NBA roundup Tuesday’s other games
Heat 96, Warriors 88
MIAMI — Dwyane Wade had 32 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, Daequan Cook scored 15 of his 20 points to spark a second-quarter comeback, and the Heat matched last season’s win total. Udonis Haslem scored 16 points and Shawn Marion finished with a Heat season-high 16 rebounds as Miami reached the 15-win mark in 27 games — 55 fewer than it needed to get there last season as the NBA’s worst team.
Celtics 110, 76ers 91
BOSTON — The Boston Celtics set a franchise record with their 19th consecutive victory, getting 18 points apiece from Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 110-91. Kendrick Perkins had eight points and 11 rebounds, and Ray Allen scored 16 as the Celtics starters watched from the bench while reserves Leon Powe and Eddie House helped expand the lead in the fourth quarter. The crowd began chanting “Beat L.A!” with 5:27 left in the fourth, anticipating the Christmas Day NBA finals rematch against the Lakers.
Hawks 99, Thunder 88
ATLANTA — Joe Johnson had his second career triple-double, and Marvin Williams scored 21 points in the Hawks’ victory. Johnson had 20 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. His follow shot with 32 seconds left before halftime made it 44-43 and gave Atlanta the lead for good. Kevin Durant scored 28 points for the Thunder, who have lost two straight and 10 of 11. Oklahoma City fell to 1-13 on the road and 3-26 overall despite a combined 26 rebounds by Jeff Green and Chris Wilcox.
Nets 108, Pacers 107
INDIANAPOLIS — Devin Harris’ jumper from the top of the key as time expired gave New Jersey a victory. The Pacers had just taken the lead on a jumper from the free throw line by Danny Granger with 10 seconds to play. Harris finished with 29 points and 11 assists as New Jersey snapped a two-game losing streak. Vince Carter led the Nets with 38 points and eight rebounds.
Bobcats 80, Wizards 72
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Emeka Okafor had 29 points and 18 rebounds, and the Bobcats pulled away in the fourth quarter, sending the reeling Wizards to their worst start in franchise history. Caron Butler’s 31 points weren’t enough for the woeful Wizards, who dropped to 4-22, the worst record after 26 games in the team’s 48-year history.
Lakers 100, Hornets 87
NEW ORLEANS — So much for the Lakers’ brief bout with vulnerability. Kobe Bryant scored 26 points, Pau Gasol added 20, and Los Angeles beat the Hornets in a performance that was more dominant than the final score indicated. Using swarming defense to bottle up Chris Paul for much of the game, the Lakers stormed to a 19-point halftime lead and led by 20 after Bryant’s jumper over James Posey early in the fourth quarter. Paul finished with 17 points and 10 assists.
Bucks 94, Jazz 86
MILWAUKEE — Michael Redd scored 27 points to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to their fifth straight home victory. Luke Ridnour had 11 points, 11 assists and six steals for Milwaukee. Reserve Andrei Kirilenko scored a season-high 22 for Utah.
Pistons 104, Bulls 98
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Rodney Stuckey scored 40 points, topping his previous career high by 13, and the Pistons overcame an injury to Allen Iverson. Stuckey helped the Pistons end a two-game skid and improve to 11-11 since Iverson joined the team. The star guard managed only five points in this one, however, sitting out most of the second half with a groin strain.
Associated Press