SPORTS

Spurs stay top with big win

February 09, 2005 19:46 IST

Tony Parker scored 20 points to carry San Antonio past the host Charlotte Bobcats 104-85 Tuesday, keeping the Spurs top of the overall NBA standings.

The Spurs were without twice league MVP Tim Duncan, who missed his first game of the season because of a sprained ankle, but welcomed back Rasho Nesterovic.

After being sidelined for six games with an injured ankle, Nesterovic was activated before the tipoff and contributed 15 points and eight rebounds.

Devin Brown also had 15 points for San Antonio and All-Star Manu Ginobili added 12.

It was the ninth win in 10 outings for the Spurs, who improved their record to 39-10 to remain a half game clear of the Phoenix Suns in the standings.

In Sacramento, Steve Nash celebrated his selection for the All-Star Game by pouring in a season-high 33 points and dishing out 17 assists as the Phoenix Suns edged the Kings 125-123.

The biggest shot of the game was one that did not go in, Amare Stoudemire blocking a last-gasp effort from Brad Miller to clinch Phoenix's eighth win in nine games.

Sacramento's Chris Webber registered his second triple-double in as many games with 24 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.

In Orlando, Jason Richardson scored 32 points and snared 11 rebounds to spark the Golden State Warriors to a 113-109 triumph over the Magic, their first road victory in 11 attempts.

It was also Golden State's first win in Orlando for 13 years, having dropped 11 straight decisions stretching back to February 3, 1992.

Grant Hill had 28 points for the Magic, who have lost three successive games and four of their last five.

In Cleveland, Zydrunas Ilgauskas picked up 23 points as the Cavaliers defeated the Toronto Raptors 104-91.

LeBron James underlined his All-Star credentials, flirting with his third triple-double of the season by hitting for 15 points, 11

assists and eight rebounds.

Jalen Rose led the Raptors with 21 points.

In Dallas, rookie Luol Deng had a season-high 30 points and 11 rebounds while Eddy Curry added 23 points as the Chicago Bulls beat the Mavericks 107-100 to snap a three-game losing skid.

The victory was the 23rd of the season for the Bulls, matching their entire win total from last season.

It was a disappointing return to the bench for Mavericks coach Don Nelson, who had missed 10 games following shoulder surgery.

In Memphis, the Grizzlies received double-figure performances from six players, led by an 18-point, 12-rebound effort from Lorenzen Wright, to post a 108-96 win over the slumping Minnesota Timberwolves.

Stromile Swift also had 18 points and Jason Williams added 15 to help the Grizzlies to their fourth victory in five games.

In Milwaukee, Mike James scored a career-high 28 points, including eight three-pointers, as the Bucks thumped the Boston Celtics 121-97.

James, a former Celtic, had 19 points in the first half to drive the Bucks into a 78-46 lead. Milwaukee's points tally was the second highest for a half in NBA history.

In Denver, Carmelo Anthony recorded 25 points and Earl Boykins added 20, including 11 in the final quarter, to help the Nuggets sneak past the Utah Jazz 97-87.

The Nuggets improved to 5-1 under new coach George Karl.

In Seattle, Ray Allen notched 26 points and Vladimir Radmanovic 18 as the SuperSonics downed the last-place New Orleans Hornets 108-91.

Source: REUTERS
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