The AP reports: Jamal Crawford had 28 points and eight assists, and Stephen Jackson added 26 points in the Warriors’ third win in four home games, 119-98 over Washington on Monday in a rare matinee game at Oracle Arena… Corey Maggette scored 16 points for the Warriors, who had won three of four just once previously in their disappointing season. Golden State comfortably held off the Wizards, hitting 13 3-pointers and making 53 percent of its shots against Washington’s sketchy defense… Anthony Morrow added 11 points for Golden State, and Andris Biedrins had 15 rebounds. Jackson and Azubuike hit three 3-pointers apiece, mostly with no hands in their faces.
Day: January 20, 2009
Hornets beat Pacers on Paul’s late 3
The AP reports: Chris Paul capped a 27-point performance with a fadeaway 3-pointer as time expired, lifting the hobbled New Orleans Hornets to a 103-100 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Monday… Peja Stojakovic hit five 3-pointers and finished with a season-high 26 points for New Orleans, which started the game without David West (back) and then lost center Tyson Chandler (left ankle) late in the second quarter. Danny Granger scored 30 points in his homecoming to his native New Orleans. His game-tying 3 went down with 2.5 seconds left, setting off a brief celebration by the Pacers. Moments later, Granger was slumped over, hands on his knees, head hanging, as the Hornets mobbed Paul and the crowd erupted following the winning shot.
Jefferson helps Timberwolves beat Clippers 94-86
The AP reports: The Minnesota Timberwolves may be able to thank the Los Angeles Clippers for the wakeup call six weeks ago that provided them with the turning point to their season. Not that they showed much gratitude Monday. Al Jefferson scored 20 points and tied a season high with 17 rebounds, and Craig Smith also had 20 points for the Timberwolves in their 94-86 victory over the Clippers. Minnesota has won seven of its past eight after losing 15 of 17… Rookie Eric Gordon led Los Angeles with 25 points and reserve Steve Novak had a career-high 18. The loss was the 13th in 14 games for the Clippers, coming off a 101-92 win against Milwaukee on Saturday that ended a 12-game skid.
Duncan’s block helps Spurs hold off Bobcats 86-84
The AP reports: Tim Duncan experienced the full spectrum of emotions in 10 seconds. First, he had a potential game-clinching shot blocked. Then he hustled back and blocked Raymond Felton’s tying shot attempt—only he swatted it so hard it landed in the hands of a wide-open Boris Diaw. Then he watched helplessly as Diaw’s game-winning 3-pointer bounced off the rim at the buzzer, giving Duncan a sigh of relief and his San Antonio Spurs a wild 86-84 win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday… Duncan had 17 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, while Tony Parker added 13 points and 10 assists for the Spurs, who held the Bobcats to 36 percent shooting in their second straight win following a 22-point loss to Philadelphia that began their three-game road trip… Raja Bell scored 25 points in his best offensive performance since being acquired by the Bobcats last month. Diaw added 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Yao, Alston lead Rockets past Nuggets 115-113
The AP reports: The Denver Nuggets felt a bad call cost them a win against the Houston Rockets. Yao Ming scored 31 points, Rafer Alston added 18 points and 11 assists and the Rockets beat the Nuggets 115-113 on Monday. Denver’s Kenyon Martin missed two foul shots with 2.6 seconds left, and Yao got the rebound to clinch the win. But the Nuggets felt they had the go-ahead basket wrongly taken away on their previous possession. Yao missed with 18 seconds left, Martin rebounded and Denver coach George Karl called timeout. Linas Kleiza drove into the lane and passed to Nene for a dunk. But the basket didn’t count because referee Bennett Salvatore called a charge on Kleiza for running into Chuck Hayes… J.R. Smith scored 24, Nene had 23 and Martin 22 for the Nuggets, who lost for just the third time in 12 games… Von Wafer had 18 points and Luis Scola finished with 16 for the Rockets, who have won five of their last six games. Yao went 13-for-19 from the field— 5-for-8 in the fourth quarter.
Johnson, Bibby lift Hawks past Raptors 87-84
The AP reports: Jamario Moon’s key miss for Toronto set up Joe Johnson’s clincher for Atlanta. Johnson scored 28 points, including a jumper with 12.5 seconds left, Mike Bibby added 23 and the Atlanta Hawks rallied to beat the Toronto Raptors 87-84 Monday despite missing two injured starters. Josh Smith, the Hawks’ only healthy regular up front, had 22 points and 14 rebounds as Atlanta sent Toronto to its sixth loss in a row. Al Horford was out for the fifth straight game because of a bone bruise in his right knee. Marvin Williams was absent after sustaining a concussion in Friday night’s loss at Golden State… Chris Bosh had 22 points and 14 rebounds, and Andrea Bargnani had 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Nowitzki hits game-winner as Mavs beat 76ers 95-93
The AP reports: Despite missing 13 of his first 14 shots and 16 of 23 overall, the seven-foot forward (Dirk Nowitzki) hit a turnaround 17-foot jumper over Reggie Evans at the buzzer to give the Dallas Mavericks a 95-93 victory against Philadelphia, snapping the 76ers’ season-high seven-game winning streak… Nowitzki finished with 24 points, Jason Kidd had 22 points and 12 rebounds and Jason Terry added 20 for the Mavericks (24-17)… Lou Williams scored 25 points, while Andre Iguodala had 18 points and 12 rebounds for the 76ers (20-21), who are trying to climb above .500 for the first time since Nov. 23 when they were 7-6. Andre Miller added 12 points for Philadelphia, whose four-game home winning streak ended.
Duhon burns former team as Knicks top Bulls 102-98
The AP reports: Chris Duhon scored with 31.2 seconds left to help lift New York to a 102-98 victory over the Chicago Bulls in an afternoon Martin Luther King Jr. Day game. He wasn’t sure Monday morning if he would play… Duhon has flourished in coach Mike D’Antoni’s offense, averaging 12.3 points and 8.0 assists after scoring 19 Monday… Derrick Rose has justified his draft position, averaging 16.9 points and 6.4 assists. His 20 points Monday were the most for a No. 1 overall pick making his Madison Square Garden debut since LeBron James had 22 in 2004… Quentin Richardson led the Knicks with 24 points… Rose hit two jumpers and fed Luol Deng for a dunk for two of his six points during the spurt. Deng’s slam came in transition after Joakim Noah blocked Jared Jeffries’ shot. Deng finished with 20 points for Chicago.