Nuggets' Hickson suspended 5 games by NBA

NEW YORK (AP) Denver Nuggets center/forward J.J. Hickson was suspended for five games without pay by the NBA on Wednesday for violating the terms of the anti-drug program.

Hickson averaged 11.8 rebounds and 9.2 rebounds in 69 games last season, his first with Denver. He has played six seasons in the NBA with Cleveland, Sacramento, Portland and Denver, averaging 10.1 points and 7.2 rebounds.