Sun, Jan 04, 2004 - Page 23 News List

Raptors find Hornets all over boards in Toronto

AP , TORONTO

The Heat's point total was a season high, and they topped 100 for just the fourth time.

Rafer Alston scored 18 points and reserve Malik Allen 14, both season highs. Miami's 3-pointers were also a season high, and most were uncontested against the Magic, who are next-to-last in the NBA in scoring defense.

Nets 97, Cavaliers 82

In East Rutherford, New Jersey, Jason Kidd had 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds and played a major part in limiting LeBron James to 14 points.

James' point total was his lowest since scoring eight against Atlanta on Dec. 6. The top pick in the NBA draft had scored at least 17 points in his previous 12 games and had averaged 27.3 since Dec. 11. But James couldn't make anything happen with Kidd, Richard Jefferson and Kerry Kittles challenging him every time he touched the ball.

James threw up two airballs, missed two free throws and struggled with his shot, going 6-of-19. He also had nine assists and four rebounds.

Jefferson and Kittles added 20 points apiece and Kenyon Martin dominated inside, collecting 16 points, 13 rebounds, three blocks and five steals.

Pacers 103, Celtics 90

In Boston, Reggie Miller had three 3-pointers during a 13-0 run to start the fourth quarter as the Pacers recovered from a 15-point deficit.

Ron Artest scored 28 points and Jermaine O'Neal had 21 with 13 rebounds for Indiana, which has the best record in the East (24-10). Paul Pierce scored 18 with nine rebounds for Boston, which led 46-31 in the second quarter.

The Celtics were ahead by six at halftime and it was still a six-point game, 66-60, before the Pacers scored the next nine points, including a three-point play and another basket by Artest that gave Indiana the lead for good.

Timberwolves 93, Hawks 75

In Minneapolis, Kevin Garnett led a well-balanced lineup with 18 points and 15 rebounds.

Sam Cassell had 15 points and 11 assists for the Timberwolves, who won their fifth straight at home and carried some momentum into the new year following a franchise-best 11-2 December.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 15 points for the Hawks, who began a brutal seven-game stretch featuring road matchups with Denver, Sacramento, the Los Angeles Lakers, Utah and Indiana -- plus a home game against San Antonio. Three of those seven opponents are in first place, and two -- including the Timberwolves -- are second-place clubs.

Pistons 93, Suns 81

In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Richard Hamilton scored 26 points and Ben Wallace had 22 rebounds and 10 points.

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