The AP reports: Tony Parker spent the past month scoring big to compensate for the absence of Manu Ginobili. With Ginobili back, Parker picked up his scoring even more to help the San Antonio Spurs win without Tim Duncan. Parker scored 42 points and the Spurs ended Atlanta’s eight-game home winning streak with a 102-92 victory on Wednesday night… Joe Johnson had 30 points, including Atlanta’s first 11 points of the fourth quarter, but he had too little help as the Hawks suffered their first loss at Philips Arena since March 1… Ginobili had two points in 13 minutes as he returned in a limited role after missing 19 games with a right ankle injury. Roger Mason had 18 points and Michael Finley added 13 for the Spurs.
Day: March 26, 2009
Young leads 76ers over T-Wolves, 96-88
The AP reports: Thaddeus Young scored 29 points and Andre Miller had 15 to lead the Sixers to a 96-88 win over the revamped Timberwolves on Wednesday night. The Sixers (37-33) pulled a half-game behind Miami in the Eastern Conference standings and upped their odds toward clinching their first winning record in four seasons. The Heat lost 90-88 at Indiana on Wednesday… Rodney Carney stuck it to his former team with 21 points and Craig Smith had 20 for the Timberwolves, whose new lineup couldn’t help them avoid their sixth straight loss.
Cavaliers set team wins record, beat Nets 98-87
The AP reports: LeBron James scored 22 points with 11 assists and made all the right moves in the closing minutes as the too-tough-at-home Cavaliers set a franchise record with their 58th win—and 10th straight—by beating the New Jersey Nets 98-87 on Wednesday night… Vince Carter scored 20 and Jarvis Hayes 18 for the Nets, who are running out of time to make the playoffs… Anderson Varejao, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Mo Williams scored 16 apiece and Delonte West had 13 points with nine rebounds for the Cavs, who again showed they are much more than James.
Bargnani scores 23 points as Raptors beat Bucks
The AP reports: The Milwaukee Bucks sure aren’t playing like their playoff chances are at stake. Andrea Bargnani scored 23 points, Chris Bosh and Jose Calderon had double-doubles and the Toronto Raptors beat the Bucks 115-106 on Wednesday night… Bosh had 18 points and 14 rebounds, Calderon added 19 points and 11 assists to help the Raptors win consecutive games for the first time since Feb. 22-24. Shawn Marion scored 17 points, Anthony Parker had 15 and Jason Kapono 14… Jefferson shook off a recent shooting slump, going 10-for-18 and scoring 22 points for the Bucks, who lost their third straight. Charlie Bell scored 20 points and Ramon Sessions had 18.
Granger leads Pacers past Heat 90-88
The AP reports: The 90-88 victory Wednesday night was Indiana’s 17th straight home win against the Heat, but it wasn’t certain until Wade’s desperation 3-point shot went halfway down and rimmed out at the buzzer. “I thought it was (going in) for a quick second, then I saw he shot it a little to the left and that’s why it rolled out,” said Danny Granger, who led Indiana with 28 points. “Fortunately, he missed it.” … Wade, the NBA scoring leader at almost 30 points a game, had 21 points but was just 5-of-24 from the field, including 2-of-11 in the second half… Haslem finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds, and O’Neal had 13 points and three blocks but only two rebounds. Ford added 20 points and Jarrett Jack 13 for the Pacers. Jeff Foster, starting in place of injured Troy Murphy, had a season-high 16 rebounds.