NBA: Wizards defeat the Spurs, 95-87
WASHINGTON (AP) – Antawn Jamison had a season-high 35 points and 11 rebounds, Gilbert Arenas scored 24, and the Washington Wizards took advantage of Tim Duncan’s absence Wednesday night in a 95-87 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Without Duncan, the Wizards’ All-Stars outnumbered the Spurs’ All-Stars two-to-one, and they were the difference. Arenas spurred a 16-2 run in the second quarter and Jamison scored 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting in the fourth quarter.
The Wizards won their third straight and avenged a 101-73 loss at San Antonio three weeks ago. The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for the Spurs.
Pacers 94, Bobcats 87
INDIANAPOLIS – Jermaine O’Neal had 29 points and 10 rebounds and Stephen Jackson scored 22 for Indiana.
Fred Jones had 12 points for the Pacers, who shot 49 percent from the field and won for just the fourth time in 11 games. The Pacers swept the three-game season series against the Bobcats.
Melvin Ely, who was starting his fifth straight game in place of injured rookie Emeka Okafor, led Charlotte with 20 points and 17 rebounds. Primoz Brezec added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Bobcats, who dropped their fourth game in a row.
Bucks 110, Raptors 107
TORONTO – Michael Redd had 29 points, leading Milwaukee over the troubled Raptors.
Before the game, Toronto point guard Rafer Alston said he wanted an apology after being benched for much of Tuesday’s loss to Cleveland and that he’s not sure he wants to stay with the Raptors.
Alston was at his best in the first half against Milwaukee, scoring 16 points with seven assists. But he went 0-for-5 from the field in the second half and finished with 12 assists.
Grizzlies 98, 76ers 95
PHILADELPHIA – Dahntay Jones scored a career-high 23 points and Stromile Swift added 17 to lead Memphis.
Allen Iverson, the league’s leading scorer, had 16 of his 38 points from the free throw line and 10 assists after missing Monday’s game against New Jersey with flu-like symptoms. Kyle Korver sank four 3-pointers and scored 13 points.
The Grizzlies trailed by five late in the fourth, but rallied to take a 96-95 lead on a couple of Shane Battier free throws. Jason Williams hit two more free throws for the needed cushion.
Celtics 94, Clippers 89
BOSTON – Paul Pierce had 25 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to lift the Celtics over the Los Angeles Clippers.
After falling behind 79-65 early in the fourth quarter, the Celtics scored 16 straight points to take their first lead of the game on Raef LaFrentz’s 3-pointer with 6:19 remaining.
Mark Blount added 17 points and eight rebounds and LaFrentz had 16 points for the Celtics.
Heat 116, New York 110
NEW YORK – Dwyane Wade scored 30 points with six assists and six rebounds, Damon Jones scored a season-high 24 and Shaquille O’Neal had 16 points and 13 rebounds as Miami won its fourth straight.
Stephon Marbury led a fourth-quarter comeback and scored 36 points for the Knicks.