Joe Johnson scored 25 points -- six on consecutive possessions in overtime -- and the surprising Atlanta Hawks won their third straight, 104-95 on Tuesday night over the Cleveland Cavaliers, who again couldn't make their free throws.
Tyronn Lue added 19 points, 11 assists and made a buzzer-beating layup to force OT for the Hawks.
Atlanta, which has had seven consecutive losing seasons and decades of frustration, improved to 3-1, one season after the Hawks started 2-16 and didn't get win No. 3 until Dec. 10.
PHOTO: AFP
Zaza Pachulia added 19 points and Josh Smith 15 for the Hawks.
LeBron James scored 34 points -- 24 after halftime -- and Drew Gooden 21 for the Cavs, the NBA's worst free-throw shooters who went 23-of-37 from the line and missed several crucial attempts down the stretch.
Hornets 97, Warriors 93
At Oklahoma City, Chris Paul had 22 points and 11 assists, Peja Stojakovic converted a go-ahead three-point play, and New Orleans improved to 4-0 for the first time in franchise history.
Stojakovic scored 18 points, David West had 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Desmond Mason added 12 points. Tyson Chandler had 10 points and 14 rebounds as the Hornets dominated the offensive glass, piling up 21 rebounds of their own missed shots.
After Philadelphia's loss Tuesday night, the Hornets and Utah Jazz -- both 4-0 -- are the NBA's only remaining undefeated teams.
Baron Davis finished with 22 points to lead Golden State. Monta Ellis scored 17 and Anthony Roberson a career-high 15.
Heat 90, SuperSonics 87
At Miami, James Posey's 3-pointer with 19 seconds remaining lifted Miami, who were playing without Shaquille O'Neal, over Seattle.
Dwyane Wade scored 31 points despite going 8-of-23 for the defending NBA champions, who improved to 2-2.
Reserve Dorell Wright had nine points, five rebounds and a career-high six assists.
Rashard Lewis scored 23 points and Ray Allen added 18 for Seattle.
O'Neal missed a second straight game because of a bruised left knee. Heat coach Pat Riley said X-rays and MRI results of O'Neal's knee were negative.
Pacers 97, 76ers 86
At Indianapolis, Jermaine O'Neal had 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Indiana handed Philadelphia its first loss of the season.
Reserve Rawle Marshall scored 16 points, while Al Harrington and Danny Granger each had 14 for Indiana (3-1), which won its second consecutive game by double digits.
Allen Iverson finished with 20 points on 8-of-22 shooting from the field for the 76ers (3-1), who trailed by double figures the entire second half. Kyle Korver and Willie Green each scored 14.
Rockets 86, Grizzlies 80
At Memphis, Tennessee, Yao Ming (
Tracy McGrady had 19 points and nine rebounds for the Rockets, who overcame 24 turnovers and 42 percent shooting. Former Grizzlies forward Shane Battier, the franchise's most popular player, added 12 points in 42 minutes.
Memphis (1-3) was led by Stromile Swift, acquired in the trade for Battier. He scored 15 points.
Lakers 95, Timberwolves 88
At Los Angeles, Andrew Bynum had 20 points, 14 rebounds and some key plays down the stretch as the Los Angeles Lakers beat Minnesota.
Kobe Bryant, in the third game of his comeback from last summer's knee surgery, had 17 points while taking only seven shots, and added six assists. Lamar Odom chipped in with 15 points and nine rebounds, and Luke Walton had 14 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Bynum finished 6-of-9 from the field and 8-of-10 from the line, including 3-of-4 in the final 47 seconds as the Lakers held on.
Kevin Garnett led Minnesota with 26 points and nine rebounds, and rookie Randy Foye had 12 points.
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