Monday, January 24, 2005
Mavericks 95, Nuggets 93
DALLAS -- Dirk Nowitzki scored nine of his 35 points in the final 5 minutes for Dallas, including a three-point play with 17.9 seconds left that gave the Mavericks the lead. Denver guard Earl Boykins had a chance to force overtime but missed an open 18-footer at the buzzer. Nowitzki was only 8-of-13 from the foul line after making 43 consecutive free throws heading into Sunday's game. Dallas has won five games in a row and 10 of its last 12.
Bucks 101, Knicks 96
NEW YORK -- Desmond Mason scored 22 points to lead six Milwaukee players in double figures, and the Bucks spoiled the debut of New York coach Herb Williams. It was the 10th loss in 11 games for New York and came one day after Lenny Wilkens stepped down as coach. Stephon Marbury had 33 points for New York, but it wasn't enough to stop Milwaukee from picking up its fifth road win of the season -- all against Eastern Conference teams. Joe Smith and Michael Redd each had 14 points for Milwaukee, which had all five starters score in double figures.
Raptors 103, Bobcats 92
TORONTO -- Jalen Rose scored 14 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter to help hand Charlotte its eighth straight loss. Rose had 12 points during Toronto's pivotal 19-4 run in the final period, when the Raptors outscored the Bobcats 26-12. Charlotte shot 5-of-24 from the field in the fourth quarter. Morris Peterson added 26 points and Chris Bosh had 21 for the Raptors, who have won five straight at home. Toronto forward Donyell Marshall missed the game with a sprained right wrist.
Heat 97, Hornets 68
MIAMI -- Dwyane Wade had 18 points and seven assists for Miami, which built a 25-point, first-quarter lead on the way to an easy victory. Damon Jones had 13 points and five assists, and Shaquille O'Neal added 12 points and eight rebounds in 23 minutes for the Eastern Conference-leading Heat (30-12). Miami's 56-25 halftime lead matched the franchise's largest after two quarters -- and marked the lowest-scoring first half in Hornets franchise history; Charlotte had 27 points at halftime in Minnesota on Nov. 9, 1990. Dan Dickau had 16 points for the Hornets, who fell to an NBA-worst 7-33.
Suns 113, Nets 105
PHOENIX -- Amare Stoudemire scored 33 points on 13-for-16 shooting, and Steve Nash had a season-high 30 points as Phoenix snapped a six-game losing streak. Nash, playing his second game after missing three games because of thigh and back injuries, was 5-of-6 from 3-point range and had nine assists. Vince Carter scored 32 points and Jason Kidd had 23 for the Nets, who had their season-best three-game winning streak snapped in the first of five in a row on the road. Stoudemire made his first eight shots and was 13-of-14 before missing two in a row in the fourth quarter. Quentin Richardson added 20 points for Phoenix.
Associated Press