Raptors take Heat; Pistons win easily
NBA roundupMIAMI (AP) – Jalen Rose scored 24 points, including the decisive free throws with 15.6 seconds left, to help the Toronto Raptors snap a six-game road losing streak with a 94-92 victory over the Miami Heat on Tuesday night. Shaquille O’Neal led Miami with a season-high 34 points, shooting 12-for-15 from the field and 10-of-13 from the foul line. He entered the game a 43-percent foul shooter.
Pistons 93, Rockets 72
HOUSTON – Antonio McDyess had 19 points and 10 rebounds and Richard Hamilton also scored 19, helping the Detroit Pistons snap a five-game road losing streak with a win over the reeling Houston Rockets.
McDyess scored the Pistons’ first 12 points in the opening 41/2 minutes as Detroit jumped out to an early lead and never trailed, sending the Rockets to their fourth consecutive loss and sixth in the past eight games.
Suns 115, Jazz 102
SALT LAKE CITY – Steve Nash had 20 points and 14 assists to lead the Phoenix Suns to their eighth straight win, over the Utah Jazz.
Spurs 107, Mavericks 89
DALLAS – Devin Brown sparked a fourth-quarter spurt with two three-point plays and two dunks, helping the San Antonio Spurs beat the Dallas Mavericks to spoil the pseudo-coaching debut of Avery Johnson.
Nets 99, Bobcats 86
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Richard Jefferson scored 23 points and Eric Williams had a season-high 22 to help the New Jersey Nets end a nine-game losing streak with a victory over the Charlotte Bobcats.
The Nets, playing their first home game following an 0-4 Western trip, had four players in double figures. Alonzo Mourning scored 18 points with 11 rebounds, and Jason Collins scored 10.
Knicks 110, Hawks 109
ATLANTA – Jamal Crawford’s 3-pointer with 3.4 seconds left in overtime lifted the New York Knicks to a win over the Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks, leading by one point, had a foul to waste and coach Mike Woodson was yelling that message from the sideline. But Crawford launched the game-winner from the top of the circle before Atlanta’s defenders could respond.
Lakers 95, Bucks 90
MILWAUKEE – Brian Cook came off the bench to score a career-high 25 points, including five 3-pointers, and Kobe Bryant added 20 points despite being held without a field goal for three quarters to lead the Los Angeles Lakers past the Milwaukee Bucks.
Cook also had a career-high 11 rebounds and Lamar Odom added 16 points and 11 rebounds as the Lakers beat the Bucks for the second time in seven days and the eighth straight time overall.
Desmond Mason had 32 points, Maurice Williams added 21 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds and Keith Van Horn had 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Bucks, who were looking for their first victory over the Lakers since March 21, 2001.
Bryant had a three-point play with 46.4 seconds left in the first quarter, making him 4-for-13 from the floor. He missed his last eight shots but had 11 assists and seven rebounds.
The Bucks were hoping to build upon their victory against Detroit on Saturday night that snapped a six-game losing streak.