Mon, Jan 21, 2008 - Page 19 News List

NBA: Knicks give Heat to 13th straight loss

WORST RUN Yao Ming had 21 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Rockets over the San Antonio Spurs, while the Mavericks gave the SuperSonics their 10th straight defeat

AP , MIAMI

Alexander Johnson, center, of the Miami Heat dunks against the New York Knicks on Saturday at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida.

PHOTO: AFP

The New York Knicks happily exploited another fourth-quarter collapse by the Miami Heat, who sent coach Pat Riley to a new low in the NBA on Saturday.

Jamal Crawford scored 22 points and Nate Robinson added 19, including the jumpshot with 2:20 left that put New York ahead to stay, and the Knicks beat Miami 88-84 -- sending the Heat to their 13th straight loss, the longest in the league and the worst run of Riley's career.

Miami led by 10 late in the third quarter and took a four-point lead into the fourth, but lost yet again to match the second-longest skid in team history.

Only the expansion Heat -- who lost their first 17 games of the 1988-1989 season -- have dropped more in a row than this team, which has free-fallen since winning the championship a mere 19 months ago.

Struggling New York has won four of its last five.

Rockets 83, Spurs 81

In Houston, defending champion San Antonio fell to its fourth defeat in six games with a loss to Texas rival Houston.

Yao Ming had 21 points and 14 rebounds for the Rockets, who beat the Spurs for only the fourth time in the last 13 meetings.

Mavericks 111, SuperSonics 96

In Dallas, the home side sent reeling Seattle to its 10th straight loss.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 points and Devin Harris keyed a game-breaking run for the Mavericks, who have won eight of the past nine.

Seattle's 10 losses in a row matches the single-season franchise record. The Sonics last dropped 10 in a row in 1968.

Bulls 97, Pistons 81

In Chicago, the home side used a strong fourth-quarter defensive effort to stay perfect this season against Detroit.

Ben Gordon scored 33 points for the Bulls, who outscored the Pistons 26-14 in the final period, improving to 3-0 this season against the team that eliminated them in the Eastern Conference semifinals last spring.

Magic 101, Trail Blazers 94

In Orlando, Florida, Hedo Turkoglu scored 20 points to help Orlando hold on for victory against Portland.

Rashard Lewis added 16 for the Magic.

The Magic, who blew a 19-point third-quarter lead in their previous game, led by 21 in the middle of the second quarter, but saw the advantage dwindle to just four late in the third period before steadying.

Warriors 119, Bucks 99

In Milwaukee, Al Harrington scored 27 points and Golden State beat Milwaukee.

Andris Biedrins added 20 for the Warriors, who broke open the game in the third and have now won five of six.

Milwaukee has lost four of five.

Bobcats 105, Grizzlies 87

In Charlotte, North Carolina, Jason Richardson scored a season-high 38 points and had 14 rebounds to lead Charlotte to victory over Memphis.

The Bobcats beat the Grizzlies for the first time in team history.

Memphis has lost six of its past seven games and four straight on the road.

Nuggets 111, Timberwolves 108

In Denver, Allen Iverson scored 35 points, including a fade-away jumper and two free throws in the final 30 seconds, as Denver held off Minnesota.

Carmelo Anthony added 26 for the Nuggets.

The Timberwolves fell to 1-20 on the road this season and have lost 16 straight.

Kings 110, Pacers 104

In Indianapolis, Ron Artest scored 15 points against his former team to lead Sacramento to a win over Indiana.

Artest still is disliked by Indiana fans for his role in the brawl between Pacers players and Detroit fans in 2004. He was booed often, but got his first win against the Pacers since he requested a trade two seasons ago.

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