NBA roundup
Nuggets win in Atlanta for first time since 1988 ATLANTA (AP) – Carmelo Anthony’s jump shot with nine-tenths of a second to play gave the Denver Nuggets their first victory in Atlanta since 1988, 100-96 over the Hawks on Tuesday night.
Anthony led the Nuggets with 22 points as Denver ended a 14-game losing streak in Atlanta.
Following a miss by Denver’s Andre Miller, the Hawks got the ball and Atlanta coach Mike Woodson did not call a timeout. Antoine Walker fired an air ball on a fallaway jumper, Denver rebounded and called timeout with 6.8 seconds left. Then Anthony launched the winning shot from the left wing.
Walker led the Hawks with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Delk followed with 19 points.
Camby had 17 for Denver, and Kenyon Martin and former Hawk DerMarr Johnson each added 16.
The Nuggets had not won in Atlanta since Dec. 10, 1988. Overall, the Nuggets snapped the Hawks’ eight-to winning streak in the series, dating to Feb. 24, 2001.
Timberwolves 82, Nets 71
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Kevin McHale earned his first coaching victory and Michael Olowokandi had 17 points and 12 rebounds. Kevin Garnett, who shot 0-for-5 from the floor in the first half, scored 17 points. Wally Szczerbiak added 14 for Minnesota, which won for just the second time in the last 10 games and set season bests in points allowed (71) and opponents’ field goal percentage (31.0).
Vince Carter had 25 of his 32 points in the first half for New Jersey, which got a season-high 18 points from Ron Mercer.
As Minnesota’s vice president of basketball operations, McHale fired Flip Saunders on Saturday, the first action taken by management in response to this highly disappointing season.
The Timberwolves’ various problems have included rebounding, effort and shot selection, but they boxed out consistently, played hard and moved the ball well against the Nets.
Magic 99, Clippers 94
ORLANDO, Fla. – Grant Hill scored a season-high 39 points, but it was two clutch jump shots by Steve Francis in the final minute that closed out the slumping Clippers. Francis finished with 16 points and seven assists for Orlando, which won for the third time in four games.
The Clippers, who have lost six straight, got 21 points and 10 rebounds from Elton Brand. Bobby Simmons added 20 points and Corey Maggette had 12 points and 10 rebounds.