THE NBA

Callers trying to order tickets for Game 7 in Seattle flooded phone lines Friday, briefly knocking out downtown phone service.

Twelve exchanges in Seattle lost service at 9 a.m. US West spokesman Harry Grandstrom said that’s when TicketMaster opened for business, selling about 1,000 tickets remaining for Sunday’s game.

It took about 20 minutes to restore service.

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Chicago Bull assistant Jim Cleamons was announced as coach of the Dallas Mavericks, replacing Dick Motta, who was fired May 1.

There were reports Cleamons got a four-year deal. But he wouldn’t confirm the length of his contract or the terms.

“Well, it’s a multiyear contract, I can tell you that,” he said. “Coaches are hired to be fired, but my job is to delay that firing.”