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Toronto overcomes New Orleans in tight game

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dajuan Wagner, center, goes for a layup in between Golden State Warriors' Speedy Claxton, left, and Calbert Cheaney during the first quarter on Thursday in Oakland, California. PHOTO: AP

Jalen Rose hit a game-tying shot in the final second of regulation Thursday, and Alvin Williams hit a pair of big jumpers in overtime to help the Toronto Raptors beat the New Orleans Hornets 78-74.

"I don't really think we understand the potential that we have as a whole," Rose said. "We have a lot of players who understand how to play this game."

Rose fouled out after scoring the first points of overtime but finished with a game-high 20. Williams and Donyell Marshall each added 16 points.

"We all want to get guys who really play hard and really care more about winning than anything. That's Alvin Williams," Toronto coach Kevin O'Neill said. "He played big-time basketball for us in the second half."

Toronto was forced to play the final three-plus quarters without Vince Carter, who left the game with 4:41 remaining in the opening quarter after going down holding his right leg on a missed dunk attempt.

Carter was fouled as he soared through the lane. Team officials called the injury a strained quadriceps and said Carter's condition would be re-evaluated Friday.

Bucks 86, Nets 83

In Milwaukee, Toni Kukoc scored 10 of his 17 points in fourth quarter as Milwaukee spoiled Kenyon Martin's return from a suspension by beating New Jersey.

Martin, who missed two games for fighting with the Los Angeles Clippers' Corey Maggette last week, had just two baskets in the first half. But he scored 14 points in the fourth quarter and finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out with 52.2 seconds left.

Michael Redd added 15 points and reserve Erick Strickland had 11 as Milwaukee won its 10th straight home game.

Grizzlies 108, Bulls 93

In Memphis, Tennessee, James Posey scored 16 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter and Jason Williams added 20 points to lead Memphis over Chicago.

Posey was 5-of-9 from the field and hit all 10 of his free throws to help Memphis win its third straight and fifth in the last six.

Jamal Crawford and Jerome Williams scored 13 points apiece for the Bulls, who have lost four of five.

Jazz 97, Heat 85

In Salt Lake City, Andrei Kirilenko scored 15 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter as Utah beat Miami for the sixth straight time in a foul-filled game.

The teams combined for 67 personal fouls, but it still wasn't close to the shot-clock era record for regulation. That was 84 between Indiana and Kansas City on Oct. 22, 1977.

Raul Lopez added 13 points, including a dunk in the closing seconds, and DeShawn Stevenson scored 12 for the Jazz, who have not lost to the Heat since November 2000. Kirilenko also had 12 rebounds and five blocks.

Warriors 119, Cavaliers 102

In Oakland, California, Clifford Robinson had a season-high 35 points, including a career-high seven 3-pointers as Golden State defeated LeBron James and the cold-shooting Cleveland.

James went 4-for-12 from the field in the first half and finished 8-for-21 with 29 points, six rebounds and six assists. He did plenty to entertain the sellout crowd of 19,602, too.

Erick Dampier had his 19th double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds and Jason Richardson added 25 points for Golden State, which had lost nine of its last 10.

Eric Williams added 21 points for the Cavs, who played their fifth game of a season-long six-game road trip.

Suns 105, Trail Blazers 96

In Portland, Oregon, Amare Stoudemire had 22 points and 10 rebounds to give Phoenix its first win without Stephon Marbury, a victory over Portland.

It also was the Suns' first win of 2004, and snapped a four-game road losing streak, as well as just their fourth win overall on the road this season.

Stoudemire was playing in his just third game since missing 18 with a high ankle sprain. Shawn Marion helped with 21 points and eight rebounds.

Zach Randolph led the Blazers with 21 points and 12 rebounds, his 21st double-double of the season.
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