CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Gerald Wallace was honored with a video tribute, two standing ovations and numerous chants of his name in his first game back in Charlotte since last month's jolting trade.
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| Help wanted: Toronto's Leandro Barbosa looks to pass around Indiana's Roy Hibbert in the second half on
Friday. The Raptors beat the Pacers 108-98.
AP PHOTO |
But it was his best friend on his old club that got the better of him when it mattered most.
Stephen Jackson scored 18 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter, including the go-ahead three-point play on a drive around Wallace in the final minute, and the Bobcats beat the Portland Trail Blazers 97-92 on Friday night to spoil Wallace's emotional return.
In his first game back from a hamstring injury, Jackson finished one point shy of Wallace's team record for points in a quarter as Charlotte snapped a six-game losing streak.
"We sat back and let him get going and all of a sudden he found his groove," Wallace said of Jackson. "I've seen him in that zone plenty of times."
Wallace, the last original member of the seven-year-old Bobcats and their only All-Star, was traded last month for role players and draft picks, a move owner Michael Jordan said would give them "flexibility" to rebuild the roster in the next few years.
Wallace, who had 13 points and nine rebounds, fouled Jackson on his twisting layup to put Charlotte ahead to stay with 48 seconds left. Wallace later fouled out.
Nets 102, Clippers 98 (OT)
In Newark, N.J., Brook Lopez and Jordan Farmar each scored 24 points, combining for all of New Jersey's overtime scoring, and the Nets rallied to beat Los Angeles for their fourth straight victory.
76ers 89, Celtics 86
In Philadelphia, Spencer Hawes had 14 points and 10 rebounds and Elton Brand scored 14 against Boston.
Raptors 108, Pacers 98
In Toronto, Leandro Barbosa scored a season-high 29 points, Ed Davis had 12 points and 13 rebounds and the Raptors sent Indiana to its fifth straight loss in Toronto.
Bulls 94, Hawks 76
In Chicago, Derrick Rose came on strong after a slow start to finish with 34 points.
Timberwolves 122, Jazz 101
In Minneapolis, Kevin Love had 24 points and 12 rebounds and extended the longest double-double streak since 1973-74 to 53 straight games.
Thunder 104, Pistons 94
In Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored 24 points and James Harden kept his late-season surge going with 22 points.
Spurs 108, Kings 103
In San Antonio, Tony Parker scored 27 points, Manu Ginobili had 24 and the Spurs won their 11th in a row over Sacramento.
Warriors 123, Magic 120 (OT)
In Oakland, Monta Ellis had 39 points and 11 assists, Dorell Wright scored 32 points and Golden State came back from 21 points down to stun Orlando in overtime.