Monday, April 01, 2002
San Antonio can't stop Los Angeles' late charge
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers still have San Antonio's number. Barely.
Derek Fisher made two free throws with 15.9 seconds remaining to cap a 6-0 game-finishing run as the Lakers beat the Spurs 96-95.
Shaquille O'Neal blocked a shot by Tim Duncan with about seven seconds left, and Duncan applauded because he thought was fouled. But no whistle blew as the Lakers ran out the clock and the Spurs protested.
Timberwolves 86, Nets 85
MINNEAPOLIS — Kevin Garnett had 23 points and 22 rebounds as the Timberwolves held on for their third straight victory, beating the Nets.
The Nets, who trailed by as many as 21 in the first half, nearly rallied for the win by outscoring the Wolves 23-9 in the fourth quarter.
The Nets' final chance came when Kenyon Martin grabbed a rebound off Chauncey Billups' miss with 5.6 seconds left. But Sam Mitchell altered Jason Kidd's last-second baseline jumper.
Reserve Lucious Harris, activated from the injured list Sunday, led the Nets with 17 points. Harris had been sidelined for seven games with a broken bone in his face.
Mavericks 110, Wizards 103
WASHINGTON — Steve Nash answered a charge from Michael Jordan with back-to-back long jumpers and a three-point play in the final three minutes for the Mavericks. Nash scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half and had 10 of the Mavericks' last 14 points.
Nash also had 12 assists.
Jordan started 0-for-7 and didn't score until he made a couple of free throws in the final minute of the third quarter. But he made three straight Wizards baskets, the last one tying the game at 96, then he missed his last two shots in the game's final two minutes.
Once again playing as a reserve, he finished 4-for-14 with 10 points and five assists.
Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 23 points and 12 rebounds.
Raptors 72, 76ers 70
PHILADELPHIA — Antonio Davis scored 16 points, including a go-ahead tip-in with 44.8 seconds left, as the Raptors won their fifth straight game without Vince Carter.
The Raptors, who have not lost since Carter underwent surgery on his left knee March 26, stayed within 1 1/2 games of the Indiana Pacers for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia fell to 2-11 without Allen Iverson, who will miss the remainder of the regular season with a broken left hand. Speedy Claxton, Iverson's replacement, also was missing with a concussion.
Celtics 110, Bucks 80
BOSTON — Paul Pierce scored 19 of his 32 points in the third quarter to help the Celtics recover from their worst loss of the season with their biggest win. The Celtics (42-32) clinch their first winning record in nine seasons.
handing the Bucks their 11th loss in 16 games and beating them for the first time in four meetings this season.
Two days after a 108-82 loss to Dallas in which they trailed by 42 points, the Celtics dominated.
The Bucks' top scorer, Ray Allen, missed his fourth straight game with the flu and a knee injury. Michael Redd is on the injured list with a sprained left knee.
Glenn Robinson led the Bucks with 29 points.
Kings 92, Hawks 91
ATLANTA — Chris Webber had 29 points and 12 rebounds as Sacramento ended a 12-game losing streak in Atlanta — since Feb.16, 1988.
The Hawks had the ball with 8.9 seconds remaining, but Jason Terry missed a running jumper off the glass and Nazr Mohammed's 8-foot shot from the right side bounced off the rim at the buzzer.
Jacque Vaughn scored a career-high 20 points on 9-for-12 shooting as the Hawks lost their third straight. Mohammed had 17 rebounds.
Pacers 100, Heat 81
INDIANAPOLIS — Ron Artest had 24 points, nine rebounds and eight steals as the Pacers, holding the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, remained 1 1/2 games ahead of Toronto.
Artest made 10 of 18 field goals and 3 of 4 free throws. He also blocked two shots.
Reserve Jonathan Bender added 19 points for Indiana, which earned its 1,000th victory in 26 NBA seasons.
The Pacers joined San Antonio as the second of four former ABA franchises to reach that mark. Including their ABA seasons, the Pacers have won 1,427 regular-season games.
Magic 97, Knicks 90
ORLANDO, Fla. — Tracy McGrady had 31 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and the Magic went on a game-ending 10-3 run.
Don Reid had seven points, 11 rebounds and five blocked shots in a rare start. Orlando center Horace Grant didn't play because of knee tendinitis.
Kurt Thomas had 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead New York's balanced attack. New York, which shot 6-for-20 in the fourth quarter, has lost five of six games.
Pistons 86, Nuggets 82
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Detroit clinched a playoff spot as Jerry Stackhouse scored 22 points.
The Pistons moved within 2 1/2 games of New Jersey for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. They lead Milwaukee and Charlotte by 5 1/2 games in the Central Division.
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