The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS - Ron Artest had 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 98-75 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.

Jermaine O'Neal had 17 points, nine rebounds and six blocks, and Jeff Foster added 10 points and nine boards to help NBA-leading Indiana improve to 12-2.

Kevin Garnett led Minnesota with 25 points and 16 rebounds.

Heat 91, Hornets 87

MIAMI - Eddie Jones and Brian Grant each hit two free throws in the final 15 seconds to help Miami beat New Orleans.

The victory was the Heat's first over the Hornets since April 2001, breaking a seven-game regular-season losing streak.

Bucks 95, 76ers 91

MILWAUKEE - Michael Redd scored 26 points and rookie T.J. Ford had a season-high nine assists for Milwaukee.

Nuggets 110, Suns 80

DENVER - Carmelo Anthony scored 17 points, leading seven Denver players in double figures.

Nets 93, SuperSonics 70

SEATTLE - Jason Kidd returned from a one-game absence to post a triple-double with 13 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, leading New Jersey.

Kenyon Martin had season highs with 27 points and 14 rebounds as the Nets opened a five-game Western road trip.

Mavericks 124, Bulls 98

DALLAS - Nothing changed for the Chicago Bulls in their first game after coach Bill Cartwright's firing.

They lost again.

Michael Finley scored a season-high 28 points to lead Dallas and help hand the Bulls (4-11) their sixth straight loss, their first with interim coach Pete Myers.

Chicago's Scottie Pippen left after taking an elbow to the face and didn't return in the second half

• Scott Skiles, a former Phoenix Suns coach, has had "some discussions" with Chicago general manager John Paxson about the team's coaching vacancy, Skiles' agent, Keith Glass, said Tuesday.