Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2008

Kings set new goals for their stretch run

Eastern power Celtics top West elite Spurs

SAN ANTONIO -- Paul Pierce scored 22 points, Kevin Garnett added 21 and the Boston Celtics rallied to beat the San Antonio Spurs 93-91 on Monday night.

Rajon Rondo added 20 points for the Celtics, who were still without Ray Allen, who missed his second game in a row with a jammed left ankle. Sam Cassell gave Boston its first lead of the fourth quarter with 46 seconds left when he hit a 3-pointer to make it 89-87.

HORNETS 108, BULLS 97, at New Orleans -- Chris Paul had game highs of 37 points and 13 assists for New Orleans, which outscored Chicago 33-13 in the fourth quarter. Paul made an open 3-pointer with 2:47 left to tie it 96-all. Paul found Tyson Chandler for a dunk to give the Hornets their first lead since halftime.

MAGIC 104, CAVALIERS 90, at Orlando, Fla. -- Dwight Howard had 23 points and 13 rebounds, Rashard Lewis scored 21 and Orlando beat Cleveland despite 30 points, nine rebounds and six assists from LeBron James.

HAWKS 105, WIZARDS 96, at Washington -- Former Kings guard Mike Bibby scored 23 points and Joe Johnson added 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead Atlanta to its third consecutive win and move the Hawks one-half game ahead of idle New Jersey for eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

PACERS 110, KNICKS 98, at Indianapolis -- Mike Dunleavy tied his career high with 36 points to help Indiana end a two-game losing streak.

GRIZZLIES 98, BOBCATS 80, at Memphis, Tenn. -- Mike Miller had 18 points and 13 rebounds, helping the Grizzlies end a four-game losing streak. The Charlotte starters scored only 36 points in the game.

TIMBERWOLVES 99, CLIPPERS 90, at Minneapolis -- Al Jefferson had his 48th double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds and Ryan Gomes scored 19 points for Minnesota.

JAZZ 96, RAPTORS 79, at Salt Lake City -- Deron Williams scored 21 points and his backup, Ronnie Price, had 13 points and five assists as Utah tied a franchise record with their 19th consecutive home victory.

TIP-INS -- The brother of Warriors guard Monta Ellis has been released from the hospital after being shot in the back twice over the weekend in Jackson, Miss. Antwain Ellis, 27, was released Monday afternoon from University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson Police Department spokesman Sgt. Jeffery Scott said. There are no suspects and no arrests have been made. ... Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof will appear on Sunday's episode of "Oprah's Big Give," where will present the show's competitors with a suitcase full of their own cash, giving them just 24 hours use the money to help people in need. ... Pacers Jamaal Tinsley and Marquis Daniels avoided a trial Monday on charges stemming from a 2007 bar fight. Prosecutors agreed to drop all charges if the players stay out of trouble for two years.