped to the Los Angeles Clippers along with reserve guard Mardy Collins for Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas.

Walsh has repeatedly said his goal was to get under the cap in time for a potentially sensational free-agent crop that could be headlined by James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

Thunder fire Carlesimo after 1-12 start

OKLAHOMA CITY—The losses kept piling up for P.J. Carlesimo, and it didn’t matter which city his team called home.

With the relocated Oklahoma City Thunder off to an NBA-worst 1-12 start, Carlesimo was fired as coach Saturday and replaced on an interim basis by assistant Scott Brooks.

“This was a very difficult decision to make,” general manager Sam Presti said in a statement. “It is one that I felt was necessary at this time. I am very appreciative of the hard work and effort that P.J. gave to this team and we wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

The firing — the first of an NBA coach this season — followed a 105-80 defeat to the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night for the Thunder’s 10th straight loss. Brooks was to make his debut Saturday night in a rematch with the Hornets in New Orleans.

The loss Friday night served as a reminder of how the Hornets rebuilt from an 18-win season to a playoff contender during a two-year stay in Oklahoma City brought on by Hurricane Katrina. The Hornets improved by 20 wins their first season in Oklahoma City, and by last year were pushing the San Antonio Spurs in a second-round playoff series.

NFL: Pacman can practice Monday

IRVING, Texas—The NFL confirmed Friday that suspended cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones can join the Dallas Cowboys on Monday and that he can play again Dec. 7 against Pittsburgh — but only if he stays on his best behavior.

Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a brief statement Friday confirming the details of Jones’ return, noting that it can only happen “if he avoids any further incidents and fully complies with each and every condition that has been established for him.”

Those conditions were not outlined, although it’s believed that he must keep up with the aftercare of the alcohol rehabilitation program he underwent since being suspended Oct. 14.

The statement also noted that “Commissioner Goodell’s decision was based on the recommendations of clinical experts.”