AROUND THE NBA | Wednesday's other games

Celtics 99, Grizzlies 98
BOSTON -- Ricky Davis made a jumper as time expired, and Paul Pierce scored 29 points as the Boston Celtics overcame an 18-point deficit. After Eddie Jones' jumper gave the Grizzlies a one-point lead with 13 seconds remaining, Pierce was double-teamed as he drove baseline and passed to Davis, who was wide open at the foul line.
The Celtics lost their previous home game when Detroit's Richard Hamilton hit a shot at the buzzer. Davis finished with 18 points and Mark Blount added 17 for the Celtics, who were 7-for-9 from 3-point range. Jones led the Grizzlies with 20 points and reserve Bobby Jackson had 16.
Spurs 94, Bobcats 86
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Tim Duncan scored 29 points and Tony Parker added 23 to lead San Antonio over the host team. The Bobcats, who played into overtime in three of their first four games, were clearly feeling the effects of that grind against the defending NBA champions. The Spurs led almost the entire way and the final score was closer than the game ever was. Nick Van Exel added 12 points for San Antonio, which was short-handed with guards Michael Finley (groin) and Brent Barry (back spasms) both going on the inactive list before the game. Gerald Wallace, who was questionable before the game because of a concussion he suffered on Monday night, scored 15 points to lead Charlotte.
Nets 91, Jazz 83
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Vince Carter had 21 points to lead New Jersey over Utah. Nenad Krstic added 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting for the Nets. Richard Jefferson missed the second triple-double of his career by one rebound with 17 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists. New Jersey began the fourth quarter leading by 15 before Utah closed to within nine points at 80-71 on a jumper by Jarron Collins. On the Nets' next possession, Carter drove the lane and kicked the ball out to Krstic, who sank a jumper to extend the lead to 11. After a 3-pointer by Utah's Deron Williams brought the Jazz to within eight at 84-76, Carter again fed Krstic, this time in the lane. Krstic's layup gave the Nets an 86-76 lead with 4:16 left and Utah never threatened after that. Andrei Kirilenko led Utah with 18 points.
Clippers 102, Wizards 97
WASHINGTON -- Elton Brand had 31 points and 13 rebounds, and the Clippers handed the Wizards their first loss of the season. Brand's double-double was the 181st of his career, tying him with Loy Vaught for the Clippers' franchise record. Corey Maggette finished with 20 points, six rebounds and three assists. Cuttino Mobley made the go-ahead basket and added 15 points and six assists for the Clippers. Reserve Caron Butler, who missed the previous two games with a bruised left thigh, led the Wizards with 19 points. Gilbert Arenas added 18 points and 10 assists.
76ers 112, Mavericks 97
PHILADELPHIA -- Allen Iverson scored 25 points and keyed a decisive 15-0 run to lead the 76ers over the Mavericks. Andre Iguodala scored 22 points, Kyle Korver 20 and Chris Webber had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Sixers, who opened a season-long four-game homestand with their first home win. Keith Van Horn scored 19 points and Jason Terry 15 for the Mavericks. Dirk Nowitzki left late in the second quarter after straining his back and did not return. Nowitzki scored 14 points on 5-for-8 shooting in the first half, and has averaged 26 points and 9.7 rebounds in three games.
Timberwolves 88, Lakers 74
MINNEAPOLIS -- Kevin Garnett had 17 points and 15 rebounds and Minnesota snapped Kobe Bryant's 30-point game streak at four, beating the Lakers. Bryant entered the game averaging nearly 37 points a game and having scored 37 in two straight. He finished with 28 points on 12-of-26 shooting, but was a non-factor in the fourth quarter thanks to a stingy zone defense employed by coach Dwane Casey. Casey said before the game his plan was to let Bryant get his numbers but limit his supporting cast. The Timberwolves did both. Lamar Odom added 15 points and six rebounds for the Lakers, but foul trouble limited his effectiveness in the fourth.
Magic 88, Hornets 83
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Steve Francis scored 24 points to help Orlando hand New Orleans its first loss in Oklahoma City. After DeShawn Stevenson's layup gave the Magic an 80-69 lead, the Hornets came charging back, going on a 10-2 run. Speedy Claxton, who finished with 24 points, hit back-to-back baskets and his free throw with 1:23 left pulled New Orleans within three, 82-79. Francis put back Jameer Nelson's miss on Orlando's next possession to put the Magic back up by five. David West scored to close the gap back to 84-81, but New Orleans couldn't get a stop on the other end. Dwight Howard had 16 points and 13 rebounds for Orlando, and Stevenson finished with 13 points.
Desmond Mason and West added 12 points each for New Orleans, and Chris Paul had 10.
Bulls 85, Warriors 84
CHICAGO -- Michael Sweetney hit two free throws with 6.3 seconds left and Kirk Hinrich added 23 points for the Bulls, who overcame 26 turnovers on their way to a victory over Golden State. With the Warriors ahead 84-83, Hinrich found Sweetney on the right block. Troy Murphy fouled him, and Sweetney hit both free throws to put the Bulls ahead. The Warriors had one last chance, but Jason Richardson's floater missed. Baron Davis scored 17 points and Richardson and Derek Fisher added 15 apiece for the Warriors, who were trying to complete their first three-game road sweep since December 1992.
Pacers 95, Heat 90
INDIANAPOLIS -- Ron Artest scored 24 points to lead the Pacers over the Heat. Artest struggled from the free throw line until it mattered most. He made two with 53 seconds left to give the Pacers a 91-90 lead. After Dwyane Wade missed a jumper, Indiana's Sarunas Jasikevicius scored on a layup with 14 seconds remaining to increase the Pacers' lead to 93-90. Miami had the ball with a chance to tie in the closing seconds. Antoine Walker missed a 3-pointer with seven seconds left. Indiana's Stephen Jackson rebounded, was fouled, and made two free throws to seal the Pacers' second win over the Heat in less than a week.
Wade led Miami with 29 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, but he tied a career high with 10 turnovers.
Associated Press
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