Ford injured, Raptors beat Hawks
ATLANTA: Toronto Raptors point guard T.J. Ford was taken off the court on a stretcher following a scary fall late in the 100-88 NBA victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday.
Ford, who missed the 2004-05 season with Milwaukee following neck surgery, stole the ball and was headed toward a breakaway basket when Atlanta rookie Al Horford hit his face with his hand. Ford landed hard on his back, his head bouncing off the floor.
Raptors spokesman Jim LaBumbard confirmed Ford "had feeling in his upper and lower extremities when he was taken off the floor".
Ford, who scored 26 points, was taken to Piedmont Hospital.
Toronto led 69-68 entering the final quarter and stretched the lead to 82-71.
In Cleveland, LeBron James returned as a reserve and Cleveland snapped a six-game losing streak, beating the Indiana Pacers 118-105.
James, the NBA's leading scorer, had missed the previous five games with what the Cavs have described as a sprained left index finger. Wearing a padded, protective glove on his hand, James scored 17 points in 22 minutes.
Larry Hughes also came off the bench and scored a season-high 36 points - in just 26 minutes. It was his second game back after missing 11 with a bruised leg.
In Oakland, California, Baron Davis had 18 points, six rebounds and six assists and Golden State took advantage of Tim Duncan sitting out another game to beat San Antonio 96-84.
Stephen Jackson had 20 points, five assists and five boards and Matt Barnes added 16 points and eight rebounds as the Warriors used a big second quarter to snap the Spurs' five-game winning streak.
Agencies
(China Daily 12/13/2007 page24)
