Ming’s double-double helps Houston break losing streak
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Yao Ming had 32 points and 10 rebounds, Rafer Alston added 24 points and eight assists, and the Houston Rockets snapped a three-game losing streak without Tracy McGrady in a 108-103 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. McGrady missed his fourth straight game because of back spasms.
Shaun Livingston led Los Angeles with 21 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Chris Kaman had 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Elton Brand had 19 points and nine rebounds.
Jazz 104, Pacers 94
INDIANAPOLIS – Carlos Boozer has 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Mehmet Okur added 17 points to help Utah open a five-game trip with a victory.
The Pacers, who had beaten Utah seven straight times over the course of the last four years, rallied from 21 points down in the third quarter and pulled to 100-94 on a basket by Jamaal Tinsley with 24 seconds remaining. Rookie Dee Brown then hit four of six free throws in the closing seconds to finish the scoring for the Jazz.
Jermaine O’Neal led Indiana with 31 points.
Raptors 120, Warriors 115
TORONTO – Morris Peterson had 23 points, and T.J. Ford added 21 points and 14 assists to lead the Raptors to their third straight victory without Chris Bosh.
Raptors point guard Jose Calderon was removed from the court on a stretcher and placed in a neck brace after injuring his lower back on a rebound with 32 seconds left. Tests revealed he sustained just a bruise to his left lower back.
Andrea Bargnani had 18 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks for the Raptors, 3-2 without Bosh, their leading scorer, who has an injured left knee.
Monta Ellis scored 28 points for the Warriors.
Pistons 97, SuperSonics 93
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Jason Maxiell hit a baseline jumper with 6.8 seconds left for Detroit, and finished with career highs of 17 points, 12 rebounds and 33 minutes
Richard Hamilton led the Pistons with 24 points, and Chauncey Billups had 21. Rashard Lewis led Seattle with 25 points and 11 rebounds.