NBA roundup
Magic knock off Iverson-less Sixers, 86-84 ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – Winning with Allen Iverson was difficult enough. Now the Philadelphia 76ers are learning how tough it is to get a victory without their disgruntled star.
Dwight Howard scored 28 points and Grant Hill added 23 Saturday night, leading the Orlando Magic to an 86-84 victory that extended Philadelphia’s losing streak to seven games.
The 76ers played for the second straight night without Iverson, who was sent home before Friday night’s home loss against Washington and told he would not make the trip to Orlando, either.
Rockets 114, Wizards 109
WASHINGTON – Yao Ming scored 23 of his season-high 38 points in the fourth quarter and the Houston Rockets ended the Washington Wizards’ winning streak at three games.
Tracy McGrady had 28 points for Houston.
Gilbert Arenas finished with 41 points for the Wizards.
Knicks 115, Bucks 107
NEW YORK – Eddy Curry powered his way to a career-high 36 points to lead New York to its third win in 11 home games.
Cavs 107, Pacers 75
CLEVELAND – LeBron James scored 24 of his 27 points in the first half and Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 15 to lead Cleveland.
James had seven rebounds, six assists and spent the entire fourth quarter relaxing on the bench. The Cavaliers built a 24-point lead in the first half and coasted to their most lopsided win this season.
Donyell Marshall added a season-high 17 rebounds for the Cavs, who outrebounded Indiana 57-34.
Darrell Armstrong had 13 points and Danny Granger 12 for the Pacers. Already short-handed, Indiana coach Rick Carlisle tossed guard Stephen Jackson from his bench in the second quarter for “conduct detrimental to the team.”
Celtics 92, Nets 90
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Paul Pierce hit a buzzer-beater and Boston rallied from an early 20-point deficit to snap a five-game losing streak.
Al Jefferson had 29 points and 14 rebounds for the Celtics, who trailed 22-2 in the first quarter. Pierce had 17 points and Delonte West 16.
Nenad Krstic lead the Nets with 20 points, and Vince Carter had 19 and 11 rebounds.
With Boston leading 90-88, Carter pulled the Nets even on a jumper with 43.7 seconds remaining. On the Celtics’ ensuing possession, Sebastian Telfair missed a layup and Jason Kidd came down with the rebound.
Eddie House missed a jumper with 12.3 seconds, setting the stage for Pierce’s shot as time expired.