Sunday, March 28, 2010

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) The New Jersey Nets aren't going to be the worst team in NBA history.

Throwing it down: Philadelphia's Samuel Dalembert flies in for a dunk as Atlanta's Al Horford looks on Friday night. The 76ers beat the Hawks 105-98. AP PHOTO

Brook Lopez had a career-high 37 points and Yi Jianlian had a career-best 31 and the Nets eliminated any chance of setting a record for fewest wins in a season, beating the Detroit Pistons 118-110 on Friday night for their first winning streak of the season.

"We're smiling," said point guard Devin Harris, who had 12 assists. "It's good to get two wins in a row, but we're not satisfied. We want to continue to be better and finish the season on a high note."

Even if New Jersey (9-63) loses its final 10 games, it can do no worse than tie the league mark for the worst record (9-73), set by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1972-73.

Thunder 91, Lakers 75

In Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored 26 points, Russell Westbrook added 23 and the Thunder snapped Los Angeles' seven-game winning streak on a turnover-filled night for Kobe Bryant.

Spurs 102, Cavaliers 97

In San Antonio, Manu Ginobili scored 15 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter as the Spurs snapped Cleveland's eight-game win streak.

LeBron James had 27 points for the Cavs.

Heat 87, Bucks 74

In Milwaukee, Dwyane Wade had 30 points, seven assists and seven rebounds, leading Miami over the hosts in a game overshadowed when Bucks forward Carlos Delfino was taken from the court on a stretcher after a blow to the head.

Celtics 94, Kings 86

In Boston, Rajon Rondo had a career-high 18 assists, Paul Pierce scored 22 points and the Celtics defeated Sacramento.

Nuggets 97, Raptors 96

In Toronto, Carmelo Anthony buried a 5.5-meter fadeaway shot at the buzzer to lead Denver to a come-from-behind win over the Raptors.

Pacers 122, Jazz 106

In Indianapolis, Danny Granger scored 18 of his career-high 44 points in the fourth quarter to help Indiana beat Utah for its fifth straight win.

Magic 106, Timberwolves 97

In Orlando, Dwight Howard had 24 points and 19 rebounds, reserve forward Ryan Anderson added 19 points and nine boards, and the Magic handed Minnesota its 15th straight loss.

76ers 105, Hawks 98

In Philadelphia, Andre Iguodala had 25 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, Jason Kapono and Elton Brand each added 14 points, and the Sixers won consecutive games for the first time in more than six weeks.

Bobcats 107, Wizards 96

In Charlotte, Gerald Wallace scored 23 points, Stephen Jackson added 20, and the Bobcats ended an eventful day for the Wizards by sending Washington to a franchise-record 14th consecutive loss.

Suns 132, Knicks 96

In Phoenix, Leandro Barbosa scored 18 points in his fifth game back from wrist surgery to help the Suns stretch their winning streak to a season-best six games with a rout of New York.

Arenas avoids jail

WASHINGTON (AP) No jail. But no round-the-clock freedom, either, for Gilbert Arenas.

The judge found a halfway point — literally — between prison and probation Friday when he sentenced the three-time NBA All-Star to 30 days in a halfway house for bringing guns into the Washington Wizards locker room.

Arenas remained expressionless as District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Robert E. Morin described a litany of conditions associated with the sentence — two years of probation, a $5,000 fine, 400 hours of community service that can't be done at basketball clinics — then turned to his lawyer for an explanation of what it all meant.

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Visit The Japan Times' Web site for a recap of Saturday's bj-league games.

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