Pistons 89, Nets 80
Pistons 89, Nets 80
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Rasheed Wallace had 19 points and 13 rebounds, and the Detroit Pistons beat New Jersey in the Nets' first game without injured star Richard Jefferson. Jefferson, dressed in all black, watched from the bench as the Nets got 19 points from Vince Carter, 16 from Travis Best and 13 from Jason Kidd while losing for the fourth time in five games. Earlier in the day, the Nets announced that Jefferson would undergo surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist that he originally injured when he was flagrantly fouled last month by Detroit's Chauncey Billups. Jefferson will wear a cast for two months and he said he hoped to return for the playoffs -- if the Nets qualify.
Hornets 88, Knicks 82
NEW YORK -- Baron Davis had 21 points and 10 assists to give the Hornets their first winning streak of the season. Lee Nailon had 18 points, and P.J. Brown and Dan Dickau added 17 points each for the Hornets, who looked nothing like the NBA's worst team down the stretch as they held New York's comeback attempt at bay to end a 15-game road losing skid. The Hornets (4-29) have their first winning streak in nearly a year.
Suns 122, Heat 107
PHOENIX -- Amare Stoudemire scored 34 points and the Suns won their seventh straight -- and 18th in 19 games -- in a matchup of conference leaders. All five Suns starters hit double figures -- in the first half -- and Phoenix improved its NBA-best record to 31-4, the sixth-best start for a team with four losses in league history. Shawn Marion added 26 points and 11 rebounds, Steve Nash 16 points and 16 assists for the Suns. Shaquille O'Neal had 34 points and 11 rebounds for Miami.
Hawks 103, Bucks 80
ATLANTA -- Tyronn Lue scored a season-high 18 points to lead seven Atlanta players in double figures as the Hawks snapped a six-game losing streak. Al Harrington had 14 points, including 12 in the first quarter, for Atlanta. Predrag Drobnjak added 13, while Jason Collier and Josh Childress each scored 12. The Bucks were without starting center Dan Gadzuric for most of the game. He played only six minutes before he was taken to an area hospital, complaining of stomach pain. Mike James led Milwaukee with 14 points.
Pacers 86, Grizzlies 85
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Jermaine O'Neal capped a 35-point night by making two free throws with 4.6 seconds left to snap the Grizzlies' six-game winning streak. O'Neal, who was 12-of-23 from the field, grabbed 12 rebounds. Jamaal Tinsley added 19 points and six assists for the Pacers, while Reggie Miller finished with 10 points. Gasol had 31 points and four blocks for Memphis, and Bonzi Wells added 20 points.
Associated Press