Spurs' late rally finishes Rockets
Tim Duncan had 19 points and 15 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs rallied from 19 points down in the third quarter to beat the Rockets, 92-84, last night in Houston.
Manu Ginobili scored 13 of his 19 points in the second half as the Spurs beat the Rockets for the seventh straight time.
Francisco Elson scored 12 points and Robert Horry added 10 for San Antonio, which has won its first four road games for the first time in franchise history.
Tracy McGrady scored 26 for the Rockets, but he had only 5 in the second half. Yao Ming, who had topped 30 points in his last two games, scored 20 and was just 7 of 21 from the field.
The Rockets led, 74-55, after a 3-pointer by Rafer Alston with 4:57 left in the third quarter. They missed 13 consecutive shots after that and went 2 of 17 in the fourth.
The Spurs outscored Houston, 21-9, in the final quarter.
Nuggets 112, Heat 105 -- Carmelo Anthony scored 33 points and Denver twice converted 4-point plays to beat host Miami.
Anthony lost his scoring duel with fellow 2003 draft pick Dwyane Wade, who had 37 points, 11 assists, and 8 rebounds. But the Nuggets reached .500 by winning their third in a row after an 0-3 start.
Defending NBA champion Miami fell to 3-4 with its second consecutive loss, both at home.
The Heat were again without Shaquille O'Neal because of a hyperextended left knee, his second injury to the knee this season. His status is day-to-day.
Bucks 103, Hawks 101 -- Michael Redd converted a 3-point play with 27 seconds remaining and finished with 30 points, and visiting Milwaukee snapped a four-game losing streak.
Joe Johnson and Tyronn Lue each scored 29 for the Hawks, who have lost two straight after a four-game winning streak.
Timberwolves 101, Trail Blazers 89 -- Ricky Davis broke out of a shooting slump with 27 points to help host Minnesota snap a four-game losing streak.
Davis entered the night shooting just 32 percent during the losing streak but made 11 of 18 shots.
Hornets 94, Bobcats 85 -- In Oklahoma City, Peja Stojakovic scored a career-high 42 points and directed a decisive fourth-quarter run as New Orleans broke a three-game skid.
Jazz 112, Clippers 90 -- Carlos Boozer had 16 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists, and host Utah got off to its best start (7-1) since 1999.
Mehmet Okur scored 27 points and Ronnie Brewer had 12 in his first NBA start. Rookie Paul Millsap added 6 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 4 steals as the Jazz played without forward Andrei Kirilenko, who is out with a sprained ankle.
Mavericks 111, Bulls 99 -- Dirk Nowitzki scored 31 points and Erick Dampier had season highs of 14 points and 13 rebounds, helping Dallas beat Chicago for its first home victory of the season.
Warriors 110, Raptors 99 -- Baron Davis had 22 points and 12 assists while seizing control of the fourth quarter in Golden State's comeback victory at home.
