Brooklyn Nets 109, Philadelphia 76ers 89
After a close game in the first half, the Nets opened the third period on a 16-2 run behind 10 points from Gerald Wallace and five from Joe Johnson. Brooklyn made 14-of-19 shots in that period as their lead grew to 22 heading to the 4th.
Deron Williams had 22 points, Reggie Evans grabbed a career high 23 rebounds (outrebounding the Sixers 23-22 through three quarters) and Andray Blatche scored 20 off the bench.
As for the Sixers, Jrue Holiday scored 19 points and Spencer Hawes had 14. Philadelphia now lost three consecutive games.
Indiana Pacers 87, Miami Heat 77
For the Heat’s Dwyane Wade, the first half of the game felt like he was back again in the playoffs facing the Pacers. Wade scored a season high 23 points of the total 30 in the first half as the game was tied. Neither of those lasted in the second half.
The Pacers used a 25-6 run in the third quarter to get a 10-point lead, as Wade cooled off in the second half. The Pacers punished Miami on the glass, 55-36. That was the difference in the game.
Paul George scored 29 points along with 11 rebounds for the Pacers, who have won 11 of their last 14 games. LeBron James scored 22 points (10-20 FG) and had 10 rebounds.
Milwaukee Bucks 108, Phoenix Suns 99
No Scott Skiles? No problem. Jim Boylan got his first win as the head coach of the Bucks.
Monta Ellis, who had a poor night shooting the ball, made a basket that gave the Bucks a 73-71 lead and they never trailed again. Brandon Jennings had 29 points and nine assists, and Larry Sanders had 10 points, eight rebounds, six blocks and three steals.
The Suns. who now are 12 games under .500, counted with 21 points from Goran Dragic and 18 from Jared Dudley.
Houston Rockets 125, Los Angeles Lakers 112
The Lakers have seen this script far too many times. After having a lead as big as 14, the Lakers couldn’t hold on and let the Rockets take control of the ball game...again.
The Rockets outscored the Lakers by 12 in the third quarter and by four in the 4th. James Harden scored 31 points and Chandler Parsons added 20 to help the Rockets get their fifth win a row.
Los Angeles, who were without Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol and Jordan Hill, have now lost four straight game and have the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center next.
Metta World Peace led the Lakers with 24 points, six rebounds and four steals, Steve Nash had a double-double with 16 points and 10 assists. After ending up with 10 assists, Nash became the fifth payer in NBA history to surpass the 10,000 career NBA assists, joining Magic Johnson, Mark Jackson, John Stockton and Jason Kidd.
Minnesota Timberwolves 108, Atlanta Hawks 103
The Hawks, who trailed by 14 to start the fourth, had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds, but they were careless and let Dante Cunningham steal the ball away from them. Luke Ridnour sealed the game hitting two clutch shots.
The Timberwolves had eight-out-of-15 three pointers made and Nikola Pekovic’s 28 points and 15 boards were key. Minnesota won the game despite not having their head coach Rick Adelman on the sidelines, as he missed the game to attend a personal matter.
Josh Smith had 21 points and 13 rebounds while Al Horford had 19 points and 11 for the Hawks, who have now lost three straight.
