Print

Mail

wiki links

NBA: Garnett dazzles as Celtics slam Suns

Charlotte Bobcats guard Earl Boykins, No. 11, drives around the defense of Los Angeles Lakers center Didier Ilunga-Mbenga, left, during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Wednesday. PHOTO: AP

The Boston Celtics responded to successive defeats and beat the Phoenix Suns 117-97 in the NBA on Wednesday.

Kevin Garnett scored 30 points, sinking the final two to chants of "M-V-P!" from home fans, and Paul Pierce had 12 of his 27 in the fourth quarter for Boston, which broke away from Phoenix in the third quarter.

The Suns remained 1-1/2 games off the Pacific Division-leading Los Angeles Lakers, and are sixth in the Western Conference playoff race.

Hornets 100, Cavaliers 99

In Cleveland, David West's 17-foot jumpshot with less than a second left led New Orleans over Cleveland and to its fifth straight win.

The Hornets retained the Western Conference's best record and improved to 2-0 on a six-game road trip against the weaker Eastern Conference.

Cleveland had its nine-game home winning streak end but stayed fourth in the East's playoff race.

Raptors 89, Pistons 82

In Toronto, Chris Bosh scored 21 points to lead Toronto past Detroit.

T.J. Ford had 13 points and nine assists in his return to the starting lineup for the Raptors, who avoided falling below .500 for the first time since November.

Bobcats 108, Lakers 95

In Los Angeles, Jason Richardson had 34 points and 10 rebounds to lead Charlotte to a stunning 108-95 win over Los Angeles.

Lakers' star Kobe Bryant drew two technical fouls in a span of 29 seconds late in the fourth quarter and was ejected.

The loss dropped the Lakers into a three-way tie for second place in the Western Conference with Houston and San Antonio. They trail the West-leading New Orleans by one game.

The Bobcats snapped a six-game road losing streak but remained five games out of the last Eastern Conference playoff spot.

Hawks 115, Bucks 96

In Atlanta, the home team downed Milwaukee to maintain the eighth and final playoff position in the Eastern Conference.

Joe Johnson scored 28 points and Josh Childress added 20 for the Hawks, who also escaped a major scare when X-rays on the left thumb of point guard Mike Bibby -- who left the game in the fourth quarter -- showed no break.

Atlanta is half a game ahead of New Jersey in the race for the last playoff spot.

Knicks 103, Heat 96, OT

In New York, the home team ended its longest home losing streak in 45 years by beating Miami.

Jamal Crawford scored 24 points, including the go-ahead jump shot in overtime, for the Knicks, who had dropped a franchise record-tying seven in a row at home for the first time since 1963.

76ers 121, Bulls 99

In Philadelphia, Lou Williams registered 23 points to lead Philadelphia over Chicago.

Andre Miller had a season-high 18 assists for the 76ers, who dominated early and led by 22 points in the first half.

Philadelphia are two games over .500 for the first time all season, have won 11 of 12 at home and are 11-2 in March to charge up to sixth in the East standings.

Nets 124, Pacers 117

In East Rutherford, New Jersey, the home team beat Detroit to keep pace with Atlanta for the final playoff berth in the East.

In other games, it was:

* Rockets 97, Timberwolves 86

* Kings 107, Grizzlies 106, OT
This story has been viewed 647 times.