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Magic gets on top of Heat

Houston Rockets' Yao Ming of China shoots over San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan, left, and Tony Massenburg during a preseason game in Laredo, Texas, on Wednesday. PHOTO: AP

Steve Francis scored 22 points on Wednesday as the Orlando Magic rode an early double-figures lead to a 109-103 victory over the Miami Heat in the preseason finale.

Cuttino Mobley, Francis' backcourt partner, had 17 points, and forwards Dwight Howard and Grant Hill 14 each. Howard added 13 rebounds for his third double-double of the preseason.

Miami's Shaquille O'Neal, returning to the arena that was home court for his first four seasons in the NBA, had 24 points and eight rebounds. Dwyane Wade scored 18 points despite shooting 5-for-19 -- including 10 straight misses to open the game.

Celtics 96, Pistons 84

In Boston, Jiri Welsch started at point guard in place of injured Gary Payton and scored 16 points to lead Boston over Detroit.

Tom Gugliotta added 12 points for the Celtics, 2-6 after snapping a six-game preseason losing streak.

Ben Wallace and Tayshaun Prince had 15 points each for NBA champion Detroit (3-4).

Ricky Davis added 12 points and Paul Pierce 11 for Boston.

Bobcats 93, Hawks 89

In Fayetteville, North Carolina, rookie Emeka Okafor scored 15 points and Primoz Brezec added 14 to lead Charlotte over Atlanta.

Okafor, the No. 2 pick in the draft, hit 6-of-8 shots in leading the Bobcats to their second straight win.

Antoine Walker had 31 points and 11 rebounds for the Hawks. Al Harrington added 17 points and seven rebounds.

The Hawks rallied from a 12-point third quarter deficit to tie it on Josh Smith's dunk with nine minutes left.

Pacers 91, Bulls 71

In Indianapolis, Stephen Jackson had 18 points as Indiana downed Chicago.

Eddy Curry had 22 points and eight rebounds to lead the Bulls, who trailed throughout and played the fourth quarter without forward Tyson Chandler after a nasty fall.

Randy Holcomb had 12 points and eight rebounds for the Pacers.

Luol Deng had 15 points and eight rebounds, and Ben Gordon added 14 points and five rebounds for Chicago.

Other results: Bucks 76, Timberwolves 75; Spurs 79, Rockets 69; Trail Blazers 97, Raptors 95; Warriors 82, Clippers 78
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