T-Wolves win, snap 8-game losing run

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota: Rashad McCants continued his sharp-shooting streak with 27 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves snapped an eight-game losing streak by beating the reeling Miami Heat 101-91 in the NBA on Tuesday.

Dwyane Wade had 25 points, seven assists and five rebounds for Miami, which played its sixth straight game without Shaquille O'Neal and has lost eight in a row to fall to an Eastern Conference-worst 8-27.

Al Jefferson added 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Marko Jaric had 17 points and eight assists for the Timberwolves, who notched just their fifth win of the season, and first since Dec 21.

In Cleveland, LeBron James scored 22 points, and sat out the final 8:36 as Cleveland coasted to its sixth win in seven games against Seattle, 95-79.

Kevin Durant, Seattle's silky smooth rookie, scored 24 points and showed off some of his blossoming pro game while being guarded at times by James, who has become close friends with the No 2 overall pick.

At Philadelphia, Charlie Bell and Mo Williams each scored 21 points and Milwaukee beat struggling Philadelphia 87-83.

Andrew Bogut had 13 points and 12 rebounds, and Charlie Villanueva added 15 points and 10 boards for the Bucks.

Andre Iguodala scored 21 points and Samuel Dalembert had 16 points and 16 rebounds for the 76ers, who have lost four straight.

In Washington, Luther Head's season-high 24 points and Rafer Alston's double-double led Houston to its third consecutive victory at Washington's expense, winning 92-84.

Alston finished with 15 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, and Yao Ming scored 21 points for Houston.

In Charlotte, North Carolina, Jason Richardson scored 25 points and hot-shooting Charlotte overcame Jason Kidd's third consecutive triple-double to beat New Jersey 115-99.

Gerald Wallace added 21 points and 11 rebounds and Emeka Okafor and Nazr Mohammed added 17 points apiece for the Bobcats, who shot 59 percent in their highest-scoring game of the season. Charlotte snapped a three-game losing streak.

The Nets had their five-game winning streak snapped despite Kidd's 13 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists. He became the first player since Detroit's Grant Hill 11 seasons ago to have three straight triple-doubles.

Richard Jefferson had 25 points and Vince Carter scored 17.

In Memphis, Tennessee, Derek Fisher scored 26 points and Kobe Bryant added 25 to lead Los Angeles past Memphis 117-101.

It was the 13th win in 16 games for the Lakers. The Grizzlies, who never led, were paced by Mike Miller with 19 points. Pau Gasol added 18 points and 12 rebounds. Rudy Gay finished with 15 points.

In Salt Lake City, Carlos Boozer scored 22 points and reserve Matt Harpring added 16 to power Utah past Indiana 111-89.

The Jazz, who improved to 13-3 at home, took a 28-point lead in the first half on their way to handing the Pacers their worst loss of the season.

Danny Granger led the Pacers with 17 points and Jamaal Tinsley, who saw Indiana go 1-4 while he sat out with a hamstring injury, made his return with 13 points. The Pacers have started their five-game Western Conference road swing with two blowout defeats after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers 112-96 on Sunday.

In Sacramento, California, John Salmons scored 21 points to help Sacramento hold off Orlando 104-100.

Brad Miller scored 20 points for the Kings, who snapped a rare four-game losing streak at home. And the victory came against the Magic, who at 15-6 have the most road wins this season in the NBA.

In Chicago, Eddy Curry scored a season-high 29 points, Jamal Crawford added 24 and New York rallied to beat Chicago 105-100 and snap a seven-game losing streak.

Stephon Marbury, who scored 18 points, hit two 3-pointers during the Knicks' game-ending 14-2 run, including one from the top of the key that made it 105-100 with 11 seconds left. That sealed the win for the Knicks, who are 2-13 on the road.

Agencies

(China Daily 01/10/2008 page24)