Wednesday, February 9, 2005
Bulls 107, Mavericks 100
DALLAS -- Luol Deng had 30 points and 11 rebounds and Eddy Curry added 23 points, including several big buckets in the fourth quarter, to lead Chicago past Dallas. The Bulls won for the 23rd time, matching last season's total. This victory ruined Mavs coach Don Nelson's return to the bench after a 10-game absence while having his right shoulder surgically repaired. Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 27 points but had just eight in the second half.
Bucks 121, Celtics 97
MILWAUKEE -- Mike James scored a career-high 28 points, including eight 3-pointers. James had 19 points and five of his 3-pointers before halftime as the Bucks used a 22-0 run late in the second quarter to take a 78-46 halftime lead. The 78 points were the most for the Bucks in a half in 18 years and the second-highest total for a half in the NBA this season.Grizzlies 108, Timberwolves 96
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Lorenzen Wright had 18 points and 12 rebounds, leading six Memphis players in double figures. It marked Wright's fourth consecutive double-double as Memphis won for the fourth time in five games. Stromile Swift matched Wright's 18 points. Memphis built the lead to 29 in the third period before a 9-0 Minnesota rally cut the lead to 98-86 with 5:22 to play. But the Timberwolves could get no closer, losing their sixth straight and dropping below .500 for the first time this season.
Warriors 113, Magic 109
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Jason Richardson scored 11 of his 32 points in the final 3:24, and Golden State snapped a 10-game road losing streak. Derek Fisher had 25 points, while Adonal Foyle scored 13 of his season-best 15 in the fourth quarter. The Warriors, who had lost 17 of 19 games, also snapped an 11-game losing streak in Orlando dating back to 1992. Orlando was led by Grant Hill's 28 points, including the Magic's first 12.
Spurs 104, Bobcats 85
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Not even the absence of Tim Duncan could slow San Antonio, which got a big lift from the return of Rasho Nesterovic. With Duncan out for the first time this season with a sprained ankle, Nesterovic marked his return to the starting lineup after a six-game absence with 15 points and eight rebounds in just 22 minutes. Nesterovic made his first seven shots against an undermanned Charlotte team that struggled to defend him. HNuggets 97, Jazz 87
DENVER -- Earl Boykins came off the bench to score 20 points, outscoring all five Utah starters by himself, and Carmelo Anthony had 25 points in Denver's victory. Kenyon Martin had 17 points and Marcus Camby added 14 rebounds and seven blocks as the Nuggets improved to 5-1 under coach George Karl. Of the five victories, none have come against a team with a winning record. Utah's starters combined for just 19 points. Mehmet Okur led the Jazz with 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Raja Bell and Matt Harpring had 16 and 15 points, respectively. Utah has lost five of six.
Associated Press